Writer: Jeph Loeb
Art: Jim Lee and Scott Williams
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $4.99
Reviewed by: Anonymous
Release Date: July 23rd, 2025
Batman’s battle with Hush takes a dark turn when Damian (Robin) and Bane team up!
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THE DISPATCH
Arriving one month late due to scheduling delays, Batman #161 shifts the H2SH storyline into unpredictable territory. The crux of the issue is the uneasy alliance of Robin and Bane—two figures with personal vendettas against Batman—joining forces to rescue him from Hush’s clamp. This plot twist injects immediate emotional weight, given Damian’s deep-seated trauma over Bane’s history of violence: Bane once killed Alfred Pennyworth, a wound Damian still carries.
Damian Wayne is the emotional core here—his decision to ally with Batman’s mortal enemy reveals how desperate the situation is, and how fractured the family’s trust has become. Bane, carrying guilt from Alfred’s death, shows a surprising sense of remorse and protective instinct—complicating his role from mad brute to paradoxical savior. Batman, saved but suspicious, will likely react with more self-reliance than gratitude, heightening the emotional distance between him and his son.
Jim Lee’s art remains a highlight, with detailed, moody visuals that accentuate the darkness of this arc. Expect tightly framed action sequences—sparing yet intense—to underscore the emotional nuance. Lee’s classic style, sharpened by Sinclair and Williams, delivers cinematic drama as Damian and Bane confront not only physical enemies, but their own tangled legacies.
Emotional shock value of the Damian and Bane team up is as daring as it is disturbing, revealing deep character shadows. Moreoever, the family drama sprinkled thoughout the issue promises profound explorations of trust, betrayal, and reconciliation in the Bat‑Family. However, the issue spirals and sort of lacks emotional impact at times. Plus, if Batman’s characterization skews too distant or abrasive, the emotional core may fray under the weight of plot.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Batman #161 delivers a bold, dramatic shift in the H2SH saga. The Damian-Bane alliance sparks rich conflict and family fallout, but its impact hinges on whether this issue balances intense dialogue with its action. If executed well, it could redefine core relationships across the Bat‑family—but it’ll need more than explosions to leave a lasting mark. Will Damian’s alliance with Bane be permanent—or just a grim necessity? How will Batman reconcile being saved by his son and his enemy? Can this emotionally charged moment anchor the next phase of H2SH—or will it become overshadowed by plot mechanics? You’ll have to read the issue for yourself to find out!