Penguin appreciation thread

[RubberLotus]

Just a tip: The Iceberg was introduced in Detective Comics #683.

[Keehar]

Just a tip: The Iceberg was introduced in Detective Comics #683.

Written by Chuck Dixon. I have that issue. Funniest line in it is between Penguin and one of his henchmen. Someone in the room refers to Penguin as Cobblepot:

Henchman: "Who's Cobblepot?"
Penguin: "I'm Cobblepot, you cretin. Do you think my parents named me The Penguin?"

[Gothos]

Anyone here read Penguin's first story? I don't think it's been reprinted except in Archive format, but it's amazing how well the original story capsulizes the essential character that most later stories, even the Burtonized version, still reference.

[Keehar]

Yeah, I have his first appearance in reprint. All his classic traits are there. The tux, the top hat, monocle, cigarette holder, umbrella weapons, and his penchant for stealing the finer things in life like museum pieces, diamonds etc. Plus his gentleman's demeanor.

He's really evil in his first appearance, too. I know he murders a couple of people.

[skullboy]

Heh. I always had a soft spot for the Penguin and any other villain who's name's not Joker. DC always goes too far with the Joker which is one of the reasons I'm not a Joker fan. The Penguin's a well known character yet underappreciated. I guess they feel he's not evil or menancing enough, but never judge a book by the cover. I always found him interesting and yet funny. He and the Riddler are my favorite Bat villains.

[Keehar]

[Crimson Knightman]

Recently, I've had a change of heart where the Penguin is concerned. Initially, I dismissed the Penguin because he was just so below the radar but I forgot to take into consideration that "being below the radar", is exactly the point. Bob Kane and Bill Finger purposely created the devil in disguise when they came up with the Penguin, perception was the key. A good number of people would perceive a short, plump man with a gentleman demeanor to not be a threat and yet it's all smoke and mirrors. There's something intriguing about a villain who wants you to underestimate him, who wants you to have a blind spot towards his villainy.

After taking the time to read some of the old Penguin comics (particularly the ones that were written by Alan Grant), I've grown to appreciate the hustle nature of the Penguin. The Penguin is not the strongest or the fastest or even the scariest but he is definitely up there in the cunning category. What makes the Penguin such a formidable foe to Batman is the fact that underneath the top hat, the monocle and extravagant tailor made suits consist of a brilliant yet deadly strategist. The battles between Batman and the Penguin are reminiscent to that of a game of chess. So I can appreciate that short, plump man with a gentleman demeanor because he's managed to hold his own in Batman's rogue's gallery, despite the odds.

[Aelle3]

Recently, I've had a change of heart where the Penguin is concerned. Initially, I dismissed the Penguin because he was just so below the radar but I forgot to take into consideration that "being below the radar", is exactly the point. Bob Kane and Bill Finger purposely created the devil in disguise when they came up with the Penguin, perception was the key. A good number of people would perceive a short, plump man with a gentleman demeanor to not be a threat and yet it's all smoke and mirrors. There's something intriguing about a villain who wants you to underestimate him, who wants you to have a blind spot towards his villainy.

After taking the time to read some of the old Penguin comics (particularly the ones that were written by Alan Grant), I've grown to appreciate the hustle nature of the Penguin. The Penguin is not the strongest or the fastest or even the scariest but he is definitely up there in the cunning category. What makes the Penguin such a formidable foe to Batman is the fact that underneath the top hat, the monocle and extravagant tailor made suits consist of a brilliant yet deadly strategist. The battles between Batman and the Penguin are reminiscent to that of a game of chess. So I can appreciate that short, plump man with a gentleman demeanor because he's managed to hold his own in Batman's rogue's gallery, despite the odds.

Great post and i totally agree.

[Aelle3]

So I finally got round to buying and reading the second part of Doug Moench Batman 'Penguin Returns'. I thought it was really cool and covered alot of the themes i like to see in a Penguin story, his ego (only going on a crime spree to prove to himself still could and for the fun of it), being underestimated and showing his angry and cool headed sides.

It was nice to see him out sword fight Batman (even if it was only Penguin that was armed ), and best of all he gets away with it all (nearly :)).
I also thought a really nice touch on the art front was having him only wear his top hat when in 'solo old style Penguin crime' mode, taking it off when at the begining and when he returns as the Iceberg crime lord.


The stuff about his younger life got me wondering if its possible to map out Penguins younger life keeping everything in the comics over the last few years as in-continuity.

So his family starts off wealthy, as can be seen in Gotham Underground with him and his mother in a fancy looking family painting. His mother is well dressed with pearls and he is in what looks like a private school uniform. At some point his father dies of pneumonia, when this takes place is unknown. But even in Gotham Underground its just him and his mum.
Im presuming that the death of his father starts the families financial bad fortunes, because at somepoint they loose there life of privilege and his mother buys and works in a pet/bird shop resulting in Ozzie attending a regular looking school (Penguin Triumpant).
Although the shop may have had some success because in Jokers Asylum they own a pet shop and hes going to (again based solely on the art) a private school (in fact i just had a look at the page, apparently he went to school in Gondor).

During this time his Mum goes from an elegant society lady to the mad old bat beating up Ozzie in Batman #549.
In the issue he claims to have studied Shakespear, although this could be a total lie. But perhaps a clue about his university life?

So i think that seems right. But please correct me if im wrong.

[Aelle3]

Thats all sorts of awesome.

[Keehar]

So I finally got round to buying and reading the second part of Doug Moench Batman 'Penguin Returns'. I thought it was really cool and covered alot of the themes i like to see in a Penguin story, his ego (only going on a crime spree to prove to himself still could and for the fun of it), being underestimated and showing his angry and cool headed sides.

It was nice to see him out sword fight Batman (even if it was only Penguin that was armed ), and best of all he gets away with it all (nearly :)).
I also thought a really nice touch on the art front was having him only wear his top hat when in 'solo old style Penguin crime' mode, taking it off when at the begining and when he returns as the Iceberg crime lord.


The stuff about his younger life got me wondering if its possible to map out Penguins younger life keeping everything in the comics over the last few years as in-continuity.

So his family starts off wealthy, as can be seen in Gotham Underground with him and his mother in a fancy looking family painting. His mother is well dressed with pearls and he is in what looks like a private school uniform. At some point his father dies of pneumonia, when this takes place is unknown. But even in Gotham Underground its just him and his mum.
Im presuming that the death of his father starts the families financial bad fortunes, because at somepoint they loose there life of privilege and his mother buys and works in a pet/bird shop resulting in Ozzie attending a regular looking school (Penguin Triumpant).
Although the shop may have had some success because in Jokers Asylum they own a pet shop and hes going to (again based solely on the art) a private school (in fact i just had a look at the page, apparently he went to school in Gondor).

During this time his Mum goes from an elegant society lady to the mad old bat beating up Ozzie in Batman #549.
In the issue he claims to have studied Shakespear, although this could be a total lie. But perhaps a clue about his university life?

So i think that seems right. But please correct me if im wrong.

It depends on which writer is writing him. Alan Grant first did a proper Penguin back story in Secret Origins Special #1 back in 1989, and in it Oswald didn't seem to be more wealthy than any other kid. He attended a regular school, his clothes were not anything special. But the whole element about his father dying of pneumonia and his mother making him carry an umbrella was there.

Regarding the Shakespeare thing, it was also implied in that aforementioned story that Oswald had a fondness for Shakespeare even as a child. At the school Halloween party he dressed up as Hamlet.

Thats all sorts of awesome.

Alan Grant + Norm Breyfogle = Best depiction of The Penguin ever

[RubberLotus]

Alan Grant + Norm Breyfogle = Best depiction of The Penguin ever

Breyfogle is a god when it comes to a lot of the villains, but I have to go with Kelley Jones and John Beatty for sheer visuals on Ozzie. In Batman #400, Moench describes Penguin as "almost a cartoon of a man..." and that's EXACTLY what Jones draws him as.

[Aelle3]

It depends on which writer is writing him. Alan Grant first did a proper Penguin back story in Secret Origins Special #1 back in 1989, and in it Oswald didn't seem to be more wealthy than any other kid. He attended a regular school, his clothes were not anything special. But the whole element about his father dying of pneumonia and his mother making him carry an umbrella was there.

Regarding the Shakespeare thing, it was also implied in that aforementioned story that Oswald had a fondness for Shakespeare even as a child. At the school Halloween party he dressed up as Hamlet.



Alan Grant + Norm Breyfogle = Best depiction of The Penguin ever

Ah cool, I guess the wealth thing is quite modern then, but set to be expanded on in Gate of Gotham.

New images of some Penguin thugs for Arkham City. http://arkhamcity.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2315

[SlightlyMad]

I had always dismissed Penguin as something of a joke character until No Man's Land where I though he really came into his own as the Kingpin (or King Penguin!) of Gotham City. Not only does Batman have to cut a deal with him, but he even gets to play hero (in the 2-part Underground Railroad story which was shamefully omitted from the NML trades).

Just goes to show, he may look goofy, but he shouldn't be underestimated.

[Aelle3]

I had always dismissed Penguin as something of a joke character until No Man's Land where I though he really came into his own as the Kingpin (or King Penguin!) of Gotham City. Not only does Batman have to cut a deal with him, but he even gets to play hero (in the 2-part Underground Railroad story which was shamefully omitted from the NML trades).

Just goes to show, he may look goofy, but he shouldn't be underestimated.

That was a really good story arc for Penguin, what issues is it that isn't in the trade?