Some comics suggest that he tried to abandon the title (which he hates), but it has been permanently brought into popularity by Batman. The Penguin received his alter-ego from a childhood taunt, bestowed by his peers, who teased him because of his grotesque appearance and love of birds (some re-tellings of his origin suggest he also suffered from some sort of hip ailment, which caused him to waddle when he walked the Penguin shows no signs of suffering from this affliction today). In keeping with his pretensions of being a refined gentleman, he also prefers to wear formal wear, such as a top hat, tuxedo, and spats during his jobs. Several versions of the Penguin's origins say that he was forced as a child to always carry an umbrella around by his over-protective mother due to the fact that his father died of pneumonia after being drenched in a downpour. The Penguin's weapons of choice are the trick-umbrellas he uses to execute his crooked schemes. These are contrasted against the more aggressive and specific wealth gathering origins of the Batman graphic novel Batman: Penguin Triumphant, which specifically states that Oswald Cobblepot neither is nor ever was insane and merely used his astute mind and scientific skills in developing weapons to intimidate and control others, and the largely attributed Earth-One incarnation origin of the Penguin in Batman #287 (1977). Their rejection drove him to become evil. These traits made him an outcast in his rich, debutante family. 1.2.1 Slimming Down and Gaining Mental "Weight"īorn Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, the Penguin was teased very much in his childhood due to his short stature, obesity, and bird-like nose.The Penguin is amongst the most well-known Batman villains, appearing or being mentioned in almost every known version of Batman media. Elements of the show's depiction would also influence future versions of the character, including more explicit bird-like features and personality quirks. The character was also popularized during the 1960s Batman series, where he was portrayed by Burgess Meredith. More modern depictions have shown him as the manager of the Iceberg Lounge, a popular nightclub which serves as a front for his illegal financial stature.Īn icon since the Golden Age, the Penguin was a mainstay of Batman's rogues gallery, often paired alongside villains like the Joker and Catwoman. An eccentric criminal mastermind, he is well-known for his love of ornithology and use of technology-fitted umbrellas. One of Batman's oldest foes, the Penguin is often presented as a gentleman of crime, often developing elaborate schemes whilst presenting himself as innocent of many of his activities. He was introduced by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, he first appeared in Detective Comics #58 (December 1941).
Batman penguin license#
The animators include several in-jokes in these episodes, including a "cameo" by a character from the cult indie comic "Love and Rockets," and Batman's license plate, which bears the inscription "the Dark Deco State" ("Dark Deco" being the name given to the show's distinctive noirish animation).David Dastmalchian (Voice) The Penguin ( Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot) is a Gotham City supervillain and an enemy of Batman. Paul Winfield lends a dignified tone to Earl, making the character far more than a mere consort to a superhero. Singer-songwriter Paul Williams does a terrific job as the Penguin. He may be an inveterate thief but his lapses in taste and virtue pale beside Veronica's snobby friend who declares that the supervillain is a must-have guest but "NOKD." ("Not our kind, dear.")īoth shows benefit by their superb voice cast. In the first episode the Penguin remains his psychotic self throughout, but Veronica's cruelty causes the viewer to sympathize with him.
Batman penguin series#
Unlike most TV series based on comic books, the 1990s animated incarnation of Batman stuck close to its source material, harkening back to Bob Kane's original depiction of Batman's supervillains as absurd-yet-lethal.
Blessed with uncommonly intelligent scripting for a superhero cartoon, the Adventures series continues with this double-dose of the Penguin.