The highly anticipated The Penguin series has finally premiered on Max, featuring exciting references and Easter eggs from the rich history of DC Comics. Colin Farrell returns as Oswald "Oz" Cobb, the Penguin, following up on his role in The Batman. The show is set immediately after the events of Matt Reeves's The Batman and dives deep into Gotham’s underworld.
With references to Batman’s 80-year legacy and thrilling Easter eggs, this first episode has set the stage for what promises to be an intense journey for the Penguin.
Every Easter egg and Batman reference in the show
The first episode of The Penguin is packed with Easter eggs relating to the Batman universe. Here are some of the Easter eggs from the show's premiere.
1) Bella Real on the news
The episode begins with news coverage showing Gotham’s new mayor-elect, Bella Real, as introduced in The Batman. She is trying to clean up the city after the Riddler’s attacks. Fans will remember that she was shot by one of the Riddler’s followers, and in this episode, she’s still recovering from that injury.
2) Oz Cobb’s umbrella
Oz is seen using an umbrella in the rain. While this might seem like a normal accessory, for longtime Batman fans, it’s an iconic part of the Penguin’s character. In the comics, Penguin’s umbrella often doubles as a weapon, though Oz’s umbrella in the show doesn’t seem to have any hidden tricks yet.
3) Alberto Falcone
Alberto, the son of Carmine Falcone, makes a surprise appearance. In the comics, Alberto is known as the "Holiday Killer" and plays a major role in The Long Halloween storyline. In the show, however, he doesn’t get much time to develop before Oz kills him in a shocking scene.
4) Salvatore Maroni’s ring
Oz takes a ring from Alberto’s body, which we learn once belonged to Salvatore Maroni, a major crime boss in Gotham. This ring is a symbol of power in the Gotham underworld, and by taking it, Oz is asserting his dominance.
5) Rex Calabrese
In a conversation with Alberto, Oz mentions Rex Calabrese, an old Gotham gangster who was admired by many, including a young Oz. Rex’s character is another nod to the rich history of Gotham’s criminal families in DC Comics.
6) Penguin’s purple Maserati
Oz’s flashy purple Maserati is another fun reference to the comics. Penguin has always had a taste for the finer things in life, and his car matches his colorful personality.
7) Johnny Viti
Another member of the Falcone family, Johnny Viti, appears in this episode. In the Long Halloween comic, Johnny is one of the first victims of the Holiday Killer. It seems like the show is following a different path, as Johnny survives the premiere.
8) Sofia Falcone
Sofia Falcone, Carmine’s daughter, is introduced as a major player in the show. She’s suspicious of Oz and is hunting for her brother, Alberto. In the comics, Sofia is a dangerous villain known as The Hangman, and the show will likely explore this side of her character.
9) Crown Point: Gotham’s worst neighborhood
Oz recruits a young criminal named Victor from Crown Point, one of Gotham’s most dangerous areas. This neighborhood is infamous in DC Comics for being the worst part of the city, a place where even the police avoid going.
10) Put the Blame on Mame from Gilda - 1946
During one scene, Oz visits his mother while a classic movie, Gilda, plays on TV. The song Put the Blame on Mame gives Oz the idea to frame the Maronis for Alberto’s murder, a clever twist in the plot.
11) Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5
The first episode of The Penguin ends with Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 playing in the background as Oz celebrates his success. It’s a fitting song for a man who’s hustling his way to the top.
After Hours - Episode 1 of The Penguin
The first episode of The Penguin, titled After Hours, takes place directly after the events of The Batman. Gotham City is in a state of chaos, and many key players are fighting to fill the power vacuum left by the death of Carmine Falcone. With the city still recovering from the Riddler’s destructive flood, Oz sees an opportunity to rise as Gotham’s next big crime boss.
The episode opens with a tense 15-minute sequence where Oz steals jewels, shoots Carmine Falcone’s son, Alberto, and teams up with a young criminal named Victor to cover up the murder. Oz is willing to do whatever it takes to rule Gotham’s streets.
More ambitious than ever, Oz is tired of being a side player in Gotham’s criminal scene and wants to become the top dog. The show makes it clear that he is a cunning strategist, manipulating others to get what he wants. He pretends to be loyal to everyone, but his true loyalty lies only with himself.
The Penguin is streaming on HBO and new episodes will be coming out every Sunday starting from September 29 only on HBO Max.
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