Written by Gregg Hurwitz
Illustrated by Szymon KudranskiIn the penultimate issue of Gregg Hurwitz and Szymon Kudranski’s thrilling and disturbing miniseries, the cracks are beginning to show in The Penguin’s life. As he desperately grabs for more power, he puts himself in Batman’s sights! And when Batman gets involved, can an underdog like The Penguin hope to triumph?
Sometimes I want to grab the Multiversity staff by the shoulders and shake some sense into us. We can be such sheep sometimes; how is it that it took until issue #4 that one of us reviewed Penguin: Pain and Prejudice? Not only has it been getting pretty stellar reviews (some people have even been comparing it to The Killing Joke!), but it is exactly the type of series that we comic types love: spotlighting a minor character, quality artwork, yada yada.
As a longtime Batman reader, I can honestly say that there have been precious few great Penguin stories — in addition, most people seem to know the Penguin as either the cigarette-holder chomping Burgess Meredith version, or the slimy, raw fish eating Danny DeVito incarnation. Neither is a particularly true characterization of Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, but they are portrayals that people can wrap their heads around. And, without a truly great arc to point people towards, you can see why those are the dominating versions of the Penguin.
Well, that is, they have one more month to be the dominant version. Because once this mini wraps, this will be THE definitive version of the Penguin, and one that manages to look a little like DeVito, and quack a little like Meredith. Hit the jump for more.
Before I get into this issue’s particulars, I feel it is my duty to inform you as to what you’ve been missing in this series so far. You’ve been missing an absolutely terrifying Penguin: a deeply scarred man who will destroy you as soon as look at you, who will do anything to get what he wants. His origin is re-told and refined through flashbacks over the first three issues, which dovetail nicely with the main story, without ever feeling like needless exposition.
You have also been missing some absolutely gorgeous artwork by Szymon Kudranski, whose use of shadows and unique depiction of blood stand out as ancillary details that enhance his not-quite photo-realistic work. Every issue features multiple stunning pages, and went so far as to make me think honestly about picking up an issue of Spawn to see how that book, one that I think back on as having ridiculous art (not meant in a positive way) , would look in Kudranski’s skilled hands.
However, the most surprising part of the book so far, for me, has been the unlikely love story present. The Penguin, a Cobblepot, not a sexpot (ba dum ching!), here meets a blind woman named Cassandra who he has fallen in love with, finally meeting someone who cannot judge him on his appearance. He uses his significant wealth and power to woo her, and in last month’s issue, they got engaged. In this month’s issue, an idea popped in my head that I will share as a potential spoiler, but I have no evidence to that effect; just a theory that I don’t want to lead to people calling me a spoiler if I happen to be correct.
I don’t think Cassandra is actually blind.
In Greek mythology (and teased in an earlier issue), Cassandra had the gift of prophesy, but could not convince others that her predictions would come true. So, even though she appeared to be a fool, she wasn’t — much like how, I believe, Cassandra appears to be blind, but isn’t. This development would certainly fit in line with the Penguin’s life thus far; one of betrayal, ridicule and pain (and, you know, prejudice). There have been a few clues sprinkled throughout (in issue #3 where she “guesses” the size of her engagement diamond being the foremost one), and I could see that being the big issue 5 reveal. Just an idea.
Continued belowBut on to this issue in particular — this is the first issue that completely omits the flashbacks and the character of Oswald’s mother, and it is weaker for that. Yes, the story must continue moving forward, but the bond between his mother and he was one of the more touching and themes in this book. One of the things that Gregg Hurwitz has done with this text is create a completely compelling character that is ruthless, cruel and physically disgusting, while showing how he got this way, and yet showing no path to salvation for him. The Penguin here is not an anti-hero; he is a villain; a villain that is the hero of this story.
And if he is the hero, then Batman is the villain. Batman pops up most in this issue of any so far, and does the things that we usually see the antagonist in a story do — steal the girl, conspire with his associates (Jim Gordon), ruin a romantic evening. It is a brilliant way to frame Batman here, and doesn’t come off as a mischaracterization or a mistake in the plotting. Along with Batman and Commissioner Gordon, the Joker makes a second hilarious cameo in this series; apparently, he rents a room above the Iceberg Lounge to indulge in his sick fantasies, and is seen here walking out of the room in a panda furry costume. Brilliant.
Overall, Hurwitz and Kudranski have presented a model miniseries: take a character that probably couldn’t carry his own title, write a definitive story, illustrate the shit out of it, and leave the people wanting more. I never thought I would say this, but I would read a Penguin ongoing if this creative team were on board. If you have any doubt whether or not you should pick up this book, I will leave you with this: in issue #3, you find out why the Penguin carries an umbrella, and it makes total sense. [Drops microphone and walks away]
Final Verdict: 8.7 – Buy
