Penguin (DC)
The Penguin is a male comic supervillain who features in DC Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Pre-Crisis
Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot
Post-Crisis
Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.
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)
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
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)
Powers and abilities
Among his henchpeople included:
- Lark : a woman who was a chauffeur and enforcer for the Penguin. (Batman v1 #448)
- Ignatius Ogilvy :
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)
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 other media
Television
- In Batman, the Penguin appeared in the 1960s live-action television series where he was portrayed by actor Burgess Meredith.
- 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.
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.
Video games
- In Batman: The Telltale Series, the Penguin appeared in the video game Season One where he was portrayed by actor Jason Spisak.
- In DC Universe Online, the Penguin appeared in the setting of the MMORPG where he was voiced by actor David Jennison.
Appearances
- Detective Comics v1: (1941)
- Batman v1:
- Birds of Prey:
- Batman Eternal v1:
- Batman v2:
- Batman Who Laughs v2:
- Batman v3:
- Catwoman v5:
External Links
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