We live in a media age where comic book adaptations are produced Ad nauseam through movies and television shows. Given the polarizing success of Matt Reeves’s film The Batman, it was easy to overlook the new HBO spinoff The Penguin. However, this eight-episode mini-series saw its audience grow, week after week, due to its refreshing departure from the typical superhero comic book story. The movie resembles more of a mafia drama, focusing on the power struggles and complex characters within Gotham’s criminal underworld. This unique take on the genre, coupled with compelling storytelling, makes it the must-watch T.V. series of the year.
This departure from the typical comic book villain portrayal is a pleasant surprise for fans.
The show takes place directly after the events of The Batman, where a flood has ravaged Gotham City and Carmine Falcone, Gotham’s top crime boss, is assassinated, leaving a power void to be his successor. Oswald “Oz” Cobb, aka the Penguin (Due to his club foot), is a top Capo in the Falcone crime syndicate looking to seize the opportunity to become the new Don. But he is thwarted in this effort by Falcone’s kids, Alberto and Sofia, who are higher up in the succession line and have evil aspirations of their own.
In this series, the Penguin is not the secondary antagonist we saw in the last movie. With no Batman in sight, Oz Cobb takes the spotlight as the main protagonist. We get to witness his journey, his struggles, and his ruthless ambition as he fights his way to the top of Gotham’s underworld.
Bill Finger and Bob Kane created the Penguin comic book character in 1941. IGN currently ranks him as the 51st greatest comic book villain, although it states that he is not a fan favorite despite his impact on pop culture through mediums such as the 1960s Batman and Batman Returns.
Unlike his campy, absurdly exaggerated portrayals in comic books and media appearances, Collin Farrell’s performance presents Oz Cobb as a brutal gangster who will use violence to stay one step ahead of the game. His sociopathic tendencies are reminiscent of the fictional Cuban drug lord Tony Montana from Scarface, and his appearance, stride, accent, and anti-hero persona resemble Tony Soprano from the original HBO mob series The Sopranos. This departure from the typical comic book villain portrayal is a pleasant surprise for fans.
The show presents a standard noir portrayal of Gotham City, but with a twist. It manages to make you feel sympathy for Oz Cobb, the Penguin, and even root for his success. However, this sympathy is counterbalanced by the pity and loathing for him induced by every evil decision he makes. Farrell’s performance is so compelling that it’s worthy of many awards, and the series’ success is likely to spawn more comic book-themed villain shows.
It’s also refreshing to see Matt Reeves’ DC universe expand to attract new fans who may be supervillain-adjacent. The one thing everyone will undoubtedly agree upon is that The Penguin is dark and colder than the Iceberg Lounge.
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