Batman: Hush Essentials Trading Card Set (Cryptozoic 2025) – Product Review

Introduction

The Batman: Hush Essentials Trading Card Set (2025) from Cryptozoic Entertainment has finally arrived, and collectors everywhere are buzzing. As a lifelong Batman fan and trading card enthusiast, I couldn’t resist diving into this release. To give it a thorough test, I opened three standard boxes and one special limited variant box (numbered out of 500).

The goal? To experience the set as intended—both as a collectible and as a storytelling medium. Unlike typical sets that focus on flashy hits, Batman Hush Essentials was designed to retell the complete 12-issue “Hush” comic arc by Jeff Loeb and Jim Lee in trading card form.

Set Concept & Design

One of the most impressive aspects of this release is how it functions like a narrative puzzle. The 72-card base set takes you through every beat of the Hush storyline—from Batman’s near-fatal fall to the shocking reveal of the Riddler as the true mastermind. When laid out together, the cards form a visual roadmap of the arc, making it perfect for both fans of the comic and new readers experiencing the story for the first time.

The artwork, naturally, draws from Jim Lee’s iconic pencils, enhanced by annotated cards featuring his personal production notes, which add a behind-the-scenes touch collectors rarely get to see.

Chase Cards & Inserts

Cryptozoic didn’t hold back on the extras. Beyond the base set, collectors can find:

• Foil-stamped parallels of base cards

• Star Power cards (numbered, including Huntress #335/608 and Harley Quinn #17/20 & #105/608)

• Alternate Covers capturing variant-style artwork

• Dynamic Duels, highlighting the story’s biggest fights: Batman vs. Joker, Batman vs. Superman, Batman vs. Hush, Catwoman vs. Harley Quinn, and more

• Annotated cards, complete with Jim Lee’s notes

• Rumored 1/1 Brilliance cards and on-card autographs from Jeff Loeb and Jim Lee

Pull highlights from my boxes included:

• Superman & Batman foil #12/50

• Alternate Cover Batman foil #36/50

• Multiple numbered Star Power cards, including Harley Quinn and Hush

The artwork quality is outstanding, with some cards worthy of being framed on their own.

Box Experience

Each box contains 24 packs with 5 cards per pack. The collation was solid, though duplicates appeared by the second box, which is expected in a 72-card base set. By the end of three boxes, I had nearly two complete sets with plenty of trade bait.

One drawback worth noting—the packs are extremely difficult to open. Collectors will either need patience or scissors. This may not affect the content inside, but it does affect the opening experience.

The Variant Box Controversy

The limited variant box (numbered out of 500) was a letdown. While the packaging and numbering make it feel premium, the cards inside were virtually identical to the standard boxes. I didn’t notice any unique card designs, foiling, or black-and-white art as many collectors expected. For the higher price point, the lack of distinction makes this feel like a missed opportunity.

If you’re debating between a standard box and a variant box, the standard delivers better value. The only difference in the variant appears to be the packaging and the serial number on the box itself.

Verdict

The Batman: Hush Essentials Trading Card Set (2025) is a must-own for Batman fans and comic collectors, especially those who hold the Hush storyline in high regard. The base set alone is a beautiful way to revisit the narrative, and the chase cards add excitement without overshadowing the storytelling.

✅ Pros:

• Complete retelling of Batman: Hush in trading card form

• Jim Lee’s art + annotated notes = collector’s dream

• Strong variety of inserts and chase cards

• Beautiful card quality and design

❌ Cons:

• Packs are very hard to open

• Variant box feels overpriced with no real differentiation

• Duplicate base cards stack up quickly after a couple of boxes

Final Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

A fantastic release that blends story and collecting, slightly held back by packaging frustrations and an underwhelming variant box.

If you’re a DC Comics collector, a Batman trading card fan, or just someone who wants a unique way to experience the Hush storyline, this set deserves a spot in your collection.