DC has "big, big plans" for Punchline in 2021

Punchline
(Image credit: DC)

The year isn't over yet, but Punchline sure does rank up there on the shortlist of breakout new comic book characters in 2020. Punchline debuted nine months ago, and her first comic book goes on sale November 10. According to co-creator James Tynion, it's just the beginning - and the sales of next week's Punchline one-shot are feeding into it.

(Image credit: DC)

While not giving actual sales numbers, Tynion has said the advance orders for the Punchline one-shot are "absolutely staggering."

Punchline was the first major addition that writer James Tynion made to the Batman mythos upon taking over that title in January. His run, which began in Batman #86, was framed around the debut of a new villain named the Designer - but Punchline ended up stealing that 'new character buzz' spotlight pretty quickly.

"It feels like my year is beginning and ending with Punchline calling the shots," Tynion said recently in his newsletter, The Empire of the Tiny Onion. "The fact that we're still getting so many amazing cosplayers tackle her, months after her debut is thrilling."

Tynion goes on to say that he and DC "have big, big plans for her in 2021…"

Going into speculation mode, could those "big, big plans" be a Punchline solo series in 2021 - and could this be the project Tynion said he and Batman artist Guillem March are working on? Remember, March drew the Punchline story in Batman #100.

Stay apprised of what's to come for the Dark Knight with our constantly-updated list of new Batman comic books, graphic novels, and collections.

Chris Arrant

Chris Arrant covered comic book news for Newsarama from 2003 to 2022 (and as editor/senior editor from 2015 to 2022) and has also written for USA Today, Life, Entertainment Weekly, Publisher's Weekly, Marvel Entertainment, TOKYOPOP, AdHouse Books, Cartoon Brew, Bleeding Cool, Comic Shop News, and CBR. He is the author of the book Modern: Masters Cliff Chiang, co-authored Art of Spider-Man Classic, and contributed to Dark Horse/Bedside Press' anthology Pros and (Comic) Cons. He has acted as a judge for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, the Harvey Awards, and the Stan Lee Awards. Chris is a member of the American Library Association's Graphic Novel & Comics Round Table. (He/him)