The Penguin continues to dominate global charts, with Colin Farrell’s ‘Oz Cobb taking center stage. The protagonist of the DC series revolves around The Penguin’s backstory on becoming the kingpin of Gotham City. In a city guarded by Batman and ruled by sinister and maniacal criminals, it's about his journey to the top.
The series debuted on September 17, 2024, and has released 2 episodes thus far. The DC drama is slated for 8 episodes and will conclude on November 10, 2024, with episodes airing every Sunday.
Circling back to The Penguin, while traits of his psychotic persona are apparent, he’s described as manipulative and grotesque. After Riddler practically laid waste to Gotham, The Penguin decided to take over Gotham while it was at its knees. With Carmine Falcone dead, it couldn’t come at a better time. Despite the resemblance in character, Oz is known as The Penguin because of his clubfoot condition.
However, he wasn’t the only person after being the top brass of Gotham’s underbelly. Cue Falcone’s crazier daughter, Sofia Falcone, and the Maroni crime family are also ambitious about the same.
Two episodes in, the DC fandom has but one curiosity: Why a cuddly nickname for someone who nonchalantly killed Alberto Maroni in cold blood in The Penguin?
Why is Oz Cobb nicknamed The Penguin?
In The Penguin, Cobb has some rather unsavory words for people calling him by the nickname ‘Penguin.’ Not only would the person gain a solid stink eye from the man himself, but he may or may not wind up dead his mood). Cobb is nicknamed ‘The Penguin,’ primarily because of his clubfoot condition.
Clubfoot is a genetic disorder that causes the toes of one's feet to overlap or “clubbed,” making walking difficult; a limp is a side effect. In The Penguin, Oz is seen painfully limping or waddling across the city, going about his day, occasionally cussing as he walks.
One reason he’s earned the nickname is his everpresent waddle, which resembles an actual penguin. Farrell and the makeup team for The Penguin received high praise and kudos for the prosthetics in the saga—his nose is one of them.
The Penguin’s nose, like his waddle, bears a close resemblance to the animal's beak: elongated and slightly tapering more realistically. Additionally, his love for monochromatic ensembles, particularly his affinity for a tux and ornithology, greatly contribute to his nickname in The Penguin.
How did The Penguin earn his nickname in the DC Comics?
In The Penguin, Cobb’s back story has yet to be shared and explored from the comics' perspective. However, the primary ethos of his empire remains the same: he came from almost nothing and was an outcast because of his waddle.
The history of The Penguin’s nickname dates back to when he was a child in DC Comics before the Crisis on Infinite Earths arc. Per Variant Comics, ‘Oswald Cobblepot’ was often picked on in school for his outward appearance, especially his waddle (NOT because of Clubfoot, per comics).
Circling back to his high school days, Cobblepot was an earnest student passionate about birds; his fascination was one of the reasons he’d get picked on in school. But the now-iconic nickname has a rather dark origin in the DC comics.
Cobblepot was regularly bullied by a redhead named ‘Sharkie’ who’d often tease him for his obesity, clothes, pointed nose, and waddle. Sharkie himself had a peculiarity of having two shark-like teeth.
Nevertheless, he’d often berate Cobblepot at school, causing him to develop the complex he has in both the comics and The Penguin. However, Penguin in the comics held a grudge against Sharkie until he became a villainous adult.
He captured him, greatly tortured him by force-feeding him fish (like a shark), and gave him a ruthless ending for the years of abuse against him. Only time will tell whether or not we’ll see Sharkie in The Penguin.
Episodes of The Penguin can now be binged on HBO Max.
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