Posted in: Batman, Comics, Comics Publishers, Current News, DC Comics | Tagged: amanda waller, bruce wayne, Penguin, Zur-En-Arrh

Tom King & Stevan Subic Telling New Batman/Penguin History (Spoilers)

The Penguin is listed as ongoing but it seems to actually be another Tom King twelve-issue series, and may also contain major DC canon fire.

Published Mon, 22 Jan 2024 08:58:13 -0600

by Rich Johnston

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Article Summary

Tom King returns with a gripping 12-issue Batman/Penguin series that could reshape canon.
Initially presented as an ongoing tale, the series will delve into Batman and Penguin's history.
Penguin #6 hits the halfway mark, exploring Cobblepot's early days and alliance with Batman.
Speculation rises on Penguin's role with Batman against new threats from Zur-En-Arrh and Waller.

The Penguin is listed as an ongoing DC Comics series but it seems to actually be another Tom King twelve-issue series, as it seems to be his preferred go-to. That's what he told John Siuntres' Word Balloon podcast, that is.

The series began with a very injured Batman and Penguin floating in Gotham River in a sinking batboat; the rest of the issue and the series are set in flashback.

So we expect for the series to head to its twelfth issue and catch up with what happened here, with a Penguin who knows Bruce Wayne is Batman. And hingting of a longer, shared history, between the two. And maybe, just maybe given the emphasis on DC continuity of late, this will line up with Batman #149, teaming up with The Penguin against Zur-En-Arrh, followed by Amanda Waller, the Bureau of Sovereignty and AXE coming together and taking over Gotham. Maybe. Just a guess.

Why? Well DC Comics previuously stated that "after "The Joker Year One" concludes, the previously announced "Dark Prisons" story will run through Batman #145–#148, where Batman will face a terrifying figure from his past in order to survive Zur's onslaught. And if Batman survives, a new enemy is waiting in the wings: Amanda Waller and the U.S. military!"

And tomorrow's Penguin #6 marking the halfway point of this series, reveals that Batman and Penguiin did indeed work together, before Penguin was Penguin. Just Oswald Cobblepot working for the Falcone mob. And ratting on them to the Batman.

Working as a team, Cobblepot and the young Bat. Taking down the worst of Gotham together.

And naturally, being played by the Penguin at every stage. We know that the Penguin becomes his own major Gotham crime boss, but this time it was Batman who he used to get him into that position. So wioll they really work together again, against Zur-En-Arrh and Amanda Waller over in Chip Zdarsky's book? Could be. And if so, it's all happening here.

PENGUIN #6 CVR A CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO
(W) Tom King (A) Stevan Subic (CA) Carmine Di Giandomenico
The battles between the Penguin and Batman are the stuff of legend on the streets of Gotham City…but what of their very first encounter, the first strike in this contest of champions? Tom King and guest artist Stevan Subic (The Riddler: Year One) tell the story of the brutal first meeting of these two titans.
Retail: $3.99 In-Store Date: 01/23/2024

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