Penguin appreciation thread

**Ben D** · 12-13-2010, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by RedliwNala

There is the obsessions with birds and umbrellas though... Not quite sane, I would say. This leads me in on a sidetrack: Does Batman have any completely sane foes?

well riddler isn't really insane, just chose a certain way to alert batman when he strikes

**Patroklos** · 12-13-2010, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by eradicaar

well riddler isn't really insane, just chose a certain way to alert batman when he strikes

Depends on who writes him, I'd say (I guess this could be said for Penguin too). I've always thought of Riddler as having an obsessive compulsion, he HAS TO leave clues at the scenes of his crimes, whether he wants it or not.

Is there anything to suggest that Deadshot is insane in some way? Or Bane?

**Nyssane** · 12-13-2010, 05:51 PM

We need to see more of his henchlady, Lark.

**Ben D** · 12-13-2010, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by RedliwNala

Depends on who writes him, I'd say (I guess this could be said for Penguin too). I've always thought of Riddler as having an obsessive compulsion, he HAS TO leave clues at the scenes of his crimes, whether he wants it or not.

Is there anything to suggest that Deadshot is insane in some way? Or Bane?

I may be thinking of some other character but in some appearances Bane's serum thing has been shown to make him more violent (not just more powerful, actually more violent and uncontrolable mindwise)

**AdamYJ** · 12-13-2010, 05:58 PM

Let's hear it for everyone's favorite "cagey bird".

I've been watching the '60s show lately on The Hub and Penguin is rapidly becoming a favorite. "Cagey" is the perfect way to describe him. Even in his '60s incarnation, there's a certain cunning and shrewdness about him. His plans take advantage of things that other villians don't.

**RubberLotus** · 12-13-2010, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by RedliwNala

Depends on who writes him, I'd say (I guess this could be said for Penguin too). I've always thought of Riddler as having an obsessive compulsion, he HAS TO leave clues at the scenes of his crimes, whether he wants it or not.

Is there anything to suggest that Deadshot is insane in some way? Or Bane?

What real-life psychiatry knows and accepts as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder dictates that the victim repeat the same action over and over again, never actually accomplishing the action to its end result.

Riddler doesn't exactly match that description. He doesn't type up a riddle, delete it because he thinks it's not good enough, then type in the exact same riddle (rinse and repeat).

In any case, the one Batman character who could conceivably use the Insanity Defense in real life and win is Humpty Dumpty from Dan Slott's Arkham Asylum: Living Hell mini. Not only is Humpty obviously nuts, but his particular mental disorder is what makes him unable to distinguish between right from wrong - the big lug really has no idea that killing his grandmother was a bad thing.

**Aelle3** · 12-14-2010, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by RedliwNala

Depends on who writes him, I'd say (I guess this could be said for Penguin too). I've always thought of Riddler as having an obsessive compulsion, he HAS TO leave clues at the scenes of his crimes, whether he wants it or not.

Is there anything to suggest that Deadshot is insane in some way? Or Bane?

Yeah, it really is up to the writer if they want to play up the umbrella or birds thing. Since its down in print that hes not insane, I take it that its not insane (just a bit strange).

There is a issue(s) of secret six were Deadshot keeps seeing himself killing people around him, in a sort of flash forward way. That seems a bit mad.

**Aelle3** · 12-16-2010, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by Keehar

Oh yeah, the GN by John Ostrander. I really enjoyed it, especially the little sub plot about the beautiful blond woman from his childhood whom he paid to be seen with him.

"You taught me what I was, Oswald. And I benefited from it. I've had three husbands, all wealthy and well off. I'm very well to do now".

In that story, Batman actually admits that the Penguin is smarter than him.

Yeah I just quickly re-read it. Good story, i liked that he turned himself in as part of a plan to get revenge on his childhood foe. But overall it was a pretty good showing he manipulated the stock market, brought down an old foe and kept his high level criminal status whilst going legit.

I also re-read the last issue of gotham underground (the day the penguin died, or something like that), loved the whole ending. Letting his staff leave and giving the Iceberg to Riddler, all in preperation for being killed. He comes across as very sane, classy and clever (loved having the Riddler beaten up to save his life). And still he didnt take overall power in gotham knowing he wouldn't be able to control or hold on to it, showing his forsight and understanding of the gotham underworld.

**Nefarius** · 12-17-2010, 05:18 AM

Originally Posted by Aelle3

Yeah I just quickly re-read it. Good story, i liked that he turned himself as part of a plan to get revenge on his childhood foe. But overall it was a pretty good showing he manipulated the stock market, brought down an old foe and kept his high level criminal status whilst going legit.

I also re-read the last issue of gotham underground (the day the penguin died, or something like that), loved the whole ending. Letting his staff leave and giving the Iceburg to Riddler, all in preperation for being killed. He comes across as very sane, classy and clever (loved having the Riddler beaten up to save his life). And still he didnt take overall power in gotham knowing he wouldn't be able to control or hold on to it, showing his forsight and understanding of the gotham underworld.

Penguin was the star of Gotham Underground.I loved that at least let him beat Tobias Whale before Intergang almost killed Oswald.

**Shamenize** · 12-17-2010, 01:57 PM

thought you people might appreciate this piece - i'm something of a hermit so i rarely get to show it to others - it's kelley jones artwork from Batman #548 of The Penguin that explains his umbrella fetish - definitely one of the "pride and joy" pieces of my collection

**Aelle3** · 12-18-2010, 01:17 AM

Originally Posted by Shamenize

thought you people might appreciate this piece - i'm something of a hermit so i rarely get to show it to others - it's kelley jones artwork from Batman #548 of The Penguin that explains his umbrella fetish - definitely one of the "pride and joy" pieces of my collection

Fantastic, thats so cool thank for sharing! Am I the only one that finds Mrs Cobblepot really scary in 'the penguin returns'? I could be wrong about this but they never collected the story into trade, which is a shame. I think it takes place between Legacy and Cataclysm just missing the Penguin Returns.

**Keehar** · 12-18-2010, 02:13 AM

Ah that's Batman #548 by Doug Moench. One of my favorites. The Penguin was really badass in that story. Favorite part was him taking revenge on Black Mask's mob.

**Aelle3** · 12-18-2010, 06:18 AM

Originally Posted by Keehar

Ah that's Batman #548 by Doug Moench. One of my favorites. The Penguin was really badass in that story. Favorite part was him taking revenge on Black Mask's mob.

I have #548, but not 549 or 550, could you tell me when does the penguin story finish? might have to ebay it. thanks