‘The Penguin’ is the latest character study of the charming, rage-filled Batman villain

As a lifelong fan of comic books and their cinematic adaptations, I find it exhilarating to see such diverse and contemporary takes on iconic characters like The Penguin. Having grown up with various interpretations of this villain, from the fantastical to the grounded, it’s fascinating to witness how storytellers continue to breathe new life into these characters while staying true to their roots.

In Matt Reeves’ 2022 action-packed superhero movie “The Batman,” one sequence featuring the character, The Penguin, was ultimately removed during editing.

Following a short conversation with Selina Kyle at his club, Oz Cobb (also known as the Penguin) found himself frustrated, unable to hide his feelings that his acts of goodwill had been overlooked.

Oz, played by Colin Farrell, tells Selina (Zoë Kravitz), “You may not realize it now. In fact, no one does. But someday, this city will belong to me.

The new HBO series titled “The Penguin,” starting from September 19, narrates the story of a mid-level gangster aiming to fulfill his pledge. A week after the occurrences in “The Batman,” this drama will show Oz attempting to seize control of the power void that has emerged within Gotham’s criminal underworld. Previously classified as a Max Original, this series has been rebranded under HBO due to its esteemed pedigree.

The eight-episode series features a transformed Farrell returning to his character, while also introducing new figures connected to Oz, including Cristin Milioti portraying Sofia Falcone, the daughter of the late Gotham crime lord Carmine Falcone, who seeks revenge and plans to continue her father’s criminal empire. Additionally, Rhenzy Feliz joins as Victor Aguilar, a teenager who becomes Oz’s chauffeur after being taken under his wing.

In simpler terms, the show’s creator, Lauren LeFranc, explains that the series delves deeply into the personality of the character named Oz. It will explore his mind, his psychological makeup, and uncover aspects of his past, desires, and fears.

According to LeFranc during their recent video chat, “Oz is quite intelligent and meticulous,” he noted. However, Oz also exhibits impulsive behavior, can be a bit troublesome, and carries a significant amount of anger within him. On the positive side, I find him charismatic and possessing a wicked sense of humor. In this contemporary era we live in today, there are numerous men similar to Oz, making him an intriguing character worth examining.

One familiar character from Batman’s collection of villains is the Penguin, who made his debut in “Detective Comics” Issue 58 (1941), created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. Known also as Oswald Cobblepot, this notorious figure typically presents himself as a merciless underworld kingpin, with a penchant for wearing top hats and carrying umbrellas, not to mention a fondness for birds. His appearance is often modeled after the penguin, donning a formal suit, sporting a long, elongated nose reminiscent of a bird’s beak, and shuffling around with a slight waddle.

In a straightforward and conversational manner: Tom King, a comic book author involved in HBO’s “Lanterns” series based on DC comics, refers to the character, the Penguin, as “well-known” or “recognizable.

King remarks that the Penguin character stands out among a rare group, being deeply ingrained not just in American culture but globally. According to him, who has contributed over 100 Batman issues and a 12-issue Penguin series to literature, everyone seems to have their own thoughts about who the Penguin is and what actions he should take.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the diverse portrayals of one of my favorite comic book characters: the Penguin. Over eight decades, this iconic character has graced the pages of countless comics, but it’s his onscreen appearances that truly captivate me.

From the 1966 “Batman” TV series, here we see Burgess Meredith, joined by Frank Gorshin and Cesar Romero, all courtesy of 20th Century Fox and Everett Collection.

Growing up, I was captivated by the iconic Batman series from the ’60s and it was none other than Meredith who first brought the character to life for me, leaving an indelible impression on my young, cinephile mind.

In the same vein as everything in “Batman ’66”, Burgess exhibited a witty and mischievous flair, as Farrell described in an email. However, his portrayal was more lighthearted, fitting the tone of the caper-filled world. To put it simply, Danny was very much like the Penguin character, but he also embodied a psychotic, broken, and potentially harmful individual. Our interpretation of the Penguin would be more akin to Danny’s portrayal.

As a movie aficionado, I can’t help but emphasize that every rendition of the Penguin character exudes danger. Each version is cunningly intelligent and expertly manipulative. Furthermore, they all seem to be burdened by paranoia and a deep-seated need for respect, fearing being ridiculed or trivialised. The most striking distinction among our portrayals lies in the behavior demanded by the specific film or series.

Director Matt Reeves, who also serves as an executive producer on “The Penguin,” shares that the goal behind “The Batman” was to create a Gotham City that feels authentic and relatable, as if it could actually exist within our own reality.

In a realistic setting, we find realistic antagonists. Upon examining Batman’s collection of adversaries, Reeves envisioned a Penguin character who hadn’t risen to the level of a notorious underworld kingpin just yet.

Reeves explains that he aimed to portray a character who had been undervalued and ridiculed, similar to the journey depicted in ‘Scarface’. He wanted to convey a gritty, American dream narrative. For this character, success, reminiscent of Gotham, would rise from an emptiness within them.

According to Dylan Clark, Reeves’ producing partner and an executive producer of “The Penguin”, we serve as caretakers and protectors for the IP. Our focus lies on the modern aspects of these characters, but there are historical elements from the Penguin’s comic book past that I believe fans will appreciate and recognize.

Looking at this gritty, gangster-style portrayal of Oz crafted by Reeves, Farrell, and Marino (the genius behind the prosthetics), LeFranc found it intriguing as it offered a chance for him to explore new creative horizons.

LeFranc notes, “All previous portrayals [of the Penguin] I knew seemed less realistic and offered an imaginative, entertaining, and awe-inspiring take on their own. I believe there’s plenty of space for diverse character interpretations, which is one of DC’s strengths. It’s essential to respect the past while acknowledging that we live in current times.

For LeFranc, this shift involved abandoning stereotypical comic book tropes that portrayed villains as having visible scars or disabilities to create an air of otherness. Instead, he populated the world of “The Penguin” with female characters who were more intricate and complex than what is typically found in gangster series.

According to LeFranc, Oz shows respect towards women, particularly Sofia Falcone, in the series. Although Oz can be cunning with everyone, this respect is deeply rooted in his love for his mother and his aspiration to make her proud of him. His respect for his mother and Sofia was a crucial aspect I wanted to portray in Oz’s character.

In contrast to past versions of Oswald Cobblepot who originated from a wealthy background, “The Penguin” character depicted in the series is not from a privileged family. As per LeFranc, the show will explore themes related to trauma, social class, and income inequality.

As “The Penguin” comic series by King concludes, another version of the character makes its debut on television, demonstrating that despite over 80 years of narrative development, there remain innovative ways to adapt and reinvent this classic antagonist.

In contrast to the HBO series focusing on the Penguin’s ascension to power, the new “Penguin” comic book series presents a character aiming for retirement from his criminal ways instead.

For King, the book served as a chance to delve into “a paradox” in the character’s well-known background that he found intriguing.

According to King, it’s clear that Batman is fixated on crime. He fights relentlessly against crime due to his parents’ tragic deaths, but it seems illogical that the Penguin, as a criminal mastermind, flourishes in Gotham City. One would expect Batman, being the vigilante he is, to curtail such activities, given he’s just an individual carrying an umbrella.

Reeves contends that the multiple ways a story can be interpreted is one reason why comics and their screen adaptations remain intriguing for viewers.

When it comes to comic book characters, Reeves explains, each new interpretation or revisit requires reinvention since there are numerous variations. The audience seeks familiar elements along with novelty, as they also want to be intrigued by what’s fresh and unique to keep them engaged.

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2024-09-07 14:17