“The Penguin Takes Flight”
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Belen Ortega
Color Artist: Luis Guerrero
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Review by Philip Clark
The Penguin #0 gives more depth to the story that begins in #1 of the new ongoing series. Taking place after The Penguins apparent death, we get a look at what he he’s left in his will… and to who.
The Cat is The New Bat
Starting at the Iceberg Lounge, we’re shown that now that Cobblepot’s no longer around, some of the gangs in Gotham think they can take the club over. That is until a certain intervention from a black cad individual, only this time it’s not Batman.
Catwoman swoops in to save the day, stopping the immediate danger and pulling herself into something a tad more complicated. The Underbroker and his companion, The Executioner, enter the scene announcing that they have Oswald Cobblepot’s will and they will not let anyone or anything let them deviate from acting it out.
After some persuasion by The Executioner, and a sizeable deposit into her bank account, Catwoman does her best Batman impression and tracks down all of The Penguin’s children, as named in his will.
The Penguin’s Nest Egg
There are in fact, two of children not named, and strangely they’re the only two able to make it to the will reading. After dividing the funds and property of Cobblepot, there’s something Catwoman now asks of The Executioner; which leads to the best part of this issue.
Catwoman tacks down the very much alive Oswald Cobblepot and the pair have a much needed heart to heart. Talking about Batman, Gotham and what the future might hold for them both. It was touching to see them talk like old friends, about something only they know about with such familiarity.
The Penguin #0 does a great job at setting the scene for the events of issue #1, so reading this is a must for those that want to step in on the ground floor with the new series. The story hits all the beats it needs while keeping the reader engaged.
The artwork by Ortega is slick and fluid, and we can feel the movements of the characters on the page. Not only that, but when the story called for it, her storytelling is sublime, as her work delivers all the emotion portrayed during the character pieces.
Conclusion
Overall, the creative team did a great job with this piece and gave us some depth to a character that I didn’t realise needed to have it. It makes me very excited for the upcoming The Penguin run!
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment
