The Penguin has been an influential Gotham villain for decades. No matter how many times the DC Universe resets or changes, the Penguin has returned to rule over Gotham’s underworld and joust with Batman. However, after so many universal upheavals and Crisis events, the Penguin’s origin has become muddled. Now, DC is exploring his official origin, and the story of how he rose to power.
Despite Gotham City being his hometown and the seat of his power, Penguin hasn’t been in Gotham for close to a year now. After Penguin framed Batman for his murder, he disappeared from Gotham and tried to start a new life. Now – as part of a new solo series emphasizing how dangerous Oswald Cobblepot really is – Penguin is being pulled back to Gotham City, but not before fans see how it all started.
A long time ago, the Iceberg Lounge was run by Carmine Falcone, one of the most powerful crime lords in Gotham. This is where Oswald got his start as a drink server and eventually grew into Gotham’s most brutal crime lord. But while the modern-day Penguin is liable to savage anyone who even looks at him funny, that deep well of rage comes from the constant disrespect and abuse of his early career. Indeed, it seems his love of birds may also have come from a night Falcone attacked him.
The Penguin #6 (2024) | |
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Oswald Cobblepot’s Official Origin Is Revealed
Penguin #6 Showcases the Penguin’s First Fight with Batman
Despite being one of Batman’s oldest and most iconic foes, the origin of the Penguin hasn’t been explored to the same degree as Gotham’s other villains. Back in the Golden Age, the Penguin was someone who already had a gimmick when he began committing crimes. Later, other writers would try to delve further into what made the Penguin tick, with stories like Penguin: Pain and Prejudice. While these stories all covered the Penguin’s early life, few have focused specifically on his rise to power.
2023 Re-Established the Penguin as One of Batman’s Biggest Threats
The past year has featured Gotham villain Penguin in several notable storylines, pushing the character to DC’s center stage & out of his comfort zone.
This new origin seems to focus directly on how Oswald Cobblepot became the Penguin and promises to include his first encounter with Batman. Despite his silly appearance, Penguin is one of Batman’s biggest threats. While he may not be a major physical threat, his intelligence and wealth make him a serious problem – so much so that in many universes, he eventually defeats Batman while all other villains fail (as revealed by the Batman Who Laughs.) Indeed, a flashforward in this series has already shown Batman bloodied and drowning in the Batmobile, with the Penguin responsible for his fate.
Penguin Has Always Been One Of Batman’s Most Tenacious Villains – But Why?
Oswald Cobblepot’s Reinvention Is Taking Him from Joke to Nightmare (& That Makes a Compelling Origin Vital)
Oswald Cobblepot belonged to one of the founding families of Gotham City. Gotham was built by the Waynes, the Kanes, the Elliots, and the Cobblepots. But exactly how such a privileged person went from being one of the richest people in Gotham to its biggest gangster is a story more than worth telling. As DC continues to redefine the Penguin as a genuinely terrifying criminal genius, Tom King and Stevan Subic dive into what exactly motivates Oswald Cobblepot to keep going up against the Batman.
The Penguin #6 is on sale January 23 from DC Comics!
