Warning: Spoilers for "The Promise" in Justice League Unlimited #1DC Comics has unveiled Batman villain into a major threat. Hush’s plan spells disaster for not just Batman, but also for each member of the Bat-Family and the Dark Knight's iconic rogues gallery. Hush's new schemes also build upon his plan from the original Batman: Hush storyline by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee, setting up DC’s anticipated sequel as a worthwhile successor.
"The Promise" by Loeb and Lee, a three-page prelude published in Batman, readers watch as Hush moves paper pawns of Batman and his friends and foes, before the final splash page reveals pictures of iconic Batman characters tied together with a red string.
The message is abundantly clear: Hush will be hunting down Batman’s greatest friends and foes alike, as well as the Dark Knight himself, beginning in March 2025's Batman #158 by Loeb and Lee. The prelude notably emphasizes of the extended Bat-Family, and it appears as though Hush knows, at the very least, Oracle's secret identity as Barbara Gordon and Red Hood's identity as Jason Todd.
Hush Has a Long History with Batman that Complicates His Identity
"The Promise" by Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Alex Sinclair, and Richard Starkings from Justice League Unlimited #1
Created by Loeb and Lee in the 2002-2003 storyline Hush, which ran in Batman #608-619 and is available now in collected editions, Thomas Elliot was introduced as Bruce Wayne's childhood friend before being revealed as the secret identity of Hush. As Hush, Thomas worked alongside the Riddler to use Batman’s greatest secrets against him in order to exact revenge on Bruce - due to Thomas Wayne saving Elliot’s mother after he had plotted to kill both of his parents in an accident. Later stories elevate Hush’s hatred of Batman, as he reconstructs his face to look like Bruce’s to torment him further.
"The Promise" is published at the end of Justice League Unlimited #1 by Mark Waid and Dan Mora, an essential milestone issue for both the Justice League and DC Comics at large as the publisher enters its "All In" era.
While Hush himself has historically never been an A-lister, what has always made him dangerous to Batman is both that he knows his secret identity and that he’s willing to weaponize it against him. Hush’s willingness to use Batman’s secret identity against him played a major role in how he was able to throw Batman off his game during the original '00s storyline. Additionally, Hush is unique among Batman’s villains for his unyielding hatred of Bruce Wayne.
Hush Finally Makes It to the Big Leagues of DC Comics' Iconic Villains
And It's All Thanks to His New Plan
These facts make Hush an especially dangerous foe for Batman, as his knowledge and hatred of the caped crusader make him capable of going to lengths few of his other rogues would dare venture. That he seems to be targeting of Batman’s rogues gallery, particularly the ones involved in his plot from the original Hush storyline, suggests that he plans to take revenge on them for failing in his plans. This particular cant to his scheme makes him a danger not just to Batman and his allies, but also to the Bat-Family's enemies.
Batman: Hush Sequel Shares First Look at Its New Suits
Hush is returning to comics in a big way for a sequel to his introductory story, with Hush's latest costume making its debut in a new prelude short.
"The Promise" teases a new, dastardly plot in the sequel to Hush. Thomas Elliot’s machinations appear to not just target Gotham’s iconic heroes, but also its villains too. Hush has finally moved up as an A-list threat, and Batman will have a hard-fought battle ahead of him if he hopes to best Hush.
Justice League Unlimited #1 is available now from DC Comics.
