Batman (1940-2011) #609

Batman (1940-2011) #609

by Jeph Loeb, Scott Williams (Inker), Jim Lee (Penciller)

Lying near death, Batman must turn to the least likely person from the Bat family for the Huntress! Meanwhile, Catwoman continues to hunt down the mysterious individual responsible for wreaking havoc in their lives -- a path that leads her back to Poison Ivy.

Genres: Comics, Batman, Dc Comics, Comic Book

21 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 27, 2002

About the author

Joseph "Jeph" Loeb III is an Emmy and WGA nominated American film and television writer, producer and award-winning comic book writer. Loeb was a Co-Executive Producer on the NBC hit show Heroes, and formerly a producer/writer on the TV series Smallville and Lost.

A four-time Eisner Award winner and five-time Wizard Fan Awards winner (see below), Loeb's comic book career includes work on many major characters, including Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, Hulk, Captain America, Cable, Iron Man, Daredevil, Supergirl, the Avengers, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, much of which he has produced in collaboration with artist Tim Sale, who provides the comic art seen on Heroes.

Reviews

[Nicolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as part of the Batman: Hush: DC Compact Comics Edition graphic novel. (Aug 1, 2025)

The collective review for the entire Batman: Hush storyline can be found on my review of the Batman: The Complete Hush.

[Machiavelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just read Batman #609 — the mystery deepens, and the tension ramps up fast. Killer Croc, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Batman being brought back from the brink of death. Hush is heating up - I’m all in. A touch slower but building back story.

[Evelyn Blackwater · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I ever sound cynical on superheroes, I want you to know it's only because, after awhile, the whole enterprise begins to feel more like brand management rather than actual stories worth telling.
I don't think I'm ever gonna not feel that all the good Batman stories have already been told. That said, this one is pretty solid. I like the way Loeb writes Batman. The art by Lee is still the scene stealer. It's so good it can actually elicit anger. I combed through this issue looking for flaws and found none. It's all very tight and informed.
Hey, I was satisfied, what can I say?

[Rick Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

Batman #609, "Hush, Chapter Two: The Friend"

Oracle and Huntress save Batman after his fall, and manage to bring his unconscious body back to the Batcave. Unable to save Batman himself, Alfred contacts Dr. Thomas Elliott, a childhood friend of Bruce's. This issue introduces a key figure in the Hush saga via a flashback sequence, rendered in a unique art style from Jim Lee. Overall, this issue doesn't have much beyond the exposition, but it'll be key for the payoff for this story.

[Chip Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second issue in the Hush storyline is titled “Friends” and I think that name is perfect. We get all of Bruce’s friends and how they help him when he is down after last issue’s fall. Already noticing major differences to the movie and while the movie did its own thing fine, I love seeing a rogue Huntress appear

[Mikey Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hush is teased heavily as knowing who Batman truly is.

Batman is rushed back to Alfred by Huntress following the injuries from the previous issue. He stages a car accident as Bruce Wayne to cover the story of his life threatening injuries.

[Ellie Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

76/100

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hush chapter 2- The Friend

[Ex Libris Animus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was worth the read for the one page Poison ivy cameo

[Derrick McCall · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There was ALWAYS Thomas Elliot..."

An issue told almost completely without Batman, aside from internal monologue. Creepy unknown villain watching from the shadows. Alfred the GOAT.