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Batman: Hush Reading Order

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Not unlike The Batman Who Laughs, Hush is a DC Comics supervillain, and more precisely, an adversary of Batmanto created during the Modern Age (aka the Post-Crisis era). Recognized for his distinctive visual design and lethality, Hush has become one of the more memorable additions to Batman’s rogues’ gallery in the 21st century.

The character was created by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Jim Lee, making his debut in Batman #609 (2003), the opening chapter of the 12-part story arc Batman: Hush. In this storyline, we learn that Hush is Dr. Thomas “Tommy” Elliot, a brilliant surgeon and childhood friend of Bruce Wayne. Elliot orchestrates an elaborate campaign against Batman, manipulating several of Gotham’s most notorious villains while concealing his own identity beneath his trademark bandaged visage.

Following the conclusion of the Hush storyline, the character reappeared in multiple Batman titles and related media, cementing his status as a recurring foe. However, with the launch of DC Comics’ New 52 initiative in 2011, which rebooted much of the company’s continuity, Hush’s presence temporarily diminished. He was later reintroduced in the weekly series Batman Eternal (2014–2015), where aspects of his backstory and motivations were reinterpreted. During the DC Rebirth (2016), elements of pre-New 52 continuity were reintroduced, and new developments followed. Hush returned once more, clashing not only with Batman but also with members of the extended Bat-Family.

Outside the mainline comics, Hush has appeared in various adaptations, including the animated film Batman: Hush (2019), video games, and merchandise, further solidifying his cultural impact.

Batman: Hush Reading Order

Before going into a more detailed guide to Hush stories, you can now find in one omnibus most of the pre-New52 stories revolving around the character. It’s also the only way to collect the full (controversial) storyline Hush Returns, as only the first five issues had been collected before. 

  • Batman: The Hush Saga Omnibus
    Collects Batman #608-619 and #685; Batman: Gotham Knights #50-55, #60-71, and #73-74; Detective Comics #846-850 and #852; a Hush interlude from Wizard #0; the Hush tales from Batman: Streets of Gotham #1-4, #14, and #16-21; and a brand-new short story from Batman: Hush: 20th Anniversary Edition. 

The Original Batman: Hush

Everything began with the Batman: Hush storyline (2002-2003) by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee. Gotham City experiences a surge of criminal activity as numerous members of Batman’s rogues’ gallery resurface to challenge him in rapid succession. Unknown to both Batman and his adversaries, these events are orchestrated by the mysterious villain Hush, who manipulates the Dark Knight’s enemies as part of a meticulously planned scheme of revenge against Bruce Wayne.

The full storyline is composed of 12 issues: Batman #608-619, and an interlude from Wizard #0. Being a popular story, Batman: Hush has been collected in multiple formats. Here is a list of what’s available:

Batman Reading Order - Logo 1998

The Return of Hush

Batman: Hush Returns is a storyline that follows the events of Batman: Hush, continuing the rivalry between Batman and the villain Hush. First published in Batman: Gotham Knights #50-74 (2004–2005), the arc was written by A.J. Lieberman with art by Al Barrionuevo.

The story centers on the reappearance of Hush, whom Batman had anticipated might return but not so soon after their initial confrontation. Hush’s comeback raises further questions regarding his identity, origins, and long-term motivations. As Batman attempts to unravel the mystery, the conflict expands beyond Gotham, drawing him to Star City, where he crosses paths with its resident hero, Green Arrow (Oliver Queen).

As previously stated, the full storyline has only been completely collected in Batman: The Hush Saga Omnibus. Batman: Hush Returns is considered to be horrendous and readers’ lack of interest (and open disdain for it) didn’t encourage DC Comics to reprint it for a long time. Only the first issues were collected in Batman: Hush Returns (Batman: Gotham Knights #50-55 and #66). 

Paul Dini’s Hush

 

Hush made another dramatic return to the life of Batman in Batman: The Heart of Hush from writer Paul Dini and artist Dustin Nguyen. But what will this mean for Bruce Wayne? Secrets shared years ago between Bruce Wayne and Tommy Elliott begin to have dangerous repercussions in the present. Why is this mystery driving Hush to destroy Batman’s life? What part does Catwoman play in Hush’s plans?

Then, Paul Dini and Dustin Nguyen continued to explore Hush in the Batman: Streets of Gotham series set after Batman Reborn.

All those stories have been collected in the Batman by Paul Dini Omnibus.

Before becoming the main Batman writer during the New 52 era, Scott Snyder wrote Gates of Gotham, a 5-issue miniseries not about Hush, but the character is present in the story, among others.

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Hush Beyond

Although not part of DC Comics’ mainline continuity, Hush plays a central role in the first major storyline of the third Batman Beyond comic book series. Published in 2010–2011 as a six-issue limited series by Adam Beechen and Ryan Benjamin, Hush Beyond introduces a new incarnation of Hush, who emerges as a threat to Terry McGinnis, the Batman of this era, while Bruce Wayne serves as his mentor.

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Hush Eternal

Batman Eternal is a year-long weekly limited series published by DC Comics from April 2014 to March 2015, consisting of 52 issues from Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Ray Fawkes, Kyle Higgins, Tim Seeley, and multiple artists. It was released as part of the publisher’s celebration of Batman’s 75th anniversary and was set within the continuity of The New 52 reboot. 

Batman Eternal explores a sprawling conspiracy that destabilizes Gotham City and systematically dismantles Batman’s allies and resources. Hush (Thomas Elliot) doesn’t appear at first, but gradually takes on a major role in the story.

Hush Rebirth

With the launch of DC Rebirth in 2016, continuity shifted once again, restoring elements of the pre–New 52 timeline while introducing new directions for characters. During this era, Hush made only sporadic appearances rather than serving as the central antagonist of a major storyline.

Towards the end of the Rebirth era, Hush reappeared in the Detective Comics storyline “Road to Ruin” by Peter J. Tomasi and Bilquis Evely. The story put Hush back into direct conflict with Batman.

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H2SH

In 2025, Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee reunited to write Batman: H2SH, a sequel to the original Hush. In it, a “mysterious” villain from Batman’s past has reemerged, disrupting the balance of Gotham City. Batman must now rely on all of his skills, resources, and tools to protect both the city and himself from this renewed threat.

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