THE PENGUIN Shows What Kind of Hero Gotham Really Needs BATMAN To Be

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As a lifelong Gotham resident, I’ve seen the city’s dark underbelly more times than I care to remember. From the grimy alleys of Crown Point to the opulent mansions of the elite, I’ve witnessed firsthand the corruption that has long festered in this once-great city.

In the comic book series “The Batman,” Oswald Cobblepot, nicknamed The Penguin, debuted as a character who is not a hero. Instead, he’s an opportunistic murderer who expands his criminal empire by distributing a highly addictive drug throughout Gotham City. Despite his criminal activities, he isn’t even the city’s most notorious villain. This isn’t due to his kindness towards his people or efforts to improve his neighborhood, but rather because politicians and wealthy elites were exploiting Crown Point’s vulnerable citizens by diverting resources away from them and into wealthier areas of town. It wasn’t until the sixth episode of the show, titled “Gold Summit,” that Oz forced a corrupt councilman to address this unjust situation.

The reprehensible actions of city officials serve as a stark reminder of the kind of true hero that Gotham City desperately requires. Unlike the need for a masked vigilante to combat lowly foot soldiers and flamboyant villains, what Gotham needs is someone who can tackle the individuals systematically damaging the city. Perhaps we could see the emergence of such a character in the form of Bruce Wayne, stepping up to confront his own people – the kind of hero that might surface in The Batman 2.

In “The Batman,” director Matt Reeves portrayed Gotham City as deeply corrupted, with a long history of corrupt cops and unscrupulous political leaders. However, this version’s Carmine Falcone held an unprecedented level of power, ruling over the city without restraint. Despite his tyranny, he wasn’t the antagonist that Batman confronted in the film. Instead, it was Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne who showed no interest in Falcone. The Riddler (Edward Nashton), on the other hand, dedicated himself to exposing the rampant corruption within Gotham’s government. Without Nashton, a dishonest mayor, police commissioner, and district attorney would have continued to collude with Falcone, selling out the citizens of Gotham City to an immoral mobster indefinitely.

Yet, much like the Penguin, the Riddler was not a savior. He committed heinous acts such as murder and torture before causing floods throughout the city, ultimately hurting the very citizens he claimed to want to liberate. Both of these criminal masterminds were able to build loyal followings initially due to Gotham’s leaders. The elites in power, both at city hall and among its wealthiest residents, exploited the people relentlessly until there was almost nothing left for them. In such a situation where basic needs were lacking, opportunists like Nashton and Cobb flourished by taking advantage of this void, as it often happens when criminals find fertile ground in the absence of essential life resources.

In this particular Gotham, it’s important to note that while famous characters like the Riddler, the Penguin, and Sofia Gigante may be considered its villains in the world of Batman, they are not the city’s most significant sources of evil. The true culprits are corrupt government officials, the wealthy elite, and dubious police officers. These individuals are merely manifestations of a deeper problem that has been plaguing Gotham for some time: greed.

It was greed – a craving for wealth, prestige, influence, and dominance – that allowed a cunning yet brutal figure like Carmine Falcone to rule over Gotham. Unlike Bruce Wayne, who had been raised in privilege, an obscure individual such as The Riddler recognized this reality. Meanwhile, Edward Nashton was probing the mayor’s office while Bruce was preoccupied with fighting petty street criminals.

To fulfill his commitment from the finale of his first movie and instill hope within Gotham, Batman must tackle the fundamental issues that foster its corruption. Addressing symptoms won’t bring about improvement; addressing the root causes will. It’s unlikely that he can restore Gotham by battling criminals in areas like Crown Point. Instead, Batman should focus on combating adversaries closer to home—places where the city’s infrastructure and foundations lie.

In the absence of Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne from HBO’s series, it seems plausible that The Penguin is guiding him towards this revelation in The Batman 2. The spin-off show has delved deeply into the personal repercussions of individuals like Carmine Falcone and their influential accomplices. Victor Zsasz lost his family due to a madman being the sole figure attempting to halt widespread corruption. Neglected areas were further abandoned, forcing the less fortunate to bear the brunt, while the wealthy didn’t have to make any sacrifices. This decision, made by those who consistently trample the powerless to ascend higher, are likely the very individuals Batman may confront in his next film.

Reeves hints that his sequel will delve into a more complex tale of widespread corruption within Gotham’s elite, uncovering secrets even Batman didn’t foresee in the first film. This seems reminiscent of the Court of Owls, a powerful and secretive group who control the city from behind the scenes. With figures like Oz Cobblepot (the Penguin) flourishing in the shadows, Gotham’s woes continue to fester as the city is governed by corrupt individuals. The only way for Batman to truly make a difference is by taking down these powerful elites and exposing their darkness.

The city’s most disadvantaged residents are desperate and yearn for relief from their hardships, finding solace in Bliss. They’re willing to support Edward Nashton’s schemes to assassinate mayoral candidates. They’re willing to labor for a figure like Oz Cobb, despite his monstrous reputation, because he promises financial gain. They’re willing to commit such heinous acts because they see some benefit in it – something is preferable to the nothing the wealthy have provided them.

Until a hero presents them with something superior, there’ll be no change. In Gotham, the key is to eradicate the corruption that has long plagued the city. It seems that only Batman can help Gotham understand who its true adversaries truly are. These aren’t typical villains with catchy names and flamboyant outfits; they’re the wealthy and influential, akin to Bruce Wayne himself.

Mikey Walsh serves as a staff writer at TopMob. He found Oz Cobb’s argument at the Gold Summit to be quite convincing. You can keep up with his thoughts on Bluesky under the handle @burgermike. Additionally, you can find him commenting on rankings of the Targaryen kings wherever they may appear.

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2024-10-29 23:33