Batman: Cacophony
Encyclopedia
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.
, Maxie Zeus
, The Joker
, Deadshot
, and Victor Zsasz. 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). Smith confirmed that the mini-series will not be a part of the Elseworlds
imprint.
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. 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.
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 vigilante
s, 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.
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".
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.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
limited series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
starring Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
. The series was written by Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith
Kevin Patrick Smith is an American screenwriter, actor, film producer, and director, as well as a popular comic book writer, author, comedian/raconteur, and internet radio personality best recognized by viewers as Silent Bob...
with art by Walt Flanagan
Walt Flanagan
Walter Flanagan is an American actor, podcaster, songwriter, comic book artist and comic book store proprietor. Flanagan is a long-time friend of Kevin Smith, and it was Flanagan who had turned Smith back onto comic books.Flanagan is also co-host of the "Tell 'Em Steve-Dave!" podcast with...
, and ran from November 2008 through March 2009 due to delays with issue three.
History
The series featured the villains OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia (comics)
Onomatopoeia is a DC Comics supervillain, an enemy of Green Arrow and Batman. He first appeared in Green Arrow #12 . He was created by writer Kevin Smith and artist Phil Hester...
, Maxie Zeus
Maxie Zeus
Maximillian "Maxie" Zeus is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He is a criminal mastermind who believes that he is the god Zeus from Greek mythology. He is an occasional enemy of Batman...
, The Joker
Joker (comics)
The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin...
, Deadshot
Deadshot
Deadshot is a fictional character, a supervillain/assassin in the DC Universe and an enemy of Batman. He first appears in Batman #59 and was created by Bob Kane, David Vern Reed and Lew Schwartz....
, and Victor Zsasz. The first issue was shipped on November 12 with three different covers: two by Adam Kubert
Adam Kubert
Adam Kubert is an American comic book artist known for his work for publishers such as Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, and DC Comics, including work on Ultimate X-Men, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Incredible Hulk, Wolverine, Spider-Man, Superman and Ghost Rider.Kubert has established himself as one...
(standard cover and 1:50 sketch cover) and one by Bill Sienkiewicz
Bill Sienkiewicz
Boleslav Felix Robert "Bill" Sienkiewicz [pronounced sin-KEV-itch] is an Eisner Award-winning American artist and writer best known for his comic book work, primarily for Marvel Comics' The New Mutants and Elektra: Assassin...
(1:25 variant cover). Smith confirmed that the mini-series will not be a part of the Elseworlds
Elseworlds
Elseworlds is the publication imprint for a group of comic books produced by DC Comics that take place outside the company's canon. According to its tagline: "In Elseworlds, heroes are taken from their usual settings and put into strange times and places — some that have existed, and others...
imprint.
Smith released two covers and five pages of the first issue on his MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
on November 5, 2008. The pages revealed that Deadshot
Deadshot
Deadshot is a fictional character, a supervillain/assassin in the DC Universe and an enemy of Batman. He first appears in Batman #59 and was created by Bob Kane, David Vern Reed and Lew Schwartz....
also appears in the series. The plot involves a turf war between the Joker and Maxie Zeus
Maxie Zeus
Maximillian "Maxie" Zeus is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He is a criminal mastermind who believes that he is the god Zeus from Greek mythology. He is an occasional enemy of Batman...
over a drug Zeus creates using Joker venom
Joker venom
Joker venom, also called Joker toxin or Smilex, is a fictional toxin, a favorite murder weapon used by The Joker in the Batman franchise of movies, comics, and cartoons...
, prompting the Joker to retaliate.
Synopsis
The series opens with DeadshotDeadshot
Deadshot is a fictional character, a supervillain/assassin in the DC Universe and an enemy of Batman. He first appears in Batman #59 and was created by Bob Kane, David Vern Reed and Lew Schwartz....
breaking into Arkham Asylum
Arkham Asylum
The Elizabeth Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane, commonly referred to simply as Arkham Asylum, is a fictional psychiatric hospital in the DC Comics Universe, usually appearing in stories featuring Batman...
with the intent to kill The Joker
Joker (comics)
The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin...
. He is stopped by Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia (comics)
Onomatopoeia is a DC Comics supervillain, an enemy of Green Arrow and Batman. He first appeared in Green Arrow #12 . He was created by writer Kevin Smith and artist Phil Hester...
, 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
Gotham City
Gotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...
to draw out Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
— his actual target. The Joker uses this money to attack Maxie Zeus
Maxie Zeus
Maximillian "Maxie" Zeus is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He is a criminal mastermind who believes that he is the god Zeus from Greek mythology. He is an occasional enemy of Batman...
, who turned Joker's trademark toxic venom
Joker venom
Joker venom, also called Joker toxin or Smilex, is a fictional toxin, a favorite murder weapon used by The Joker in the Batman franchise of movies, comics, and cartoons...
into a designer drug
Designer drug
Designer drug is a term used to describe drugs that are created to get around existing drug laws, usually by preparing analogs or derivatives of existing drugs by modifying their chemical structure to varying degrees, or less commonly by finding drugs with entirely different chemical structures...
. After foiling Mr. Zsasz
Zsasz
Mr. Zsasz is a fictional villain who appears in books published by DC Comics, usually as an enemy of Batman. He is a serial killer who usually kills with a knife and carves a tally mark somewhere on himself for every victim.-Fictional character biography:...
, Batman meets with Commissioner Gordon
James Gordon (comics)
James Worthington Gordon, Sr. is a fictional character, an ally of Batman that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane...
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 vigilante
Vigilante
A vigilante is a private individual who legally or illegally punishes an alleged lawbreaker, or participates in a group which metes out extralegal punishment to an alleged lawbreaker....
s, 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.
Reviews
Jesse Schedeen of IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
felt conflicted with the first issue of Cacophony, citing a good script and comparing Smith to Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
, saying, "[Smith] manages to find a fresh voice for one of the industry's most heavily exposed characters".
Schedeen also wrote that the villains were the focus, with The Joker
Joker (comics)
The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin...
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.