Punchline (character) explained

Character Name:	Alexis Kaye
Publisher:	DC Comics
Debut:	Batman (vol. 3) #89 (April 2020)
Creators:	James Tynion IV (writer) Jorge Jiménez (artist)
Species:	Human
Homeworld:	Gotham City
Partners:	Joker Royal Flush Gang Legion of Doom
Powers:	Enhanced agility, and reflexes Expert athlete, acrobat Proficient with knives and toxins
Cat:	super
Subcat:	DC Comics
Hero:	y
Villain:	y

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

DC Rebirth (2016–2017)

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.

Infinite Frontier (2021–2023)

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)

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

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

!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
Punchline: The Gotham Game	Punchline: The Gotham Game #1-6	August 1, 2023

Notes and References

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