Penguin (DC)
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The Penguin once more pretended to become a legitimate business by using clever mechanical frauds of mythical birds and passing them off as the real deal and charging people admission. He then attempted to make the people fear Batman by associating him with a terrifying Man-Bat creature of his own design. This, like all of his other schemes, failed and the Penguin was once more captured. (Batman v1 #76) | The Penguin once more pretended to become a legitimate business by using clever mechanical frauds of mythical birds and passing them off as the real deal and charging people admission. He then attempted to make the people fear Batman by associating him with a terrifying Man-Bat creature of his own design. This, like all of his other schemes, failed and the Penguin was once more captured. (Batman v1 #76) | ||
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| + | Penguin was released from prison, and wracked his mind for a scheme worthy of his criminal genius. He decided that he'd bait Batman into coming up with a crime for him, so he gave away weaponized umbrellas to customers of a jewelry store and a bank, and although they caused chaos he didn't rob either target. He then released a giant umbrella that blotted out the sun over Gotham Square. Batman and Robin paid him a visit at his umbrella shop, and he said he merely sold umbrellas, so he couldn't be responsible for what happened to them after they left his shop. He also switched his monocle to his left eye to mess with the Dynamic Duo, who rightfully suspected he was up to something. Penguin later released a multicolored glowing umbrella, and Batman thought it was a clue indicating that Penguin was going to rob the jeweled meteorite from the museum. Batman figured that the easiest way to avoid security would be to open up a hole in the museum's roof and use an extendable umbrella to steal the meteorite. When they'd visited Penguin he'd placed microphone transistors on them, and went out with his gang to commit the crime Batman came up with. He used a magnet to temporarily immobilize Batman and Robin, but they freed themselves as Penguin zoomed off with the meteor on a jet-umbrella. Batman and Robin took his goons jet-umbrellas, and ran him down. Penguin was back behind bars, but felt he'd won a minor victory when Batman still hadn't figured out his monocle angle, and would be taking it home to analyze it. (Batman v1 #169) | ||
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| + | Penguin thought scientific crimefighting devices called for a response for today's criminal. He proclaimed his genius, and showed his henchmen his new inventions; air-conditioned suits to beat the Gotham heatwave, and energy pills to keep them at peak efficiency. He couldn't wait to show off his innovations to the Dynamic Duo, and he got his wish when the heroes interrupted his robbery of the International Gold corporation. Batman and Robin's boots stuck to the floor, allowing Penguin's goons to hammer away at them, and Penguin claimed he was using a gravity ray. Batman figured out he'd put a magnet under the floor, and they'd stepped in iron fillings, so he urged Robin to remove his boots. The thugs were wearing Penguin's fist fender-off devices, pumping air from their costumes to keep knocking away Batman and Robin's punches until the heroes fought more unpredictably, hitting the thugs before they could activate their devices. Penguin escaped with the gold on his jet-umbrella, and complained that his plans were brilliant but his henchmen were fools. With the cheering of his Penguin-Robot, who loudly talked up his genius Penguin created a series of remote-controlled Robotrella, robotic umbrellas, and the Dynamic Duo witnessed his umbrellas pull off a jewelry heist. They created Batrellas to follow Penguins Robotrellas after they pulled their next job, and brought Alfred along. After a wild battle with the Robotrellas, the heroes were captured in a net-umbrella, and dragged away by Penguin's robot double. They escaped the robot, but Alfred staid behind, and watched the Robotrella loot sink into a hole in the ground. He jumped in, and found Penguin's new underground hideout, knocking him out with a blow from his own umbrella. Penguin grumbled about being in prison until he learned his cellmates name was Brolly, English slang for umbrella. He said Brolly would be an invaluable ally in his next prison escape. (Batman v1 #190) | ||
===Post-Crisis=== | ===Post-Crisis=== | ||
Following the [[Crisis on Infinite Earths]], a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot | Following the [[Crisis on Infinite Earths]], a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot | ||
| − | [[Amanda Waller]] came to recruit him into the [[Suicide Squad]] for one mission in exchange for prison release. Penguin helped them plan a top secret mission where they rescued imprisoned author '''Zoya Trigorin''' from the Soviet Union. He was forced to accompany them behind enemy lines though because [[Rick Flag]] wanted him to have a stake in his own plans. (Suicide Squad v1 #5) | + | He was an outcast in his high-society family and their rejection drives him to become a criminal. (Batman: Penguin Triumphant v1 #1) |
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| + | Later, Penguin managed to get a hold of a lethal drug developed by Ra's al Ghul, but his plans of spreading it in Gotham and use it to blackmail the city were stopped by Batman and Talia, Ra's' daughter. (Detective Comics Annual v1 #1) | ||
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| + | [[Amanda Waller]] came to recruit him into the [[Suicide Squad]] for one mission in exchange for prison release. Penguin helped them plan a top-secret mission where they rescued imprisoned author '''Zoya Trigorin''' from the Soviet Union. He was forced to accompany them behind enemy lines though because [[Rick Flag]] wanted him to have a stake in his own plans. (Suicide Squad v1 #5) When he was released on parole, he claimed to have fallen in love and gone straight. His new girlfriend would not tolerate criminal behavior. Cobblepot ran a legitimate umbrella factory staffed by ex-cons, but he was sent back to prison because this counts as 'consorting with known felons'. (Batman Annual v1 #11) | ||
After arranging his own escape from prison, he came to locate [[Harold Allnut]] who was a mechanical and engineering genius. The Penguin came to manipulate the man into creating a device that could control birds. Allnut's machine allowed Penguin to control large flocks of birds with microwaves forcing the animals to create chaos and destruction in Gotham. (Batman v1 #448) | After arranging his own escape from prison, he came to locate [[Harold Allnut]] who was a mechanical and engineering genius. The Penguin came to manipulate the man into creating a device that could control birds. Allnut's machine allowed Penguin to control large flocks of birds with microwaves forcing the animals to create chaos and destruction in Gotham. (Batman v1 #448) | ||
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| + | The Penguin resurfaced during Jean Paul Valley's tenure as Batman and is one of the few people to deduce that Valley is not the original Caped Crusader. To confirm his theory, he kidnaps Sarah Essen Gordon, places her in a death trap set to go off at midnight, and turns himself in, utilizing the opportunity to mock her husband Commissioner Gordon as midnight approaches. An increasingly infuriated Gordon is nearly driven to throw him off the police headquarters roof before Valley rescues Sarah moments before midnight. As Valley leaves, he says, "There's nothing the Penguin can throw at me that I haven't encountered before." The Penguin reluctantly agrees with this sentiment, accepting that he has become passé. (Showcase '94 v1 #7) | ||
He would seemingly abandoned a life of crime to establish himself as a legitimate businessman in charge of his nightclub called the [[Iceberg Lounge]]. However, this was simply a facade in order to control criminal activities from a more privileged position in society. (Detective Comics v1 #683) | He would seemingly abandoned a life of crime to establish himself as a legitimate businessman in charge of his nightclub called the [[Iceberg Lounge]]. However, this was simply a facade in order to control criminal activities from a more privileged position in society. (Detective Comics v1 #683) | ||
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Facing the threat of Intergang, the Penguin found himself to be alone with most of his gang having abandoned. Thus, he decided to cut his losses and depart the city but not before leaving the Iceberg Lounge in the hands of the Riddler. However, before he could depart, the Lounge was attacked by Johnny Sitches and Intergang where they were only saved by the arrival of Batman alongside the Outsiders. They fought off Intergang thus saving the Penguin who decided to remain in the city though part of this arrangement included him revealing any information from his underworld contacts to the Dark Knight. (Gotham Underground v1 #9) | Facing the threat of Intergang, the Penguin found himself to be alone with most of his gang having abandoned. Thus, he decided to cut his losses and depart the city but not before leaving the Iceberg Lounge in the hands of the Riddler. However, before he could depart, the Lounge was attacked by Johnny Sitches and Intergang where they were only saved by the arrival of Batman alongside the Outsiders. They fought off Intergang thus saving the Penguin who decided to remain in the city though part of this arrangement included him revealing any information from his underworld contacts to the Dark Knight. (Gotham Underground v1 #9) | ||
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| + | A few days later, Penguin was pleased to let the meta-human criminals of Gotham get rid of Intergang for him. Penguin even applauded Man-Bat after he massacred some men of Intergang, who had been using the Iceberg Lounge as a meeting point. (Batman and the Outsiders v2 #13) | ||
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| + | After the death of Batman, Penguin became one of the main crime lords in Gotham. Around this time, Penguin was informed that someone had damaged Two-Face's crime ring and he was taking the blame for the hit. (Battle for the Cowl: The Underground v1 #2) When Penguin learned that the responsible was a new Black Mask, he hired Riddler's service as a detective to find the criminal. However, Black Mask struck first by sending Firefly to kill Penguin, but the pyromaniac was stopped by Catwoman. Penguin's forces were weakened but the crime lord emerged unscathed. (Battle for the Cowl: The Underground v1 #1) | ||
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| + | Sometime later, word about Vicki Vale's discovery of Batman's secret identity was spread in the underground of Gotham and Penguin started looking for the reporter to capture her. When a couple of amateur criminals wanted to join Penguin's crew, he sent them to kidnap Vale and bring her back to him, but they failed miserably. (Bruce Wayne: The Road Home: Commissioner Gordon v1 #1) | ||
===Post-Flashpoint=== | ===Post-Flashpoint=== | ||
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot | Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot | ||
| − | He had three older brothers that were '''Robert Cobblepot''', '''William Cobblepot''' and '''Jason Cobblepot''' all of whom died by the time Oswald had become an adult. (Penguin: Pain and Prejudice v1 #1) | + | He had three older brothers that were '''Robert Cobblepot''', '''William Cobblepot''' and '''Jason Cobblepot''' all of whom died by the time Oswald had become an adult. Growing up, Oswald was heavily bullied by his older brothers and his peers, who mocked him for his appearance and were the first to compare him to a penguin. Because of their teasing, Oswald developed a fascination with birds, which he felt more kinship with than people. (Penguin: Pain and Prejudice v1 #1) The only human he cared about was his mother - who was the only person to ever show him compassion. Oswald would craft mechanical birds for his mother as presents, which she always appreciated. Oswald would have an unhealthy obsession with his mother - going so far as to develop a complex of wanting to be strong and powerful through violence due to the way his father did so to get her attention. One night during his childhood, Oswald's older brothers attacked him and his pet birds, finally going too far for the boy to handle. Oswald secretly murdered all of them one by one to look like accidents - Jason died of poisoning, William in a hit-and-run, and Robert in a freak accident which left him at the bottom of a frozen lake. Oswald would also kill his own father to finally gain all his mother's attention. (Penguin: Pain and Prejudice v1 #2) During his high school years, Cobblepot considered fellow student Veronica Vreeland the love of his life, even though he had never even asked her on a date. He killed one of his few friends because he thought the friend was romancing Vreeland behind his back. (DC's Beach Blanket Bad Guys Summer Special v1 #1) While in boarding school, Cobblepot would continue to be bullied by his peers, only developing a friendship with one student who continually defended him named Carter Winston. Over the years, Cobblepot would systematically murder all his former bullies, keeping a yearbook with newspaper clipping about their suspicious deaths for his own pleasure. (Batman v2 #23.3) |
The other crime lords were defeated by Batman but Penguin said that he was innocent and only came to Arkham because the Joker threatened him. With him being popular in the community, the Dark Knight allowed him to depart but on his way to his mansion he found armed guards that barred his entry. They refused him entry and said that they took orders from the Penguin but to them it was not Cobblepot. Similarly, he found that he could no longer access his various accounts or estates with him contacting Ogilvy about the matter. It was then that he discovered that Ogilvy had taken over his criminal empire and declared himself the [[Emperor Blackgate|Emperor Penguin]]. (Detective Comics v2 #18) | The other crime lords were defeated by Batman but Penguin said that he was innocent and only came to Arkham because the Joker threatened him. With him being popular in the community, the Dark Knight allowed him to depart but on his way to his mansion he found armed guards that barred his entry. They refused him entry and said that they took orders from the Penguin but to them it was not Cobblepot. Similarly, he found that he could no longer access his various accounts or estates with him contacting Ogilvy about the matter. It was then that he discovered that Ogilvy had taken over his criminal empire and declared himself the [[Emperor Blackgate|Emperor Penguin]]. (Detective Comics v2 #18) | ||
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At some point, he had a sexual relationship with one of the waitresses of his Iceberg Lounge named '''Crystie''' with her being pregnant with his son who was named '''Ethan Cobblepot'''. Penguin fired her leading to her and her son moving to Virginia though Cobblepot made support payments towards the boy and even funded his tuition to Yale at which point he dispatched his duties to his son. Ethan Cobblepot later returned to Gotham to return the cheque but his father did not accept it and instead told his son to use it but that he had no intention of claiming the boy as his family. (Batgirl v5 #8) | At some point, he had a sexual relationship with one of the waitresses of his Iceberg Lounge named '''Crystie''' with her being pregnant with his son who was named '''Ethan Cobblepot'''. Penguin fired her leading to her and her son moving to Virginia though Cobblepot made support payments towards the boy and even funded his tuition to Yale at which point he dispatched his duties to his son. Ethan Cobblepot later returned to Gotham to return the cheque but his father did not accept it and instead told his son to use it but that he had no intention of claiming the boy as his family. (Batgirl v5 #8) | ||
| + | Once Batman had beaten Bane and finally ended the plan to break him, the Penguin was threatened by a villain from his past - the Designer, who he and a group of other villains had seemingly killed early in Batman's career. The Designer, using their own criminal wishes against them, scared the Penguin enough to clean house, kill all his closest associates, and go into hiding to protect his empire. (Batman v3 #88) | ||
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The Joker later embarked on an ambitious plan that threatened to lead to chaos and wide-spread destruction across Gotham. Sensing this coming '''Joker War''', the Penguin decided to hide out in his '''Cool Room''' safehouse which was offered as a hiding place for other supervillains looking to escape the coming carnage. He had his agents take the badly wounded Catwoman from her hospital bed so that she was in the safety of the safehouse and prevent her from being killed by the Joker's minions. (Batman v3 #94) | The Joker later embarked on an ambitious plan that threatened to lead to chaos and wide-spread destruction across Gotham. Sensing this coming '''Joker War''', the Penguin decided to hide out in his '''Cool Room''' safehouse which was offered as a hiding place for other supervillains looking to escape the coming carnage. He had his agents take the badly wounded Catwoman from her hospital bed so that she was in the safety of the safehouse and prevent her from being killed by the Joker's minions. (Batman v3 #94) | ||
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[[File:JokersAsylumPenguinV1-1Textless.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Oswald Cobblepot in Joker's Asylum: Penguin v1 #1.]] | [[File:JokersAsylumPenguinV1-1Textless.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Oswald Cobblepot in Joker's Asylum: Penguin v1 #1.]] | ||
Her mother would came to refer to him by the nickname of '''Ozzie'''. (The Best of DC v1 #10) He said that he had many handles and names but went by the '''Penguin''' on account of his appearance. (Detective Comics v1 #58) | Her mother would came to refer to him by the nickname of '''Ozzie'''. (The Best of DC v1 #10) He said that he had many handles and names but went by the '''Penguin''' on account of his appearance. (Detective Comics v1 #58) | ||
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| + | In keeping with his aristocratic origins, the Penguin pursued his criminal career while wearing formal attire such as a top hat, monocle, and tuxedo, especially of the 'white-tie-and-tails' design. (Batman: Penguin Triumphant v1 #1) | ||
When he was young, children in the neighbourhood mercilessly bullied him on account of his name and appearance. (The Best of DC v1 #10) | When he was young, children in the neighbourhood mercilessly bullied him on account of his name and appearance. (The Best of DC v1 #10) | ||
He had said that he came to embrace his hatred and the mockery he experienced in his life. Oswald would take it from them and own it in himself. (Penguin: Pain and Prejudice v1 #1) | He had said that he came to embrace his hatred and the mockery he experienced in his life. Oswald would take it from them and own it in himself. (Penguin: Pain and Prejudice v1 #1) | ||
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| + | He was said to be sane and in full control of his actions, although still ruthless and capable of extreme violence. (Batman: Penguin Triumphant v1 #1) | ||
Cobblepot was noted for his love of birds who he found to be beautiful creatures. He found them to be different from humans who were cruel and unkind whilst birds were his friends. (The Best of DC v1 #10) | Cobblepot was noted for his love of birds who he found to be beautiful creatures. He found them to be different from humans who were cruel and unkind whilst birds were his friends. (The Best of DC v1 #10) | ||
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Oswald was once involved in a sexual relationship with one of the waitresses at the Iceberg Lounge named '''Crystie'''. She became pregnant with his son who was named '''Ethan Cobblepot''' who was raised by his mother with the Penguin providing some money to them. (Batgirl v5 #8) | Oswald was once involved in a sexual relationship with one of the waitresses at the Iceberg Lounge named '''Crystie'''. She became pregnant with his son who was named '''Ethan Cobblepot''' who was raised by his mother with the Penguin providing some money to them. (Batgirl v5 #8) | ||
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| + | From another relationship, he came to have a daughter named '''Addison Cobblepot''' and a son named '''Aiden Cobblepot''' who both looked to claim control over their father's criminal empire. (Batman v3 #126) | ||
His family the Cobblepots were deeply tied to Gotham City. One of his ancestors was '''Sir Nigel Cobblepot''' was part of the invading British redcoats during the War for Independence. His great-grandfather was noted to had enjoyed a long successful tenure as mayor of the city. (Gotham Underground v1 #9) It was shown that his mother cared for a variety of birds with her son helping her as she became unwell and was confined to a wheelchair. He was said to had loved his mother and that her death was the saddest blow in his life. (The Best of DC v1 #10) | His family the Cobblepots were deeply tied to Gotham City. One of his ancestors was '''Sir Nigel Cobblepot''' was part of the invading British redcoats during the War for Independence. His great-grandfather was noted to had enjoyed a long successful tenure as mayor of the city. (Gotham Underground v1 #9) It was shown that his mother cared for a variety of birds with her son helping her as she became unwell and was confined to a wheelchair. He was said to had loved his mother and that her death was the saddest blow in his life. (The Best of DC v1 #10) | ||
===Powers and abilities=== | ===Powers and abilities=== | ||
| − | It was said that his thinking was brilliant with him being circuitous and multi-levelled in his planning. This was to the point that he planned his crimes with military precision. However, his appearance tended to make his opponents underestimate him with this being a trap in their dealings with him. (Batman v1 #448) | + | It was said that his thinking was brilliant with him being circuitous and multi-levelled in his planning. This was to the point that he planned his crimes with military precision. However, his appearance tended to make his opponents underestimate him with this being a trap in their dealings with him. (Batman v1 #448) He was shown as being highly intelligent who could even match wits with Batman, in some cases using his access to information and business connections to assist the vigilante. Batman once admitted the Penguin was smarter than the Dark Knight. (Batman: Penguin Triumphant v1 #1) |
Copplebot dedicated part of his life to the martial arts in order to beat those who mocked his appearance leading to him becoming a master in judo and boxing. (Secret Origins Special v2 #1) | Copplebot dedicated part of his life to the martial arts in order to beat those who mocked his appearance leading to him becoming a master in judo and boxing. (Secret Origins Special v2 #1) | ||
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*'''Bossworth''' : (Batman: Battle for the Cowl v1 #2) | *'''Bossworth''' : (Batman: Battle for the Cowl v1 #2) | ||
*'''Ignatius Ogilvy''' : a blonde haired man who served as a right-hand man for over 5 years before he turned against his employer in order to take over his criminal empire and declare himself Emperor Penguin. (Detective Comics v2 #16) | *'''Ignatius Ogilvy''' : a blonde haired man who served as a right-hand man for over 5 years before he turned against his employer in order to take over his criminal empire and declare himself Emperor Penguin. (Detective Comics v2 #16) | ||
| + | *'''Umbrella Man''' : a black male who wore a white suit that served as an attendant to the Penguin but aimed to kill his employer and take over his operations. (Batman: One Bad Day - Penguin v1 #1) | ||
He maintained a secret safehouse known as the '''Cool Room''' that was used by him and other supervillains that were his allies. It was designed as a safe place to hide out any problems affecting the rest of Gotham. (Batman v3 #94) | He maintained a secret safehouse known as the '''Cool Room''' that was used by him and other supervillains that were his allies. It was designed as a safe place to hide out any problems affecting the rest of Gotham. (Batman v3 #94) | ||
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==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
| − | *The Penguin was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane where he made his first appearance in Detective Comics v1 #58 (December, 1941). | + | *The Penguin was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane where he made his first appearance in Detective Comics v1 #58 (December, 1941). |
==Alternate Versions== | ==Alternate Versions== | ||
| + | *In Batman Chronicles v1 #11 (1997), an alternate version of the Penguin appeared in the reality designated Earth-494 in the Multiverse. Oswald Cobblepot was a British admiral who sold his services to the king of Spain, thus betraying England. When Cobblepot ambushed the Catspaw, Capitana Felina's ship, young Robin Redblade sent a carrier bird with the message for Leatherwing, who then attacked Cobblepot's ship with the Flying Fox. The defeated admiral was dropped in a longboat which ended at the South Pole. Admiral Cobblepot was never seen again. | ||
| + | *In Batman: Crimson Mist v1 (1999), an alternate version of the Penguin appeared in the Red Rain reality set in an Elseworld within the Multiverse. After Batman into a vampire, the Penguin is the first of many criminals to be killed by the vampiric Batman after he surrenders to his darker instincts. As the book begins, the Penguin has just escaped from Arkham again, and has apparently developed a reputation as a cop-killer. As the Penguin lures a group of cops into a trap, he impales one in the head with his umbrella, but Batman arrives in the form of a monstrous bat before the Penguin's men can claim more victims. Batman brutally tears the Penguin's throat out as he drinks his blood and subsequently kills his enemy, proceeding to kill the rest of the Penguin's gang and tear off their heads to stop them from returning as vampires. | ||
| + | *In Flashpoint: Batman – Knight of Vengeance v1 #1 (2011), an alternate version of the Penguin appeared in the altered timeline of the Flashpoint. He worked as the security chief of Wayne Casinos, providing information about his clients and the criminal underworld to that universe's Batman, Thomas Wayne. The Flashpoint reality was restarted when Batman stole the snow globe associated with it from the Time Masters. Oswald still worksedfor Thomas and helped to raise Dexter Dent after his father Harvey Dent was killed. | ||
| + | *In Batman: Earth One v1 #1 (2012), an alternate version of the Penguin appeared in the reality designated as the reborn Earth-1 within the restored Multiverse. Oswald Cobblepot was the mayoral competition for Dr. Thomas Wayne. Dr. Wayne wanted to change Gotham for the better by becoming mayor but Oswald refused to let another Wayne disgrace the Cobblepot legacy. When the Waynes went to the Monarch Theatre on that fateful night, Oswald paid a corrupt cop named Jacob Weaver to cut the power to the cinema. The Waynes decide to leave but not the way Cobblepot intended. Weaver had his men stationed at key points to kidnap the Waynes but when they heard the gunfire, Weaver and his men fell back. Cobblepot was still pleased that Dr. Wayne was dead because things worked out better by having some unknown vagrant named Joe Chill do the Waynes in and no alibi required. | ||
| + | *In Absolute Batman v1 #1 (2024), an alternate version of the character named '''Ozzie Cobblepot''' appeared in the [[Absolute DC]] reality in the Multiverse. | ||
==In other media== | ==In other media== | ||
===Television=== | ===Television=== | ||
| − | *In Batman, the Penguin appeared in the 1960s live-action television series where he was portrayed by actor Burgess Meredith. | + | *In Batman, the Penguin appeared in the 1960s live-action television series where he was portrayed by actor Burgess Meredith. Fancying himself an "aristocrat of crookery," the Penguin often took pride in opposing the forces of law and order--most of all Batman and Robin. Several times during his life, the Penguin went even further in perverting the law, pretending to be a reformed citizen and disguising his criminal enterprises as law-abiding businesses. Ironically, one of the Penguin's most ingenious plots came about when the Penguin was unable to think up a new crime--a great distress to him, as he was soon due to be released from prison. Soon, however, he found a solution to his dilemma: tricking Batman into planning his next heist. Thus, shortly after his parole, the Penguin opened an umbrella shop and had his men distribute free umbrellas around Gotham. At the Penguin's command, these umbrellas would spin into a frenzy and create small explosions, sowing chaos across the city. This chaos soon drew attention from Batman and Robin, who eventually reasoned that the misbehaving umbrellas were clues hinting at the details of the Penguin's next heist. The Penguin, though publicly maintaining that he was a reformed citizen, soon orchestrated another bizarre "clue," launching a massive umbrella into the street. Attached to this giant umbrella was a colorful "Batbrella" dedicated to Batman, which the Caped Crusader took to the Batcave for analysis. In truth, however, there was no pre-planned crime behind the umbrellas; instead, the Penguin expected Batman's keen mind to deduce a meaning from his meaningless clues and thus create the blueprint to a crime. The Batbrella, which secretly contained a listening device, would then relay Batman's exact words to the Penguin. Despite the ingenuity of this idea, it was not foolproof; Batman initially failed to deduce anything from the Batbrella, and instead visited the Penguin's shop in his civilian identity of Bruce Wayne, intending to plant a listening device of his own. The shop's anti-burglar system foiled Wayne's efforts, and the Penguin, not recognizing Wayne, declared his newest "customer" to be a corporate spy and ordered the man killed. |
*In The New Adventures of Batman, the Penguin appeared in the setting of the 1977 Filmation animated television series where he was voiced by actor Lennie Weinrib. | *In The New Adventures of Batman, the Penguin appeared in the setting of the 1977 Filmation animated television series where he was voiced by actor Lennie Weinrib. | ||
*In The Batman, the Penguin appeared as an antagonist in the animated television series starting in the episode "Call of the Cobblepot" where he was voiced by actor Tom Kenny. Oswald "Ozzy" Cobblepot was descended from the aristocratic Cobblepot family whose line went back to Newcastle, England. Alfred Pennyworth's grandfather was said to had been a butler to the English Cobblepots and was raised on stories on how they were cruel and disrespectful to those in their employ. Eventually, the Cobblepots settled in Gotham City with Oswald's direct family having squandered heir fortunes for years leaving their son the sole remaining heir of their ancestral legacy. Oswald left the family estate fall into ruin and converted it into an aviary whilst he departed to travel to the Orient where he learnt martial arts and gained the employ of the [[Kabuki Twins]] who served as his bodyguards. | *In The Batman, the Penguin appeared as an antagonist in the animated television series starting in the episode "Call of the Cobblepot" where he was voiced by actor Tom Kenny. Oswald "Ozzy" Cobblepot was descended from the aristocratic Cobblepot family whose line went back to Newcastle, England. Alfred Pennyworth's grandfather was said to had been a butler to the English Cobblepots and was raised on stories on how they were cruel and disrespectful to those in their employ. Eventually, the Cobblepots settled in Gotham City with Oswald's direct family having squandered heir fortunes for years leaving their son the sole remaining heir of their ancestral legacy. Oswald left the family estate fall into ruin and converted it into an aviary whilst he departed to travel to the Orient where he learnt martial arts and gained the employ of the [[Kabuki Twins]] who served as his bodyguards. | ||
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*In Justice League Action, the Penguin appeared in the animated television series in the episode "Double Cross" where he was voiced by actor Dana Snyder. | *In Justice League Action, the Penguin appeared in the animated television series in the episode "Double Cross" where he was voiced by actor Dana Snyder. | ||
*In Harley Quinn, the Penguin appeared in the animated television series where he was voiced by actor Wayne Knight. | *In Harley Quinn, the Penguin appeared in the animated television series where he was voiced by actor Wayne Knight. | ||
| + | *In The Penguin, '''Oswald Cobb''' appeared in the setting of the live-action television series set after The Batman where he was once again portrayed by actor Colin Farrell. | ||
===Films=== | ===Films=== | ||
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*''Batman v3'': | *''Batman v3'': | ||
*''Catwoman v5'': (2020) | *''Catwoman v5'': (2020) | ||
| + | *''Flashpoint Beyond v1'': | ||
| + | *''Batman: One Bad Day - Penguin v1'': (2022) | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
Latest revision as of 05:23, 17 November 2024
The Penguin is a male comic supervillain who features in DC Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Pre-Crisis
Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot
One day, his father was said to had got caught in a thunderstorm without an umbrella and died two weeks later from bronchial pneumonia. (The Best of DC v1 #10)
After high school, he went to college where he majored in ornithology where he came to be more knowledgeable about birds than some of his professors. Later on though, his mothers health had grown worse and as she was about to die she wanted her son to take over the shop to care for the birds. Her death was the saddest blow in his life where he looked to continue her wish in managing the shop. However, he came to learn that the shop was thousands of dollars in debt with the creditors get a court order to cease its assets including the birds. This led to him becoming angry at the world and he resolved to turn his talents to crime. However, figures in the criminal underworld simply made fun of his appearance where they came to call him a 'penguin'. This led to Cobblepot decided to take the name Penguin as he would become a crime lord and resolved to ensure that he would be a feared figure in the city. (The Best of DC v1 #10)
He attended an art exhibition where he was secretly responsible for stealing some priceless paintings. With this fortune, he placed himself as an advisor to a local racketeering mob and brought about a crime wave to the city. Afterwards, he was responsible for stealing the Great Columbia Diamond in secret whilst using a blackout as a distraction. At this point, the mob boss felt threatened by the Penguin's growing success and refused to pay his share where he sought to deal with him. This saw the Penguin murder the man and taking over his gang where he was directly in charge of their operations. (Detective Comics v1 #58)
The Penguin once more pretended to become a legitimate business by using clever mechanical frauds of mythical birds and passing them off as the real deal and charging people admission. He then attempted to make the people fear Batman by associating him with a terrifying Man-Bat creature of his own design. This, like all of his other schemes, failed and the Penguin was once more captured. (Batman v1 #76)
Penguin was released from prison, and wracked his mind for a scheme worthy of his criminal genius. He decided that he'd bait Batman into coming up with a crime for him, so he gave away weaponized umbrellas to customers of a jewelry store and a bank, and although they caused chaos he didn't rob either target. He then released a giant umbrella that blotted out the sun over Gotham Square. Batman and Robin paid him a visit at his umbrella shop, and he said he merely sold umbrellas, so he couldn't be responsible for what happened to them after they left his shop. He also switched his monocle to his left eye to mess with the Dynamic Duo, who rightfully suspected he was up to something. Penguin later released a multicolored glowing umbrella, and Batman thought it was a clue indicating that Penguin was going to rob the jeweled meteorite from the museum. Batman figured that the easiest way to avoid security would be to open up a hole in the museum's roof and use an extendable umbrella to steal the meteorite. When they'd visited Penguin he'd placed microphone transistors on them, and went out with his gang to commit the crime Batman came up with. He used a magnet to temporarily immobilize Batman and Robin, but they freed themselves as Penguin zoomed off with the meteor on a jet-umbrella. Batman and Robin took his goons jet-umbrellas, and ran him down. Penguin was back behind bars, but felt he'd won a minor victory when Batman still hadn't figured out his monocle angle, and would be taking it home to analyze it. (Batman v1 #169)
Penguin thought scientific crimefighting devices called for a response for today's criminal. He proclaimed his genius, and showed his henchmen his new inventions; air-conditioned suits to beat the Gotham heatwave, and energy pills to keep them at peak efficiency. He couldn't wait to show off his innovations to the Dynamic Duo, and he got his wish when the heroes interrupted his robbery of the International Gold corporation. Batman and Robin's boots stuck to the floor, allowing Penguin's goons to hammer away at them, and Penguin claimed he was using a gravity ray. Batman figured out he'd put a magnet under the floor, and they'd stepped in iron fillings, so he urged Robin to remove his boots. The thugs were wearing Penguin's fist fender-off devices, pumping air from their costumes to keep knocking away Batman and Robin's punches until the heroes fought more unpredictably, hitting the thugs before they could activate their devices. Penguin escaped with the gold on his jet-umbrella, and complained that his plans were brilliant but his henchmen were fools. With the cheering of his Penguin-Robot, who loudly talked up his genius Penguin created a series of remote-controlled Robotrella, robotic umbrellas, and the Dynamic Duo witnessed his umbrellas pull off a jewelry heist. They created Batrellas to follow Penguins Robotrellas after they pulled their next job, and brought Alfred along. After a wild battle with the Robotrellas, the heroes were captured in a net-umbrella, and dragged away by Penguin's robot double. They escaped the robot, but Alfred staid behind, and watched the Robotrella loot sink into a hole in the ground. He jumped in, and found Penguin's new underground hideout, knocking him out with a blow from his own umbrella. Penguin grumbled about being in prison until he learned his cellmates name was Brolly, English slang for umbrella. He said Brolly would be an invaluable ally in his next prison escape. (Batman v1 #190)
Post-Crisis
Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot
He was an outcast in his high-society family and their rejection drives him to become a criminal. (Batman: Penguin Triumphant v1 #1)
Later, Penguin managed to get a hold of a lethal drug developed by Ra's al Ghul, but his plans of spreading it in Gotham and use it to blackmail the city were stopped by Batman and Talia, Ra's' daughter. (Detective Comics Annual v1 #1)
Amanda Waller came to recruit him into the Suicide Squad for one mission in exchange for prison release. Penguin helped them plan a top-secret mission where they rescued imprisoned author Zoya Trigorin from the Soviet Union. He was forced to accompany them behind enemy lines though because Rick Flag wanted him to have a stake in his own plans. (Suicide Squad v1 #5) When he was released on parole, he claimed to have fallen in love and gone straight. His new girlfriend would not tolerate criminal behavior. Cobblepot ran a legitimate umbrella factory staffed by ex-cons, but he was sent back to prison because this counts as 'consorting with known felons'. (Batman Annual v1 #11)
After arranging his own escape from prison, he came to locate Harold Allnut who was a mechanical and engineering genius. The Penguin came to manipulate the man into creating a device that could control birds. Allnut's machine allowed Penguin to control large flocks of birds with microwaves forcing the animals to create chaos and destruction in Gotham. (Batman v1 #448)
The Penguin resurfaced during Jean Paul Valley's tenure as Batman and is one of the few people to deduce that Valley is not the original Caped Crusader. To confirm his theory, he kidnaps Sarah Essen Gordon, places her in a death trap set to go off at midnight, and turns himself in, utilizing the opportunity to mock her husband Commissioner Gordon as midnight approaches. An increasingly infuriated Gordon is nearly driven to throw him off the police headquarters roof before Valley rescues Sarah moments before midnight. As Valley leaves, he says, "There's nothing the Penguin can throw at me that I haven't encountered before." The Penguin reluctantly agrees with this sentiment, accepting that he has become passé. (Showcase '94 v1 #7)
He would seemingly abandoned a life of crime to establish himself as a legitimate businessman in charge of his nightclub called the Iceberg Lounge. However, this was simply a facade in order to control criminal activities from a more privileged position in society. (Detective Comics v1 #683)
Slam Bradley came to approach the Penguin when he was looking for information on Hush's whereabouts. (Detective Comics v1 #850)
Facing the threat of Intergang, the Penguin found himself to be alone with most of his gang having abandoned. Thus, he decided to cut his losses and depart the city but not before leaving the Iceberg Lounge in the hands of the Riddler. However, before he could depart, the Lounge was attacked by Johnny Sitches and Intergang where they were only saved by the arrival of Batman alongside the Outsiders. They fought off Intergang thus saving the Penguin who decided to remain in the city though part of this arrangement included him revealing any information from his underworld contacts to the Dark Knight. (Gotham Underground v1 #9)
A few days later, Penguin was pleased to let the meta-human criminals of Gotham get rid of Intergang for him. Penguin even applauded Man-Bat after he massacred some men of Intergang, who had been using the Iceberg Lounge as a meeting point. (Batman and the Outsiders v2 #13)
After the death of Batman, Penguin became one of the main crime lords in Gotham. Around this time, Penguin was informed that someone had damaged Two-Face's crime ring and he was taking the blame for the hit. (Battle for the Cowl: The Underground v1 #2) When Penguin learned that the responsible was a new Black Mask, he hired Riddler's service as a detective to find the criminal. However, Black Mask struck first by sending Firefly to kill Penguin, but the pyromaniac was stopped by Catwoman. Penguin's forces were weakened but the crime lord emerged unscathed. (Battle for the Cowl: The Underground v1 #1)
Sometime later, word about Vicki Vale's discovery of Batman's secret identity was spread in the underground of Gotham and Penguin started looking for the reporter to capture her. When a couple of amateur criminals wanted to join Penguin's crew, he sent them to kidnap Vale and bring her back to him, but they failed miserably. (Bruce Wayne: The Road Home: Commissioner Gordon v1 #1)
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot
He had three older brothers that were Robert Cobblepot, William Cobblepot and Jason Cobblepot all of whom died by the time Oswald had become an adult. Growing up, Oswald was heavily bullied by his older brothers and his peers, who mocked him for his appearance and were the first to compare him to a penguin. Because of their teasing, Oswald developed a fascination with birds, which he felt more kinship with than people. (Penguin: Pain and Prejudice v1 #1) The only human he cared about was his mother - who was the only person to ever show him compassion. Oswald would craft mechanical birds for his mother as presents, which she always appreciated. Oswald would have an unhealthy obsession with his mother - going so far as to develop a complex of wanting to be strong and powerful through violence due to the way his father did so to get her attention. One night during his childhood, Oswald's older brothers attacked him and his pet birds, finally going too far for the boy to handle. Oswald secretly murdered all of them one by one to look like accidents - Jason died of poisoning, William in a hit-and-run, and Robert in a freak accident which left him at the bottom of a frozen lake. Oswald would also kill his own father to finally gain all his mother's attention. (Penguin: Pain and Prejudice v1 #2) During his high school years, Cobblepot considered fellow student Veronica Vreeland the love of his life, even though he had never even asked her on a date. He killed one of his few friends because he thought the friend was romancing Vreeland behind his back. (DC's Beach Blanket Bad Guys Summer Special v1 #1) While in boarding school, Cobblepot would continue to be bullied by his peers, only developing a friendship with one student who continually defended him named Carter Winston. Over the years, Cobblepot would systematically murder all his former bullies, keeping a yearbook with newspaper clipping about their suspicious deaths for his own pleasure. (Batman v2 #23.3)
The other crime lords were defeated by Batman but Penguin said that he was innocent and only came to Arkham because the Joker threatened him. With him being popular in the community, the Dark Knight allowed him to depart but on his way to his mansion he found armed guards that barred his entry. They refused him entry and said that they took orders from the Penguin but to them it was not Cobblepot. Similarly, he found that he could no longer access his various accounts or estates with him contacting Ogilvy about the matter. It was then that he discovered that Ogilvy had taken over his criminal empire and declared himself the Emperor Penguin. (Detective Comics v2 #18)
After the disappearance of Batman, Gotham came to be visited by a mysterious arms dealer called Mister Bloom who offered criminals technologically powered 'seeds' that gave their hosts superpowers. This attracted the attention of Penguin who arranged a meeting with the masked villain though Mister Bloom refused to part with his 'seeds' to Cobblepot as he was not part of his plan for the city. This led to Oswald deciding to eliminate the competition and he had his henchmen shoot Mister Bloom seemingly killing him. However, the supervillain easily recovered due to his own powers where he killed Cobblepot's henchmen and severely injured the Penguin who was left bleeding on the floor. (Batman v2 #43)
At some point, he had a sexual relationship with one of the waitresses of his Iceberg Lounge named Crystie with her being pregnant with his son who was named Ethan Cobblepot. Penguin fired her leading to her and her son moving to Virginia though Cobblepot made support payments towards the boy and even funded his tuition to Yale at which point he dispatched his duties to his son. Ethan Cobblepot later returned to Gotham to return the cheque but his father did not accept it and instead told his son to use it but that he had no intention of claiming the boy as his family. (Batgirl v5 #8)
Once Batman had beaten Bane and finally ended the plan to break him, the Penguin was threatened by a villain from his past - the Designer, who he and a group of other villains had seemingly killed early in Batman's career. The Designer, using their own criminal wishes against them, scared the Penguin enough to clean house, kill all his closest associates, and go into hiding to protect his empire. (Batman v3 #88)
The Joker later embarked on an ambitious plan that threatened to lead to chaos and wide-spread destruction across Gotham. Sensing this coming Joker War, the Penguin decided to hide out in his Cool Room safehouse which was offered as a hiding place for other supervillains looking to escape the coming carnage. He had his agents take the badly wounded Catwoman from her hospital bed so that she was in the safety of the safehouse and prevent her from being killed by the Joker's minions. (Batman v3 #94)
Selina then took the Penguin and Riddler to the Underbroker's law firm in order to rob it as well as steal the Wayne fortune away from the Joker. (Batman v3 #99) Cobblepot had some of his men deployed in order to eliminate some of the clowns that the Joker had unleashed on the city. (Catwoman v5 #25) After Catwoman had betrayed him, the Penguin decided to hire a professional to hunt down Selina Kyle leading to him contracting the services of Brother Valley. The priest themed hired gun was paid half with the remaining to be paid on completion of his mission where he was told to use any means at his disposal to take down the Catwoman. This included targeting her family, friends and even her love so long as she was killed. (Catwoman v5 #26)
Overview
Personality and attributes
Her mother would came to refer to him by the nickname of Ozzie. (The Best of DC v1 #10) He said that he had many handles and names but went by the Penguin on account of his appearance. (Detective Comics v1 #58)
In keeping with his aristocratic origins, the Penguin pursued his criminal career while wearing formal attire such as a top hat, monocle, and tuxedo, especially of the 'white-tie-and-tails' design. (Batman: Penguin Triumphant v1 #1)
When he was young, children in the neighbourhood mercilessly bullied him on account of his name and appearance. (The Best of DC v1 #10)
He had said that he came to embrace his hatred and the mockery he experienced in his life. Oswald would take it from them and own it in himself. (Penguin: Pain and Prejudice v1 #1)
He was said to be sane and in full control of his actions, although still ruthless and capable of extreme violence. (Batman: Penguin Triumphant v1 #1)
Cobblepot was noted for his love of birds who he found to be beautiful creatures. He found them to be different from humans who were cruel and unkind whilst birds were his friends. (The Best of DC v1 #10)
It was said that his fixation on umbrellas stemmed from his mother always telling him to keep one of them by his side. (The Best of DC v1 #10) She often urged the young Oswald to take an umbrella even if it was bright and sunny. She pointed that his father had died because of pneumonia and stated that this was because he lacked an umbrella. (Batman v1 548)
He was shown as being a fan of chess where he said that it excited and enthralled him. The Penguin saw it as being akin to war that required total focused concentration as well as utilising masterful precise strategy against an opponent. Cobblepot felt that no one was his equal in chess but was infuriated at being cornered in the game by a challenger. (Batman v1 #448)
Batman would note that Penguin was anything but a buffoon and that he was not a foe to be underestimated. (Batman v1 #448)
His major fault though was his massive ego as Cobblepot tended to think he was physically adept as he was intelligent. It was said that he would be a far more difficult opponent if he allowed able-bodied henchmen to do his crimes for him. (Batman v1 #448)
He loved his mother and her death was said to had been the saddest blow in his life. (The Best of DC v1 #10)
Oswald was once involved in a sexual relationship with one of the waitresses at the Iceberg Lounge named Crystie. She became pregnant with his son who was named Ethan Cobblepot who was raised by his mother with the Penguin providing some money to them. (Batgirl v5 #8)
From another relationship, he came to have a daughter named Addison Cobblepot and a son named Aiden Cobblepot who both looked to claim control over their father's criminal empire. (Batman v3 #126)
His family the Cobblepots were deeply tied to Gotham City. One of his ancestors was Sir Nigel Cobblepot was part of the invading British redcoats during the War for Independence. His great-grandfather was noted to had enjoyed a long successful tenure as mayor of the city. (Gotham Underground v1 #9) It was shown that his mother cared for a variety of birds with her son helping her as she became unwell and was confined to a wheelchair. He was said to had loved his mother and that her death was the saddest blow in his life. (The Best of DC v1 #10)
Powers and abilities
It was said that his thinking was brilliant with him being circuitous and multi-levelled in his planning. This was to the point that he planned his crimes with military precision. However, his appearance tended to make his opponents underestimate him with this being a trap in their dealings with him. (Batman v1 #448) He was shown as being highly intelligent who could even match wits with Batman, in some cases using his access to information and business connections to assist the vigilante. Batman once admitted the Penguin was smarter than the Dark Knight. (Batman: Penguin Triumphant v1 #1)
Copplebot dedicated part of his life to the martial arts in order to beat those who mocked his appearance leading to him becoming a master in judo and boxing. (Secret Origins Special v2 #1)
He was known to make use of an umbrella that had a number of gimmicks in them such as a gun hidden in them or emit strangling gas. (Detective Comics v1 #58) As the Penguin, he came to wield the world's first .45 caliber umbrella. (The Best of DC v1 #10)
Among his hench-people included:
- Lark : a woman who was a chauffeur and enforcer for the Penguin. (Batman v1 #448)
- Bossworth : (Batman: Battle for the Cowl v1 #2)
- Ignatius Ogilvy : a blonde haired man who served as a right-hand man for over 5 years before he turned against his employer in order to take over his criminal empire and declare himself Emperor Penguin. (Detective Comics v2 #16)
- Umbrella Man : a black male who wore a white suit that served as an attendant to the Penguin but aimed to kill his employer and take over his operations. (Batman: One Bad Day - Penguin v1 #1)
He maintained a secret safehouse known as the Cool Room that was used by him and other supervillains that were his allies. It was designed as a safe place to hide out any problems affecting the rest of Gotham. (Batman v3 #94)
Cobblepot was shown to have a private aviary where he kept a collection of exotic birds. (The Best of DC v1 #10)
Notes
- The Penguin was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane where he made his first appearance in Detective Comics v1 #58 (December, 1941).
Alternate Versions
- In Batman Chronicles v1 #11 (1997), an alternate version of the Penguin appeared in the reality designated Earth-494 in the Multiverse. Oswald Cobblepot was a British admiral who sold his services to the king of Spain, thus betraying England. When Cobblepot ambushed the Catspaw, Capitana Felina's ship, young Robin Redblade sent a carrier bird with the message for Leatherwing, who then attacked Cobblepot's ship with the Flying Fox. The defeated admiral was dropped in a longboat which ended at the South Pole. Admiral Cobblepot was never seen again.
- In Batman: Crimson Mist v1 (1999), an alternate version of the Penguin appeared in the Red Rain reality set in an Elseworld within the Multiverse. After Batman into a vampire, the Penguin is the first of many criminals to be killed by the vampiric Batman after he surrenders to his darker instincts. As the book begins, the Penguin has just escaped from Arkham again, and has apparently developed a reputation as a cop-killer. As the Penguin lures a group of cops into a trap, he impales one in the head with his umbrella, but Batman arrives in the form of a monstrous bat before the Penguin's men can claim more victims. Batman brutally tears the Penguin's throat out as he drinks his blood and subsequently kills his enemy, proceeding to kill the rest of the Penguin's gang and tear off their heads to stop them from returning as vampires.
- In Flashpoint: Batman – Knight of Vengeance v1 #1 (2011), an alternate version of the Penguin appeared in the altered timeline of the Flashpoint. He worked as the security chief of Wayne Casinos, providing information about his clients and the criminal underworld to that universe's Batman, Thomas Wayne. The Flashpoint reality was restarted when Batman stole the snow globe associated with it from the Time Masters. Oswald still worksedfor Thomas and helped to raise Dexter Dent after his father Harvey Dent was killed.
- In Batman: Earth One v1 #1 (2012), an alternate version of the Penguin appeared in the reality designated as the reborn Earth-1 within the restored Multiverse. Oswald Cobblepot was the mayoral competition for Dr. Thomas Wayne. Dr. Wayne wanted to change Gotham for the better by becoming mayor but Oswald refused to let another Wayne disgrace the Cobblepot legacy. When the Waynes went to the Monarch Theatre on that fateful night, Oswald paid a corrupt cop named Jacob Weaver to cut the power to the cinema. The Waynes decide to leave but not the way Cobblepot intended. Weaver had his men stationed at key points to kidnap the Waynes but when they heard the gunfire, Weaver and his men fell back. Cobblepot was still pleased that Dr. Wayne was dead because things worked out better by having some unknown vagrant named Joe Chill do the Waynes in and no alibi required.
- In Absolute Batman v1 #1 (2024), an alternate version of the character named Ozzie Cobblepot appeared in the Absolute DC reality in the Multiverse.
In other media
Television
- In Batman, the Penguin appeared in the 1960s live-action television series where he was portrayed by actor Burgess Meredith. Fancying himself an "aristocrat of crookery," the Penguin often took pride in opposing the forces of law and order--most of all Batman and Robin. Several times during his life, the Penguin went even further in perverting the law, pretending to be a reformed citizen and disguising his criminal enterprises as law-abiding businesses. Ironically, one of the Penguin's most ingenious plots came about when the Penguin was unable to think up a new crime--a great distress to him, as he was soon due to be released from prison. Soon, however, he found a solution to his dilemma: tricking Batman into planning his next heist. Thus, shortly after his parole, the Penguin opened an umbrella shop and had his men distribute free umbrellas around Gotham. At the Penguin's command, these umbrellas would spin into a frenzy and create small explosions, sowing chaos across the city. This chaos soon drew attention from Batman and Robin, who eventually reasoned that the misbehaving umbrellas were clues hinting at the details of the Penguin's next heist. The Penguin, though publicly maintaining that he was a reformed citizen, soon orchestrated another bizarre "clue," launching a massive umbrella into the street. Attached to this giant umbrella was a colorful "Batbrella" dedicated to Batman, which the Caped Crusader took to the Batcave for analysis. In truth, however, there was no pre-planned crime behind the umbrellas; instead, the Penguin expected Batman's keen mind to deduce a meaning from his meaningless clues and thus create the blueprint to a crime. The Batbrella, which secretly contained a listening device, would then relay Batman's exact words to the Penguin. Despite the ingenuity of this idea, it was not foolproof; Batman initially failed to deduce anything from the Batbrella, and instead visited the Penguin's shop in his civilian identity of Bruce Wayne, intending to plant a listening device of his own. The shop's anti-burglar system foiled Wayne's efforts, and the Penguin, not recognizing Wayne, declared his newest "customer" to be a corporate spy and ordered the man killed.
- In The New Adventures of Batman, the Penguin appeared in the setting of the 1977 Filmation animated television series where he was voiced by actor Lennie Weinrib.
- In The Batman, the Penguin appeared as an antagonist in the animated television series starting in the episode "Call of the Cobblepot" where he was voiced by actor Tom Kenny. Oswald "Ozzy" Cobblepot was descended from the aristocratic Cobblepot family whose line went back to Newcastle, England. Alfred Pennyworth's grandfather was said to had been a butler to the English Cobblepots and was raised on stories on how they were cruel and disrespectful to those in their employ. Eventually, the Cobblepots settled in Gotham City with Oswald's direct family having squandered heir fortunes for years leaving their son the sole remaining heir of their ancestral legacy. Oswald left the family estate fall into ruin and converted it into an aviary whilst he departed to travel to the Orient where he learnt martial arts and gained the employ of the Kabuki Twins who served as his bodyguards.
- In Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Penguin appeared in the animated television series where he was voiced by actor Stephen Root.
- In Gotham, Oswald Cobblepot appeared in the live-action television series where he was portrayed by actor Robin Lord Taylor.
- In Justice League Action, the Penguin appeared in the animated television series in the episode "Double Cross" where he was voiced by actor Dana Snyder.
- In Harley Quinn, the Penguin appeared in the animated television series where he was voiced by actor Wayne Knight.
- In The Penguin, Oswald Cobb appeared in the setting of the live-action television series set after The Batman where he was once again portrayed by actor Colin Farrell.
Films
- In Batman Returns, the Penguin appeared as the main antagonist in the live-action film where he was portrayed by actor Danny DeVito.
- In The Batman vs. Dracula, the Penguin appeared in the setting of the animated film set in The Batman continuity where he was once again voiced by actor Tom Kenny.
- In Batman: Assault on Arkham, the Penguin appeared in the animated film where he was voiced by actor Nolan North.
- In Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the Penguin appeared in the crossover animated film where he was voiced again by actor Tom Kenny.
- In The Batman, Oswald Cobblepot appeared in the setting of the live-action film where he was portrayed by actor Colin Farrell. This version was shown as being the right-hand man of crime boss Carmine Falcone where he managed his club the Iceberg Lounge.
Video games
- In DC Universe Online, the Penguin appeared in the setting of the MMORPG where he was voiced by actor David Jennison.
- In Injustice: Gods Among Us, the Penguin had a cameo appearance in the background of the Arkham Asylum map in the fighting video game.
- In Batman: The Telltale Series, the Penguin appeared in the video game Season One where he was portrayed by actor Jason Spisak.
Appearances
- Detective Comics v1: (1941)
- Batman v1:
- Birds of Prey:
- Detective Comics v2:
- Penguin: Pain and Prejudice v1:
- Batman Eternal v1:
- Batman v2:
- Batman Who Laughs v2:
- Batman v3:
- Catwoman v5: (2020)
- Flashpoint Beyond v1:
- Batman: One Bad Day - Penguin v1: (2022)
External Links
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