Spoilers for The Joker 80th Anniversary 100 Page Super Spectacular Below
DC Comics has finally revealed the killer origin of Punchline, the Joker's new girlfriend. In The Joker 80th Anniversary 100 Page Super Spectacular, the rise of Punchline is finally explained, showcasing how DC's newest villain got her start and why she worships the Clown Prince of Crime.
Punchline has only made a few small appearances so far, but the new character has been met with an extremely positive response. Described as the "Anti-Harley Quinn," Punchline has been shown to be quite jealous of the Joker's ex. Before Punchline and Harley have a potentially deadly meeting, Punchline's origin has finally been explained in the new Joker 80th Anniversary issue. In the story 'What Comes at the End of a Joke' by James Tynion IV, Mikel Janin, Jordie Bellaire, and Clayton Cowles, Punchline's twisted devotion to the Joker becomes painfully obvious.
The story starts with the dean of Snyder College talking to Alexis (Punchline's real name) about her actions on campus. The school had a "dress like your hero day," where Alexis decided to dress like the Joker, which the dean calls provocative, especially considering the villain had killed her roommate's brother's friends earlier in the week with a laughing gas attack. Alexis expresses little remorse about the incident, saying she has freedom of expression. Suddenly, the dean starts laughing uncontrollably. Alexis reveals that she made her own homemade Joker toxin out of chemicals - which she says she tested on homeless people under an overpass. In a terrifying moment, she tells the dying dean that "we grew up with all of you whispering in our ears we could be anything we wanted. But you never realized the downside to all of that... some of us don't want to be good guys," as she changes into Punchline.
It turns out the murder was all to confirm to the Joker she was ready to get serious about being his new partner. Joker was hiding in a closet the entire time and witnessed Punchline's sadistic killing. He seems quite impressed, telling her "what comes next is going to be funny."
Punchline always wanted to be a bad guy and clearly worshipped the Joker. She's a stone-cold killer who's ruthless tactics will be extremely helpful to the Joker. She wants to watch the world burn with him at her side. Punchline seems to be more dangerous than anyone might have predicted. For Batman, she represents a terrifying new threat. For the Joker, she's a seemingly perfect, twisted partner in crime.