Comic Review: Punchline #1

Punchline #1

DC Comics

Writers: Sam Johns & James Tynion IV

Artists: Mirka Andolfo and Romulo Fajardo Jr.

Back in June, the Joker had a special 80th-anniversary issue and in it, we got our first glimpse of James Tynion IV’s new character, Punchline. She has been playing an important role in his Batman story arc “Joker War” ever since. In a recent interview on the Absolute Comics podcast, Tynion mentioned that he originally planned to have this character in their own book from the start. It wasn’t until he started writing Joker War that he realized, with some modifications, that this character would work even better in its context. Fast forward to now and Punchline is finally getting her own issue, as Tynion originally planned. Tynion teams up with writer Sam Johns and artists Mirka Andolfo and Romulo Fajardo Jr. in this extended tie-in to Joker War.

This issue serves a couple of purposes. As expected, the first is to flesh out Punchline a bit more. A little less expected purpose, however, is the set up of a plot for (presumably) Batman. Effectively this book gives a brief journey of Punchline from normal teenager to Joker obsessed villain. I won’t spoil it but the method this is done serves as a unique plot telling device. It also seamlessly explains the set up for a new, very larger, story. The way this issue uses the plot device to work in both backstory and future story in one go is pretty impressive. While the technique got a little old at times, it served its purpose extraordinarily well. For an issue titled “Punchline” we don’t get to see her all too much. Once again, this is a result of the device used and it is welcomed. I find the cover for this book a little deceptive but I think it is for the best.

The character design for Punchline is clearly fantastic but up until this issue, I had my reserves. A character meant to show how an obsession with a killer can corrupt people probably shouldn’t be idolized too much. The way Punchline is drawn is begging to be cosplayed. The art in this book doubles down on this by making every image of her as cutesy as possibly. I wasn’t too happy with this decision at first but after this issue, I’m on board. Still trying to stay away from spoilers, this issue explains why Punchline, in-universe, would want to be viewed like this. Andolfo and Fajardo Jr. hit this idea pretty spot on while not straying too far from the house style. They know when to exaggerate aspects of a character to convey something that’s not written.

Overall, this book really surprised me. On my first read I thought it was okay and a little cash-grabby but on further reflection I really like it. It is a fun read with some unique qualities that the team did not have to bother but clearly had a passion for the character. I’m very excited to see more from Tynion IV’s new character. Anyone interested in his work or the Batman world should pick this issue up.