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Character Profiles - Villains - Penguin

Real Name: Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot
Occupation: Criminal
Marital Status: Single
Base of Operations: Gotham
Height: 5ft 2in
Weight: 175 lbs
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black
First Appearance: Detective Comics #58 (December 1941)
Created By: Bill Finger

Current Version
Oswald Cobblepot was not a child with many friends. His mother, terrified that he might die of pneumonia like his father, forced him to always carry an umbrella. Also, the very formal type of dress that he wore did not endear him to his peers. He was mockingly called “penguin,” and Oswald found his only refuge in the friendship of birds, reading and learning everything he could about them.

Oswald slowly grew more bitter, and eventually learned how to defend himself. He struck one of the bullies that had harassed him for years. In retaliation, the bully hunted down the place where Oswald kept the birds that were his only friends, and killed them all. This was probably the breaking point for young Oswald, who decided since people were never going to be worth his time, he would take up a life of crime.

Cobblepot took the criminal identity of the Penguin, due to his short and rolly stature, as well as his penchant for wearing tuxedos. Armed with numerous trick umbrellas, he became one of Gotham’s earliest costumed criminals. His crimes were always bird-centric, and he came to quickly face down the city’s defender, Batman. Penguin proved to be an intelligent foe, but not an overly challenging one, and he was consistently shipped off to Blackgate Penitentiary for his crimes.

Eventually, Penguin realized that he was never going to beat Batman dressing in gaudy costumes, and all he was getting was repeated savage beatings and jail time, so he changed his plans. He became Gotham’s newest mob boss, using his new night club, the Iceberg Lounge, as a front. Money laundering, racketeering, gambling; the Penguin had his fingers in them all. And if you were one of Gotham’s criminal elite and needed a hand, well the Penguin would help you too. For a fee, of course. And Batman couldn’t pin anything on him

When the earthquake hit Gotham and the city was sealed off from America, the Penguin stayed behind, and became one of the most powerful men in the city. His preexisting network of connections led people to come to him with information, and the Iceberg Lounge became a place of barter and auction. More importantly, Penguin controlled a tunnel that led into and out of the city, allowing him to bring in things like food and clothing, which he could trade for valuables that made him extremely wealthy. He also served as the initial go between for the city itself and Lex Luthor, as Luthor helped to rebuild the city.

After the No Man’s Land ended, the Penguin once again ran afoul of Batman. One of the Penguin’s hired help was a man named Jeremy Samuels, who was an old acquaintance of Bruce Wayne. When Samuels died, Batman went on a crusade to destroy the Penguin’s criminal enterprises. Only by becoming a stool-pigeon for Batman was Penguin able to maintain his empire, even if it is now one with Batman watching his every move.

Most recently, Penguin has begun working to take over Gotham’s East End, which is under the protection of Catwoman. He freed the superpowered muscle called Zeiss to eliminate her, and Zeiss mortally wounded Catwoman. If there will be actions taken by Batman against him for this, it has yet to happen.

The Penguin's most formidable asset is his quick intellect. He is one of the best criminal fixers and planners in the world. The Penguin is a more formidable opponent then many consider. He is quick and strong for someone of his build. He also wields an arsenal of deadly trick umbrellas, hiding everything from knives to machine guns.

One Year Later
While the Penguin was away from Gotham City, the Great White and Tally Man killed many of the villains who worked for Penguin, and framed Harvey Dent. Great White had planned to take over Gotham's criminal syndicate and weaken all his competition - Penguin included. Upon his return to Gotham, the Penguin has gone 'straight' and is running a nightclub, selling overpriced penguin merchandise. He urges the Riddler to avoid crime, as it's more lucrative in their current, non-criminal lifestyle.


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