Penguin

Gentleman of Crime

Gotham's criminal who poses as upper class. Uses a special umbrella as a weapon and is one of Batman's cunning archenemies.

Quotes

  • Even ice water is fine...
  • I am the king of this city.
  • Revenge coolly and gentlemanly.
  • Betrayal is unforgivable.
  • Don't call me Penguin, I'm Oswald.

Trivia

  • The character was inspired by the Kool cigarette mascot penguin.
  • Burgess Meredith portrayed him in the 1960s TV drama.
  • In the film The Batman, Colin Farrell arrived on set unrecognizable due to special makeup.
  • Penguin's umbrella contains a variety of weapons.
  • He is a rare sane mastermind among Batman's villains.

Alternate names

Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot Penguin The Gentleman Of Crime Gentleman of Crime

Tags

Batman Villain Gotham City Criminal Super Villain Gentleman Umbrella Ornithology

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Profile

Species
Human
Gender
Male

Appearance

Overall appearance
Short and stocky middle-aged man. Wears a monocle over his left eye and often holds a cigarette in a holder. Prefers formal attire such as black silk top hats, morning coats, and tuxedos; recently wears a fur-collared coat.
Eye color
Black
Hair color
Black
Distinguishing features
  • Beak-like nose
  • Monocle over left eye
  • Balding head
Iconic items
  • Weaponized umbrella
  • Silk hat
  • Monocle
  • Tuxedo
  • Cigarette holder

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Calculating
Detailed personality
Criminal who retains sanity, possessing calm intelligence and shrewd calculation. Poses as a society gentleman while being ruthless and ambitious. Commands loyal subordinates and holds immense influence in organized crime.
Keywords
  • Intelligent
  • Schemer
  • Calm
  • Loyal
  • Ambitious
  • Polite
  • Ruthless
Talents
  • Master criminal
  • High intelligence
  • Ornithology knowledge
  • Negotiation
  • Organization management
Skills
  • Combat using umbrella as weapon
  • Psychological manipulation
  • Information gathering
  • Planning
  • Tactical command
Motivation
Domination of Gotham City and expansion of personal power. Aspiration for upper-class reinstatement and revenge against Batman.
Habits
Always carries an umbrella and frequently uses a cigarette holder when smoking.
Favorite foods
Cocktails, Upper-class cuisine
Favorite places
Iceberg Lounge, Gotham's high society
Favorite colors
Black, Purple
Hobbies
Bird collecting, Umbrella modification

History

Backstory
Short and obese with a beak-like nose, bullied in childhood. Father died of pneumonia; overprotective mother forced him to always carry an umbrella. Cherished birds as only friends and studied ornithology. Various origins involving mother's death and bullying lead to crime. Operates Iceberg Lounge as underworld information hub.
Debut date
1941-12
Work title
Detective Comics #58
Media type
Manga

Debut

Significant event
Debut
Description
Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane in Detective Comics #58, December 1941.

TV Drama Appearance

Significant event
TV Drama Appearance
Description
Portrayed by Burgess Meredith in the 1960s TV drama.

Batman Returns Appearance

Significant event
Batman Returns Appearance
Description
Danny DeVito appeared in the 1992 film Batman Returns.

Gotham Appearance

Significant event
Gotham Appearance
Description
Robin Lord Taylor portrays young Penguin in the drama Gotham starting 2014.

The Batman Appearance

Significant event
The Batman Appearance
Description
Colin Farrell portrays him in the 2022 film The Batman.

The Penguin Spin-off

Significant event
The Penguin Spin-off
Description
Colin Farrell stars in the 2024 HBO Max spin-off drama The Penguin.

Relationships

Cobblepot Family

From a prestigious family but ostracized within the household shortly after birth.

Subordinates

Loyal subordinates

Demands absolute loyalty from them to maintain his criminal organization.

Injustice League

Injustice League: unknown

Iceberg Lounge

Iceberg Lounge: leader

Suicide Squad

Suicide Squad: unknown

Secret Society of Super Villains

Secret Society of Super Villains: unknown

Super Force

Super Force: unknown

Media appearances

Detective Comics #58

Manga / Protagonist

1941

Batman Returns

Movie / Supporting

1992

The Batman

Movie / Supporting

2022

Batman (Anime)

Anime / Supporting

1990s

The Batman

Anime / Supporting

Gotham

Drama / Protagonist

2014-2019

The Penguin

Drama / Protagonist

2024

Arkham Series

Game / Supporting

2010s

Voice cast and creators

石田太郎

Voice actor
石田太郎
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Batman Returns (TV Asahi dub)

樋浦勉

Voice actor
樋浦勉
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Batman Returns (home video dub)

青野武

Voice actor
青野武
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Batman Returns (in-flight version)

金田明夫

Voice actor
金田明夫
Language
Japanese
Version or series
The Batman (dub) / The Penguin

川津泰彦

Voice actor
川津泰彦
Language
Japanese
Version or series
The Batman (Japanese dub)

富田耕生

Voice actor
富田耕生
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Batman (Anime) (Japanese dub)

Danny DeVito

Voice actor
Danny DeVito
Language
English
Version or series
Batman Returns

Colin Farrell

Voice actor
Colin Farrell
Language
English
Version or series
The Batman / The Penguin

Burgess Meredith

Voice actor
Burgess Meredith
Language
English
Version or series
Batman (1960s TV Drama)

Robin Lord Taylor

Voice actor
Robin Lord Taylor
Language
English
Version or series
Gotham

Paul Williams

Voice actor
Paul Williams
Language
English
Version or series
Batman: The Animated Series

Bill Finger

Creator name
Bill Finger
Role
Original author

Bob Kane

Creator name
Bob Kane
Role
Character designer

Related goods

Penguin Figure

Item name
Penguin Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Batman Returns Penguin Costume Set

Item name
Batman Returns Penguin Costume Set
Category
Apparel
Availability
Limited

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