The Joker has a new partner in crime in his war against Batman, but it seems Nightwing will also be feeling the sting of Punchline! That’s according to Screen Rant’s exclusive preview of the upcoming Nightwing #72, in which the newest DC Comics villain will be facing off against Dick Grayson as he makes his way back to Gotham.

Punchline has yet to make her comics debut, but there’s already plenty of hype surrounding the character’s upcoming debut in Batman #89, along with her supporting role in Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #3. Originally teased as the Joker’s New leading lady and a downright deadly henchwoman, the full reveal of Punchline in her variant cover of Batman #94 guaranteed that every DC Comics fan would be lining up to see how Joker’s new femme fatale compares to his previous, one Harley Quinn.

The mysterious character is said to “play a major role in Batman’s life,” and is expected to have a considerable role in the coming “Joker War” storyline. There hasn’t been a ton of details released about that story arc, but with the Joker gathering intel about the real-life identities of the Bat-Family, and new artwork suggesting a Joker will unmask Batman in Detective Comics #1023, you can bet things are only going to get wilder from here. Punchline will play a crucial part in what comes next for both the Joker and Batman, so it’s no surprise she’s already spinning off into other DC Comics titles. There’s a ton of potential with the character.

As for her encounter with Nightwing, Punchline is going to be meeting the former Robin in the midst of an identity crisis. In the previews for Nightwing #70 and #71, ‘Ric Grayson’ is still struggling to come to terms with his real identity (having had his memories as Robin revealed in traumatic fashion). Meanwhile, the Joker is set to get in his way. Issue #71 is already teasing Nightwing being captured by Joker to get to the Dark Knight. In Issue #72, Grayson will seek out Barbara Gordon to fix his identity problems… but runs into Punchline instead. Check out the Punchline-starring cover by Travis Moore below, as well as the full solicit for Nightwing #72.

  • Nightwing #72 Written by Dan Jurgens Art by Ronan Cliquet Cover by Travis Moore Variant cover by Alan Quah Dick Grayson has learned the truth: that “fixing” his identity lies with none other than Barbara Gordon. He must go to Gotham to find Batgirl—and runs into The Joker’s new henchperson, Punchline. Unlike Harley Quinn, Punchline’s deadpan black humor matches the deadly knives she uses on her victims…and for her next joke, Ric Grayson is the punchline. May 5th, 2020.

Nightwing #72 will be available in your local comic book shop on May 5th, 2020.

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