Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Penguin episode 2The Penguinepisode 2 is full of exciting Easter eggs fromThe Batmanalongside references to the original Batman lore from DC Comics. Continuing the evolution of Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) and his high ambitions to become the next kingpin of Gotham’s criminal underworld,The Penguinepisode 2 sees Oz working multiple angles while just barely avoiding suspicion as he works to pit major crime families against each other. To that end, there are several great Easter eggs along the way.
As seen inThe Penguinepisode 1, Oz narrowly diverted the blame for Alberto Falcone’s murder from himself to the Maroni Crime Family. Now, Penguin is looking to take full advantage of the situation as he works to claim an even greater position for himself, while also contending with the return of Sofia Falcone from her 10-year stint in Arkham State Hospital.To that end, here are 14 of the biggest Easter eggs and references found inThe Penguinepisode 2.
14Sofia’s Arkham Jumpsuit
Same Visitation Room Where Batman Faced Riddler
The Penguinepisode 2 begins withSofia Falcone having a nightmare about her past in Arkham State Hospital and her brother’s recent murder. Firstly, Sofia is shown wearing the same inmate jumpsuit worn by Edward Nashton’s Riddler (Paul Dano) after his arrest inThe Batman. Likewise, Sofia’s nightmare takes place in the same visitation room at Arkham where Batman faces the Riddler in the 2022 film by director Matt Reeves.
This same visitation room was also the setting whereBatman meets with Barry Keoghan’s Joker in the cut sequences ofThe Batmanwhich Reeves and Warner Bros. posted online following the movie’s theatrical release. As such, featuring the same room not only makes sense based on Sofia’s past, but it’s also a very easy way to connect the show to the DC movie even further. To that end, it’s likely more of Arkham will be shown in future episodes ofThe Penguin.
13Robbinsville
Near The Bowery and Crime Alley
The decision is made by the Falcone Crime Family to move the remains of Penguin’s “drops” drug operation to the less-profitable Robbinsville. Named after comics artist Frank Robbins, Robbinsville is a neighborhood in DC Comics' Gotham City that’s canonically east of The Bowery and Crime Alley (where Bruce Wayne lost his parents). This also puts Robbinsville fairly close to Crown Point (where both Oz and Victor grew up).
12Penguin’s Uzi
Also Used In The Batman
During the Maronis' hit on the Falcone drops convoy (which Oz set up via a secret alliance),The Penguin is shown armed with an Uzi pistol. This seems to be Cobb’s firearm of choice, considering he was first seen wielding the same weapon inThe Batman. Just before his car chase withRobert Pattinson’s Batman in the Batmobile, Oz can be seen opening fire with this pistol on The Dark Knight and Zoë Kravitz’s Catwoman.
11Uncle Luca
Killed by the Red Hood Gang In DC Comics
Luca Falcone (Scott Cohen) makes his debut inThe Penguinepisode 2. Seemingly ignoring Sofia’s claim to the head of the table as Carmine’s daughter, “Uncle Luca” is now running the family operations. In the original DC Comics and New 52 timeline, Luca Falcone was Carmine’s cousin who was killed by the Red Hood Gang just before Bruce Wayne’s official debut as Batman in Gotham City. However, it looks as thoughThe Batmanuniverse’s Luca is instead Carmine’s brother.
10Crime In Gotham Has Gone Up
(Is Batman Missing?)
While driving through Gotham, Sofia listens to the radio where the state of Gotham City is being discussed. During the on-air conversation, the statement was made that crime in Gotham is up 42% since Riddler’s attack which flooded major parts of the city. To that end,one has to wonder where Batman might be and what he’s been doing, especially with crime rates having grown so high.
Gotham’s rising crime rates may also tie with potential teases fromThe Penguin’smarketing which revealed newspaper headlines and stories from the Gotham Gazette. One such reveal was a newspaper cartoon depicting the lit bat signal that had apparently gone unanswered for weeks. Keeping that in mind, it certainly possible thatBatman may have gone missing following Riddler’s flood.
9Hangman Killed Seven Women
Sofia’s Dark Past
The radio also talks aboutSofia Falcone’s dark past as The Hangmanand her controversial release from Arkham.According to the reports, Sofia was tried and put in Arkham for her alleged murder of seven different women. However, Sofia’s release is due to her being recently exonerated, though the reason why has yet to be fully explained inThe Penguin.
8"Take It Up With The Riddler"
Gotham Facing The Fallout
In a Gotham bar, a desperate man is shown asking for “drops”, though the bartender claims he’s fresh out due to a drought of the product. When the addict doesn’t believe him, the bartender tells him to “take it up with the Riddler.“This further confirms that Riddler’s flood inThe Batmanalmost completely wiped out the city’s drop supply which had caused a massive drug epidemic. As such, it’s a core reason why Oz is so interested in this new drug operation that Sofia and her brother Alberto had been working on.
7Detective Marcus Wise
A Crooked Cop In DC Comics
The drug addict in question is revealed to be none other than GCPD Detective Marcus Wise (Craig Walker).In the original comics, Wise was a crooked cop who often clashed with Tim Drake’s Red Robin. Now, it seems Wise is just as corrupt inThe Penguinepisode 2, having worked for Carmine Falcone and now taking a bribe of drops from Sofia in exchange for investigating the Family for any leaks following the Maronis' hit on their convoy.
6"A Real No Man’s Land”
Referencing The Major Batman Comics Event
Inviting several guys to his place who also serve the Falcones, Penguin offers food and girls as he works to buy their future trust and loyalty. One of these girls, named Cinnamon, talks with Victor about what happened at Crown Point. She also says that one of her friends told her it was like"a real no man’s land"after Riddler’s flood.As such, this is a notable reference to theNo Man’s LandBatman event from the comics.
The result of a large earthquake,No Man’s Landsaw Gotham City falling to chaosand its bridges blown apart after the US government declared it a no man’s land, refusing to support the corrupt city. This resulted in multiple gangs and supervillains carving up various sections for themselves. Not only was this the inspiration for Bane’s city-wide takeover inThe Dark Knight Rises, but a version ofNo Man’s Landwas also featured in the fourth season of Fox’sGothamtelevision series. Naturally, it’s also an inspiration for the aftermath Matt Reeves' version of Gotham is now facing following Riddler’s attack.
5New Iceberg Lounge
Penguin’s Got Big Plans
During Penguin’s party,Oz is shown making promises to his girlfriend Eve that he has everything under control. He also voices his hopes to one day open up a new Iceberg Lounge. In the original comics, Penguin’s Iceberg Lounge sits just off the docks on the water with its exterior being built to resemble an actual iceberg. Perhaps future episodes ofThe Penguinwill see Oz building something similar as he continues to gain more power and influence.
