In a recent interview, writer Tom King discusses just how important it is for comic characters to branch out from comics and how the success ofThe Penguinproves that DC’s characters can find success in any medium, from video games to movies and TV - and all the way back to comic books.
While sitting down withPolygon, King talked at length about his upcomingBlack Canary and Lady Shiva book, as well as his thoughts on the TV and movies that these characters have appeared in. One of the big things that King stated wasjust how important TV shows are in getting comic characters in front of a wider audience- which he knows well, especially since he wrotethe recentPenguintitle, with artist Rafael de Latorre, published by DC Comics. Now,The PenguinTV show has gotten some of the characters that King worked with in front of a larger audience:
I think that’s what [movies and TV] can do. In comics, we’ve been showing what’s amazing about Superman, what’s amazing about Green Lantern. And we can bring that energy to a huge, wider audience, and show them just how amazing these characters are, and how they can speak not just to the times in which they were created, but to the times now. They can speak to deep issues and to fun issues, and they can make you laugh and cry. I guess that’s what it is — it broadens the appeal of characters I love.
The Penguin TV Show Has Made Penguin More Popular Than Ever
Streaming Now on Max
While most people are aware of Batman,not everyone is familiar with his rogue’s gallery. Of course, the public will be aware of the Joker and maybe even a few others, such as Ra’s al Ghul and Two-Face, who were featured in Christopher Nolan’sBatmantrilogy: arguably the most popular Batman movies to date. Not everyone who is unfamiliar with comic books will know about the Penguin, though. But that’s exactly where TV shows and movies can come in as they bring these characters into the broader spotlight.
The PenguinTV show is one of the first times that the Penguin has gotten to appear in the spotlight.
Oswald Cobblepot has always been an A-list character among Batman’s rogues, butthe Penguin has never really gotten the attention he deservesfrom a wide audience. There aren’t many big storylines that focus on thePenguin as a primary antagonist,whereas the Joker has literally hundreds, and even characters like Scarecrow and the Riddler have had a few.The PenguinTV show is one of the first times that the Penguin has gotten to appear in the spotlight and be the primary villain of the story without having to share the spotlight, and that’s what TV shows and movies are so good at.
The Penguin Is Finally Getting the Mainstream Attention He Deserves
First Appearance:Detective Comics#58 by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson, and George Roussos
The Penguin has existed in comic books since 1941. He’s by no means a new character. Creators have hadover eighty years to refine the characterand really explore the depths of who he is. With all that refinement done, DC can then move the character over to a TV show or movie, putting them in front of a far larger audience than comic books usually get. This way, new people are exposed to the best possible version of the character. This exposure will, hopefully, make more comic book fans, who wuill then get interested in a character they may never have heard of before.
The Penguin Just Became Gotham’s Most Twisted Villain, Putting Joker to Shame
In one horrifying moment, the Penguin unleashes his dark side in Gotham and proves beyond any doubt that he’s even crueler than the Joker.
Comic books will always be the best place to see these iconic characters, but having them branch out can only help their popularity. For a long time, the Penguin was either unknown to the public or just the goofy guy with the trick umbrellas. But now thatThe PenguinTV show has shown off just how brutal and manipulative he can be - as also demonstrated by King and de Latorre’sPenguinseries- there’s no question that thePenguinwill be getting more respect from non-comic book readers moving forward.
The PenguinTV show is now streaming on Max, andThe Penguincomic book series is available now from DC Comics.
The Penguin
Cast
Created by Lauren LeFranc, The Penguin is a crime-drama spin-off television series of 2022’s film The Batman. Set shortly after the events of The Batman, Oz Cobb, A.K.A. the Penguin, begins his rise in the underworld of Gotham City as he contends with the daughter of his late boss, Carmine Falcone, for control of the crime family’s empire.
