Warning: This article contains SPOILERS For Batman: Hush.
The animated film adaptation of Batman: Hush has made a number of changes from the comic book. This is to be expected, however, as few movies within the shared setting of the DC Animated Movie Universe have been translated for from the graphic novels and comic books that inspired them.
Originally released in 2002, Batman: Hush detailed Batman's battle with a mysterious new enemy, who had seemingly organized some of his greatest enemies against him, devising new gimmicks which made them more dangerous than ever. The year-long event featured a script by writer Jeph Loeb (Red Hood.
For the most part, the changes made in adapting Batman: Hush are small things which better place the film within the reality of the DC Animated Movie Universe. Yet other changes drastically alter the plot of the original story, leading to a wholly different twist ending. Here is a rundown of every change from the comics, minor and major, in the Batman: Hush animated film.
23. Bane In Place Of Killer Croc
The comic book version of Batman: Hush opened with Batman rescuing a young boy, who had been kidnapped and ransomed by supervillain Killer Croc. The movie opens with a similar mission, but this time the kidnapper is Bane. This change is likely due to Killer Croc having previously appeared in the DC film Son of Batman, which established that Killer Croc had augmented the disease that gave him scaly skin with a mutagen that was truly making him more reptilian. Since this conflicted with the comic's idea that Killer Croc was trying to get money to cure his condition, the movie has Bane stealing money to feed his drug habit, having become addicted to a new Venom formula that has made him stronger than ever but also less intelligent.
22. Lady Shiva In Place Of Ra's Al Ghul
Once Batman has defeated Bane, he is greeted by the assassin Lady Shiva, who informs him of a war within the League of Assassins and how, while various factions battled, an outsider made use of one of the Lazarus Pits - a series of chemical pools that can heal any wound or disease. Lady Shiva asks if Batman has knowledge of who this unknown individual might be. He doesn't, but sensing that they have a mutual enemy, Batman agrees to investigate the matter on Lady Shiva's behalf. In the original comics, it was Ra's Al Ghul who recruited Batman to find the Lazarus Pit thief, but that was not possible in the animated universe as Ra's Al Ghul was killed in Son of Batman and has yet to be resurrected.
21. Batgirl In Place Of Huntress
In both the comics and the movie, Catwoman steals the ransom money, leading to a breakneck chase over the rooftops of Gotham, where the line of Batman's grappling hook is cut and Batman falls several stories before being discovered by a random gang of thugs. In the comics, Batman is saved by the timely arrival of the Huntress. In the movie, Catwoman comes to Batman's rescue, but is driven off by Batman: Bad Blood.
20. A Larger Role For Nightwing
While Nightwing had a prominent position in the original Batman: Hush, his role in the film version is even larger. He gets his own action sequence early on in the film, taking down a heroin lab while Batman is occupied making an appearance at a party as Bruce Wayne. Later in the movie, he recreates a classic scene from the comics trying to talk to Batman about his newfound romance with Selina Kyle. He also replaces the Tim Drake Robin (who doesn't exist in the universe) in a scene where Catwoman gets her first look at the Batcave and later goes on patrol with her.
19. Bane Truly Escapes From Prison
In the original Hush storyline, Killer Croc seemingly escaped from custody but the truth was that Batman persuaded Amanda Waller (at that time head of the Office of Metahuman Affairs) to let him go so that Batman could follow Croc's trail back to whoever hired him to act as the middle-man of the kidnapping plot. In the movie, Bane does escape from the custody of Amanda Waller and her Suicide Squad, thanks to his new Venom formula also making him immune to the sedatives they employ. Both stories lead to Batman arriving just in time to save Catwoman, who was mind-controlled by Poison Ivy into stealing the ransom money the other villain wanted back.
18. Why Bruce Stops By The Daily Planet
With Poison Ivy's trail leading to Metropolis, Batman needs to contrive a reason for Bruce Wayne to visit the town for a few days. In the movie, Bruce arranges an exclusive interview with Lois Lane, which gives him the excuse he needs and a chance to inform Superman that he'll be working in his town and would rather he not get in the way of his investigation. In the comics, Bruce Wayne was the owner of The Daily Planet at the time Hush was set and didn't need a specific reason to justify coming in to check on his investment. The movie pays homage to this, however, with Bruce idly wondering out-loud about the possibility of buying a newspaper.
17. Who Batman Meets At LexCorp
Since Poison Ivy requires a special chemical made by LexCorp to keep her plant collection alive as it is being transported between cities, Batman goes to the very top to learn who in Metropolis has just ordered a large quantity of said chemical. In the comics, Batman consulted with Talia Al Ghul, who was the acting CEO of LexCorp following Lex Luthor's election to the American Presidency. In the movie, Batman consults with Luthor himself, who became a probationary Justice League member following the events of the film Reign of the Supermen.
16. Batman's "Jewelry"
Both the comic and the film versions of Hush see Batman taking precautions in case he finds himself having to fight Superman. In the comic, this means carrying a ring made of Kryptonite in a special lead-lined compartment of his utility belt. This ring once belonged to Alfred Pennyworth, to "pack the jewelry" - a code phrase referring to a pair of customized brass knuckles with Kryptonite spikes.
15. Catwoman Pushes Lois Off The Daily Planet's Roof
As good as Batman is, even he can only plan so far when it comes to surviving a battle with a mind-controlled Superman. This is why, in both the comic and the movie, he sends Catwoman to kidnap Lois Lane, in the hopes that the sight of the woman he loves imperiled will cause Superman to snap out of it. In the comic, Lois is far from a compliant hostage, struggling against Catwoman before losing her balance and falling off the roof of The Daily Planet. In the movie, Catwoman realizes that the plan isn't working and ups the ante by actively pushing Lois Lane off the roof. This leads to Batman giving her a lecture upon his code, which highlights the differences between them and foreshadows the end of the film.
14. No Krypto Cameo
In the comic, Poison Ivy is quick to find a new hideout after sending a mind-controlled Superman after Batman and Catwoman. This leads to Batman later sniffing Ivy out with the assistance of Krypto The Superdog. Sadly, the Hush movie doesn't take this opportunity to introduce Krypto into the reality of the animated universe. Then again, the fight between Batman and Superman is so brief that Ivy doesn't have time to find a new hideout and indeed is still at her new greenhouse base in Metropolis awaiting Superman's return when she is captured in the movie.
