The Joker: 80th Anniversary #1D (DC Comics 2020) 1st solo story feat. Punchline

Celebrate eight decades of chaos with a single-volume anthology collecting ten acclaimed short stories centered on DC’s most enduring antagonist. Released in 2020, this 96-page full-color milestone edition marks the Clown Prince of Crime’s first solo narrative feature including the character Punchline.

The collection bridges generations of DC talent, pairing modern writers like Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV with legacy creators such as Denny O’Neil, Paul Dini, and Lee Bermejo. Each installment explores a different facet of Gotham’s underworld, shifting perspectives across law enforcement, Arkham Asylum inmates, and the Dark Knight’s circle. The anthology format delivers tightly paced narratives rather than sprawling crossovers, making it easy to revisit your favorite arcs or discover overlooked classics in one sitting.

Story Highlights & Creative Roster

Every tale arrives with distinct visual storytelling matched to its tone:

• "Scars" crafted by Scott Snyder and Jock emphasizes grounded, psychological tension.
• "Kill the Batman" by Gary Whitta, Greg Miller, and Dan Mora restructures the iconic rivalry using kinetic pacing.
• "Introducing the Dove Corps" authored by Denny O’Neil and José Luis García-López tracks street-level organized crime.
• "The Last Smile" written by Paul Dini and illustrated by Riley Rossmo leans into surreal, horror-adjacent chaos.

Additional chapters include "What Comes After a Joke?", "The War Within," "Birthday Bugs," "No Heroes," "Penance," and "Two Fell Into the Hornet's Nest." Supporting art direction comes from Mikel Janin, Simone Bianchi, Eduardo Risso, Rafael Albuquerque, and Tony S. Daniel, all anchored by Francesco Mattina’s anniversary cover layout.

Edition Specifications

• Format: One-shot anthology, 96 pages, full color
• Rating: T+ (Teen Plus)
• Publish Year: 2020
• Cover Price: $9.99
• Bonus Material: Pin-up spreads by Kelley Jones, Stjepan Šejić, Ivan Reis, Tim Sale, John Romita Jr., Danny Miki, and Fiona Staples

This anniversary edition consolidates scattered Joker archives into a collector-ready format. If you need a streamlined reference for the villain’s evolution through detective procedurals, psychological thrillers, and action-heavy vignettes, this volume delivers curated access to defining moments across his eighty-year publication history.