Batman: Hush Volumes One and Two

Some more great artwork from Jim Lee and a surprisingly suspenseful story by Jeph Loeb that only suffers from the need to wrap things up too tidily.  It's always great to have a new character introduced into a long running series, especially when they can stand alongside traditional rogues gallery villains.  Loeb writes in a ton of cameos for Lee to draw, and while some add great depth and personality to Bruce Wayne and his storied relationships, others are just throwaway visits that do little to boost the story line.  All in all, a very welcome take on Bruce Wayne and Batman that exists within "continuity" which offers some intriguing complications to the story line.  A good read for anyone interested in "jumping in" to comics.

4 1/2 stars out of 5

All-Star Batman & Robin, The Boy Wonder Vol. 1

Perhaps the best looking comic book i've read in the past decade.  i seriously could not put this down, reading it in its entirety in one sitting, while often pausing to just stare at Jim Lee's amazing artwork.  i never cared for his mutant series work, but to see what he does with Batman and Robin, not to mention Black Canary, Batgirl, Joker, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Plastic Man, is purely stunning.  Frank Miller's take on a sophmore Batman is as dark as you'd expect, with a nice subtle humour that doesn't take the bat mythos too seriously, while reinventing it in Miller's sparse and violent writing style.  There's a reason why this series is called "All-Star"; there's a reason why people are deemed Legends.  All-Star Batman and Robin, The Boy Wonder Vol. 1 proves it.

5 stars out of 5