The Batman spin-off series proves that instead of just dishing out fan service, comic book adaptations can tell deep, meaningful stories.
In a climate of superhero content fatigue, one recent series has emerged to renew our faith in comic book adaptations. That show is HBO’s brilliant mini-series The Penguin, a spin-off of 2022’s The Batman. The show is proof that it is possible to transcend the genre to become something bigger, greater — without sacrificing fidelity to beloved source material.
The series picks up from the aftermath of The Batman. It follows Oswald ‘Oz’ Cobb (aka The Penguin) as he navigates Gotham’s new power vacuum and wrestles for control of the city’s criminal underworld.
Colin Farrell first donned prosthetics and a fat suit in The Batman for his few scenes in the movie. But in the brief time he appeared in the Matt Reeves-directed film, he completely stole the show. He indicated to Reeves that he was open to returning in some capacity as the character and eventually signed on for The Penguin.
The Penguin turned out to be one of the best comic book TV shows of 2024. Here are four reasons why you should check it out.
1) It is more an epic crime drama than a superhero TV show.
Yes, it may be based on comic book characters, but there are no caped crusaders to be found in The Penguin. Instead of following the cookie-cutter mould of regular superhero shows, it draws from and mixes elements of crime classics like The Sopranos and The Godfather. It is less focused on comic book mumbo jumbo and more on exploring a sprawling story of power and revenge.
It takes the viewer deep into the shadowy underbellies of the fabled Gotham City, building upon the dreary world of Matt Reeves’ The Batman. Focusing on how Oz vies for power by backstabbing, lying and weaselling his way through the city’s criminal underground, The Penguin is at times reminiscent of the Brian De Palma film, Scarface.
It ultimately feels like a love letter to gangster dramas of a bygone era, all while still staying true to its comic book roots.
2) Outstanding character development
The show masterfully chronicles Oz’s trajectory from a disfigured mob henchman to one of Gotham’s most infamous kingpins.
It also paints a complicated portrait of one of Batman’s most formidable adversaries, presenting him as an incredibly layered character — and when we say layered, we aren’t just talking about prosthetics. This origin story captures Oz’s conflicted emotions, confusing relationships, and dastardly aspirations.
Alongside him, rich and complex characters such as Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) and Victor Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz) are introduced and fleshed out throughout the series.
3) Top-tier performances
The brilliant writing would be nothing if the actors were incapable of doing it justice. But the show’s cast so fully inhabited their characters that they ended up elevating the already great material.
Even through heavy prosthetics and a fat suit that he had to wear, Farrell manages to slip effortlessly into his character — New York accent and everything. Flipping through a Rolodex of emotions that consists of brooding vulnerability, absolute evil, and everything in between, Farrell puts on an acting masterclass.
His co-stars, including Milioti and Feliz, also prove to be no slouches in the acting department. The former is a scene stealer as the is-she-or-is-she-not-psychotic Sofia, who may or may not have been responsible for the killing of several other patients at Arkham Asylum. Sofia is, like Oz, a multi-faceted character, by turns vicious and vulnerable.
4) Connection to the larger Batman universe
Matt Reeves, who directed The Batman and will direct The Batman 2, served as executive producer for the show and had a hand in the hiring of the limited series’ writing team. As such, The Penguin has continuity with the Batman shared universe. Not only does it pick up from the events of The Batman, but it will also tie into that movie’s sequel.
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