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Punchline (character)

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Alexis Kaye
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceBatman (vol. 3) #89 (April 2020)
Created byJames Tynion IV (writer)
Jorge Jiménez (artist)
In-story information
SpeciesHuman
Place of originGotham City
PartnershipsJoker
Royal Flush Gang
Legion of Doom
Abilities
  • Enhanced agility, and reflexes
  • Expert athlete, acrobat
  • Proficient with knives and toxins

Punchline is a fictional character who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with the supervillain The Joker. Created by James Tynion IV and Jorge Jiménez, she first appears in Batman (vol. 3) #89 (April 2020), during the Joker War story arc.[1][2][3][4]

Character and publication history

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DC Rebirth (2016–2017)

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Debuting shortly before The Joker War story arc, Alexis Kaye is a college student who develops an unhealthy obsession with the Joker, after encountering him during a grisly-fated high school trip. Facing the death penalty for the crime she committed over the recent times, Kaye pleads not guilty. Being released from court, she develops a plot to become The Joker's new sidekick and girlfriend.

New Justice (2018–2021)

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Infinite Frontier (2021–2023)

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In 2022, the character was given a limited series, titled Punchline: The Gotham Game, in which she moves on from The Joker and becomes the new leader of Gotham's Royal Flush Gang. The title ran for 6 issues, and was written by Tini Howard, with art provided by Blake Howard, Gleb Melnikov.[5]

Dawn of DC (2023–present)

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In the Knight Terrors story arc, Punchline and the Royal Flush Gang attempt to break into the supposedly abandoned Clock Tower that was used by the Bat Family. With a large number of heroes in the Knightmare Realm, she believes that the process will be an easy task before coming face-to-face with her deepest fear.[6]

Equipment

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Unlike the majority of DC villains, Punchline has no metahuman powers or abilities. However, she is adept at wielding knives and makes use of Joker venom, along with other toxins.

Collected editions

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Title Material collected Published date ISBN
Punchline: The Trial of Alexis Kaye The Joker 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1; Punchline #1; The Joker #1-14; and Batman: Urban Legends #950 September 6, 2022 9781779517968
Punchline: The Gotham Game Punchline: The Gotham Game #1-6 August 1, 2023 9781779518361

References

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  1. ^ Arvedon, Jon (February 7, 2020). "The Joker Introduces Harley Quinn's Replacement: Meet Punchline". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  2. ^ Gelman, Samuel (January 22, 2020). "Batman: Meet the Dark Knight's Next Major Villain – Punchline". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  3. ^ McGuire, Liam (February 26, 2020). "Joker's New Girlfriend Punchline is Already a DC Superstar". Screen Rant. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  4. ^ Gelman, Samuel (February 12, 2020). "Joker's Harley Quinn Replacement Gets Second Printing Ahead of Debut". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  5. ^ Punchline: The Gotham Game
  6. ^ Ray, Aaron Jr (July 18, 2023). "Knight Terrors: Punchline #1 review". Batman News.
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