‘Batman Cacophony #1’

Writer and director of “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” and the classic “Clerks” Kevin Smith returns to comic writing with his first story to star the world’s greatest detective. This issue is the first of a three-part miniseries, which features Onomatopoeia, one of Smith’s villain creations from his respected run on “Green Arrow.”

Despite Smith’s tendency toward the lighthearted, the story has the potential to be dark and gritty, as it will also feature villains the Joker and serial-killer Victor Zsasz. Although Smith has left comic runs unfinished in the past to work on film projects, his stories have been consistently entertaining, combining solid plots and action with his trademark post-modern humor. This issue will likely be worth picking up regardless of its future.

‘JSA Kingdom Come Special Superman #1’

Alex Ross and Geoff Johns have done well in Johns’ “Justice Society of America” series by blending Ross’ “Kingdom Come” world with the regular DC Universe. This story, however, is written entirely by Alex Ross, who, although established in the medium as a legendary artist, has never been as recognized for his writing skills. Why, then, is the “Kingdom Come Special” sure to be one of the top issues of the week? Ross is pulling double-duty on the issue as both writer and interior artist, a first in his career. Johns and Ross have already done the difficult writing work of mashing the two worlds together, and the Justice Society’s characters are a perfect fit for Ross’s majestic depiction of superheroes.

‘Detective Comics #850’

Grant Morrison’s “Batman R.I.P.” storyline is making headlines as Morrison keeps readers wondering if Bruce Wayne will continue to be Batman. “Detective Comics” writer Paul Dini, however, has been telling a different, but equally compelling, storyline. “Detective” has been following the return of a recent fan-favorite villain, Hush, a childhood friend of Bruce Wayne’s whose twisted mind has left him determined to kill Batman at any cost. Pick up Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee’s “Batman: Hush” trades to see Batman’s first encounter with the villain and learn his backstory. Dini has done an excellent job expanding the characterization of Hush while keeping the action moving the story.

— Tim Bennett is a professional writing senior.