Hush

While Reuben is away, I will try my hand at filling in. Hello nerds of the world, I’m Megan – the production minion of Dorkadia who is usually content to pull the strings in the backgrounds and make my authors dance for my amusement (read: Charles, Reuben, Nick and Jon write what they like – I edit to make sure they don’t get us sued). Those who know me, know I have a great love of Batman – so I enter with one of my more recent favorite series: Hush.

My particular vice is comic books, and I will talk with people at length on what is a good read, and pick up recommendations for new entertainment. Hush is something that I would recommend for people new to graphic novels, people with only passing familiarity, and old fans of both comic books and to the Batman genre.

A fear of picking up a new batman book is that you’re walking into an incredibly old and complex story line that runs as far back as 1939 in Detective comics (I’ll admit – I didn’t know the year. I love Batman, but even I have to Wiki stuff like that). So what makes this book worth reading for all fan groups?  This story has new characters, old characters that we have grown to appreciate in this universe, as well as borrowed characters from other major series. All it’s missing is something blue. (Get it? Something old, something new…. ok, i’ll stop trying with the humor)

I’ve had my ups and downs with Jim Loeb as an author (I have never been excited by calendar man as a threatening villain), but this story line kept me interested, laughing, and wanting more. As each different twist came across that re-introduced a familiar face within the Batman and Bruce Wayne past – they were explained then eliminated as to why they couldn’t be who was the root cause of the issue at hand (no, i’m not going to tell you – don’t ask), while at a measured pace doling out hints and a nice introduction to someone we have never met before.

For those people who have read this franchise for years, it is a fun easy read. For those who have only a passing history with Batman – maybe only know of him through the movies (hopefully not ones that involve Robin or Batgirl) or the cartoons like Batman: The Animated Series, or maybe Justice League – you will find Villains you know (Joker, Catwoman, Ra’s al Ghul, Killer Crock) and even some heroes (Superman, Huntress [I know, her status as hero can be argued in both directions], and many incarnations of Robin).If you are new to comics in general, the introductions help you with people you have never met before while leaving a pleasing desire to know more about them all.

The combination of Lee, Williams, and Sinclair make for a beautifully illustrated book, and one that reads very easily on a digital reader. I love going into my comic shop to browse new books (You can often find me at Comics Dungeon in Seattle), but I love to read on my kindle and this is one book that fits very well into that format.

If you are looking for a charming fun read, I highly recommend this book.  It won’t dissapoint. Now that it is clear that i’m not a great author, everyone harass Reuben and remind him next time to find someone better to fill his shoes.