Who wants to guess what I just finished reading? Yes, the first comic creation from long-time pals Kevin (Clerks, Chasing Amy, Green Arrow: Quiver, Marvel Visionaries: Daredevil) Smith and Walt (Fanboy) Flanagan. My impression? Story: Decent, and a fuck-ton of fun to read. Art: Passable, while not Tim Sale or Jim Lee or David Mazzuccelli, and reminiscent of the animated series with a lot more blood and detail. Highlight? The characterization of The Joker. All the nutcase staples are hit but with a bit of tongue-in-cheek and a flirtation with cock-in-ass. As a three issue series, I wish it had two more installments to flesh out the story a bit more. Gist: Someone hires Deadshot to kill Joker while he's captive in Arkham (reading The Fountainhead no less) for the overdose of his son on "chuckles". A drug comprised of Joker's venom cut with ecstacy (by the lamest villain in Batman's Rogues Gallery: Maxi Zeus) that is de rigueur on the club scene. But a masked action-word quoting badass gets the drop on Deadshot! (and later on Batman...TWICE!) Thus, turning this foiled assassination attempt into an escape. An escape Joker is willing to give up his holiest-of-holies for...but is snubbed.
While I adore Kevin Smith, I'm not going to fellate him by saying this is the best Batman arc since The Dark Knight Returns. What I will say is this: If you want a nice one-off story with pop-culture references and poop jokes...pick up the trade of Batman: Cacophony. Now available in hardcover.
I sought out the individual issues...and paid $22.50 for the three, when the hardcover trade goes for $19.99 before my sweet ass discount...bollocks.
On a very related note: Batman: The Widening Gyre #1 by Smith and Flanagan hit a few weeks ago and issue #2 drops tomorrow. Fucked if I know what the name means...
Tyler
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