The Penguin’s Secret Riddler QR code explains and what the hidden message means

Among the subtle DC Comics references in HBO The penguinIt’s an interactive mystery that leads to a huge revelation about the Riddler. The spin-off is the first DC TV show to be released under the DC Studios banner – though not as part of James Gunn’s main DCU timeline, with the drop-out of The BatmanIt’s the end. And it seems there are some significant loose ends beyond Oz Cobb’s story.

The penguins Easter eggs include a QR code confirming that while Batman caught the Riddler, he never won. Gotham’s destruction is a very tangible indication of this, but on top of that, it seems – chillingly – that the Riddler’s army is still active in Gotham. It is perhaps an overlooked part of The Batmans lore, but the Riddler’s battle against Gotham’s corrupt heart could have major consequences for the Dark Knight’s new Rogues Gallery.

Where the penguin’s QR code is

In which scene you can see the Riddler’s secret message

The QR code and its secret message can be seen where Oz and Victor (Rhenzy Feliz) get on Gotham’s Metro train systemAfter 40 minutes The penguin Episode 1. They are approached by a young man wearing a black mask, who is handing out flyers emblazoned with a QR code. The flyer also copies one of Paul Dano’s Riddler quotes The Batman: “The true face of Gotham”, which the villain used as a mantra for the city’s corruption.

“You’ve seen Gotham’s true face now. Together, we’ve unmasked it. Its corruption, its perversion masquerading under the guise of renewal.” – The Riddler, The Batman (2022)

The Riddler vowed to show the truth of Gotham – its “true face” – and he was successful in uncovering malignant corruption at the highest levels of power and collusion with the city’s crime families. But there is more to the corruption, as Matt Reeves recently revealed when talking about The Batman: Part IIS story:

“We shared [the script] Like we went with DC, and they were super excited. It is going to dig into the epic story about deeper corruption and it goes places [Bruce Wayne] Can’t even predict at first.

The seeds of where this goes are all in the first movie and it expands in a way that will show you aspects of the character you never got to see. Batman is constantly battling these forces. But these forces cannot be completely exorcised. So the next movie delves deeper into that.”

The penguins QR code and the secret message it leads to all-but confirms that the Riddler’s mission will continue in the upcoming sequel.

What the penguin’s QR code leads to

The Riddler’s army will be a problem for Batman

when you Follow the QR code link, you are taken to the Rataladaa website That The Batmans release in 2022 used for marketing to build the Riddler’s mythology before release. A new message posted to the site references the start of a “revolution”, prompting remaining followers to meet at the metro outside Crown Point.

XxREIGNITINXx: “Arkham’s release patients and Blackgate is a mess…no one is really a prisoner in there. Not even our old pal Sal Maroni.”

HOLDTHELINE81: “People say they want the truth but they shield their eyes when we shine the light”

Determinator: “Let’s make sure they aren’t blinded again to the corruption, the killings, the Falcone_power_grab…”

HOLDTHELINE81: “We start in the streets. Tonight at 9:00 meet at the subway outside Crown Point.”

Clockbreak3r: “Done and done. The revolution has just begun.”

Crown Point was one of the areas of Gotham City most affected by the Riddler’s attack at the end of The BatmanAnd is where both Oz Cobb and Victor are from.

What the secret message in the penguin means

Expect the revolution to continue in Gotham

Most importantly, just like the presence of the masked figure and message about the “true face of Gotham” confirmation, the secret message confirms that the Riddler’s prison in Arkham at the end of The Batman His influence did not end. Although it is somewhat illogical that Riddler’s followers would still follow his philosophy after his plan targeted them and the people they were supposed to save, it is clear that the message here is about the persistence of extremism.

This, of course, leads to speculation that the Riddler could still return in Matt Reeves’ Batman trilogy, and that his followers still present a problem for Robert Pattinson’s Batman. Interestingly, of course, this could also explain what Batman is missing from The penguin completely. He still has active fallout from the events of 2022 to sweep. It sounds very much like the Riddler is indirectly rebuilding an army.

On top of that is the consideration of what the Riddler’s plans have on the makeup of Gotham’s society. Apart from the turmoil between the existing crime families in Gotham, a single person standing up to “fight back” – just like Batman did on the other side of the moral code – will have a catalytic effect on other potential DC villains to emerge. The Riddler’s attack on Gotham was just the beginning, as the message says, and it is certainly not long until more criminal groups and individuals arise.

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