PENGUIN: Oswald Cobblepot [bio]
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PENGUIN: Oswald Cobblepot [bio]
"The world thinks I am dead, the richest spoils in Gotham await me, and you want to cut yourself a slice of the action? -- You must learn, my ghoulish friend, the Penguin flies ever alone!!''
--PENGU
Comic Book History
Who is PENGUIN?
The Penguin is Oswald Cobblepot, intelligent, rich and sophisticated who puts up a gentlemanly front, but behind closed doors he is an angered, power hungry criminal. He shows flashes of compassion sometimes, but he is dominated by a desire to be respected and to control those around him. A DC Comics villain that occasionally turns up in Batman books. The Penguin was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, and made his debut in Detective Comics #58 (December 1941).
First Appearance
Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot was bullied as a child for his short stature, obesity, and beak-like nose. Born to a rich family but after the deaths of his parents, his wealth would be repossessed to pay their debts. Carrying the hurt he suffered during his childhood, Oswald began a life of crime but keeping with his family's tradition of wealth; he executes his capers with his class and style. In keeping with his pretensions of being a refined gentleman, he also prefers to wear formal wear such as a top hat, monocle, and tuxedo during his jobs. He also brought in his life of crime the childhood alias he got, the Penguin.
Nevertheless, a life of crime in Gotham City will later have you facing the Dark Knight detective. Penguin is one of Batman's oldest members of his rogue's gallery, and apparently one of the first few criminals during the golden age of comics who was able to escape the caped crusader's clutches. However, with several more entanglement with the Bat, he cannot get lucky that often and had done his fair share of time in Arkham Asylum.
Later the Penguin turns his attentions to a new modus operandi, operating as a white-collar criminal running a restaurant and casino known the Iceberg Lounge under the front of a legitimate businessman.
Penguin also made a play to control Gotham City's criminal underworld unfortunately for him someone else snatched that position from him.
Penguin would then find himself under the "employment" of Batman as an informant, using his criminal contacts to give Batman an edge over Gotham's criminals.
Penguin would also have a short stint with the superhero group "Birds of Prey" but this was more of charade as he was working with another villain who has an item he desires.
Penguin: Origins
ANIMATED APPEARANCE/S
Adventures of Batman
The Penguin appeared in several episodes of Filmation's The Adventures of Batman animated series, which ran from 1968 to 1969. Ted Knight voices the Penguin here.
The New Adventures of Batman
In Filmation's series The New Adventures of Batman, the Penguin again made several appearances, and he is voiced by Lennie Weinrib. He frequently rolls his 'r's and laughs in a similar manner to his 1960's live portrayal counterpart.
The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians
The Penguin appeared in The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians episode "The Case of the Stolen Powers" voiced by Robert Morse. In the episode, Penguin accidentally gains Superman's superpowers, thanks to a magical mishap.
Batman: The Animated Series
In the 1992 Batman: Academy Award-winner Paul Williams voiced The Animated Series, Penguin. The look of this version of Penguin takes his cue from the recently released Batman Returns movie.
The New Batman Adventures
Paul Williams reprised his role as the Penguin in the 1997 follow-up to the original animated series, The New Batman Adventures, the Penguin returned to an appearance more like his traditional comic book look.
The Batman
Penguin appeared on the animated series: The Batman, voiced by Tom Kenny. In this continuity, the Penguin is primarily concerned with reestablishing the Cobblepot family name in society by stealing from the citizens of Gotham to rebuild his wealth. This Penguin has a deformed appearance, with red hair instead of black and more crooked teeth.
The Brave and the Bold
The Penguin is featured in The Brave and the Bold and is voiced by Stephen Root.
Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman
Penguin appeared in the animated movie, Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman as the main villain, this time voiced by David Ogden Stiers.
The Batman vs. Dracula
Tom Kenny reprises voicing the Penguin in the animated movie The Batman vs. Dracula. In the movie, he accidentally resurrects Count Dracula with his blood in the Gotham cemetery. Dracula then hypnotizes the Penguin to work for him.
LIVE MEDIA APPEARANCE/S
Burgess Meredith
Burgess Meredith played the Penguin in several episodes of the Batman television series of the 1960s. A largely campy interpretation, Meredith's performance is perhaps best remembered through his signature laugh, meant to mimic the squawk of a penguin. He reprises his Penguin role in the 1966 film entitled "Batman" alongside several other villains from the television show
Danny DeVito
In Batman Returns, the Penguin was portrayed by Danny DeVito, and is one of the main antagonists of the film. Director Tim Burton re-imagined the character not as an eloquent gentleman of crime, but a physically deformed murdering psychopath with a homicidal grudge against Gotham City.
POWERS & ABILITIES
Note: Due to the nature of comicbooks being an on-going tale, the character's powers along with his appearance, is in a constant state of flux.
Penguin does not have any Superhuman powers
Abilities:
Genius-Level Intellect: Criminal genius with an exceptional understanding of business.
Leadership: Skilled in organized leadership.
Connections: Vast underworld connections.
Martial Artist (Judo)
Avian Trainer: The Penguin is also known for his usage of birds to help him commit crimes.
Sources : http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Penguin : http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Oswald_Cobblepot_(New_Earth) : http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Oswald_Cobblepot_(New_Earth)/Gallery : http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Oswald_Cobblepot_(New_Earth)/Quotes : http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Detective_Comics_Vol_1_568 : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penguin_(comics) : http://www.comicvine.com/penguin/29-4885/ : http://www.comicvine.com/penguin/29-4885/the-penguin/108-1677/
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