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Top 5 reasons why the Penguin is Batman’s best villain

Top 5 reasons why the Penguin is Batman’s best villain

There is no shortage of villains in the Batman universe. Batman comics, movies, and TV shows have presented us with a huge pool of enemies, from the Joker to Harley Quinn to the Scarecrow; Billionaire playboy and vigilante Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, must fight to maintain law and order in Gotham.

However, among the psychologically complex and often downright psychopathic Batman villains, the Penguin has often emerged as one of the best and a fan favorite.

The Penguin, a supervillain created by Kane and Bill Finger, first appeared in Detective Comics #58 in December 1941. The character has since been adapted into TV shows, movies, and video games.

With the increasing popularity of the character and the recent release of the HBO show Penguin, Now let’s examine what makes Penguin the best villain in the Batman universe.

This article is based on the opinion of the author.


1. Penguin rose in the rankings with his intelligence

Collin Ferel as Oswald Cob in The Penguin / (Image via HBO)Collin Ferel as Oswald Cob in The Penguin / (Image via HBO)
Collin Ferel as Oswald Cob in The Penguin / (Image via HBO)

What makes the Penguin character so popular is that he is so elevated by his own intelligence and cunning. Starting out as a petty thief, Penguin rose through the ranks of Gotham’s underworld in hopes of becoming the ruler of the city’s criminal activities.

Given his intelligence and ability to manipulate and persuade people with his words, Penguin’s character has become a favorite over the years.

at the show PenguinWe see that he made agreements with. Salvatore Maroni just using persuasion skills. He tells the former crime boss that Gotham’s underworld is rightfully his, and that it was stolen by the Falcones.

He even convinces Maroni that it’s a good idea to let the Falcone family think that Salvatore planned the murder of Alberto Falcone, because then they’ll know who the real boss is. Sal accepts the idea, even though he knows Penguin killed Alberto.

His persuasive skills even allow him to bond with Sofia Falcone, an ex-criminal and resident of Arkham asylum. She cannot understand that Penguin killed Alberto and begins to believe him.

These qualities make the Penguin character layered and complex, making him a fan favorite.


2. Penguin uses his high-tech umbrella as a weapon

Penguin with his umbrella in Batman Returns / (Image via Flashback FM YouTube)Penguin with his umbrella in Batman Returns / (Image via Flashback FM YouTube)
Penguin with his umbrella in Batman Returns / (Image via Flashback FM YouTube)

Another interesting aspect that makes Penguin the best villain of the Batman universe is his use of high-tech umbrellas as weapons.

He has been seen using his umbrellas as guns, swords, gas, mini helicopters, and various other gadgets to attack his enemies and save himself. This innovative use of the umbrella is another reason that makes Penguin an interesting villain.


3. Penguins have a double life

The Penguin and Vic in The Penguin / (Image via HBO)The Penguin and Vic in The Penguin / (Image via HBO)
The Penguin and Vic in The Penguin / (Image via HBO)

One of the most interesting aspects of Penguin’s character is his connections to both the upper and lower layers of society. Keen on high-class etiquette and lifestyle, Penguin also wields a strong influence over the lower echelons of society because he knows that they will be the ones who will actively assist him in rising the ranks.

For example, in the show PenguinWe see how he takes Vic under his wing after he catches him trying to rob his car. He realizes that this kid from a lower-middle-class Gotham family wiped out by the flood caused by the Riddler will come in handy when it comes to doing some dirty work.

This character dichotomy makes the Penguin a worthy villain in the world of Batman.


4. The penguin is sure of what he wants

The Penguin and Salvatore Maroni in The Penguin / (Image via HBO)The Penguin and Salvatore Maroni in The Penguin / (Image via HBO)
The Penguin and Salvatore Maroni in The Penguin / (Image via HBO)

One of the Penguin’s best qualities is that he knows what he wants and will do anything to achieve it. Penguin is ready to do whatever it takes to achieve his goal by exchanging information from people superior to him and implicating innocent people in his dangerous operations.

However, although he is so sure of himself and what he wants, he has a paradoxical feature of getting upset about small things. For example, PenguinHe kills Alberto Falcone in the first episode, even though he didn’t plan it. The reason was both valid and simple; Alberto laughed at him.

These quirks of his character, as well as his certainty of his goal, are another reason why Penguin is one of the best villains in Batman.


5. Penguin never lets anyone know his true feelings

The Penguin airs on HBO / (Image via MAX)The Penguin airs on HBO / (Image via MAX)
The Penguin airs on HBO / (Image via MAX)

One of the greatest qualities a villain can have is that he doesn’t show what he’s thinking. The Penguin is pretty great when it comes to this quality.

Since one of his main strategies is to deceive those above him, it is of great importance that the Penguin hides his true intentions and feelings. It does a great job of keeping people in the dark about what people are really thinking.

Penguin’s face and expressions don’t give anything away, and it seems like he truly believes everything he says. His belief in his own lies makes them seem like the truth, and the person who hears them is eventually convinced to believe his words.

Inside PenguinWe see him talking to Sal Maroni and the Falcone family one after the other, but he doesn’t hesitate even once. There is no change in Penguin’s face regarding Alberto’s disappearance. There is no way anyone could guess that he was involved in the murder.

This extreme control over his expressions and ability to hide his true intentions and emotions make the Penguin one of the most feared villains of all time.


HBO’s new series Penguin It follows Penguin’s character closely following the events of Matt Reeves’ 2022 film and chronicles his rise in Gotham’s underworld. Batman.

Penguin It can be broadcast on HBO.


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