The anticipated release of Batman #163 marks a significant moment for collectors and retailers alike, as this issue concludes the first half of the noteworthy H2SH storyline.
Fans can finally look forward to the arrival of Batman #163. This issue serves as the finale for the initial segment of H2SH, the highly anticipated sequel to the iconic Hush saga from twenty years ago. After recently reaching its Final Order Cut-Off for comic book retailers, it appears that Batman #163, crafted by the renowned creative team of Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee, is indeed slated for publication at the end of May. This comes after a protracted wait of a year-and-a-half beyond its original schedule and a delay of nine months from its initial solicitation.
Batman Volume 3 #163 by Jim Lee and Jeph Loeb, underwent numerous delays, initially postponed by five months after a rescheduling to the end of January 2026, followed by another two-month delay to March 25, 2026. All told, this accounts for a staggering nine months past its original release timeline. By the time this issue becomes available, nine issues from the newly launched Batman Volume 4, helmed by Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez, will already have graced store shelves, with the tenth issue on its way. While the creative landscape has been busy, Jim Lee’s previous commitments and projects may have caused this notable lag.
As for the larger implications for the franchise, Batman: H2SH is poised to be a pivotal 2025 DC Comics storyline that directly follows the acclaimed 2002–2003 Batman: Hush arc. This narrative reassembles its iconic original team: writer Jeph Loeb, penciller Jim Lee, inker Scott Williams, colourist Alex Sinclair, and letterer Richard Starkings. The initial Batman: Hush arc, spanning from Batman #608 to #619, introduced the enigmatic villain Hush, a character deeply tied to Bruce Wayne’s past, creating an intricate web of conspiracies that involved many of Batman’s key allies and foes. Themes of trust, identity, and the dynamics of Batman’s relationships, including a prominent focus on the Batman/Catwoman romance, were deftly explored.
In essence, Bleeding Cool first announced the long-awaited H2SH sequel in 2024, highlighting the return of Hush to challenge Batman once more. This was followed by multiple scheduling adjustments that culminated in the planned release of the final sixth issue in May 2026, dealing with mounting anticipation among fans and collectors. Moreover, questions remain regarding the fate of future installments of this storyline, particularly Part Two, which is intended to be a separate mini-series, as well as H3SH. Unfinished projects like 1963 Annual, Pearl Of The Deep with Alan Moore, WildCATS with Grant Morrison, and All-Star Batman And Robin The Boy Wonder with Frank Miller linger in Jim Lee’s collection of yet-to-be-completed works. In the meantime, collectors will be eager for any new cover art that may emerge in the interim.
Based on reporting by https://www.facebook.com/richard.james.johnston. Read the full story at https://bleedingcool.com/comics/batman-163-by-jeph-loeb-and-jim-lee-will-actually-be-out-end-of-may/.