Warning: SPOILERS for The Penguin #12Batman has always been one of DC’s most formidable heroes, with more than his share of equally formidable villains to boot. From the Joker to Bane to Ra’s al Ghul, Gotham City’s Dark Knight quite frequently has his hands full with the most dangerous rogues in the DC Universe. But the one and only Penguin has finally beaten Batman at his own game – and now Gotham itself belongs to him.
The Penguin #12 by Tom King and Rafael de Latorre wraps up Oswald Cobblepot’s return to the Gotham underworld as he supplants his own children on behalf of the U.S. government. As Batman confronts the Penguin, Oswald reveals the patriotic motivations for his return. Telling Bruce, “They provided me with resources in return for my loyalty so that they could run crime here through me,” the Penguin offers to turn double agent for Batman. And with both the government and Batman secretly on his side as Gotham’s top crook, the Penguin has become the true power in Gotham.
The Penguin Is Now Gotham’s Top Crook
Oswald Cobblepot Has Batman in His Pocket
The Penguin is one of Batman’s most iconic foes for a reason, and he’s long been a thorn in the side of Bruce Wayne and his never-ending quest for justice in Gotham City. But unlike many of the Dark Knight’s trademark foes, the Penguin is a force for order in an otherwise chaotic city. Though it’s not the sort of order that Batman traditionally endorses, Oswald Cobblepot has often been a necessary evil in terms of controlling Gotham’s rogue elements, especially during more lawless periods like the infamous No Man’s Land status quo.
Of all Batman’s rogues, few may have expected the Penguin to be the one to truly topple the Dark Knight, and that’s just what Oswald was counting on.
Now, with both Batman and the United States government essentially backing his supremacy as Gotham’s de facto emperor of crime, the Penguin’s newfound return to dominance is all but unimpeachable. Batman may not like it, but he needs Cobblepot in place in order to stop whatever disaster the forces that be may have planned for Gotham. And now that their agreement is out in the open, Batman has no choice but to accept what has always been true – Gotham City has always belonged to the Penguin.
Gotham City Has Always Belonged to the Penguin
Batman Can Rely on Cobblepot’s Need for Order
Of all Batman’s rogues, few may have expected the Penguin to be the one to truly topple the Dark Knight, and that’s just what Oswald was counting on. To many, the Gotham avian kingpin is just another lunatic villain with a comedic theme setting him apart from the common crooks. But to the fans, and to the Batman himself, the Penguin is far more. For better or worse, the Penguin truly is Gotham City, no matter what Batman may tell himself.
The Penguin #12 is available now from DC Comics.
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
- Created By
- Bob Kane , Bill Finger
- Alias
- Bruce Wayne
- Alliance
- Justice League, Outsiders, Batman Family
- Race
- Human
- FIRST APP
- Detective Comics #27 (1939)
