DC Comics To Introduce New Batman Villain And Joker Ally, Punchline

DC Comics revealed they will be introducing a new Batman villain and Joker ally named Punchline as part of the upcoming Joker War storyline.

The character is set to make a one-panel cameo appearance in the upcoming Batman #89 by writer James Tynion IV and artist Guillem March. We won’t get a good look at her as the one-panel only shows a close up of her mouth, nose, and cheeks, as well as her left hand.

However, we do get some dialogue that indicates she could be Joker’s new main squeeze as he refers to her as “my dear.”

Tynion IV described the character as the devil sitting on Joker’s shoulder.

Following the one-panel cameo in Batman #89, the character is expected to make her full debut in Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #3 also written by James Tynion IV with art by Steve Epting and Javier Fernandez.

It’s in Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #3 where her name will be revealed. Joker says, “You know, my new friend, Punchline… She might just be the funniest gal I’ve ever met in my life. She knows this trick with a rusty saw that always puts the  boys in stitches. If they survive, of course.”

And she might not just be handy with a saw, Tynion IV indicated she’s pretty good at stabbing people as well.

Tynion IV also indicated that there will be a Harley Quinn vs Punchline fight coming down the pipeline.

DC Comics also plans on releasing Punchline’s character designs by Jorge Jiménez in Batman #90. They did reveal a sneak peek already.

Jimenez has also taken to Twitter to share a number of images of the character.

The character will also be featured on Stanley “Artgerm” Lau’s variant cover of Batman #94.

DC Comics is definitely promoting the character as if she will play a vital role in the upcoming Joker War storyline that begins with Batman #95 in May.

The Joker War storyline will take place following the current storyline that sees Batman attempting to hunt down the mysterious master criminal known as The Designer who united Gotham’s greatest criminals including Penguin, Riddler, Catwoman, and Joker to pull off the perfect crime.

That storyline is expected to come to a head on March 4th in Batman #90. The official solicitation reads:

“The mysterious master criminal known only as the Designer once brought together Gotham City’s greatest criminals to plot the perfect crime, and now his plan has been unleashed upon the city in all its might. Batman will go to any length to uncover the grand design, but Catwoman is the one who holds the greatest secret. If Batman wins against the Designer, he will lose everything.”

But while Batman will have to face off against The Designer, it appears Joker is already laying the groundwork for his own plans as the dialogue in Batman #89 sees Joker say, “There are a few people I need to talk to first, before the big game starts.”

What do you make of Punchline? Are you interested in seeing how she is used in the upcoming Batman story arcs?