Cover: Tony S. Daniel

Batman #89

Apr 2020 · DC · 3.99 USD

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“Their Dark Designs Part 4”

★ 1st appearance — Punchline

About this Issue

Batman #89 (cover-dated April 2020, published February 19, 2020) holds a firm place in the DC Rebirth era as the first cameo appearance of Punchline — real name Alexis Kaye — the Joker's cold, calculating new partner who would go on to anchor the 'Joker War' crossover and eventually earn her own solo title. Conceived as a deliberate thematic inversion of Harley Quinn, Punchline represented writer James Tynion IV's most significant addition to the Batman rogues' gallery at the outset of his flagship run. The issue simultaneously delivers the first cameo of the Designer, the central antagonist of the 'Their Dark Designs' arc, making it a double debut of newly-minted DC villains within a single story. Demand for the issue was so immediate that DC issued a second and then a third printing — rare for a mainline Batman chapter issue — underscoring the cultural impact Punchline had before she even appeared in full.

In "Their Dark Designs Part 4," Batman races through Gotham’s shadows, chasing Gunsmith, Mr. Teeth, and Deathstroke, while Harley Quinn and Catwoman confront Merlyn and Cheshire. With Penguin wounded and the Riddler taken by the Designer, Catwoman faces a moment of truth—she must finally share a long-buried secret with Batman, all as the Joker begins orchestrating his next devastating move. Written by James Tynion IV and brought to life by Guillem March’s dynamic art and Danny Miki’s inks, with colors by Tomeu Morey and letters by Clayton Cowles, this issue’s tension builds with every page. The cover, by Tony S. Daniel, captures the chaos in sharp, striking detail.

writer James Tynion IV · artist, inker Guillem March · inker Danny Miki · colorist Tomeu Morey · letterer Clayton Cowles · artist Carlo Pagulayan · cover Tony S. Daniel

ComicBooks.com Value

Our Model is In Beta

Raw (NM) $22

CGC 9.8 · 3475 in census $68

CGC 9.6 · 500 in census $57

CGC 9.4 · 139 in census $43

CGC 9.2 · 54 in census $41

CGC 9.0 · 29 in census $36*

CGC 8.5 · 13 in census $33*

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CGC 8.0 · 3 in census $33*

CGC 7.5 · 2 in census $24*

CGC 7.0 · 3 in census $24*

CGC 6.5 none in existence

CGC 6.0 · 1 in census $20*

CGC 5.5 none in existence

CGC 5.0 none in existence

CGC 4.5 none in existence

CGC 4.0 none in existence

CGC 3.5 none in existence

CGC 3.0 none in existence

CGC 2.5 none in existence

CGC 2.0 none in existence

CGC 1.5 none in existence

CGC 1.0 · 1 in census $20*

* estimate — limited direct-sales data at this grade

Our model’s value — refined as new sales data arrives · CGC census counts shown where available

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History

James Tynion IV took over the Batman ongoing series with issue #86 (January 2020), following Tom King's extended run, and structured his opening arc — 'Their Dark Designs' — around two new villains he developed alongside artist Jorge Jimenez, who designed both Punchline and the Designer. Tynion shared his written character brief for the Designer with Jimenez via his mailing list, offering collectors and press a rare behind-the-scenes window into the creative process. Issue #89, the fourth chapter of that arc, was pencilled by a split team of Guillem March and Carlo Pagulayan with inks by Danny Miki, colors by Tomeu Morey, and letters by Clayton Cowles, under editors Dave Wielgosz and Ben Abernathy.

Trivia · 8 facts

First cameo appearance of Punchline (Alexis Kaye), the Joker's new partner and eventual major DC villain, appearing only on the final epilogue page in two panels, on the phone with the Joker.
First cameo appearance of the Designer, the central antagonist of Tynion's opening 'Their Dark Designs' arc, also debuting in this issue.
Published February 19, 2020; cover-dated April 2020. Part four of the nine-part 'Their Dark Designs' story arc, the first arc of James Tynion IV's Batman run.
Written by James Tynion IV; interior art by Carlo Pagulayan (pencils), Guillem March (pencils), and Danny Miki (inks); colors by Tomeu Morey; letters by Clayton Cowles. Cover by Tony S. Daniel.
Punchline was designed by Jorge Jimenez and conceived as a cold, sadistic foil to Harley Quinn — the Joker's new partner following his falling out with Harley, who appears prominently in this issue fighting alongside Catwoman.
The issue also features the supporting debut of Gunsmith (Douglas Worth), a mercenary assassin employed by the Designer against Bruce Wayne, with his origin detailed within the story.
Due to advance buzz around Punchline's debut, first printings sold out at Diamond Distributors, prompting DC to announce second and then third printings — the third arriving April 1, 2020, with a minimal trade-dress version of the Tony S. Daniel cover.
The issue was later collected in Batman Vol. 1: Their Dark Designs (hardcover October 2020, paperback 2021), Tynion's first Batman trade paperback collection.