Punchline Reading Order

This reading order is designed to give an outline of major storylines featuring Punchline (Alexis Kaye) throughout DC Comics. It may not encompass every one of her appearances but is an outline of the major ones and the stories that affect them.

The continuity details relating to each specific storyline are explained in the “Review” of each storyline. Every “Review” link will provide a detailed continuity breakdown of that story and will explain any reference the story makes to other aspects of the DC Universe. All of this can be found under the “Continuity” section of each link.

Jump to: Rebirth/Universe – Infinite Frontier

Rebirth/Universe

Punchline is introduced in this era and has no appearances before it.

Punchline is initially introduced through a few brief appearances that keep her mostly shrouded in mystery. Then, aspects of her history and personality begin to come out through The Joker 80th Anniversary special and a few issues of the Batman series. All of this helps set up her appearance in The Joker War (Reading Order). Punchline is one of the major players in this event and her role in it is her most significant of the era. The event also impacts her status quo in a way that is important going forward.

Finally, Punchline’s last appearance in this era is in a one-shot issue of Punchline. This comic reveals a lot about Punchline’s past, explains her current situation, and provides a direct prelude to her role in the next era.

Notes

1. Punchline's appearance in this issue is very brief and really only serves as a cameo that sets up her future appearances.
2. This issue is mostly about Lex Luthor's (Reading Order) ongoing mission, which puts him in contact with the Joker (Reading Order). Punchline appears alongside Joker but doesn't have too large of a role.
3. Both Punchline and Joker (Reading Order) make an appearance in Batman #94. However, this appearance is very brief and simply helps set up their larger roles in The Joker War (Reading Order).
4. Only the "Deathstroke in Fool's Gold" story from Batman: Secret Files #3 is relevant to this reading order. This story is mostly about a conversation between Joker (Reading Order) and Deathstroke (Reading Order) that preludes The Joker War (Reading Order) event. However, Punchline appears as a supporting character during this exchange.
5. These issues are mostly about Nightwing (Reading Order) and the climax of the Ric Grayson story arc (Reading Order). Punchline's role in them is pretty small but may be interesting to readers looking for all of her appearances surrounding The Joker War (Reading Order) event.
6. Punchline only appears extremely briefly in Batman: The Joker War Zone #1. However, it helps establish an antagonism between her and Clownkiller that becomes slightly relevant in the next era.

Infinite Frontier

As a relatively new character, Punchline is unaffected by the transition into the Infinite Frontier era. Her story simply picks up right where it left off.

Punchline reappears as an antagonist in the Batman Secret Files: Clownhunter comic. From here, she goes on to play a starring role in backup issues of Joker. This backup storyline explores Punchline's past while also depicting what she is doing after the events of The Joker War (Reading Order).

Note: This era is still ongoing. We will be updating this reading order at a future date.

All DC Comics Reading Orders