The Joker is making his return to the world of Batman comics in a major way, but it looks like his new girlfriend ‘Punchline’ is going to make even bigger waves, now that official details and artwork have been offered by DC Comics.
Current Batman writer James Tynion IV previously teased the arrival of Joker’s new henchwoman Punchline, teasing fans with nothing but questions. Without clarifying when she would be making her debut, what role she would have in the coming Joker War story, or even her explicit connection to the clown prince, fans were left on the hook. Thankfully DC has now come through with preview artwork, a full variant cover, and confirmation of just which books fans need to watch out for to see the new era of Joker and Punchline begin.
Readers will get their first look at Punchline when she makes her debut in Batman #89, the introduction of a woman DC is referring to as “a brand-new DC villain set to play a major role in Batman’s life.” The publisher confirms that issue will offer a one-panel cameo, giving the honor of adding Punchline to the DC Universe to artists Guillem March and Tomeu Morey.
After that, it’s a supporting role in Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #3 as “the Joker’s latest—and deadliest—henchwoman” just one week later. Art duties there will be covered by Steve Epting, Javier Fernandez, and Nick Filardi. The panels in question can be seen above. The story will apparently show that it’s Punchline keeping the villain up to date, with the latest issue seeing Catwoman dig up Joker’s coffin. From there the “Joker War” story is expected to make Punchline an even more central figure at Joker’s side, before taking a variant cover all to herself with May’s issue of Batman #94.
The variant cover from Stanley “Artgerm” Lau gives the best look yet at Punchline’s character design, giving Batman fans plenty of time to analyze and observe every single detail. Before she is shown in motion, proving why she’s now the deadly right hand of joker, of course. Check out the cover below:
Only time will tell if Punchline’s relationship with the Joker will reflect the changing attitudes towards his famous love story with Harley Quinn. The timing couldn’t be better, as Harley Quinn is splitting with Joker in movies just as dramatically as she did in the comics years ago. Now that Harley is actually helping Batman in his own comic book series, the odds are good that she could wind up taking on her former (abusive) lover… along with his new girlfriend. The story is going to be building over weeks and months, so fans won’t want to miss the first chapter, arriving in Batman #89 later this month.
- BATMAN #89 Release Date: Feburary 19th, 2020 Written by: James Tynion IV Art by: Guillem March Cover Art by: Tony S. Daniel Batman must stop Deathstroke from killing the mayor of Gotham City! But to do so he has to figure out who ordered the hit in the first place. If his four main suspects aren’t ‘fessing up to the crime, then is there someone even more sinister lurking in the shadows waiting to deliver the coup de grâce? Whoever it is, one victim will fall under their attack!
Batman #89 will arrive in your local comic book shop on February 19th, 2020.
MORE: Exclusive Preview: The Batman’s Grave #5 Heads to Arkham Asylum
