In The Penguin #8, Oswald Cobblepot has officially made his way back to Gotham City.
The Penguin #8 Carmine di Giandomenico Cover (image courtesy of DC Comics)
Title: The Penguin #8
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Rafael De Latorre
Colors: Marcelo Maiolo
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Main Cover: Carmine Di Giandomenico
Variant Covers: Dustin Nguyen
Release Date: March 26, 2024
This comic book review contains spoilers.
We open with Jim Gordon being brought through a murder scene in “Cobblepot’s place.” There are 37 dead, including four of the members of Force of July.
Flashback to six months earlier, and Oswald Cobblepot is buying a new apartment in Gotham City where he gets a great view of the city. Oswald has only recently returned to Gotham, and we see the reactions of people as they see The Penguin. Penguin buys a hot dog – just mustard. (Sorry Oswald, I’m a ketchup on a hot dog guy.) The hot dog vendor is shocked. As Oswald enjoys that hot dog in the park, a loose dog runs up to him, and the owner is afraid that Penguin will kill both the owner and the dog. But Penguin is a dog guy, so all is okay.
One of his children’s assassin’s tries to gun down Oswald in the street but is gunned down by The Help who is looking out for Oswald. Penguin then has a talk with the Riddler, who after a few fat jokes thrown Penguin’s way, is given a beatdown of epic proportions by Penguin (HELL YEAH). Penguin tells Riddler to let his children know that he is coming for them.
Batman then meets Penguin on his way home (aka grapples Penguin up onto a roof). Batman says the whole city is afraid and waiting for Penguin’s next move. He tells Oswald that things will be the same as before, that Penguin will do as he’s told and report to Batman or else.
Penguin’s daughter (Addison Cobblepot) visits, and after some chit-chat, she lets him know that she knows everything. She knows about Force of July and the Help and everything he is planning. She knows it all, and she is going to kill him. Penguin comments on how big she’s gotten, and they share a hug, telling each other they love each other.
Flash forward back the murder scene and Jim Gordon. Penguin’s son Aiden is amongst the victims as there is an umbrella stabbed through his chest. Gordon wonders what Oswald did…
The Penguin #8 Dustin Nguyen Variant Cover (image courtesy of DC Comics)
It is good to have regular series artist Rafael De Latorre back. Oswald looking out over his city is a great shot. The scene when Penguin beats up Riddler is a fun and fantastic moment. King writes a great, arrogant Riddler. Whenever I read a Tom King-written Riddler, I just want someone to punch, so I had a smile on my face as Oswald stomped out Riddler.
Penguin and his daughter aren’t exactly Danny and Michelle Tanner. I don’t remember many times on Full House where they shared a hug after one threatened to kill the other. I am going to assume that the ending with the son with an umbrella in his chest is a misdirect, and it wasn’t Oswald that did it – but you know what they say when you assume. I am looking forward to what comes next.
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 Amazon or a physical copy of the title through Things From Another World.
