Batman #158 Smashes Records—Is DC Pushing Too Hard with Hush 2?

The comic world is buzzing right now, and it’s all thanks to Batman #158. This issue, hitting stores on March 26, 2025, marks the start of ‘H2SH,’ the much-awaited sequel to the classic Batman: Hush storyline. Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee are back, teaming up with Scott Williams and Alex Sinclair, and the excitement has pushed pre-orders past a jaw-dropping 400,000 copies. That’s a huge number for any comic, and it’s clear this reunion has fans hooked.

What’s driving these insane orders? DC has gone big—maybe too big—on variant covers. They’ve rolled out a ton of them, with ratios like 1:25, 1:50, 1:100, and 1:250 to tempt stores into stocking up. For the boldest retailers, there’s even a 1:1000 variant signed by both Jim Lee and Jeph Loeb if they order a thousand copies. On top of that, two 1:608 variants, also signed, nod back to the original Hush debut in 2002 with Batman #608. It’s a smart move to boost sales, but some might argue it’s more about padding numbers than rewarding readers.

Stores aren’t waiting around either. DC’s letting them sell Batman #158 early, starting at 6:08 PM local time on March 25—just a day before the official release. It’s a cool throwback to that 2002 launch, and it’s got launch parties planned to hype it up even more. If that wasn’t enough, retailers grabbing at least 25 Batman #159 ashcans can snag an open-to-order glow-in-the-dark variant. Picture this: a Batman symbol that lights up in the dark to reveal a swarm of glowing bats. Pretty slick, right?

Then there’s the giant-size edition, and I mean giant. This version of Batman #158 stretches to 11” x 17”—the same size as the original art boards. It’s a widescreen treat for collectors, with a standard cover priced at $14.99 and a fancier foil one at $19.99. Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, and Alex Sinclair are all in on this, making it a premium way to experience the Dark Knight’s next chapter.

The story itself picks up where Hush left off, bringing back Bruce Wayne’s twisted childhood friend, Dr. Thomas Elliot, aka Hush. Back in 2002, the original 12-issue run in Batman #608-619 was a blockbuster, packed with villains like Joker and Poison Ivy, plus allies like Catwoman. It sold like crazy and even got an animated movie in 2019. Now, ‘H2SH’ promises six issues through August’s Batman #163, with whispers of a second six-issue arc in 2026. We’re dying to see what Loeb and Lee have cooked up this time.

DC didn’t skimp on the art either. Alongside Jim Lee’s main cover, they’ve tapped a killer lineup of artists for variants—think J. Scott Campbell, Dan Mora, Lee Bermejo, and Sean Gordon Murphy, just to name a few. It’s a feast for the eyes, and with that 400,000+ order mark, it’s clear the strategy’s working. But here’s the thing—between the ratio variants, the glow-in-the-dark gimmick, and the oversized edition, is DC leaning too hard into the collector craze? I’m all for celebrating this milestone, but it’s worth asking if the focus is still on the story or just the sales.

Either way, Batman #158 is shaping up to be a monster hit. The countdown’s on—less than three weeks until we get our hands on it. Whether you’re in it for the plot, the art, or the bragging rights of a rare variant, this one’s got something for everyone. Just don’t sleep on it, because those 400,000 copies might not last long.