Batman: Cacophony
| Batman: Cacophony | |
|---|---|
 Cover of Batman: Cacophony 1 (Jan, 2009).Art by Adam Kubert. |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| Schedule | Monthly |
| Format | Limited series |
| Genre | Superhero |
| Publication date | November 2008 - January 2009 |
| Number of issues | 3 (of 3) |
| Main character(s) | Batman Onomatopoeia Joker Victor Zsasz Deadshot Maxie Zeus |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Kevin Smith |
| Artist(s) | Walt Flanagan & Sandra Hope |
Batman: Cacophony is the title of a three-issue comic book limited series starring Batman. The series was written by Kevin Smith with art by Walt Flanagan, and ran from November 2008 through March 2009 due to delays with issue three. The comic chronicles Batman as he attempts to stop a turf war between The Joker and crime lord, Maxie Zeus. Batman also encounters a new adversary, Onomatopoeia.
Contents |
[edit] History
The series featured the villains Onomatopoeia, Maxie Zeus, The Joker, Deadshot, and Victor Zsasz.[1] The first issue was shipped on November 12 with three different covers: two by Adam Kubert (standard cover and 1:50 sketch cover) and one by Bill Sienkiewicz (1:25 variant cover).[2] Smith confirmed that the mini-series will not be a part of the Elseworlds imprint.[3]
Smith released two covers and five pages of the first issue on his MySpace blog on November 5, 2008. The pages revealed that Deadshot also appears in the series.[4] The plot involves a turf war between the Joker and Maxie Zeus over a drug Zeus creates using Joker venom, prompting the Joker to retaliate.[5]
[edit] Synopsis
The series opens with Deadshot breaking into Arkham Asylum with the intent to kill The Joker. He is stopped by Onomatopoeia, however, who shoots him in the head. Onomatopoeia then releases the Joker, leaving him a briefcase of money with the intention of creating mayhem in Gotham City to draw out Batman — his actual target. The Joker uses this money to attack Maxie Zeus, who turned Joker's trademark toxic venom into a designer drug. After foiling Mr. Zsasz, Batman meets with Commissioner Gordon at Arkham to investigate the Joker's latest escape. Deadshot is revealed to be alive, having used a bloodpack and a bulletproof helmet to fake his death. Batman encounters Joker and Onomatopoeia, and, after doing some research, realizes that Onomatopoeia is attacking non-superpowered vigilantes, and that he is Onomatopoeia's next target. Although Onomatopoeia attempts to lure Batman into a trap with the aid of the Joker, Batman surprises him using Deadshot's own trick of a bulletproof helmet and a fake bloodpack, only for Onomatopoeia to escape when he stabs the Joker. After a moment of indecision, Batman stays behind and tries and save his archenemy, allowing the other villain to escape. Gordon urges Batman to let the Joker die, but Batman insists that he must do everything he can to save another human being — even one as evil as the Joker.
A few months later, Batman visits the Joker in the hospital disguised as his lawyer. The Joker has recently regained consciousness but is still tied down, and drugged with so many painkillers that he has been temporarily rendered sane. Batman realizes he finally has a chance to have a somewhat rational conversation with the Joker, and asks if his foe truly wants him dead. When the Joker asks if Batman desires his death, Batman reveals that he saved Joker because he never again wants to see anyone die; although he does not say as much, it is implied that he is referring to witnessing the murder of his parents. The Joker expresses sympathy for Batman's loss, but informs the Dark Knight that he does not hate Batman because he is crazy — he is crazy because he hates him. He then says he will only "retire" when Batman is dead.
[edit] Reviews
Jesse Schedeen of IGN felt conflicted with the first issue of Cacophony, citing a good script and comparing Smith to Grant Morrison, saying, "[Smith] manages to find a fresh voice for one of the industry's most heavily exposed characters".[6]
Schedeen also wrote that the villains were the focus, with The Joker the most prominent; he also criticized Smith's trademark scatological humor and said that Smith's characterization of Batman was "too wordy". Schedeen also states that Flanagan's art varied in trying to portray the Joker's emotions. The overall score Schedeen gave the first issue was an 8.3.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ Richard George (2008-07-24). "SDCC 08: Kevin Smith Tackles New Batman Series". Comics.ign.com. http://comics.ign.com/articles/893/893741p1.html. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
- ^ “Batman: Cacophony” - November 12th![dead link]
- ^ "Message Board". Viewaskew.com. http://viewaskew.com/theboard/viewtopic.php?p=3259605&highlight=&sid=bffae24dc5e015812cfc6a4afbf81da4#3259605. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
- ^ "Message Board with link to MySpace Blog". Viewaskew.com. http://viewaskew.com/theboard/viewtopic.php?p=3300458&highlight=#3300458. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
- ^ PopSyndicate.com preview[dead link]
- ^ a b Jesse Schedeen (November 12, 2008) Batman: Cacophony #1 Reviews IGN. Retrieved December 29, 2008.
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