There’s a lot of buzz in the comics community these days, all centered around Batman #158. Set to arrive at stores on March 26, 2025, this issue serves as the launch pad for ‘H2SH,’ the long-anticipated follow-up to the iconic Batman: Hush saga. The original creators, Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee, are reuniting with Scott Williams and Alex Sinclair, and their return has sent pre-orders soaring past an astounding 400,000 copies. That’s a massive number for any comic, making it clear that fans are eagerly awaiting this collaboration.
Kudos to Jeph Loeb (@jimlee.bsky.social), Scott Williams (@sinccolor.bsky.social), @richstarkings.bsky.social, and our exceptional variant cover artists for selling over 400,000 copies of Batman #158, the first chapter of “H2SH”!
— DC (@dc.com) 2025-03-06T23:27:34.611Z
As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but feel perplexed by the extravagant limited edition covers flooding DC Comics. It seems they’ve upped their game significantly, perhaps to an excessive degree, with a plethora of variant covers. The distribution ratios are staggering: 1 in 25, 1 in 50, 1 in 100, and even 1 in 250! These enticing odds tempt stores into stockpiling. For the most daring retailers, there’s a 1 in 1000 variant, signed by both Jim Lee and Jeph Loeb, if they dare to order a thousand copies. To top it off, two more signed variants, numbered 1 in 608, are a nostalgic nod to the original Hush debut in 2002 with Batman #608. While this strategy might boost sales, some critics argue that it’s more about inflating numbers than genuinely rewarding readers.
The stores aren’t idle either. They are allowed to start selling Batman #158 ahead of schedule, from 6:08 PM local time on March 25 – a whole day before its official release. This is reminiscent of the launch in 2002 and there are launch parties organized to create even more excitement. To add to the excitement, retailers who secure at least 25 Batman #159 ashcans can obtain a special glow-in-the-dark variant. Imagine a Batman symbol that glows in the dark, revealing a swarm of glowing bats – quite stylish, isn’t it?
Apart from the standard issue, there’s also an extra-large version of Batman #158. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s huge; this comic measures 11” x 17”, which is the same size as the original artwork panels. This expansive format offers a cinematic experience for collectors, with the regular cover retailing at $14.99 and the more elaborate foil cover costing $19.99. Notably, Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, and Alex Sinclair are all involved in this release, making it a luxurious way to delve into Batman’s upcoming storyline.
The narrative resumes right after the conclusion of ‘Hush’, reintroducing Dr. Thomas Elliot, Batman’s sinister childhood acquaintance who goes by the alias Hush. In 2002, the initial 12-part series published in Batman #608-619 was a massive hit, featuring antagonists like The Joker and Poison Ivy, as well as allies such as Catwoman. It was extremely popular and even inspired an animated film in 2019. The upcoming ‘H2SH’ promises six issues spanning Batman #163 up to August, with rumors of another six-issue arc in 2026. We can hardly wait to see what Loeb and Lee have prepared for us this time!
In addition to the primary cover by Jim Lee, they’ve also enlisted an exceptional team of artists for variant covers—names like J. Scott Campbell, Dan Mora, Lee Bermejo, and Sean Gordon Murphy are among them. This visual spectacle is truly a treat, and with such a massive pre-order number (over 400,000), it’s evident that the strategy is successful. However, one must ponder whether DC Comics might be overemphasizing collectibility over storytelling, given the ratio variants, glow-in-the-dark features, and oversized editions. While I applaud the recognition of this significant milestone, it’s worth considering if the narrative or the sales numbers are receiving more attention.
Regardless of the reason, Batman #158 is gearing up to be an enormous success. The clock is ticking—only about three weeks remain before we can grab a copy. Whether you’re drawn in by the storyline, the artwork, or the prestige of owning a scarce variant, this issue has something that appeals to everyone. Keep in mind though, with 400,000 copies available, it might not be around for long.
Read More
- BONE PREDICTION. BONE cryptocurrency
- ORDI PREDICTION. ORDI cryptocurrency
- ATH PREDICTION. ATH cryptocurrency
- How Many Main Quests Are There in Monster Hunter Wilds?
- USD MXN PREDICTION
- UXLINK PREDICTION. UXLINK cryptocurrency
- USD RUB PREDICTION
- EUR UAH PREDICTION
- LDO PREDICTION. LDO cryptocurrency
- GRT PREDICTION. GRT cryptocurrency
2025-03-07 16:20