Matt Reeves is keen to ensure that the Batman universe has exciting DC villains before the second film comes out. Its spin-off, The Penguin, is streaming on Max and takes place right after Robert Pattinson's 2022 film, which introduced Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot, notoriously known as Penguin.
The spin-off continues to engage fans with Penguin's quest to become Gotham's most powerful crime kingpin and fully control the underworld. However, before that happens, The Penguin welcomes another DC villain into its narrative by featuring Sofia Falcone's backstory and how she ended up in Arkham Asylum.
As seen in episode 4, Cent’anni, Marié Botha has joined the cast of the HBO series as Magpie, whose real name is Margaret Pye. She might not be a supervillain or a big threat to the Caped Crusader, but she is the first one to have been defeated by the combined efforts of Batman and Superman in the DC comics.
The Penguin episode 4 didn't just reveal how Sofia Falcone ended up in Arkham Asylum after her father wrongly framed her, but also surprised viewers by revealing that another Batman villain, Magpie, was one of her cellmates.
While Magpie has a different story in the DC comics, The Penguin features her as a less powerful villain. She was locked up in Arkham Asylum with Sofia and was incredibly eager to befriend her. However, Magpie's plan to push Sofia into violence with another inmate resulted in her death. Read more to explore Magpie's origin from the comics and her significance in The Penguin.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for The Penguin episode 4! Reader discretion is advised.
The Penguin introduces Magpie to The Batman universe: Exploring her story in the HBO series
Being one of the obscure Batman villains, not many would have recognized Marié Botha's character in The Penguin episode 4, which focused on Sofia's traumatic past life in Arkham Asylum. As the episode progresses, it's revealed that Sofia Falcone's father was the Hangman who killed her mother.
The series features flashbacks of Sofia being wrongly framed as the Hangman and sent to the asylum, where she met Magpie or Margaret Pye. They both highlight the dark side of Gotham City, with Sofia being the daughter of the crime lord and Magpie being an outcast known for her obsession.
Magpie's plan to use Sofia as a pawn in her game at the asylum leads to her tragic end. She initiated violence between Sofia and a cellmate, which injected Sofia with unstoppable rage, and she ended up killing Magpie by banging her head on a table.
Her appearance in the HBO series was undeniably brief but perfectly fitted into the narrative of the spin-off, highlighting the villains Pattinson's Batman might have encountered initially. The Batman Part II is set for a release in 2026, and Magpie's appearance in the film likely won't happen.
How was Magpie introduced as a Batman villain in DC comics?
First introduced in The Man of Steel #3, John Pyre created Margaret Pye after the reimagination of several characters for post-Crisis on Infinite Earth continuity. Pye was a normal human being with no superpowers and was obsessed with high-value shiny objects.
She previously worked as a curator at the Gotham City Museum of Antiquities, and her job led to her fascination with unique artifacts. Following her obsession, Margaret Pye transforms into Magpie, a thief who steals valuable shiny treasures.
Magpie initially had no special powers but later learned to grow her fingernails to a great length and use them like claws during fights. She's known for her flawless combat skills and knowledge of gadgets.
Magpie loves to steal jewels named after birds and leaves behind fake items with booby traps, highlighting her style of stealing. Following her habitual thefts, Magpie ends up in Arkham Asylum, where she meets Batman villain Poison Ivy.
Later, Magpie gets killed by another villain, the Great White Shark, who wants revenge on Penguin, and Magpie is working for him. However, she comes back to life and has been a part of groups like Black Lantern Cops, Suicide Squad, and even the Secret Society of Super-Villains.
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The Penguin episode 5 will come out on MAX on October 20, 2024.
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