Batman: Punchline’s DIABOLICAL Plan Is Already Working on Gotham City

In James Tynion IV and Guillem March’s Batman #101, it’s revealed that Punchline’s plan to get free from house arrest is already working on Gotham.

WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Batman #101, by James Tynion IV, Guillem March, Tomeu Morey and Clayton Cowles, on sale now.

Punchline became Joker’s new girlfriend and partner in crime shortly before the start of his attack on Gotham City. As the villain began his Joker War, Punchline was essentially his right-hand woman: she helped him steal the Wayne family fortune, she had her own crew of clowns, she oversaw the creation of a new Laughing Gas at Ace Chemical and she did anything else the Joker asked of her.

When the war came to an end, the Clown Prince of Crime vanished into the night — and Punchline was arrested. In Gotham City, whenever a costumed criminal is apprehended, they are usually sent to Arkham Asylum. However, Punchline proved to be incredibly smart by using the power of social media and public opinion to stay out of the asylum for the criminally insane.

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And now, in Batman #101, we learn that her devious plan is going even further — it’s become a movement.

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In Batman #100, it was revealed that, while she was awaiting her trial, Alexis Kaye — aka Punchline — recorded a video she posted on social media. In the video, she revealed how the Joker had manipulated her into becoming his accomplice. She played the victim and while she didn’t ask for forgiveness for what she had done, she used this video to remind everyone that she hadn’t killed anyone during the Joker War and that her biggest crime was in trusting the wrong person.

The video was used to show that she was not unstable enough to be incarcerated at Arkham. Instead, she was put under house arrest. It showed that she understood how to weaponize society and use it to suit her own needs.

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Now, in Batman #101, we see the continued effect of Punchline’s video. During a discussion between Lucius Fox and Batman, several monitors show more recordings of Alexis Kaye addressing the media, which indicates that she may be recording more videos to continue to garner public support. And it’s working.

Indeed, Lucius says that an online company is now selling “Free Punchline” t-shirts. Therefore, Punchline is slowly winning over public opinion — enough that it’s now becoming a movement. Her videos are having an effect on certain citizens, and some are convinced that she is just a young girl who was used by the city’s worst villain. She is rallying the people of Gotham City behind her.

For the time being, it’s only t-shirts, but the movement could grow even bigger if Alexis gets further support. If she attracts the attention of a large enough crowd, the city may have no choice but to let her go free.

Punchline is acting differently than the usual Gotham City villain. She’s using the modern weapon of social media to sway public opinion and manipulate society. This shows that she is just like the Joker. She sees the cracks in society’s walls, and she uses them to get what she wants. It’s devious, and it shows that she really does deserve to stand side-by-side with the Clown Prince of Crime.

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About The Author Ian Cardona (2967 Articles Published)

Ian Cardona has written for CBR since 2017. He is a Feature, Comic Breakouts and News writer. He’s been in love with comics for a very long time, and believes there is some good to be found even in the industry’s more difficult times. His favorite Avenger is Captain America, and that was long before the character starred in a very successful film franchise. He is an avid statue and Funko Pop! figures collector, and he’s rapidly running out of shelf space. With CBR, he has been able to write about his favorite subjects, from the MCU to Doctor Who. You can follow him on Twitter at @ian_c1701 (yes, that is a Star Trek reference) for discussions, debates or pictures of really cool collectibles he probably doesn’t have room for.

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