The Penguin gives Oz his new supervillain name and it’s bad news for Batman

0
The Penguin gives Oz his new supervillain name and it’s bad news for Batman

Warning: This post contains SPOILERS for The Penguin2 years ago, Batman It was secretly all about Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight, considering his place as Gotham’s “Revenge,” a moniker adopted in service of his mission. Now, The penguin followed the same trend of complaining as Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb, whose DC supervillain name was forced upon him as an insult. The epic ending of The penguin finally gave Oz his real supervillain name, underlining exactly how dangerous he will be to Bruce Wayne and his other enemies when he returns in the next Batman Part II.

Curiously, The penguin introduced a new nickname for Batman early on, confirming that Gotham news channels referred to him not as “Revenge” but as “Batman’s Vigilante”. This is an important distinction following Batman’Bruce’s ending and Bruce’s reflection on his anger and the damage his symbol could do to Gotham. Likewise, the fact that Oz receives a new name that isn’t an insult based on his physical ailments marks a major change in his story.

Oz is called Penguin because of his gait: he walks with a limp thanks to a birth defect in his foot that requires a corrective brace and which contributes to his sense of personal injustice. Throughout The penguinIn the Oz story, Oz rises from his lowly position, fulfilling his dream of dominating Gotham’s underworld, and is given a new name at the end that is much more fitting.

The Penguin Made Oz Cobb Much More Dangerous

When it was first introduced in BatmanOz Cobb was a low-level mobster, not yet formed, and considered something of a joke despite his obvious value. After 8 episodes of The penguinhe is now a completely different perspective, with a high-profile politician under his influence, his enemies mostly removed, and renewed alliances that mean Batman would have to fight him on multiple fronts at once.

Previously, Oz was a cog in a structure that sought to limit his power – and the power of any other newcomer with aspirations to improve – but now, Gotham’s underworld belongs to him. Yes, there may be individual rogue elements like the Joker and the bubbling undercurrent of the Riddler’s revolution, but Penguin did what neither Batman nor Jim Gordon could: he ended the rule of Gotham’s most famous crime families and took the throne to yes.

The name of the penguin’s new supervillain explained


Oz / The Penguin (Colin Farrell) wearing a tailcoat looking in the mirror in The Penguin Season 1 Ep 8
Image via Max

In The penguin episode 8, Oz orchestrates a new world order for Gotham’s major crime families. Not only is the era of the Maroni/Falcone dynasties over, but all of the most powerful gangs have seen hostile takeovers, driven by Penguin propaganda. He has effectively consolidated his power and position as the new king of Gotham (as he calls himself at one point), but more importantly is how the show recognizes his power in Gotham by giving him a new name.

After his grand plan to eliminate the gang leaders comes to fruition, Oz transports Sofia to the bank of the Gotham River, not to kill her, but to turn her over to the GCPD. She mocks him, still reeling from the power play that defeats her, saying, “Oswald Cobb, man of the people“. In these six words, Sofia confirms Penguin’s new title, which the series has built throughout its exceptional run of 8 episodes.

Oz is a wicked Robin Hood figure, modeling himself on his childhood idol – Gotham gangster Rex Calabrese – who was a kind of benevolent crime boss who protected his racket by looking out for his community. Oz uses the same philosophy to rebuild his drug empire beneath Gotham before Sofia destroys it, giving the residents of Crown Point jobs and income, and empowering them after Riddler’s attack on their homes.

Not only that, but Oz also confronts Councilman Hady to blackmail him into restoring power to the poorest areas of Gotham when the city rations it for the sake of the wealthier community. In a broader sense, Oz practices what he preaches, inspiring oppressed Gothamites to take back what is owed to them by the corrupt elite.including crime families. He truly realizes his position as Gotham’s “man of the people.”

Why The Penguin’s New Name Means So Much To Batman Part II


Robert Pattinson's Batman looks shocked and Colin Farrell's Penguin smiles mischievously
Custom image by Felipe Rangel

The Penguin as an evil man was a threat to Batman when they met in Batmanto the point where Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight openly mocks the mobster’s reputation. Unfortunately for Bruce Wayne, his very absence from Gotham’s poorest communities led to a 42% increase in crime, along with a widening class divide. Batman is a vengeful force as far as Gotham’s residents are concerned, but what they need is support to improve their lives.

Oz provides this in tangible terms: electricity, money, a sense of responsibility and usefulness, and Oz himself observes Hady as he manipulates him into taking down Sofia that public perception is a powerful weapon. Batman already knows this, after the Riddler’s manifesto radicalized hundreds of disaffected Gothamites, and now he faces the prospect of a villain with even more members of the Gotham community after him. As the dust settles The penguinOz is now basically DC’s answer to Marvel’s Kingpin, and his strength lies in that popularity.

Upcoming DC film releases

Leave A Reply