First appearance of the Penguin
Synopsis[]
"One of the Most Perfect Frame-Ups"[]
Several robberies occur in Gotham. Batman and Robin try to catch the thieves, learning that a squat little man called the Penguin is the ringleader. Penguin however frames Batman for stealing a jade idol, because Penguin is the real owner. The police arrest Batman for the crime; then Penguin breaks out the Caped Crusader to make him look guilty. Batman summons Robin and together they break-up Penguin’s gang and exonerate themselves. Penguin, however, escapes.
"A perfect body combined with a keen mind.We could go far together.But I'm afraid you would never appreciate the beauty of a successful robbery"---THE PENGUIN.
The Penguin's first appearance establishes him as a man who is far more t han his butterball physique.Batman calls him"Funnyface" for the first and last time. Batman and Robin encounter him for the first time at an art gallery,where two valuable paintings disappear from t eh frame--and are successully concealed in The Penguin's umbrella handle. Penguin displays his haul to a noted rackets boss, who is impressed enough to make Penguin his right-hand man. In an oft-replayed scene,the right-hand man kills t he boss with his umbrella gun and takes over.
The umbrella also shoots knockout gas and deadly acid. Penguin/Boniface already lives in a huge mansion with a monster umbrella collection lining the walls---we see him fondling one that has a concealed dagger in the handle/.
With Batman and Robin as fugitives,Penguin feels safe in plotting a major diamond exchange robbery---but the light of his acyletene torch gives him away.A chase spills onto elevated subway tracks,where Batman and t he Penguin separately dodge moving trains and make separate escapes.
Appearances[]
Individuals[]
- Batman
- Robin
- Commissioner Gordon
- "Mr. Boniface" / The Penguin (First Appearance)
Organizations[]
- GCPD
- Penguin's Henchmen
Locations[]
Items[]
- Utility Belt
- Jade Idol
- The Penguin's Umbrella
Vehicles[]
Notes[]
- Other stories in this issue include an untitled Spy story, "The Case of the Frightened Sister" (Larry Steele, Private Detective), an untitled Cliff Crosby story, "The Cigarette Murder" (Speed Saunders, Ace Investigator), an untitled Crimson Avenger story, an untitled Steve Malone, District Attorney story, and "Everything Happens to Slam!" (Slam Bradley). This is the last appearance of the Speed Saunders, Ace Investigator feature in Detective Comics.