Batman: Cacophony by Kevin Smith features issues 1-3 and an alternative script for the third issue, it is a truly great comic with a lot of great conversations. Kevin smith known for writing and directing movies such as Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Red State, and Tusk, has a way with dialogue, and adds it to comics as well. I was a big fan of his Green Arrow run, where he ended up creating one of the villains Onomatopoeia which is featured in this work as well. This graphic novel is sadistic but it leads to great questions and conversations.

The Plot: The Joker is locked away in Arkham Asylum where we see someone break in determined to kill him. That man is an assassin known as Deadshot, The Joker casually ask why he’s deemed to die. The Joker finds out that one of his poisons is being changed to a party drug called “chuckles” due to the fact it makes you laugh. The Joker is livid that one of his poison’s doesn’t do what it is supposed to do kill. Deadshot is there for that matter that the parent of one the drug users wants the Joker dead for the reason his son died by result of an overdose to the drug “chuckles”. Just before Deadshot has killed Joker, he is saved by another villain Onomatopoeia, a villain that repeats the sounds heard and killed Vertigo a costumed hero that used to run with Green Arrow. Onomatopoeia has a plan that involves the Joker and taking down Batman.

What I Liked: The conversations, there’s a really great one with Jim Gordon and Batman on wether to let the Joker die or not, and another with Batman and the Joker on if the other truly wants each other to die. There’s a great moment when the Joker realizes a joke after Deadshot is taken down by a head shot, and can not contain himself. I liked Batman using some of Deadshot’s technology. Onomatopoeia as a villain is terrifying, and I loved the reveal at the end for his character. Since Kevin Smith is known for his dick and fart jokes I was not surprised by this, for the most part they landed, on exchange with the Joker seeing Batman Junk when he changed was funny especially Alfred’s comment on it.  The alternative script was cool, most graphic novels only do a panel or two it was nice seeing the entire script and where it changed in the actual published version.

What I Disliked: There’s a rape joke that kind failed, featuring the Joker and Onomatopoeia where Joker misinterprets their relationship thinking he wants to rape him which the Joker seems all to willing to comply, which seemed a bit too much.

Recommendations: I really enjoyed myself it was funny, action packed and well drawn. I really recommend this one but there is the trigger warning of extreme violence and rape discussed, that not everyone will enjoy. I rated this short graphic novel 5 out of 5 stars. I bought this one and the sequel The Widening Gyre at the same time and will read it soon since I enjoyed this one so much.