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[Discotheque]

Remember that time he was Vice President of the United States and invaded a soverign country for oil?

Paul Ryan's weasel ass reminds me of Gotham's Penguin as well haha.

pretty strange how these Republican villains echo the penguin's physical traits.

 

[Secret Fawful]

OP, read Penguin: Pain and Prejudice and get back to me.

 

[Nocturnowl]

I still hear the 60's show Penguin jingle in my head everytime I see him pop up in anything.

Missed one.

Kung Fu Penguin is the GOAT.

I actually liked this one.
The ninja henchwomen were pretty bizarre though.

 

[tanooki27]

he's a resentful mess - and relatable. would the world have been kinder to cobblepot had he chosen a nobler path?

 

[The Hamburglar]

As a kid he was mother fucking scary in batman returns.

 

[Citizen_Insane]

I've read a lot of Batman comics in the last year or two, but I don't think I've read a single memorable Penguin story. He's like the least interesting member of Batman's villains, but I suppose he is the most grounded so that could be why he pops up in shows and movies.

 

[MotionBlue]

I've read a lot of Batman comics in the last year or two, but I don't think I've read a single memorable Penguin story. He's like the least interesting member of Batman's villains, but I suppose he is the most grounded so that could be why he pops up in shows and movies.

Comics have forgotten that people can be horrible without super powers.

 

[dan2026]

Penguin is the evergreen Batman villain.

Any story you want the Penguin fits in
As a mob boss he can have his finger in any pie, be a part of any scheme, be the giver of any information.

He doesn't have to have an insane plan or plot, he's just out to make money.
He doesn't even really have a gimmick other than a love of birds and fine living.
He's just an awful, greedy little man.

 

[spyroflame0487]

Gotham makes him a pretty compelling villain. He's not trying to be a villain on purpose; he was treated like a dog by a gangster, forced to hold her umbrella. Eventually he got sick and tired of it and started killing people who disagreed with him in order to show his power.

I think out of all the Batman villains, he's the most human of them.

 

[Fancyarcher]

the show itself got worse honestly. it felt more like all the other superhero shows whereas before it had a nice 50s pulp vibe to it all.

I actually disagree as there were several great episodes from TNBA (Mad Love, Growing Pains, Nothing To Fear, Beware The Creeper, Over The Edge etc...), plus they were able to get away with much more because of WB's more lenient restriction, which doesn't make for a better show, but does allow for some hilarious / cool sequences.

Sans the animation I thought the show was almost great as ever, even with the forced heavy focus on the "Bat Family" concept, though they were already facing when they had to changed the BTAS to The Adventures of Batman & Robin in its last two-seasons, so they could get more kids to watch show or something like that.

 

[Fancyarcher]

Pretty much. I can name a few villains of Superman, X-Men, Spiderman, but I feel like I know pretty much every major Batman villain and a ton of minor ones.

You can thank constant overexposure to that. Batman has or at least is tied with Spiderman, as having the most cartoons of any superhero at this point for obvious reasons, and these shows sans Beware The Batman often use his tried and true rogue gallery.

 

[CO_Andy]

Cowboy Bebop Penguin

 

[markitrons]

Ignoring Gotham's version?

I always thought the Penguin was pretty stupid, but I LOVE this character. I really feel like the actor took a pretty "blah" role and made it special. I also like that he doesn't have any real powers, but still manages to hang in there with the big boys. Almost like the batman of villains (I realize this could probably be said of the joker too, but his lunacy is almost a power).

 

[Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku!]

The Riddler is way worse

The Riddler is actually the worst supervillain

He's just a regular dude, except he gives away the crimes he commits. That's a net negative.

Fuck the Riddler.

 

[markitrons]

The Riddler is way worse

The Riddler is actually the worst supervillain

He's just a regular dude, except he gives away the crimes he commits. That's a net negative.

Fuck the Riddler.

I also agreed with this before Gotham - dude that plays Riddler makes him fun.

 

[gutter_trash]

Penguin is the best because he's not crazy or mentally whacked like the other nutjobs.

Penguin is a crinimnal mastermind and knows how to box

 

[TheRedSnifit]

Missed one.

Kung Fu Penguin is the GOAT.

This is actually my favorite version of Penguin (I love the way he's portrayed as less of a serious threat and more like a slightly-dangerous loser, and his henchwomen are cool).

They used him way, waaaay too much though. He got, like, 15 episodes while the likes of Poison Ivy and Bane only got one or two. I think he might be in more episodes than even the Joker.

I actually disagree as there were several great episodes from TNBA (Mad Love, Growing Pains, Nothing To Fear, Beware The Creeper, Over The Edge etc...), plus they were able to get away with much more because of WB's more lenient restriction, which doesn't make for a better show, but does allow for some hilarious / cool sequences.

Sans the animation I thought the show was almost great as ever, even with the forced heavy focus on the "Bat Family" concept, though they were already facing when they had to changed the BTAS to The Adventures of Batman & Robin in its last two-seasons, so they could get more kids to watch show or something like that.

There are plenty of good episodes, but also a lot of bad ones. People give The Batman a ton of flack for dropping Freeze's tragic backstory, but TNBA had already flattened him into a one-dimensional capital-S Supervillain with cheesy henchbabes and flimsy motives.

The new artstyle also had problems beyond being boring. Mad Love feels less like a serious story about domestic abuse and more like a Family Guy skit about Mickey Mouse beating his wife with that awful Joker design.

 

[caliph95]

This is actually my favorite version of Penguin (I love the way he's portrayed as less of a serious threat and more like a slightly-dangerous loser, and his henchwomen are cool).

They used him way, waaaay too much though. He got, like, 15 episodes while the likes of Poison Ivy and Bane only got one or two. I think he might be in more episodes than even the Joker.

Lol that Killer Moth

 

[Pau]

I didn't think the Telltale version was going for handsome but just younger. I guess compared to his original design.

 

[KeyBladerXIII]

Haha, poor Killer Moth, he doesn't even know how to try.

 

[Frozenprince]

Because he's not some deliriously insane whacked out personification of chaos like Two-Face and Joker, or a well intentioned but ultimately, evil foil to Bruce's world view like Catwoman or Freeze, or a counter to Bruce's wit and strength like Bane.

He's a gangster with a gimmick he developed basically as a brand than out of some psychosis. He's just a rich, petty, vengeful man who hates the world because he perceives himself better yet worse off than the lot because of his deformity.

He's compelling because there's nothing really about him other than the umbrella gimmicks that's terribly outlandish, he's that last bridge of that grounded, gritty antagonist built on wealth and graft instead of "freaks in suits".

I've always liked that. It's interesting because he's so, simple, he's an angry man with a grudge who's money allows him to effectively operate above the law.

I didn't think the Telltale version was going for handsome but just younger. I guess compared to his original design.

I think it was just trying too hard to make him this bizarro version of Bruce when that's really not what he's supposed to be at all (that's Bane's job, or if you wanna go down the ladder, Black Mask's job).

 

[MattKeil]

Burgess Meredith. You're not going back far enough.

Now that's a good old fashioned first post and done.

Burgess Meredith made the Penguin a household name in the Adam West series. All other portrayals and interpretations linger in Meredith's shadow.

Meredith did more of interest in two minutes with his cigarette holder in any random episode than DeVito and Burton managed in all of Batman Returns put together.

 

[wildfire]

All wildly different characterizations who rarely seem to settle into the same theme or form of familiar characterization, I think you'll agree.

I disagree.


All of the Penguins had 1 theme I noticed.

They all wanted to prove they are elite.

Penguin would be even more infamous if we followed his rise to power. His journey would perfectly represent our belief that you can cheat your way to the top.


After reading this thread I acknowledge another theme of this character is his spitefullness.

 

[BKatastrophe]

He's a cunning, manipulative, cruel bastard with a fun gimmick and solid motives.

Scarecrow was the only one who benefitted.

Bull. Batgirl

[IMG]https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Wr72r-3SxW8/hqdefault.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQbKLP7uXNc/TzuOernp4rI/AAAAAAAAAeo/7kcZF4a6vu8/s1600/anim-character-batgirl_570x420.jpg[/IMG]

Gotham makes him a pretty compelling villain. He's not trying to be a villain on purpose; he was treated like a dog by a gangster, forced to hold her umbrella. Eventually he got sick and tired of it and started killing people who disagreed with him in order to show his power.

I think out of all the Batman villains, he's the most human of them.

Uh huh

There are plenty of good episodes, but also a lot of bad ones. People give The Batman a ton of flack for dropping Freeze's tragic backstory, but TNBA had already flattened him into a one-dimensional capital-S Supervillain with cheesy henchbabes and flimsy motives.

I disagree that he became one-dimensional in that episode, but I do agree that it's the weakest part of his saga and makes the least sense. Especially given where he ends up in Batman Beyond (which is one of the best episodes in that series).

 

[Psychoward]

they're never topping devito so they might as well stop trying

 

[TheRedSnifit]

Lol that Killer Moth

Haha, poor Killer Moth, he doesn't even know how to try.

He makes some good coffee though.

 

[Symphonia]

Gotham Penguin is best Penguin.

 

[PandaShake]

I liked him in cowboy bebop.

 

[HotHamBoy]

OP, I don't think you understand how big of an oversight forgetting Burgess Meredith is. It's literally the answer to your question.

Burgess was a very big actor at the time and his Penguin was so popular that it carried the character into the limelight.

Think about all the other Batman 66 villians, there's tons of them and most are obscure.

Catwoman would be ahead of Penguin.


No Poison Ivy?

Edit: Actually these days Harley would beat out Penguin as well for recognition.

Poison Ivy sucks.

All you Batman '66 deniers need to educate yourselves. GBOAT

Quoted for truth.

Batman 66 is amazing.

First of all, it's a brilliant satire with genius performances.

It also works taken straight if you are a kid.

For all of its tongue-in-cheek portrayal it's actually quite accurate at representing the look and cheese of the early comics.

It has the best recurring gags.

 

[StayDead]

OP, I don't think you understand how big of an oversight forgetting Burgess Meredith is. It's literally the answer to your question.

Burgess was a very big actor at the time and his Penguin was so popular that it carried the character into the limelight.

Think about all the other Batman 66 villians, there's tons of them and most are obscure.



Poison Ivy sucks.



Quoted for truth.

Batman 66 is amazing.

First of all, it's a brilliant satire with genius performances.

It also works taken straight if you are a kid.

For all of its tongue-in-cheek portrayal it's actually quite accurate at representing the look and cheese of the early comics.

It has the best recurring gags.

Batman 66 is honestly my favourite portrayal of Batman.

Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb!

 

[SpaceWolf]

OP, I don't think you understand how big of an oversight forgetting Burgess Meredith is. It's literally the answer to your question.

Burgess was a very big actor at the time and his Penguin was so popular that it carried the character into the limelight.

Think about all the other Batman 66 villians, there's tons of them and most are obscure.

The thing is, I kind of disagree with this.

First of all, you have to remember that the character was created in 1941. So first, you have to ask yourself what exactly it was that made the character so memorable that he was selected as one of the main bad guys for the Adam West show twenty years later. What was it about The Penguin that the producers liked? Why was he selected over the likes of say....Two-Face or Hugo Strange? What was it the producers saw in the character?

But even dismissing that, there's still the fact that the 1960s Batman show wrapped up around five decades ago. That's what, three generations back? And yet the character is still just as prominent and iconic today as he was back then....being utilised just as regularly in the comics and in the vast majority of all of Batman's adventures in other media, increasingly now by people who never got the chance to grow up with the show.

Primarily, I wanted this thread to explore what makes this oddity of a character interesting, what makes him stand out as a villain.... and yes, also what's allowed him to continue to endure throughout the passing of the decades to a point where he's still considered one of Batman's most iconic villains. I don't think just saying "Burgess Meredith!" fully answers that question, although I recognise the actor has had a lot to do with ol' Pengy's staying power.

 

[TheRedSnifit]

For all of its tongue-in-cheek portrayal it's actually quite accurate at representing the look and cheese of the early comics.

I'd go so far as to say that the only difference between Batman '66 and the comics that ran at the time was that the TV show was deliberately dumb and goofy.

 

[DonMigs85]

He is an animal, cold-blooded

 

[caliph95]

He makes some good coffee though.

 

[HotHamBoy]

The thing is, I kind of disagree with this.

First of all, you have to remember that the character was created in 1941. So first, you have to ask yourself what exactly it was that made the character so memorable that he was selected as one of the main bad guys for the Adam West show twenty years later. What was it about The Penguin that the producers liked? Why was he selected over the likes of say....Two-Face or Hugo Strange? What was it the producers saw in the character?

But even dismissing that, there's still the fact that the 1960s Batman show wrapped up around five decades ago. That's what, three generations back? And yet the character is still just as prominent and iconic today as he was back then....being utilised just as regularly in the comics and in the vast majority of all of Batman's adventures in other media, increasingly now by people who never got the chance to grow up with the show.

Primarily, I wanted this thread to explore what makes this oddity of a character interesting, what makes him stand out as a villain.... and yes, also what's allowed him to continue to endure throughout the passing of the decades to a point where he's still considered one of Batman's most iconic villains. I don't think just saying "Burgess Meredith!" fully answers that question, although I recognise the actor has had a lot to do with ol' Pengy's staying power.

First of all, Batman 66 had a lot of presence even after it went off the air. It was the pop culture representation if the character up until Tim Burton came along.

Second, do you remember these Batman 66 villians?

Egghead
The Puzzler
King Tut
Marsha, Queen of Diamonds
Zelda the Great
Ma Barker
Louie the Lilac
Archer
Bookworm
Shame
Minstrel
Clock King
False Face
Nora Clavical
Sandman

And who could forget Olga, Queen of the Cossacks?

 

[SpaceWolf]

Second, do you remember these Batman 66 villians?

Egghead
The Puzzler
King Tut
Marsha, Queen of Diamonds
Zelda the Great
Ma Barker
Louie the Lilac
Archer
Bookworm
Shame
Minstral
False Face
Nora Clavical
Sandman

(Takes out spectacles, looks through list frowningly)

(Takes off spectacles)

Your point, senator?

 

[HotHamBoy]

(Takes out spectacles, looks through list frowningly)

(Takes off spectacles)

Your point, senator?

They kept writing Penguin episodes because he became a fan favorite and he was a fan favorite because of Burgess Meredith.

 

[Ridli]

It's been said but I'll echo his status as being one of the most "traditional" gangsters left is a big point for Cobblepot. It's also why I hate the influence that the Burton/Devito design had. He's not a handsome man, but he's still a man. There's no need for the freak show, but that's beyond my control.

I find him best when he's playing up the chip on his shoulder. He's gonna be respected god damn it, and if he has to murder everyone in his way to get that respect, well that's just fine.

 

[TheRedSnifit]

"I've got stealth skillz, karat-ey skillz, cocoooooooning skillz."

 

[Eidan]

Maybe it's because I'm 30 but I have no idea who Burgess Meredith even was before clicking this thread. IMO it's Batman Returns who made the Penguin iconic.

I'm 32. I used to watch the 60's Batman all the time.

 

[Zakalwe]

He is an animal, cold-blooded

He's not an animal, he's too calculating.

He's fiendishly smart, terrifyingly ruthless, spite incarnate.

 

[ThePackman]

I've always liked Penguin stories and I would love to chill in the iceberg lounge. But that telltale game was terrible and by far the worst version of Penguin.

 

[BKatastrophe]

First of all, Batman 66 had a lot of presence even after it went off the air. It was the pop culture representation if the character up until Tim Burton came along.

Second, do you remember these Batman 66 villians?

Egghead
The Puzzler
King Tut
Marsha, Queen of Diamonds
Zelda the Great
Ma Barker
Louie the Lilac
Archer
Bookworm
Shame
Minstrel
Clock King
False Face
Nora Clavical
Sandman

And who could forget Olga, Queen of the Cossacks?

Hey now Clock King is rad.

 

[DeathyBoy]

What next, people gonna throw shade at Condiment King?

These motherfuckers like CL have no powers or training, and they still go out in Gotham and stir shit up. Knowing there's a dozen Bat Family active at any one time.

Batman's villains have balls of vibranium.

ETA - Egghead is one of the greatest villains ever created. Let's not no sell how much pain you'd be in if he smashed a dozen eggs into your face or your dick.

 

[caliph95]

 

[DeathyBoy]

Dude only gets caught if he wants to get caught. He ever uses hot chilli sauce, Batman's going into intensive care.

 

[Chuckie]

But that telltale game was terrible and by far the worst version of Penguin.

Seriously. I don't even consider that a Penguin. I'm sure I will have forgotten that ever existed in a couple of years.

Ruthless 'Pain and Prejudice'-Penguin is best Penguin.

 

[TheRedSnifit]

 

[caliph95]

Seriously. I don't even consider that a Penguin. I'm sure I will have forgotten that ever existed in a couple of years.

Ruthless 'Pain and Prejudice'-Penguin is best Penguin.

It's really Penguin by name though so was burtons

 

[autumnleaf]

Maybe it's because I'm 30 but I have no idea who Burgess Meredith even was before clicking this thread. IMO it's Batman Returns who made the Penguin iconic.

You're 30 and you've never seen Rocky and the 60s Batman show? Really?

And Batman 89, Batman Returns and Batman Forever went with the most iconic Batman villains first and in-order, Joker, Catwoman, Penguin and the Riddler. Penguin was already one of the most popular and famous villains before Batman Returns.