The Bat-verse wrapped up its first limited series, The Penguin, on November 10, 2024, after an eight-episode run. The saga, which began with Matt Reeves' The Batman (2022), has provided DC fans with renewed hope for their beloved comic book brand. Following a transition period in the cinematic franchise, many DC projects are getting unique treatments. From Todd Phillips’ Joker (2019) and its 2024 sequel to James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad (2021) and Peacemaker (2022) series, all have been largely experimental. The Batman Saga, too, brought Matt Reeves' vision to life with Robert Pattinson in the lead.
While 2022’s Batman film showcased incredible cinematography, glorious production design, a well-crafted screenplay and an impressive soundtrack, at its core were fresh character portrayals. Apart from ‘Battinson’, the film gambled by featuring Paul Dano’s Riddler and intrigued viewers with Colin Farrell's captivating appearance as Oswald Cobb, a.k.a. Penguin.
The pilot of HBO’s The Penguin premiered in the US in September and is currently streaming on JioCinema for Indian viewers. Episode one, After Hours, picks up where The Batman left off. Riddler’s attack on the seawall caused flooding and widespread suffering. The city of Gotham has fallen. The affected find solace in drugs, looting and criminal activities as no one looks out for them. The supreme mob leader Carmine Falcone (earlier John Turturro, now played by Mark Strong), is dead and the crime syndicate is up for grabs. In this situation, Colin Farrell’s Penguin prepares to make a name for himself, engaging in unimaginable behaviour to rise through the criminal ranks and prove himself worthy of being at the top.
Oswald, a man with a scarred face, a beak-shaped nose and a clubfoot that gives him a funny gait, is called ‘Penguin’ because of his mannerisms. He is ambitious, relies on deceit and treachery at every turn, and removes anyone who stands in his path to glory. He is a cold-blooded, narcissistic manipulator and killer who believes he is the saviour and challenging him is Cristin Milioti’s character Sofia Falcone, mob leader Carmine’s daughter with a questionable reputation.
What makes 2024’s The Penguin a tour de force? It is the sheer brilliance of writing, directing, acting and technique. Every single actor has packed punches, including Deirdre O'Connell and Rhenzy Feliz who play Oz's mother, Francis, and Victor Aguilar, Oz’s teenage sidekick, respectively. The show allows Colin Farrell to shine in what might be the pinnacle of his acting career, making him a worthy contender in the upcoming awards season. Alongside, as a contender, is Milioti who steals every scene as Sofia Falcone (later Gigante). The Penguin has also achieved new heights in production design and overall aesthetics as viewers are transported to Gotham, which reeks of class struggle, corruption, drug abuse, and moral decay.
The series is also filled with edge-of-the-seat drama, heartfelt moments, and disturbing events but has action sequences featuring gun fights, hand-to-hand combat, and explosions only when necessary to add value to the story. The pacing might be a little slow at times, however, the deliberate approach contributes to the development of fleshed-out characters and engaging scenarios. Every time the audience is led to believe that Farell’s ‘Oz’ has redeemable qualities, he commits yet another unspeakable act. It easily serves as a blueprint for how comic book villains should be written.
Oz is not an anti-hero. In modern comic book adaptations, writers often provide reasons to sympathise with antagonists. While some argue that this complexity adds depth to villainous characters, it can be confusing at times. The Penguin, too, challenges the viewer's perception about its protagonist, but unlike other series like Marvel’s Agatha All Along, the villain’s ideals remain intact throughout. Showrunner Lauren LeFranc positions Oz as a true baddie without concealing his darker traits. This approach distinguishes it from other shows.
At the same time, it is so much more than an underdog’s claim to fame. It surpasses Penguin’s previous iterations, be it Danny DeVito’s top-hatted freak, Burgess Meredith’s campy appearance or Robin Lord Taylor’s anti-hero take. This Oswald is brash, intelligent, selfish, and focuses solely on his goals.
The series draws inspiration from one of HBO's best gangster drama series, The Sopranos, and even features actors from the era-defining crime series. Some moments remind you of The Godfather films as well. However, despite using familiar crime drama tropes and techniques, it manages to create something novel and praiseworthy. No wonder it has been nominated for multiple awards at the 82nd Golden Globes next year and also bagged similar nominations at the 30th Critics’ Choice Awards.
Although our favourite masked vigilante is missing from this show, The Penguin makes way for the sequel to Matt Reeves' Batman 2, which is around the corner. In a year when superhero fatigue seems to have taken a slight backseat after the roaring success of Marvel's Deadpool & Wolverine, The Penguin announces itself as the real MVP. It will surely pave the way for more villain-centric stories in pop culture and help the DC franchise get back on its feet if it continues greenlighting shows like The Penguin.