WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Batman: Hush, available now for digital download.
Batman: Hush makes a few changes from the 2002 Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee storyline its based on. In particular, it takes a tremendous amount of liberty with the relationship between Batman and Catwoman. Despite Hush trying to tear Gotham apart to get to Batman, the Dark Knight reveals his identity to Catwoman, and they take their relationship to the next level.
However, by the end of the film, Batman and Catwoman's dynamic in the DC Animated Original Movie Universe has been changed thanks to a key decision, and when the dust settles, it's clear there's no going back.
When Bruce Wayne realizes Hush is targeting people close to him, he decides to track Selina Kyle down. He already saved Catwoman from becoming a pawn alongside Bane and Poison Ivy. Upon further investigation, the detective realizes that Hush knows his identity and will be coming after the woman Bruce is dating, Selina Kyle. But when he reaches Catwoman, he simply can't find it in his heart to let her go into hiding.
While Selina knew there was no chance at a stable life with Batman, she and Bruce Wayne had been enjoying each other's company since she went clean from her criminal life. However, Batman knew he'd have to confess the truth to her to truly make her a part of his life. At her apartment he lets her unmask him, they spend the night together. This leads to them becoming a couple officially, with Selina even moving into the Wayne Mansion.
Catwoman becomes part of the Bat-Family, with Nightwing and Alfred accepting her, although Damian is distrustful of her in the cave. Still, it ends up being that whirlwind romance that's appeared throughout Tom King's tenure as Batman writer. Batman and Catwoman transition into the new Dynamic Duo on the block, fighting crime together. But as we know, happy endings just aren't on the cards for these two, and the finale takes full advantage of their insecurities and vulnerabilities.
When Batman figures out Hush is Riddler, he tracks the villain to a factory where he's holding Catwoman hostage and threatening to drop her into a grinder. They brawl and as usual, some explosions occur, which leaves Hush hanging off the edge of a bridge, over a fiery pit. The Bat has him holding on for dear life to a rope, but Catwoman urges him to let the tyrant die as the building's going to collapse on them. Realizing her lover won't cut ties with the villain, she yells "Screw this shit!" and uses her claws to slice the rope and send Hush plummeting to his death.
Catwoman and Batman escape and without a doubt, Catwoman just saved the Dark Knight, since he would have perished had he hung on to Hush a few seconds more. Sadly, as they proceed to discuss events on the outside, their conversation takes a heart-breaking turn. Catwoman finally accepts Bruce won't ever let go of this life, evidenced by him actually elbowing her to the face when she tried to pull him away from the edge inside moments before.
She sees him as a lost soul in this war on crime and, as someone who retired from all this darkness, was ready to walk away and start a new life with Bruce. Since Bruce won't give up Batman, Selina breaks it off and departs, with Bruce wondering if maybe "someday" they'll end up together anyway.
Now that she's fought crime alongside Batman, Catwoman could be a target for Gotham's other villains. She might end up even moving or finding a new team, with the Birds of Prey or Gotham City Sirens, which could happen since she established a relationship with Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn here while they were being manipulated by Hush.
In his effort to save every life, Batman lost the one person who truly understood him. It remains to be seen how he'll take this moving forward in the DCAOU universe, and the break-up could take an especially harsh toll on Batman. While this Batman's future adventures alone or with the Justice League could very well have a pained, heart-broken tone, this story proves that Selina really is his true love.
Directed by Justin Copeland, Batman: Hush stars Jason O'Mara, Jennifer Morrison, Jerry O'Connell, Rebecca Romijn, Rainn Wilson, Sean Maher, Bruce Thomas, Stuart Allen, James Garrett, Maury Sterling, Geoffrey Arend, Vanessa Williams, Jason Spisak, Adam Gifford, Dachie Alessio, Peyton List and Tara Strong.