Batman Spinoff ‘The Penguin’ Has Some Of The Best TV Characters In Years

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://thefederalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-17-at-12.24.31 PM-1-1200x675.png crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//thefederalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-17-at-12.24.31%5Cu202fPM-1-1200x675.png%22%7D" expand=1]'The Penguin' stands out in an entertainment environment obsessed with using old IPs to prop up the latest installment of corporate dreck.

Luigi Mangione did NOT have a 'Joker moment'



Only in the age of social media does a high-profile murder become cause for celebration among the masses, like it has with Luigi Mangione and his alleged victim, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

“I really can’t over-emphasize how disturbing the response to this murder has been,” Rafael Mangual tells James Poulos on “Zero Hour.” “There’s no shortage of people with terrible takes on social media, essentially celebrating.”

“The shooter wore a very distinctive jacket that apparently has been flying off the shelves,” he continues, adding, “there was a lookalike contest in Washington Square Park the other day for the shooter. It really is kind of something out of 'Batman' where you have this terrible person being celebrated for a heinous act.”


“I don’t want to beat the 'Batman' thing to death, but it really is striking,” Poulos agrees, noting that it really does resemble the Robert Pattinson brand of Batman.

“This is a figure who is presented as an actual detective. This is a guy who has to solve crimes and figure out these mysteries and as the city sinks deeper into chaos and anarchy and evil. You start getting these figures who come up with these elaborate sort of structures that they use to sort of play with people,” he continues.

“And when I saw the way that hit went down, and the way that sort of information started to be introduced, and they discovered the backpack and it’s full of Monopoly money, and there’s this whole social media thing, it’s hard not to look at the way that that’s playing out and to think, 'Have we entered into a new phase of crime in American life where there’s kind of this game to it?'”

“There’s this sort of stink of like we are being manipulated in some way,” he adds.

In light of keeping the "Batman" analogy going, Mangual notes that with the rise of social media, offenders like Mangione feel like if they market their actions the right way, they can have their own “Joker moment.”

“It’s up to us to reject that and to remind people that this isn’t a comic book story, that this is reality. You can’t just take lives on the streets of major cities,” he adds.

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Eau de Trump intoxicates Jill — but late-night losers still stink



Can someone check in on Rosie O’Donnell?

The former host of “The View” isn’t taking President Donald Trump’s re-election well. She’s far from alone. At least the comedienne didn’t check herself into a facility a la Rob Reiner.

Who wouldn’t want to be orphaned after watching your parents get gunned down by a common street thug? So much privilege!

Although maybe that would have saved her from broadcasting her paranoid meltdown on TikTok.

Her most recent post finds O’Donnell oversharing about a possible cold sore, complaining about MAGA members “taunting” her and looking much worse for the wear.

Still, she's less painful to watch than the boorish Sunny Hostin — or anyone else on "The View."

Colbert gets that not-so-fresh feeling

Even an avowed Trump hater like O’Donnell must have smiled at the president-elect’s newest troll move.

Trump shared news about a branded cologne product on Truth Social, using a recent photograph to help sell it.

The image? A snapshot of first lady Jill Biden looking at Trump with a sort of adoration. The real estate mogul, never one to miss a marketing opportunity, used the photograph in a cheeky attempt to sell some product.

Funny, funny stuff. Unless you’re a late-night talk show host, that is.

Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Fallon all took turns swatting Trump for the hilarious move. Kimmel’s weak-tea response?

“He had to use that picture because he doesn’t have a picture of his own wife smiling at him.”

Colbert’s crack?

“In response, Dr. Biden used the photo to sell her new line of pepper spray.”

Slightly better, but still lame.

Trump can do plenty of things, but we’d love it if he could make Late Night Great Again …

Now please 'mansplain' why we should care

Bill Maher and actor Zachary Levi agreed to disagree ... a lot ... during their recent chat on the comedian’s “Club Random” podcast. Maher repeatedly lauded the “Shazam!” alum for his intelligence and demeanor, with both men clearly having a blast in the thoughtful exchange.

Tell that to Laura Benanti. The Broadway actress, who mocks former and future first lady Melania Trump on “The Late Show,” slammed Levi on a recent podcast interview. She said everyone enjoys his company but not her.

“'He’s so great!’ And I was like, ‘No, he’s not. He’s sucking up all the f***ing energy in this room. He wants to mansplain everybody’s part to them.'”

Easy, Laura — we already love Zach. No need to hype him up even more ...

Focker shocker

Just when we thought the world was healing, we get an uppercut from Hollywood Inc.

Yes, Trump’s Cabinet picks appear primed for Senate approval, Daniel Penny is a free man, and woke is on the run.

But we still have another Fockers movie to endure.

Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro will reportedly reunite for a fourth “Meet the Parents” film. The first movie proved delightful, with De Niro playing against his tough-guy screen shtick.

By the time “Little Fockers” came around in 2010, we begged for the sweet release of death. Now, this ...

Who's Hugh

Hugh Grant became a star thanks to witty turns in films like “Four Weddings and a Funeral.” The term “foppish” became glued to his brand, from his floppy do to his stammering shtick.

At 64, Grant is no longer the British beau but a versatile, in-demand character actor. Last year, he played a puckish Oompa Loompa in “Wonka.” Now, he’s the dangerous neighbor putting two Mormon missionaries through their paces in “Heretic.”

The film features blood, gore, and more, along with tricky conversations about faith. It’s hardly a tale to be shared at a post-church chat, but it gets the genre job done. And according to the Golden Globes, it falls smack in the middle of the comedy or musical category.

Yes, the head-scratching awards group gave Grant a Best Actor, Comedy or Musical nomination. Somewhere, Pia Zadora is smiling ...

Activate the bat (virtue) signal!

We can’t get enough of Batman stories, but the scribe behind a new "Dark Knight" story thinks Bruce Wayne deserves a lecture on privilege.

That’s liberal DC Comics writer Tom Taylor, who has the Man of Steel tut-tutting Wayne over his wealth and white skin in the new "Detective Comics #1091."

Superman is right, of course. Who wouldn’t want to be orphaned after watching your parents get gunned down by a common street thug? So much privilege!

Superman better watch out — this DEI nonsense has proved to be kryptonite to many an iconic brand.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow bought a fully functional Batmobile for $3 million and wants to drive it to every game



Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow surprised his teammates by revealing he bought an actual Batmobile.

The vehicle, nicknamed the Tumbler, is inspired by the Batmobile that first appeared in the 2005 film "Batman Begins" and retails for a reported $3 million with just 10 of the fully operational cars available.

During an episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks," Burrow told his teammates at practice about his lavish purchase.

"Have I told you I bought a Batmobile?" Burrow casually told wide receiver Tee Higgins. "I don't get it for, like, a year, but I bought it."

"Oh, the real one? That thing gonna be crazy," Higgins replied.

'What if I wore it to every game?'

Burrow then explained his hope to now buy an expensive Batman bat-suit replica and arrive at every Bengals game in full costume and be seen exiting the Batmobile.

"What if I wore it to every game? I just wore the full bat suit, Batmobile to every game. I'd go crazy on Halloween," Burrow laughed. "500 [yards], seven touchdowns," he predicted.

The Batmobile at the European premiere of 'Batman Begins' at the Odeon Leicester Square on June 12, 2005, in London, England. Photo by MJ Kim/Getty Images

Unfortunately, it might not be possible for Burrow to make his movie-inspired appearances at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.

According to Sawyer Merrit, who reported on the sale of the Batmobile replicas in November, the vehicles are operational but not street legal.

"Not street legal, but if you have private land or a track, you can use it," Merrit claimed.

The specs of the vehicle are quite impressive, and the Tumbler's paneling would rival almost any vehicle on the market in terms of durability.

The body is made of a combination of carbon, Kevlar, fiberglass, and metal panels. It has a steel tube frame, 6.2 liter V8 engine, and a whopping 525 horsepower. Along with plenty of torque, the Batmobile includes many of the amazing features that made it so cool in the movies.

This includes the ability to drop smoke screens, one-way mirrored glass windows, a "simulated jet engine," and, of course, imitation gun turrets.

After Higgins said he would wear the bat suit to the club, teammate Ja'Marr Chase jokingly expressed concern that he’d be invisible to the public he was seemingly trying to impress.

"You'll get lost in there. [The suit] is so dark," Higgins suggested.

However, maybe that's exactly what Batman/Burrow would want.

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Holy creative bankruptcy! New 'Batman' to battle lady Penguin



Amazon Prime's new Batman cartoon has gender-swapped the villain named the Penguin to a woman, with the creator saying the change was inspired by a drag queen and numerous musicals.

"Batman: Caped Crusader" is an animated series produced by Bruce Timm, co-creator of the highly-successful "Batman: The Animated Series" that ran from 1992 to 1995.

Timm and executive producer James Tucker told the Emmys that they felt there was a lack of "good villains" in the show and, more specifically, not enough female antagonists.

'The idea that Batman lacks female villains is preposterous and insulting. ... It's clear this was just a cheap gender swap meant to demoralize Batman fans with in-your-face feminism.'

"James and I were talking about the overview of the show, and we said, 'One of the problems with Batman, as he is, is there's a lack of good villains. You've got Catwoman, you've got Poison Ivy, you've got Harley Quinn. But it would be really good to have more female villains,'" Timm said.

Timm continued, "Off the top of my head, I said, 'We never really could figure out exactly what to do with the Penguin, what the gimmick for the Penguin would be. What if we gender-flip the Penguin?'" he asked.

Tucker said he found the notion instantly inspiring. "I was thinking of Marlene Dietrich in her tuxedo and 'Cabaret' the musical and the art form of cabaret, and I just started drawing. I instantly got a flood of ideas. Also, I was thinking a little bit of Harvey Fierstein and 'Hairspray' and Divine."

Pop culture news site Bounding into Comics posted photos of the new Penguin — essentially the same as the 1990s character but with added makeup and lipstick.

That Park Place editor in chief John F. Trent called the character change a "cheap" swap that lacks originality.

"Bruce Timm created Harley Quinn with Paul Dini in the '90s. He could have created a brand-new character if he wanted," Trent scoffed.

"The idea that Batman lacks female villains is preposterous and insulting. There are plenty, such as Poison Ivy, Talia al'Ghul, Lady Shiva, and more. It's clear this was just a cheap gender swap meant to demoralize Batman fans with in-your-face feminism," he added.

Strangely, producer Tucker said that the idea for the new series was essentially a recreation of the 1990s production, but inverted.

"The mission statement for the show in general: to do something that harkened back to the original, but flip it," Tucker said.

The isn't the first time a significant change in the Batman universe faced widespread criticism.

In 2023, a DC Comics insider revealed that the company had planned to replace the Dark Knight with an all-new, black Batman. Plans for the permanent switch were allegedly scrapped when retailers predicted the change could decrease sales by as much as 75%.

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DC Comics wanted to permanently make Batman black, was told sales would drop to a third, insider claims
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DC Comics wanted to permanently make Batman black, was told sales would drop to a third, insider claims



DC Comics wanted to permanently replace the Batman character with a different, black Batman, but was told by retailers that the company should expect a sharp drop in sales, an industry insider reported.

The source spoke to Bounding into Comics under the condition of anonymity and alleged that a contingent of DC Comics made the bold suggestion at the 5G Initiative summit in 2021. The summit was a forum where the company discusses the future of its fifth generation of characters.

This was the same rollout that included a bisexual Superman and a black, female Green Lantern.

The group's alleged idea was to take Lucious Fox, Bruce Wayne's business manager, and permanently have the ongoing Batman titles feature the new, black Batman as the lead.

A portion of the company reportedly thought the character would add an extra layer of diversity to future Batman book lines.

However, Dan DiDio, the co-publisher, allegedly looked visibly stressed and felt like the changes in the new generation of characters were being forced on him.

The source claimed that retailers at the meeting were unimpressed, with one outright stating that publishers should expect an immediate drop in sales, to the tune of one-third their current levels. The explanation was that when comic book readers see a Batman title, they expect to see the character of Bruce Wayne.

DC Comics indeed went on to release "Future State: The Next Batman" book. While it cannot be confirmed that it was a direct result of the meeting, the new plotline was essentially the same, save for the new Batman being the allegedly proposed character's son.

"Tim Fox, son of Lucius Fox is taking the Bat-mantle in DC comics. Tim's Batman will be revealed in Future State: The Next Batman #2 comic on Jan 26, 2021," a DC fan page wrote in 2020.

Introducing the next #Batman - TIM FOX\n\nTim Fox, son of Lucius Fox is taking the Bat-mantle in DC comics. Tim's Batman will be revealed in\u00a0Future State: The Next Batman\u00a0#2 comic on Jan 26, 2021.\n\nIdhi other mediums like games, movies etc ni ela impact chestundo chudali \n#DCComics
— DC World Telugu (@DC World Telugu) 1608210452

The comic received average reviews and reportedly quickly changed directions.

"You have a lot of bad American comic book content. It's terrible," comic publisher Eric July told TheBlaze last year. "Between changing all of these characters, and you have this ridiculous kind of push for social justice, insulting the audience," he added.

July successfully published his own woke-free series, starting with "Isom #1" in 2022, which raised over $3.7 million dollars in a preorder after a stated goal of $100,000. Then "Isom #2" raked in nearly $1 million in preorders within the first 24 hours of its release.

There has yet to be a woke comic book remake that has been as successful as the traditional characters. Even the woke comic genre's most known character, Marvel's Miles Morales, the black teen Spiderman, does not sell nearly as well as the "Amazing Spider-Man." The latter routinely performs at the top of monthly comic book sales in the United States.

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