Ricky Church continues his countdown to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice with Batman: Hush…
While the most famous physical confrontation between Batman and Superman was in The Dark Knight Returns, there is another equally famous confrontation between the two icons in Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee’s Batman: Hush. Uncovering a vast conspiracy involving many of his greatest foes, Batman’s investigation takes him and Catwoman to Metropolis to discover the next piece of the puzzle. After finding Poison Ivy, they are shocked to also discover she has full control over Superman’s mind thanks to combining her own powers with kryptonite and orders Superman to kill them both.
The ensuing fight is Superman’s greatest fear realized as a supervillain has total control over his actions. As the two heroes face off, Batman reveals he never comes to Metropolis without the kryptonite ring Superman gave him for insurance. It’s an epic fight as Batman uses the very city of Metropolis against Superman, betting on the Man of Steel’s humanity and unstoppable resolve winning out against Ivy’s control.
What’s even more impressive about this fight was, unlike The Dark Knight Returns, Batman engaging Superman without a formed plan. Batman had to think on his feet, improvising every single move he made against Superman. It really goes to show how Batman can fight Superman without the use of a mechanized suit. Eventually Superman was able to snap out of Ivy’s control and helped Batman subdue her. Afterwards he told Batman that now more than ever he knows he gave the kryptonite ring to the right person. It was a huge sign not only of their friendship, but also the amount of respect and confidence Superman has in Batman’s abilities and intellect.
Though all of Batman: Hush is a good story, it really is strictly a Batman story as he follows the trail of this unknown enemy. Issues #611 and #612 take place in Metropolis, with the latter issue depicting the fight. Superstar artist Jim Lee illustrated all of Hush and these two chapters feature some standout images in the whole story. Not only is the cover to #612 famous, but so is the double-page spread of Batman clocking Superman in the face. Lee’s artwork and framing of the fight is outstanding to look at.
Ricky Church
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