The Penguin was the criminal alias of crime boss Oswald Cobb. Initially an associate of the Falcone Crime Family, he served as the right hand man to Carmine Falcone and the manager of the Iceberg Lounge. During the Riddler's attacks on Gotham, Penguin came into conflict with Batman whilst he investigated his activities and their apparent relation to the serial killer. After Falcone's murder and the flooding of Gotham, he would begin a campaign to take over Gotham's underworld against several rivals, including Sofia Falcone and Salvatore Maroni. The gang conflict resulted in Maroni's death and Sofia being incarcerated at Arkham State Hospital, allowing Penguin to take his place as King of Gotham's Underworld.
Biography[]
Early Career[]
Oz started out in his criminal career working as a driver for "Pinchy" Rovegno, a made man in the Falcone Crime Family. When Pinchy was killed for being an FBI Informant, Oz was kept alive, as Carmine Falcone saw the potential in him. He'd received the nickname "Penguin" due to his appearance, though he disliked it due to its insulting connotations. At some point, he became acquainted with Salvatore Maroni, the head of the Maroni Crime Family.
Years later, Oz was assigned as the driver for Carmine's daughter Sofia Falcone, the chairwoman for the Isabella Falcone Foundation. Oz and Sofia would become good friends and she didn't like it when others called him Penguin. However, in 2012, Sofia was sent to Arkham State Hospital for the murder of seven women, which had actually been done by her father. Oz had told Carmine that Sofia had spoken with a reporter investigating the murders and Carmine in turn framed Sofia for the murders.
After Sofia's arrest, Oz became one of Carmine's lieutenants and often served as his main enforcer, managing the Iceberg Lounge and the underground 44 Below for the Family. He also oversaw production of the narcotic Drops, after they took it over after Sal Maroni's arrest. Despite his powerful position, Penguin grew greedy for power and sought to take over the organization in Falcone's place. He also employed Selina Kyle as a waitress and dealer, appearing to be friendly with her.
The Batman[]
Meeting the Batman[]
- "Woah Woah Woah Woah... Take it easy sweetheart. 'You looking for me?"
- ―Penguin to Batman[src]
Penguin first encountered Batman when the vigilante forcefully entered the Iceberg Lounge and attacked several of his staff, including William Kenzie and the Twins. After the Dark Knight subdued several of his men in a fight, Penguin approached him from behind and quickly defused the fight. Introducing himself, Penguin offered to talk with Batman and took the vigilante to his office to do so privately.
At his office, Penguin was shown several images of the recently murdered Mayor Mitchell and Annika Kosolov, a waitress at the 44 Below. Claiming to not recognize them, he attempted to explain circumstances to indicate he wasn't involved. The meeting was interrupted by Kyle, who brought him drinks and money to exchange for drops. Despite her reluctance, Penguin assured her that "Mr. Vengeance" didn't bite and proceeded with the exchange, despite Batman's presence and notice of it.
After Kyle left the scene, Penguin attempted to show him out, dodging questions to Annika's identity and pretending to only just recognize Michell. This angered Batman, who threatened to harm Oswald if he didn't talk. Penguin attempted to get out by claiming his reputation would warrant harm from Falcone, though the vigilante dismissed these. With this, Cobb claimed innocence and that he had no links to any illegal activities committed by patrons. Apparently satisfying Batman's curiosity, Penguin jokingly recommended he asked Michell's Wife and offered to help him as he left the club to follow another lead.
The following night, Penguin visited the 44 Below with Falcone. During it, he witnessed a confrontation between Kyle and Carla Diaz. After breaking it up, he left them to speak with Falcone.
Funeral of Mayor Mitchell[]
Penguin was among the members of the Falcone Family to attend Mitchell's funeral at Gotham City Hall. He appeared to travel with Falcone and help arrange security for his boss and Diaz, who acted as Carmine's companion. After noticing someone approaching them, Penguin had several members seize the man. However, Falcone told them to stand down, identifying the patron as Bruce Wayne. Recognizing him, Penguin complied and remained present for the conversation between them. It is unclear whether he was in building when Gil Colson drove into the building on Riddler's orders.
Battle at the Eastside Depot[]
- "Hey, Vengeance! You think you can come here and take my money, huh?"
- ―Penguin as he shot at Batman[src]
After the funeral, Penguin decided to visit the Eastside Depot to check Drops production and pay for it. Accompanied by Kenzie and the Twins, Penguin drove to the warehouse with several bags of money. Unknown to the group, they were being tailed by Batman and Lt. Gordon. Upon arrival, Penguin met with several men and went inside with Kenzie, leaving the Twins to guard the cash. Together, they inspected the latest Drops production and recent operations.
Whilst returning to the cars, Penguin noticed Batman inspecting the cash bags, though failed to notice Catwoman also present. Firing upon the former, Penguin and his men managed to hit and attempted to gun him down. However, Gordon made his presence known, resulting in a gunfight between the officer and his men. As his men held off Gordon, Penguin approached Batman and accused him of trying to steal his money. Firing at the spot he believed the vigilante to be hiding behind, Penguin made his way to confront Batman, only to find he'd fled without notice. His attention was soon drawn to the Batmobile, where Batman had fled to during the fight. After a brief standoff, Penguin fled to his car, leaving Kenzie and his men behind to deal the Gordon.
Chase Down the Eastside Freeway[]
- "This guy's crazy!"
- ―Penguin as he was chased by Batman[src]
Discovering that Batman was giving chase, Penguin drove towards through the docks to lose him. After apparently losing him, he drove towards the Eastside Freeway, though quickly learned he'd not lost the vigilante. As Batman drew up alongside him, Penguin opened fire with an Uzi, though found the vigilante had protection through bulletproof glass. As they noticed a truck driving towards them, Penguin remained on his lane before turning onto the freeway.
Driving against the oncoming traffic, Penguin eventually drove on and lightly crashed against another driver's car. Noticing Batman was still chasing him, he continued to drive and moved onto the opposite lane, allowing him better movement in its flow. Eventually blocked by several trucks, Penguin desperately yelled at other drivers to get out of his way, even colliding with to clear his path. As he saw Batman closing in, he desperately and deliberately braked into a truck, causing a pile up of vehicles.
As he drove away, Penguin watched as the wreckage ignited and celebrated, believing he'd escaped Batman and caused his death. Moments later, the Batmobile leaped through the inferno and rammed into the car, causing it to go spinning into the air and crash. Left disoriented from this, Penguin watched helplessly as Batman approached his vehicle.
Interrogation[]
Taken away and bound up, Penguin was interrogated by Batman and Gordon. Believing him to be connected to Riddler, they interrogated him on his role in the Maroni Drug Bust and activities with Michell, Savage and Colson. They also confronted him on the murder of Kosolov, who's body have been found in Kenzie's car. Denying any involvement and claiming that Falcone would kill him if he was, Penguin was shown images of Pete Savage's body and evidence of Riddler's traps to get him to talk further.
After being accused of being "el rata alada", Penguin laughed off the accusations and the evidence, pointing out that it was incorrect. As Batman and Gordon reexamined, he pointed out that a "rat with wings" sounded more like a bat than a "stool pigeon". His comments, though intended for mockery, led Batman to realize it actually pointed to a website. After they collected further clues from Riddler, Penguin was left behind as they investigated another area, despite his pleas for them to untie him.
Penguin was presumably found by someone afterwards, being freed and recovered by his men sometime later. Returning to the Shoreline Lofts, he visited Falcone's penthouse to inform him of what had transpired. During their meeting, Bruce Wayne entered to confront the mobster on his connection to his father. At Falcone's request, Penguin and the other mobsters left them to discuss things privately. He presumably attended to other duties around the Iceberg Lounge for the rest of the night.
Falcone's Assassination[]
Penguin also witnessed the arrest of Falcone, watching alongside other members of the Syndicate. Having discovered his "ratting" activities from the news, he bid his former leader farewell, giving thinly veiled threats that he planned his assassination at Blackgate Penitentiary. As Falcone laughed off these and insulted him, Penguin finally lost his composure and drew his Uzi. However, a gunshot rang out, causing GCPD officers to pin him to the ground. As he was held down, Penguin denied shooting Falcone. It is unknown whether he was taken into custody as they and Batman chased after Riddler.
After the Flooding of Gotham City, Penguin, having been released in the chaos, began planning to use the power vacuum left by Carmine's death to take over the criminal underworld.
The Penguin[]
Killing Alberto Falcone[]
Appearances[]
Behind the Scenes[]
Farrell's makeup appliances were created by Prosthetic Renaissance. In an interview with Empire, Farrell revealed that the film's interpretation and his performance was based heavily on Fredo Corleone from The Godfather.[2] Some sources also claimed that he also took inspiration from Bob Hoskins' performance in The Long Good Friday.
The Penguin's appearance was created by Mike Marino and Mike Fontaine. To avoid putting on weight, the actor also wore a fat suit to avoid health problems, which he'd suffered while filming The North Water. Farrell relays that he once visited a coffee shop in full makeup, with its appearance preventing him from being recognized. Farrell also wanted to have the character smoking in scenes, though this was vetoed by Warner Bros.[3]
Deleted Scene[]
In a deleted scene, Kyle met with Penguin to gain access to the 44 Below. According to director Matt Reeves, the scene gave insight into of Penguin's psychology and indicated a more intimate relationship between the two character. It was later cut, possibly due to runtime concerns.
Trivia[]
- In promotional and tie-in material for The Batman, Penguin is given the traditional alias of "Oswald Cobblepot". From The Penguin, his surname was changed to "Cobb".
- The Penguin working under Falcone is likely inspired by the television series Gotham, which depicted Penguin as a lieutenant of Falcone during the first season. This would later be adapted into the Rebirth continuity of comics.