Summary
The Batman villain known as thePenguinhas been a dapper mobster, a freak show carny, a quacking criminal, and a terrorist. A new one-shot collection arriving this October from DC Comics showcases some of his best stories before his first solo TV series premieres on HBO and Max. This historic anthology is a must-read for anyone who’s interested inThe Batman’sspinoff series,The Penguin.
The Penguin Special #1collects a number of the character’s appearances from throughout his long historyin DC Comics, including his first-ever appearance from 1941 inDetective Comics#58 byBatman creators Bill Finger and Bob Kane. There will also be a brand-new story, exclusive to this collection, that establishes who the Penguin is in DC’s new All In initiative, which establishes a jumping-off point for many characters after the events ofAbsolute Power.
October 30th, 2024
Jeremy Adams, Bill Finger, Alan Grant, and Jason Aaron
Howard Porter, Bob Kane, Sam Kieth, and Jason Pearson
Cover Artist:
Mikel Janín
At first glance, the Penguin may seem like a harmless, if peculiar, businessman with a fondness for fine cuisine, tailored suits, and exotic birds. But those in Gotham’s underworld know that beneath the dapper attire and gentlemanly demeanor lies a calculating and ruthless criminal who isn’t afraid to take whatever he thinks he deserves. And should you happen to be in the way of something he wants, know that this bird is just as deadly as any other raptor. Discover the man behind the new Max streaming series in this special issue showcasing the Penguin’s 1941 debut in the pages ofDetective Comics #58, twisted recollections of his formative years fromSecret Origins Special #1andJoker’s Asylum: Penguin #1, and a brand-new, exclusive story written by Jeremy Adams and illustrated by Howard Porter that shows the Penguin’s next moves duringAll In.
The new story sets up Penguin’s next character arc, which will surely be inspired by Colin Farrell’s new live-action series. As one of Gotham’s head mobsters, the Penguin has power that can be wielded in an entirely new way in aBatmanstory.
Though the solicitation tells readers thatThe Penguinwill be streaming on Max — and it will — the show will first air on HBO as an HBO Original on September 19th, 2024.
DC’s New Penguin Design Is So Gross, I Literally Couldn’t Eat After I Saw It
Someone get the Gotham Police Department on the phone because I need to report a murder. The victim? My appetite. The killer? Oswald Cobblepot.
The Penguin#1 Variant Cover by Brian Bolland
In many Penguin portrayals, Oswald Cobblepot has been a wealthy weirdo, whether a mobster or a “legitimate businessman.“He has rarely proven to be a physical match for Batman, standing behind stronger henchmen or other mobsters. However, in the forthcomingAbsolute Batmanby Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta, it’s possible he could have a leg up on Bruce Wayne, as this new Bruce isn’t wealthy. While the Absolute Universe is separate from the events of DC All In, there’s no reason to believe fans won’t see a new Absolute version of Oswald Cobblepot.
Allegedly, Penguin’s original design was inspired by the old mascot for Kool cigarettes: a fancy penguin who wore a top hat and cane.
As a mobster, the Penguin wields power behind the scenes of Gotham City, and Batman has always struggled to deal witha Penguin who has a choke holdover Gotham’s underbelly. In that vein, this solicitation promisesa new story that sets up the Penguin’s next steps in the main DCU as part of the DC All In initiative. Seeing as the Penguin has been part of a major story in his own solo title,The Penguinby Tom King and Rafael de Latorre, it’s only a matter of time before Cobblepot takes his next big swing against Batman and the heroes of the DC Universe.
The Penguin Will Get the Respect He Deserves
What’s Next for Cobblepot During DC All In?
While the Penguin has long been a major member of Batman’s rogue’s gallery, he has never quite had the fandom backing and respect that the Joker, Poison Ivy, or even Bane have had. This collection and the HBO live-action series aim to change that, as Colin Farrell’s portrayal was widely regarded to make the criminal fearsome again. It will alsoshow fans the Penguin’s rich history, including his backstory fromSecret Origins, as well as a Joker-narrated version of his origin story. ThePenguinwas once a silly villain, but he’ll become so much more, starting with this collection.
The Penguin Special #1is available October 30th, 2024 from DC Comics.
The Penguin
Cast
Created by Lauren LeFranc, The Penguin is a crime-drama spin-off television series of 2022’s film The Batman. Set shortly after the events of The Batman, Oz Cobb, A.K.A. the Penguin, begins his rise in the underworld of Gotham City as he contends with the daughter of his late boss, Carmine Falcone, for control of the crime family’s empire.
