- "The world wasn't built for guys like us. That's why we gotta take whatever we decide is ours. 'Cause no one's gonna give it to us, not without a fight."
- ―Penguin to Victor Aguilar[src]
Oswald "Oz" Cobb, disrespectfully called the Penguin, is a ruthless criminal kingpin, the boss of the Cobb Crime Family, and a former lieutenant of the Falcone Crime Family who rose to power in Gotham's underworld. As Penguin was being investigated into a possible connection with the murders being committed by Riddler, he became a target of Batman and Jim Gordon, despite being innocent of these crimes. Eventually, Penguin had discovered that his boss Carmine Falcone was being targeted by Riddler, as Falcone had also been identified as the rat who betrayed Salvatore Maroni to the GCPD, moments before Falcone was shot and killed by Riddler. In the wake of Falcone's death, Penguin prepared to step up, as Gotham City's new crime kingpin.
One week later, he murdered Carmine's son Alberto Falcone and faced resistance from other members of the Falcone Crime Family, but was able to pit them against the Maroni Crime Family while building up strength within his own crew and planning to distribute a new drug known as Bliss for profit. However, Penguin's plans were jeopardized when Carmine's daughter Sofia Falcone was released from Arkham State Hospital and sought to gain control over the Falcones herself, which culminated in her reforming the Falcone Crime Family into the Gigante Crime Family teaming up with Salvatore to kill Penguin after learning about his murder of Alberto. While he suffered setbacks in his operations, Penguin was able to take down the Maronis and the Gigantes before earning the leadership and loyalty of other gangs of Gotham following a power grab.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Raised by Francis Cobb[]
- "When I was kid, there was a gangster, real old-school type, Rex Calabrese. He was a big deal. Yeah. At least, in my neighborhood. He helped people. When someone in your family was sick, he’d find you a doctor. Short on rent, front you the cash. Knew everyone’s names, too. I don’t know how he kept them all in his head, but... He saw you on the street, he'd call out to you, ask how you were. Felt like he meant it, too."
- ―Penguin to Alberto Falcone[src]
Oswald living with his family
Oswald Cobb was born in Crown Point, Gotham City, New Jersey[4] and was raised by his beloved mother Francis Cobb. Cobb's father presumably either died or left them sometime when Cobb was very young. According to Cobb, he was very close with his older brother, Jack, and younger brother, Benny, as they often hanged out, and would go to an east side corner store called Buddies where they mixed slush puppie flavors to make suicides.[6] They also used to go into the abandoned Gotham Trolley system, where they’d play flashlight tag.[7]
However, Cobb held resentment towards his brothers for the attention Francis would give them, as he deeply loved his mother to the point of an obsession, and wanted her attention all for himself. Growing up, Cobb's neighborhood in Gotham City was ruled by a small time crime lord named Rex Calabrese, who Cobb later claimed was greatly loved by the locals. Francis worked for Calabrese as his accountant.[2]
Deaths of Jack and Benny[]
Oswald lets Jack and Benny die
One day, after becoming annoyed by his brothers Jack and Benny while playing in the Sewers on a stormy night, Cobb locked them in a storm drain, which eventually filled with water and drowned them. Francis was left devastated, while Oz felt happy that he now had his mother all to himself.
At some point after the incident, Francis took Cobb to a jazz club and they danced for the whole night. As they danced, Francis made Cobb promise to her that he would provide a better life for her. Little did Cobb know, his mother brought him there so he would be murdered by Calabrese for his brother's deaths, but she called it off at the last minute.[2]
Idolising Rex Calabrese[]
When Cobb was fourteen, Rex Calabrese died from a heart attack, while still holding his cigar. Afterwards, everyone in the neighborhood threw a parade in Calabrese's honor. Cobb was deeply inspired by this, and wanted to gain that same level of love and respect that Calabrese had.[6]
Rising into Power[]
Joining the Falcone Crime Family[]
- "Penguin is one of Carmine Falcone's up-and-coming lieutenants. My guess is that he uses Porcello to make sure he doesn't get caught by his bosses sticking his hand too deep in the cookie jar."
- ―Dex Starling to Batman[src]
At some point, Cobb was scarred across his face, shaping his nose to a beak-like point, earning him the nickname of the "Penguin," a name he hated. This name was also likely in part a result of his clubbed foot, which caused him to require a leg brace to walk, and made him appear to waddle.
Penguin began working at the Blue Heron, a nightclub frequented by the Falcone Crime Family. He eventually caught the attention of Pinchy Rovegno, a made man in the Family, and became his driver, despite not knowing how to drive. Rovegno would later be killed for being an informant, but the Family Don, Carmine Falcone, saw the potential in Penguin, and chose to keep him around.[3]
During his early days in the Family, Penguin hanged out at the Iceberg Lounge, a nightclub owned by Falcone. While there, he became acquainted with Salvatore Maroni, the Head of the Maroni Crime Family. However, the two would grow to have a strained relationship, as Penguin had a penchant for betraying Sal and his Family whenever they did business together. [6]
In 2002, Penguin would learn that Maroni had been arrested by the Gotham City Police Department and sent to Blackgate Penitentiary, due to an informant, although Penguin had no idea who this informant might be.
Sofia Falcone's Driver[]
- "I’m sure your father appreciates it. But yeah, even when you’re helping people, you still gotta eat shit. It’s better than some jobs, though."
"Yeah, like what? Driving me around?"
"Nah, that ain’t... You know what I mean." - ―Penguin and Sofia Falcone[src]
Penguin later on was assigned to be Sofia Falcone's personal chauffeur when she became the chairwoman for the Isabella Falcone Foundation, with the pair developing a close friendship, where Falcone would treat Penguin with more respect than anyone else in the family. In 2012, Penguin would drive Falcone to a charity luncheon in honor of Sofia's mother Isabella Falcone, where Penguin stayed close by and watched Falcone's speech, giving her a nod of encouragement.
Once she had finished with the speech, Penguin took Falcone outside, avoiding more questions from the attendees, as Penguin offered Falcone a cigarette to calm down, while Falcone jokingly suggested that not even a lobotomy could relax her after three luncheons in a week. Penguin noted that her father would be proud of her, and noted that while it had it's issues, Falcone's job was still better than many other jobs, as he gave her a cigarette.
When Falcone questioned if Penguin was referring to his own job driving her around as one of the worse jobs, Penguin became embarrassed and tried to defend himself, only for Falcone to insist that she was simply playing with him. Falcone noted that they both deserved better, while commenting that Penguin stood more chance of a promotion due to him being a man, which Penguin laughed at, before lighting Falcone's cigarette and leaving to collect their car.
Just as Penguin returned, he found Falcone attempting to walk away from Summer Gleeson, as Falcone insisted that she would not speak to anyone from the Gotham Gazette. Although Gleeson tried to follow Falcone and continue to call out to her, Penguin ordered her to back off, insisting that Falcone would not speak to her. As they started to drive away, Penguin saw that Falcone was unnerved and asked if she was alright, although Falcone did not answer him.[8]
Transporting the Falcone Siblings[]
- "Shit! Your Penguin up there is gonna have to clean this up."
"Don’t call him that." - ―Alberto Falcone and Sofia Falcone[src]
Penguin would drive Alberto Falcone to a nightclub, with Sofia also in their car, as he listened to the siblings discussing a watch that Sofia was planning on gifting to Carmine for his birthday. When Alberto teased his sister, she knocked into him, causing Alberto to spill his drink, as Alberto ordered Penguin to clean it, with Sofia insisting that Alberto should not use that nickname.
Despite being offended by Alberto's insult, Penguin remained silent and continued to listen while Sofia asked Alberto if their father had ever had relationships with the women who worked at 44 Below, which Alberto merely scoffed at. With Alberto not answering the question and leaving, Penguin asked Sofia where she wanted to go, as Sofia found Summer Gleeson's business card for the Gotham Gazette and asked Penguin to take her to meet Gleeson.[8]
Meeting with the Reporter[]
- "That the same lady from the luncheon? Look, Sofia, meeting a reporter, people are gonna start to get ideas. Your father might not like..."
"Oz, stop! Stop talking. I don’t need your advice. I don’t care what you think. No one does. You are my driver. That is all you are. So stop talking and drive." - ―Penguin and Sofia Falcone[src]
Reluctantly, Penguin would drive Sofia to the outskirts of Gotham City in order to meet with Summer Gleeson. Penguin remained in the car, but could see that Gleeson was showing Falcone her investigation with the Gotham Gazette, which included images from the Gotham City Police Department about the deaths of several women who were connected with 44 Below, as Penguin could see the conversation distressed Falcone.
Eventually, Falcone ended the meeting and rushed back to Penguin's car, leaving Gleeson alone. Seeing Falcone's distress following the meeting, Penguin tried to offer Falcone advice, noting that Carmine and the Family might get the wrong idea if they learnt she met with a reporter, only for her to lash out telling him that nobody cared what he thinks, to which Penguin was visibly hurt by this, as he simply drove them away.[8]
Betrayal of Sofia Falcone[]
Penguin attends Carmine Falcone's party
- "Listen, I get that you're angry, you know. But I was just doing my job, looking out for you. That’s what your father pays me for. These reporters, they get in your head. You can’t trust ’em."
"Jesus, Oz, shut up! If you were really looking out for me, you would’ve talked to me, not him. I trusted you." - ―Penguin and Sofia Falcone[src]
Hurt by her harsh dismissal of him, Penguin had then made the choice to report Sofia's meeting with Summer Gleeson directly to Carmine, despite knowing that this would likely put her in serious danger. On the night of Carmine's birthday Penguin had attended the party, having bought himself a new suit for the occasion. Upon seeing him there, Sofia immediately questioned what he was doing inside and if he was wearing a new jacket, before Penguin explained that Carmine wanted to see her, and that he was waiting inside his office, as Penguin watched Sofia make her way there.
Once Sofia left her father's office, Penguin was ordered to escort her out of the Falcone Mansion and take her directly home. As they drove, Penguin acknowledged that Sofia was angry at her, but attempted to defend his decision by insisting that he was simply doing his job by looking out for her for her father. While Penguin continued by insisting that people from the Gotham Gazette could get in her head and manipulate her, until Sofia finally told Penguin to shut up.
Struggling to contain her emotions at Penguin's betrayal of her, Sofia told Penguin that, if he was really looking out for her, he would have spoken to her directly, rather than going straight to her father. Sofia had then explained that she had trusted Penguin, before also congratulating him on getting what he wanted, as Carmine was now able to recognise him, before warning that now everyone who Penguin loved was now on Carmine's radar, which Penguin attempted to dismiss.
While they drove, they were unexpectedly pulled over by the Gotham City Police Department, as Penguin ordered the approaching William Kenzie to allow him to pass so he could take Sofia home, under the orders of her father. However, much to their surprise, Kenzie then ordered Sofia to step out of the car, with Penguin questioning what this was all about. As Penguin looked on in shock, Kenzie then put Sofia in handcuffs and explained that she was under arrest.
Penguin watches Sofia Falcone's arrest
Kenzie explained that Sofia was being arrested for the murder of Summer Gleeson, much to Penguin's shock, with Sofia questioning if Penguin had arranged this for her father, which Penguin denied, insisting that he had no idea what was going on, while he also demanded that Kenzie explain himself. Kenzie also accused Sofia of murdering Yolanda Jones, Taylor Montgomery, and Nancy Hoffman, which Sofia desperately denied. While Sofia was taken away, Penguin tried to step in, but was unable to prevent the arrest, as Sofia told him to call Alberto and Kenzie told Penguin to be quiet. Sofia would be sent to Arkham State Hospital for the murders.[8]
Working for Carmine Falcone[]
- "I still made out like a goddamn bandit. And you know what? It was worth it. You asked. That's my fuckin' answer. I got the club, a Drops operation to run, my own thing. A guy like me? Gettin' all that? That don't mean nothin' to you, but it does to me. Meant I could have a better life. So yeah. Yeah. I don't regret what I got."
- ―Penguin to Sofia Falcone[src]
As a result of betraying Sofia's trust,[8] Penguin was put in charge of managing the Iceberg Lounge, which also included the 44 Below. Penguin rose up in the Family, being promoted to a lieutenant position, despite not being an official capo, and was put in charge of managing their highly profitable Drops operation. This led to him being labelled the right hand man of Falcone, as he worked more directly under him than anyone else.
Penguin became notable for skimming money, though he never took enough for Falcone to mind. His new position led him to employ his own crew, including Nick Fuchs, Mikey Stone, Piggy Porcello, Dr. Desoto, Bruno Tess, and The Twins. He also eventually moved into a luxurious apartment located above a jewelry store.
Though Penguin was Falcone's right hand man, he still had a low reputation in the criminal underworld. And being greedy for more power, he and Piggy attempted to import military-grade explosives into the city to create a new finance ring for the mob, and to rise even further in the criminal underworld. Though this failed, and his ring was shut down by the Batman.[1] Eventually, Penguin became romantically involved with Eve Karlo, a local stripper.[6]
His mother's mental decline[]
At some point, Francis's mental state began to deteriorate, with the doctors later revealing she had Lewy Body Dementia. Oz purchased a rental house for her in a suburban area of Gotham and made frequent visits. He also became acquainted with her landlord, Cesar.
Riddler's Game[]
Introduced to Batman[]
Penguin introducing himself to Batman
- "Woah! woah! woah! Take it easy, sweetheart! You lookin' for me? I see you met The Twins. Boy, you're everything they say, ain't'cha, I guess we both are. How ya doin'? I'm Oz."
- ―Penguin to Batman[src]
In October of 2022, the serial killer known as Riddler began taking out members of Gotham City's elite that were on Carmine's payroll. Penguin's connection to the corrupt elitists put him under scrutiny and targeting of Batman. One night at the Iceberg Lounge, Penguin broke up a fight between Batman and his men, with Penguin introducing himself as Oz and invited the vigilante into his office to talk, noting that both he and Batman were everything that people said about them.
Penguin talks to Batman about the pictures
Inside his office, Penguin was shown the photographs of the late Mayor Don Mitchell Jr. with his employee, Annika Kosolov as they were exiting the Iceberg Lounge, and Batman looked for him because he was in the photo. However, Penguin simply insisted that he did not know anything, claiming that despite him coming out at the same time as the people in the photograph, he was not with them during the night in question. The pair were then interrupted when Selina Kyle entered the room, whom he assured not to be scared of "Mr. Vengeance." She then gave him his drink, as well as the money she had earned for him and the Family.
Penguin mocking Batman's investigation
In response, Penguin gave Kyle packs of Drops which were to be sold in the 44 Below. Penguin then gave Batman back the picture, but Batman said he needed to know who the woman in the picture was and how she was connected to Mitchell Jr.'s murder. Penguin sarcastically pretended to not realize it was the mayor, causing Batmen to press him up against a glass window, threatening to hurt him if he did not tell him the truth.
Penguin getting threatened by Batman
Penguin told Batman to watch it, questioning if he knew his reputation, though Batman rebuked that he did, and questioned if Penguin knew his own. Slightly offended, Penguin cited that he was just the proprietor of the club, and what people did there did not have anything to do with him. Penguin had also noted that Kosolov was an attractive woman and that Batman should ask Mrs. Mitchell about it, while sarcastically questioning if it was too soon.
Penguin jokes about Mayor Mitchell's death
While Penguin smiled at his own cruel joke about Mitchell Jr.'s infidelity with Kosolov, Batman noted Kyle was in the photograph next to Kosolov, and left the Iceberg Lounge to investigate. As Batman walked out of his office, Penguin called out to him by telling him to let him know if there was anything he could do in order to assist with the investigation into Mitchell Jr.'s murder, despite him having no intentions of helping.[9]
Selina Kyle's Request[]
Penguin visited in his office by Selina Kyle
- "I know you don't see it yet, honey, nobody does. But Falcone ain't going to be around forever. One day this city's gonna be mine."
- ―Penguin to Selina Kyle[src]
While working in his office in the Iceberg Lounge and sorting through his money, Penguin was visited by Selina Kyle, as Penguin asked if she was alright, as she looked tense. In response, Kyle told Penguin that she wanted to work down in 44 Below that night, which Penguin had refused, insisting that she did not want that as the clientele would be highly unpleasant to be around for her, despite Kyle claiming that she needed the money, and she would earn a lot more in 44 Below.
Penguin offended by Selina Kyle's comment
Telling her how he felt about her, Penguin offered to give money to Kyle to continue working upstairs, while claiming he would do anything for her, to which Kyle refused to take his money, insisting that she would rather work downstairs selling Drops and earn her money than accept a handout from him. Hurt by this blunt dismissal of his offer, Penguin asked Kyle if he and his money were simply not good enough for her.
Penguin making a promise to Selina Kyle
Hurt but choosing not to question it further, Penguin then collected the access card to 44 Below. However, before he handed it over, Penguin coldly told Kyle that, although nobody could see it yet, one day Falcone would be dead and the Family would collapse with him, insisting that when this happened, Gotham City would be his. Having said this, Penguin finally handed the access card to Kyle.
Penguin and Carmine Falcone in 44 Below
Penguin would join Falcone as they went downstairs to 44 Below, where they found Kyle in an argument with Carla Diaz, which they promptly broke up. While Diaz insisted that it was girl talk, Penguin reminded them to remain festive inside the club, before Penguin and Diaz stepped away, leaving Falcone to speak to Kyle alone, while Penguin then focused his attention on ensuring the Drops were being sold to their guests.[9]
Mayor Mitchell's Funeral[]
Penguin arrives at Don Mitchell, Jr.'s funeral
- "Oz, you know Bruce Wayne?"
"Wow, is that right?"
"His father saved my life." - ―Carmine Falcone and Penguin[src]
Soon afterwards, Penguin accompanied Falcone to Mayor Mitchell's funeral, where he drove his own Maserati to the location, before stepping out to walk with Falcone, carrying an umbrella to shield his employer, while the press attempted to take their picture. However, just as they were preparing to step inside, Penguin and the other bodyguards spotted Bruce Wayne attempting to approach Falcone, as they all stood in his way in order to protect Falcone from the danger, including Penguin, although Falcone remained unintimidated.
Penguin being introduced to Bruce Wayne
Upon seeing Wayne, Falcone questioned if Penguin knew him, as Penguin had acted as if he was impressed. Falcone had then begun sharing with Penguin a bit of his history with the Wayne Family, commenting on how Thomas Wayne had once saved Falcone's life when he had been shot, an event that the young Bruce had witnessed. Riddler later ambushed the mayor's funeral, however, Penguin was not present during this.[9]
Chase of the Penguin[]
Penguin being chased down by Batman
- "I got you! I got you! Take that, you friggin' psycho! I got you!"
- ―Penguin[src]
Later that night, Penguin along with Kenzie and The Twins, went to check up their drug lab at the Eastside Depot, and had caught Catwoman attempting to steal his money, leading to Jim Gordon shooting at him and his crew. Penguin had then witnessed the arrival of Batman and swiftly fled in terror upon seeing the Batmobile rev up and not too long afterward come charging directly towards him. Penguin escaped in his car and was immediately pursued by Batman in the Batmobile, which led to a lengthy and chaotic car chase throughout the highways of Gotham City, until Batman was able to crash Penguin's car, leaving him upside down and helpless.[9]
Interrogated about Riddler[]
- "Boy, you two are a hell of a duet. You should start harmonizing! There's only one problem with your little scenario, okay? I ain't no rat! You got any idea what Carmine Falcone would do to me, he heard this kinda talk?!"
"Oh, you don't wanna talk about rats, huh?" - ―Penguin and Jim Gordon[src]
Once Penguin had been successfully captured, he was brought to a discreet location to be interrogated by Batman and Jim Gordon, who accused him of being the rat that had helped to capture Sal Maroni, which Penguin furiously denied.[9]
Assassination of Carmine Falcone[]
- "Enjoy your night at Blackgate, Carmine, probably be your last."
"Oh, so you're a big man now, Oz?" - ―Penguin and Carmine Falcone[src]
Penguin and the rest of his crew were disgusted with the public revelation that Falcone was the rat responsible for Sal Maroni's imprisonment in Blackgate Penitentiary, as it was a betrayal of the mafia code which abhorred those who snitched on others. Falcone was arrested by Batman and the GCPD, and was led away from the Iceberg Lounge.
Penguin, flanked by The Twins, confronted his former boss, remarking that he would not last long in Blackgate and calling him a rat. In response, Falcone revealed his low opinion of Penguin, and called him a gimp in an empty suit, provoking Penguin into pulling a gun on Falcone. However, before he could shoot, the Riddler shot and killed Falcone from an apartment across the street, with GCPD officers tackling Penguin to the ground despite his pleas of innocence.
Penguin looks out over Gotham City
Penguin remained a free man in the aftermath of the Flooding of Gotham City, watching as the sun rose on the battered and submerged city from the window of his office, uncertain about where his future would lead.[9] As he looked out over the city, Penguin considered the power vacuum that would be created within the Falcone Crime Family, and how Alberto Falcone would likely take his father's place as the new don.[6]
New Beginning[]
Murder of Alberto Falcone[]
Penguin reunites with Alberto
One week after the death of Falcone and the Flooding of Gotham City, Penguin returned to the Iceberg Lounge to retrieve some valuable jewels and a blackmail ledger that Falcone owned for himself. However, he was caught by Alberto who held him at gun point. Penguin is able to trick him into lowering his guard by exploiting his addictive tendencies with alcohol and Drops.
Penguin learnt from Falcone about a secret shipment of a new drug coming into Gotham that would revolutionize the drug trade and also confessed about wanting to gain respect as the new head of the Falcone Family. Penguin told Falcone about Rex Calabrese, and how he gained respect by helping those less fortunate in his neighborhood.
Penguin shoots and kills Alberto Falcone
Falcone took this the wrong way and insulted Penguin's aspirations for being a powerful mobster himself, leading Penguin to impulsively shooting and killing Falcone. At first Penguin laughed at this, before he realised what he had done. Penguin wrapped Alberto's body into a coat hanger bag and attempted to dispose of him.[6]
Meeting Victor Aguilar[]
Stepping outside, Penguin caught a group of juvenile delinquents attempting to steal the rims from his car. Penguin scared them off by firing his gun at them and cornered one, Victor Aguilar, who was left behind. Penguin planned to kill Aguilar, but he hesitated upon hearing his stutter. Instead he makes Aguilar help him and warned Aguilar that he would murder him and anyone he cared about if he tried to run away or refuses. Penguin with Aguilar drove to see Eve, who provided Penguin with an alibi for him.[6]
Sparing Victor Aguilar's Life[]
Penguin and Victor placed Alberto's body in a car trunk in the junkyard. Penguin explained his plan to kill Aguilar and stuff his body in the same car trunk. However, Aguilar convinced Penguin that he could help him, so Penguin decided to keep him around for now.[6]
Meeting with Sofia Falcone[]
Penguin was called in by the Family, where he was informed by Johnny Viti that his Drops business was being shut down and moved to Robbinsville due to the Police cracking down on their operations as of late. Penguin tried to convince them to keep his business open by proposing Alberto's plan as his own. Unknown to him, Sofia Falcone, recently released from Arkham, was listening in and interrupts the meeting, later questioning him afterwards about Alberto's whereabouts, inviting Penguin to a restaurant to discuss this further.[6]
Dinner with Sofia Falcone[]
To be added[6]
Warning his Mother[]
To be added[6]
War against the Falcones[]
Visiting Salvatore Maroni[]
To be added[6]
Captured by Sofia Falcone[]
To be added[6]
Caring for his Mother[]
To be added[3]
Failed Drops Heist[]
To be added[3]
Alberto Falcone's Funeral[]
To be added[3]
Assassination of Ervad Hakimi[]
Initially, Oz was going to let Ervad live by telling him to mention to Sofia that Johnny Viti was the one who killed Alberto for the Maronis, with Oz assigning Vic a mission to plant jewels in Viti’s car. This is until Oz gets a call from Vic, with him telling Oz in panic that he was caught by Carmine’s security guards going into Viti’s car. After Oz hangs up in disappointment, Ervad tells Oz he will say Viti’s name. Oz then tells Ervad that the plans changed and tells him he needs to give the Falcones something reasonable, or they’ll look at him as the culprit. Ervad is about to get out of his bench, until Oz covers his mouth quietly shushing him, until he gets a switchblade out of his pocket, and pushes it into Ervad’s chest with him screaming with his mouth muffled. His screaming stops when Oz finally gets the blade all the way through him, and takes it out, with Ervad’s open bloody chest body laying there. [3]
Learning about Bliss[]
To be added[10]
Dealing with the Triads[]
To be added[10]
Bliss Sale at Apex[]
To be added[10]
Betrayal Revealed[]
Escalating War[]
Abduction of Taj Maroni[]
To be added[7]
Threatening Salvatore Maroni[]
To be added[7]
Eve Karlo's Rejection[]
To be added[7]
Meeting Turned Fatal[]
To be added[7]
Reunion with his Mother[]
To be added[7]
Finding a New Base[]
To be added[7]
Regaining Power[]
Expanding the Bliss Sales[]
To be added[4]
Francis Cobb's Struggle[]
To be added[4]
Free Distribution of Bliss[]
To be added[4]
Protecting Francis Cobb[]
To be added[4]
Threatening the Senator[]
To be added[4]
Hosting the Gold Summit[]
To be added[4]
Captured by Salvatore Maroni[]
Oz learns that the Falcone Family was massacred, shocked he understands that is Sofia's revenge. He is pleased because with the Falcone defunct it remains only Salvatore Maroni and his family on his way. But after Oz kills Nadia and Taj Maroni Sal's wife and son, Sal allies with Sofia to kill Oz and to retake Gotham. Oz will be captured by Sal to find his lair and the drug.[2]
Attack on Penguin's Crew[]
- "You were supposed to destroy me, Sal! Show me what a big man you are, what a fucking big man you are! Well, I got you! I fucking got you! You filthy, stupid, prick! Fuck you!"
- ―Penguin to Salvatore Maroni[src]
The Penguin fights Sal whereas his crew kill Sofia's men. Sal is about to kill Oz but dies of an heart attack. Shocked, disgusted and pleased, the Penguin proclaims that the Maroni Family is defunct and shoot many times in Sal's corpse.[2]
Bombing of Crown Point[]
Sofia strikes back as sending a bomb in the Penguin's lair, killing the majority of his crew and destroying Crown Point. Oz is knocked out by Marcus Wise who gives him to Sofia. Soon after, Oz escapes with his mother, killing Wise who is drugging himself.
Betraying and Murdering Victor Aguilar[]
After that Oz gives to their lieutenants of all Gotham's gangs a chance to do their proofs that theirs leaders never do, they kill their former bosses and pledge loyalty to the Penguin. Later, after the end of the war, Victor and Oz discuss of the future. Oz mentions his two brothers dead and his mother who is now in a vegetative state. When Victor says that now he is a member of Oz's family, Oz decides to kill him because for him the family is a strengh and a weakness and he wants never more having this weakness because it is too hard for him. Despite of Victor's pleads, Oz strangles him to death and throw his identity card in the ocean.
Total Victory ... or not?[]
The night after killing Victor, Oswald returns to his new home: a penthouse in the center of Gotham. There he goes up to a room with a view where he has installed his vegetative mother, who he says he sees better before looking out the window and reminding her that this was what he always wanted; to see the entire city from his room at the top.[11]
At that moment Oswald hears music and goes downstairs where he finds Eve dressed as his mother. Pretending to be Francis, he dances with her and asks her to tell him how much she loves him, which Eve does. Eve also tells Oswald that the city is his now, no one can stop him to which Oz affirms... but unbeknownst to either of them, the Bat Signal lights up the sky above Gotham.[11]
Personality[]
- "You know what I like most about you, Oz? You are who you are. And you couldn’t change if you tried."
"Ain't that what makes me fun?" - ―Alberto Falcone and Penguin.[src]
Oz is a cruel, power-hungry, and insecure man, with a rather smarmy way of speaking and a sadistic approach to taking lives. He has no care for who he hurts or how, so long as he gets his way, and delights in destroying his enemies, though it should be noted he does show an aversion to killing innocent people, as he gave Victor Aguilar a cigar before almost attempting to kill him, before the latter convinced him to spare him. He is also a greedy and lustrous individual as he attempted to go against his superiors and make more money for himself and get a chance to become a crime lord. However, he still has a sense of honor, being disgusted with Carmine Falcone upon learning that he snitched on Salvatore Maroni and caused his arrest. He also seems to have a little bit of good in him, as he genuinely cared for Selina, and offered to give her money when she asked to work in the 44 Below, not wanting her to be harmed by the other patrons, and was hurt when she told him off. He also loves his mother, whom he cares for a lot and looks after, paying her a visit every Sunday to help her with her medications and tried to convince her to leave Gotham for a while after he murdered Alberto Falcone.
Coming from a lower-income neighborhood, Oz shows a deep resentment to the rich people, like the Falcones or the Waynes, believing they don't appreciate what they have because they were born without having to feel hunger, cold or desperate. He's got a mentality that people like him, meaning someone from a poor background, have to take what they deserve in order to gain respect and be seen by others On the other hand, he is capable of feeling some level of compassion, empathizing with Victor and decides to take him in as his protégé because he saw himself on the boy. His goal in life is to become like Rex Calabrese, an old gansgter of his neighborhood whom he admired and saw as his idol, being the man who takes care of his own people providing them with anything they need such as money, medical attention, paying debts of anyone who needs it, etc. However, despite his great ambition and goal to be the kingpin of Gotham, Oz deep down does all of it so he can make his mother proud of him given that she's the one who raised him with the mentality of being some important on top everyone else.
Despite his ruthlessness, Oz does have a softer and vulnerable side, although he hides it most of the time. He only shows this side with people like his mother, Eve and, to some extent, to Victor. He also possesses a sarcastic sense of humor. When being confronted by Batman and Jim Gordon about being allegedly the "Rata Alada", Oz teases them for the way they speak Spanish, emphasizing in the difference between "el" and "la" and how they're the "world's greatest detectives" for not noticing that spelling mistake, and rhetorically asking if the Riddler is actually stupid.
Since he was a kid, Oz has been shown to be resentful, cold-hearted and ruthless although impulsive, after playing hide and seek with his brothers and feeling frustrated and enraged because they laughed at him for his condition, he locked his brothers inside of the Sewers, letting them drown to death completely by accident. He's a compulsive liar, directly lying to his mother for decades about his brothers' death, also lying to everyone in the Falcone Crime Syndicate by claiming his mother is dead and has no one else in his life. He despises being disrespected, and specially being called as "the Penguin", something that even on his adult life he's capable of showing some impulsive reactions fueled by his insecurities, he takes every comment, joke, or nickname people give him as an insult to the core and reacts aggressively. When things don't go as he planned he acts violently and bursts out his own inner rage, like when Salvatore dies from a heart attack while facing him in combat, Penguin couldn't withstand the idea of not being able to kill him personally and yells to his body how he won and how disappointed he feels because he died before he could show him his true strength.[2]
Penguin was also shown to be outright deluded when it came to the reality of the situations he would often find himself in. One of the reasons why he managed to fool so many people for so long, is the fact that he was largely lying to himself as much as he was to them the entire time. Everything he ever said about his brothers, Vic, his mother, wanting to get back at the rich and powerful, and wanting the lower-class people to be treated like equals by the upper echelons of Gotham, are all things that he genuinely wants and believes in but was in denial about himself. Every person he has ever killed, whether they were just a gang member, mobster, or social elite, was never about anything as noble as he claimed it as. It was always about control, and him getting back at anyone who had ever disrespected him.
Penguin later completely descends into evil when he kills Vic, who had become like a son to him, simply because he saw attachments as a weakness, even though Vic saved his life multiple times and was completely loyal to him, showing Penguin to be nothing but an ungrateful conman who has no loyalties to anyone other than himself and possibly to his mother.
Abilities[]
- "I've always known you were capable of more."
- ―Sofia Falcone[src]
- Gifted Intelligence: Penguin is a very intelligent man. He uses his disability and being underestimated by the Falcone Crime Family to his advantage, often pretending to be "smaller" than he is and a harmless, pitiful, and loyal subordinate of the Falcones. He is cunning and very skilled with the use of words, with speeches that usually are effective, convincing Victor to become his loyal follower despite initially threatening to kill him.
- Master Tactician: Penguin is a very skilled tactician. After the death of Carmine Falcone, he began plotting to become the kingpin of Gotham. He sent incriminating documents and pictures that Falcone kept as leverage to Councilman Hady, a supporter of Bella Reál, in order to establish contacts with the higher spheres. He gave Salvatore Maroni the ring Carmine had stolen and worn until his death to earn his trust. He also made Albert's death look like payback from the Maroni crime syndicate in order to start a war between both criminal organizations. He also was capable of setting Sofia a trap, orchestrating her arrest using his conexion with Councilman Hady to expose her as the responsible of bombing Crown Point and taking advantage of Salvatore's death framing him as the responsible of creating a new drug business with a secret underground lab while also making himself look like an innocent bystander blaming the war between the Falcones and the Maronis as the cause of the bombing at Crown Point.
- Master Thief: Penguin has shown to be quite talented as a thief, capable of stealing to others without being discovered despite his great size and presence. When he's at a hospital after taking his mother to get her medical attention, he stole the phone of a nurse that was standing right next to him to call Victor, without the nurse realizing he stole her phone.
- Skilled Businessman: Penguin owned the Iceberg Lounge, he also used to oversee a vast million dollar Drops Operation, including labs at the Plant and the Eastside Depot.
- Skilled Networker: Penguin is very talented at establishing contacts and gaining influence over people in Gotham.
- "Pop always said you were a good soldier. It's what he liked most about you."
- ―Alberto Falcone to Penguin[src]
- Skilled Marksman: Penguin knows how to use a machine gun. He fired his weapon at the Batman, hitting him in his cowl, and he threatened to shoot Carmine Falcone, but he did not get the chance. One week later, he gunned down Alberto Falcone, albeit at close range, and killed two more Falcone criminals during a Drops transportation.
- Skilled Physician: While not having great knowledge of medicine, Oz is capable of giving himself medical attention by suturing his own wound at his waist, he later takes charge of his mother, now on a persistent vegetative state, all by himself.
- Leadership: Penguin is a natural leader. Despite his reputation and cruelty, he is very skilled at making others to follow him, he was capable of making the rest of the heads of crime families to join and cooperate to face Sofia by promising them they would have everything people like the Falcones or Maronis never gave them
- Intimidation: Penguin claims to have an intimidating reputation.
- "Am I the only here knows the difference between "el" and "la?" Jesus! No habla español, fellas?"
- ―Penguin to Batman and Jim Gordon[src]
- Multilingualism: Penguin has shown the ability to understand and speak basic Spanish in addition to his native English, with him showing off that his understanding of Spanish is superior to Jim Gordon and Batman's. He demonstrated a firm grasp of Spanish when conversing with his mother's landlord, Cesar.
- Indominable Will: Penguin is a very determined man. His ambition about becoming the kingpin of Gotham motivates him and makes him keep moving forward, he won't stop at nothing to achieve his goal. He is willing to do everything in his power to move forward. This also gives him the strength enough to often facing many life-or-death situations. No matter how cornered or impossible it seems for him to escape, Oz always keeps finding ways to survive and become one step closer to his goal.
Equipment[]
Weapons[]
- Knife:
- Pistol: Penguin carried a pistol when he went to retrieve blackmail from his club, before he was confronted by Alberto Falcone. When the latter laughed at him for his ambitions, Penguin shot him three times, killing him. He also fired his pistol at Victor Aguilar and his friends for attempting to steal his tires, although he missed.
- "I'll spray paint your ass!"
- ―Penguin to Carmine Falcone[src]
Penguin with his SMG
- Micro Uzi: Penguin's sidearm is an Uzi pistol. He used it to fire at the Batman and threatened to shoot Carmine Falcone. Weeks later, he used it to kill two men during a Drops transportation.
Vehicles[]
- 2013 Maserati Quattroporte VI: Penguin's personal vehicle which he drove to flee from the Batman in his Batmobile.
Facilities[]
- Apartment: Penguin originally lived in his own apartment in Gotham.
- "Look... I'm just the proprietor, okay? I mean, what people do here ain't got nothin' to do with me."
- ―Oz to the Batman[src]
- Iceberg Lounge: Penguin manages a nightclub, with the Twins as his bouncers.
- 44 Below: Penguin has access to another nightclub located below his own.
- Shoreline Lofts: Penguin inherited Falcone's penthouse office above the club.
- Eastside Depot: Penguin owns a lab which produces Drops.
- Drops Plant: Penguin owned a plant which produced Drop.
- Gotham City Uptown Trolley and Transit System: Penguin and his crew's base of operations, used for producing Bliss.
- La Couronne: To Be Added
Relationships[]
Family[]
Allies[]
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Enemies[]
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Appearances[]
| Appearances for Penguin |
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In chronological order:
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Trivia[]
- In DC Comics, Oswald Cobblepot is also known as the Penguin, a Gotham City mobster and a famous villain of Batman, who has a liking for birds and fancies himself as the "Gentleman of Crime."
- Cobb is a fan of Dolly Parton, Rita Hayworth, When In Rome,[6] and Dinah Washington.[3]
- Cobb does not care for cilantro.[3]
- Cobb's favorite movie is Top Hat.[2]
- The Before The Batman: An Original Movie Novel refers to Cobb as Cobblepot.
Behind the scenes[]
- Penguin in The Batman is the fourth live-action incarnation of the character, following incarnations portrayed by Burgess Meredith, Danny DeVito and Robin Lord Taylor.
- Jonah Hill was rumored to be in talks to play the Penguin before he exited negotiations and Colin Farrell was cast.[12]
- Colin Farrell gained weight and wore prosthetic make-up for his role as the Penguin.[13] Jeffrey Wright and Rupert Penry-Jones didn't recognize Farrell when they saw him onset.[14]
- In an interview with Empire Magazine, Colin Farrell said that the Penguin was inspired by Fredo Corleone from The Godfather series, "because Fredo’s crippled by the insignificance that he lives within, in a family that is full of very strong, very bright, very capable, very violent men. Which is why he commits the act of betrayal that he does, because he’s weak, he’s kind of broken, and he’s in pain. There is a kind of fracture at the core of Oz, which fuels his desire and his ambition to rise within this criminal cabal."[15]
- This iteration of the Penguin's appearance was likely inspired by the Penguin from the Batman: Arkham games, specifically his Arkham Origins appearance and his Arkham City appearance.
- This iteration of the Penguin goes by Oz Cobb, instead of Oswald Cobblepot, like in the comics, which Dylan Clark, Matt Reeves, and Lauren LeFranc noted as a necessary change to make the character feel more grounded and real, while still adding to the current canon.[16]
- Shane Roberts and Corey Pierno were stunt doubles for Colin Farrell in the role of the Penguin.
References[]
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lewman, David (February 1, 2022). Before The Batman: An Original Movie Novel. United States: Penguin Books.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Cvetko, Vladimir (writers); & Bray, Kevin (director) (November 3, 2024). The Penguin: 1.07: Top Hat.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Johnson, Erika L. (writers); & Zobel, Craig (director) (September 29, 2024). The Penguin: 1.02: Inside Man.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Towne, Nick (writers); & Bray, Kevin (director) (October 27, 2024). The Penguin: 1.06: Gold Summit.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 LeFranc, Lauren (writers); & Zobel, Craig (director) (September 19, 2024). The Penguin: 1.01: After Hours.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Gibson, Breannah & Ogbonna, Shaye (writers); & Shaver, Helen (director) (October 20, 2024). The Penguin: 1.05: Homecoming.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 McCutcheon, John (writers); & Shaver, Helen (director) (October 13, 2024). The Penguin: 1.04: Cent’anni.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Reeves, Matt & Craig, Peter (writers); Reeves, Matt & Clark, Dylan (producers); & Reeves, Matt (director) (March 4, 2022). The Batman.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Valdivia, Noelle (writers); & Zobel, Craig (director) (October 6, 2024). The Penguin: 1.03: Bliss.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1
- ↑ "Jonah Hill In Talks For Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’ At Warner Bros" - Deadline
- ↑ Fans are realizing Colin Farrell is playing the Penguin in 'The Batman' and they can't get over how unrecognizable he looks
- ↑ Jeffrey Wright Didn't Recognize Colin Farrell on the Set of 'Batman'
- ↑ "The Batman: Colin Farrell’s Penguin Takes Inspiration From The Godfather’s Fredo – Exclusive" - Empire
- ↑ "THE PENGUIN Producer Addresses Controversial Decision To Change Title Villain's Name To "Oz Cobb"" - ComicBookMovie
External links[]
Penguin on DC Database- Penguin on Wikipedia
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