Overview: In The Penguin #3, Oswald Cobblepot’s quest to reclaim Gotham City continues as he builds a new team.
Title: The Penguin #3
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Rafael De Latorre
Colors: Marcelo Maiolo
Main Cover: David Marquez
Variant Covers: Dustin Nguyen, Tony Shasteen, Trevor Hairsine, Rain Beredo & Gabriele Dell’Otto
Release Date: October 24, 2023
Oswald Cobblepot is approaching Agent Espinoza about acquiring some “goons” to help him reclaim his throne in Gotham City. Espinoza takes issue with Penguin’s request because the names he asks for are former military members and lets her displeasure known with her signature salty language.
Oswald finds deep-cut DC character Major Victory (I have never heard of him). Major Victory (William Vickers) was created by Mike Barr and Jim Aparo in the 1980s and was the leader of The Force of July. Think of a very, very, very poor man’s Captain America, one that’s seemingly been forgotten by time. Penguin finds another hero named Silent Majority living in the street and takes him in. Penguin starts to train Silent Majority.
Next Penguin goes to recruit Mayflower, another Force of July member who has the ability to control plant life. Her powers seem dormant, and Oswald tempts her with the chance to meet up with Poison Ivy. This seems to coax her to action.
Next on Penguin’s recruiting trip is Lady Liberty. She just wants money to work for him, which is something that Penguin surely has. Last on Oswald’s list is Sparkler, who only agrees to help so Penguin does not kill his sister.
The issue ends with Penguin getting the Force of July back together to fight for him and help reclaim Gotham City under the criminal enterprise of Oswald Cobblepot.
The Penguin #3 variant by Gabriele Dell’Otto
There isn’t much action in this issue, but it shows Penguin’s greatest power- his mind. We see him recruit the members of Force of July in different ways, using the powers of persuasion and negotiation. Each members requires something different, and Penguin resorts to telling some they need help, telling others they can be what they once were, blackmail, money, and so forth. It’s all classic Oswald Cobblepot stuff.
I also am going to predict right now that we will see some form of Force July in James Gunn’s upcoming DC Universe. I bet they’ll appear either in The Authority or Peacemaker Season 2. These are deep-cut characters who no one has ever really heard of, which is right up up Gunn’s alley.
Editor’s Note: DC Comics provided TBU with an advanced copy of this comic for review purposes. You can find this comic and help support TBU in the process by purchasing this issue digitally on Comixology through Amazon or a physical copy of the title through Things From Another World.
