Who is Hush in DC Comics? Batman’s childhood friend-turned-arch nemesis

Hush in DC is a villain who fights Batman. He first appeared in American comic books published by DC in 2003. He is the alter ego of Thomas ‘Tommy’ Elliot, a childhood friend of Bruce Wayne, who later became a brilliant and wealthy neurosurgeon.

Unlike Bruce, who lost his parents to a random act of violence, Tommy despised his abusive father and his submissive mother and tried to kill them both when he was a child by cutting the brake line of their car. His plan failed when Bruce’s father, Dr. Thomas Wayne, saved his mother’s life with an emergency operation. This sparked Tommy’s hatred for the Waynes, and he swore to take revenge on Bruce for ruining his life.

Batman has faced many formidable foes in his long career as the Dark Knight. However, few of them can match the cunning, ruthlessness, and personal vendetta of Hush, a villain who knows Batman’s secret identity and his deepest secrets.

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The tale of Hush in DC Comics: Batman's betrayal by a childhood companion

Hush in DC Comics made his debut in the Batman comic series in January 2003, specifically in Batman #609. (Image via DC Comics)

Thomas Elliot grew up to become a successful surgeon, but he also developed a twisted obsession with manipulating and destroying people’s lives, partly fueled by his envy of Bruce’s success and happiness. He allied himself with the Riddler, who discovered Batman’s true identity after using a Lazarus Pit to cure his terminal brain cancer.

Together, they orchestrated a complex scheme to ruin Batman physically and emotionally, involving many of his enemies and allies. Thomas adopted the identity of Hush, wrapping his face in bandages to conceal his features. He also used plastic surgery to impersonate Bruce Wayne and infiltrate his life.

Hush in DC Comics made his debut in the Batman comic series in January 2003, specifically in Batman #609, as a key character in the 12-issue narrative arc known as Batman: Hush, written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by Jim Lee.

Is the alter ego of Thomas ‘Tommy’ Elliot, a childhood friend of Bruce Wayne. (Image via DC Comics)

The plot of Batman: Hush is quite simple. In this story, Hush manipulated events to make Batman doubt his own sanity and trust, such as hiring Killer Croc to kidnap Edward Lamont IV, the son of a wealthy industrialist. Hush made it worse by stealing ransom money from Catwoman, shooting at Batman’s grappling line and causing him to fall and injure his skull, and hiring Poison Ivy to control Superman and attack Batman.

Hush also revealed himself to Batman as Tommy Elliot, his old friend, who Batman thought was dead after he was shot by the Joker. Batman eventually confronted Hush at Gotham Bridge, where he learned that Tommy was behind everything. He confessed that he blamed Bruce for saving his mother’s life and that he killed her years later when she cut him out of her will.

Hush then tried to shoot Batman, but was stopped by Gordon, who had been alerted by Oracle. He escaped by cutting his own rope and falling into the river below, leaving behind his bandages.

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The silent-scream: Hush in DC, Batman’s nemesis

Hush in DC is more than just a villain, he is a personal nightmare for Batman. (Image via Sportskeeda)

Hush in DC is more than just a villain, he is a personal nightmare for Batman, a friend who betrayed Bruce Wayne, a brother who envied him, a hush who became a scream. He knows Batman’s true identity as Bruce Wayne, his tragic past, and his vulnerable spots. He is also one of the few enemies who can match Batman’s genius and cunning.

In the DC comics, Hush represents what Bruce Wayne could have become if he had chosen a path of darkness instead of justice. The character has appeared in many stories, such as Batman: Gotham Knights, Detective Comics, Batman: Streets of Gotham, and Batman Eternal.

He has also been adapted from the comics into other media, such as the animated film Batman: Hush, the video game series Batman: Arkham, and the live-action TV series, Batwoman.