Batman's PUNCHLINE To Star in Her Own One-Shot Comic
The world of Batman comics may never be the same after the current "Joker War" reaches its finale, but one thing is already certain. While Punchline joined the DC Universe as the right-hand woman of the Joker, her story will continue with or without him now that DC has announced her own one-shot comic, coming to fans in November.
The 48-page Punchline #1 special issue promises to dive deeper into the character formerly known as 'Alexis Kaye,' before her comic origin story created Punchline, and in the process, the instrument Joker needed to wage his final war on the Batman family. The villainess' co-creator James Tynion IV will be writing alongside his Sam Johns, scribe of both DC's Crimes of Passion, and Tynion's recently-launched horror magazine Razorblades. With art from Mirka Andolfo (DC Comics Bombshells, Harley Quinn) the debut cover by Yasmine Putri (DCeased) is all fans need to prepare themselves for Punchline #1—and from the sound of it, her NEW role in the DC Universe going forward.
Thanks in no small part to artist Jorge Jimenez's stunning character design, Tyynion recently admitted even Punchline's creators were surprised by her instant popularity (attention which expanded into her very own origin story as part of the The Joker 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular). Now DC Comics is referring to the coming one-shot in November as "a journey behind the origins of the Joker's new field general," making it clearer than ever that the story of Punchline will be unfolding far beyond the outcome of "Joker War." Check out the first plot tease, as well as Putri's cover art for Punchline #1 below.
Facing the consequences of her role in “The Joker War,” Punchline is the story of Alexis Kaye, and how she’ll take Leslie Thompkins, Harper Row and Cullen Row on a harrowing journey that reveals her radicalization to The Joker’s ideology.
In addition to these first plot details, the official press release for the 48-page one-shot includes Tynion's confirmation that Punchline's role isn't growing due to success alone. As he previously explained, Punchline's is a story of radicalization that is only growing more relevant—and that's just based on what fans have seen so far:
Back when I first introduced Punchline, I said many times that this wasn’t going to be a flash in the pan character. That I had big plans for her moving forward, that would drive big story next year and beyond. Joker War is over, but Punchline’s plans have only just begun. I’m thrilled to be telling this frightening story that expands her past, and sets up her future, with the amazing Sam Johns, and the incredible Mirka Andolfo. This is only the beginning!
With Johns promising a blend of unlimited action, horror, and Joker romance in Mirka's visuals, November marks an exciting (and intriguing) new chapter in Punchline's chapter of Gotham City mythology.The 48-page one-shot Punchline #1 arrives in open and operating comic book stores and participating digital retailers on November 10th, 2020.