'Batman' #92 Preview: Joker's Punchline lands while Riddler puts Gotham City under lockdown
Did you think being stuck at home because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was bad? Gotham City is about to be placed under lockdown by the Riddler who's adding traps wired with bombs to the streets to make sure no one leaves their homes. Talk about enforced social distancing!
The info has been revealed thanks to Bleeding Cool who got their hands on an advance copy of James Tynion IV's 'Batman' #92. The issue will see Batman forced to solve the most ingenious riddle ever constructed by the Riddler in a race against time and the nefarious plans of the mysterious designer.
This time things are a lot more personal for the Dark Knight as the Designer is attempting a heist on the personal family fortune of (you guessed it) Bruce Wayne. To make things even more complicated, the Joker's new girlfriend Punchline will also have her inevitable battle with the Clown Prince of Crime's ex-girlfriend Harley Quinn.
Since making her first appearance in 'Batman' #89, Punchline has become a fan-favorite and we're pretty sure she's going to be the most popular cosplay subject at this year's San Diego Comic-Con (if it still ends up happening, that is). It does look like she may not tussle with the Dark Knight just yet but Punchline will most certainly be playing a major role in the upcoming 'Joker War' storyline that kicks off with 'Batman' #95.
Tynion described the character in a DC Comics release saying, "I think my favorite trope in all of super-villainy has to be the idea of the henchman. There's always something so eerie about the followers of a truly dangerous person. They raise all sorts of questions of what kind of person would go to work for a lunatic like the Joker. And my favorite character of all has always been the number two...the underboss, helping organize the henchmen and direct them for the final attack. A foil for the super-villain. The character they bounce their horrifying plans off of."
"Years ago, Harley was in that role in Joker's gang, but she's never going back. I wanted to have a character to bounce off of the Joker, and work as a foil for him in a radically different way than Harley Quinn. Why is she in this game? What is her relationship with the Joker? What does she think about Harley Quinn? We'll be answering all of that and more as the story progresses. Stay tuned!"
Here's the official solicitation for 'Batman' #92, written by James Tynion IV, illustrated by Guillem March, and with cover art by Yasmine Putri, "The greatest heist in history is underway in Gotham City, courtesy of the mysterious crimemaster known as the Designer! Batman knows what he needs to do, but in order to stop the plot, he must first escape the most ingenious death trap the Riddler has ever devised!"
'Batman' #92 was scheduled to be released on April 1 but has been delayed till April 29. The issue probably won't be available in print but it will be released digitally via ComiXology, the DC App, and Kindle.
Though the coronavirus pandemic has suspended print sales of new comics, quite a few stores are now providing home delivery and curbside pickups for older ones. You can also check this list compiled by Boom Studios' Morgan Perry to see if your local store provides mail subscription services.
Stay safe and happy reading.