From DC Database
Relatives
Sir Nigel Cobblepot (ancestor, deceased); Nathan Cobblepot (ancestor, deceased); Theodore Cobblepot (great grandfather, deceased); unnamed father (deceased); Miranda (Mother, deceased)
[1]
Characteristics
Unusual Features
The Penguin's corpulence and short height causes him to waddle when he walks, giving credence to the distasteful "Penguin" sobriquet that has plagued him all of his life. Adding to the unflattering pseudonym, Cobblepott also has a distended, pointy nose which closely resembles a bird’s beak.
Status
Occupation
Criminal entrepreneur, night club owner , Kingpin of Crime, "reformed" crook
Education
No formal education
Origin
Origin
Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, also known as The Penguin ("The Blackbird of Prey") is one of Gotham's leading Night Club owners and one of Batman's most formidable foes. With a wide array of trick umbrellas and henchmen, what he loses in physical threat he gains in wealth and power.
History
Born Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, the Penguin is bullied as a child for his short stature, obesity, and beak-like nose. These traits make him an outcast in his rich, high society family; their rejection drives him to become a criminal. When Penguin was a young child, his father died of pneumonia after being drenched in a downpour. Because of this his mother became over protective and forced him to carry an umbrella when ever he went outside. In keeping with his family's tradition of wealth, the Penguin lives a life of crime, yet executes it with his own self-proclaimed class and style.
Unlike most of the Batman villains, the Penguin is a gentleman villain, in control of his own actions and perfectly sane, features that serve to maintain a unique relationship with his archenemy, Batman. This has extended into the current situation with the Penguin ceasing his direct involvement in crime, instead running a nightclub that is popular with the underworld. As such, he is an excellent source of information on crime, so Batman grudgingly tolerates his operations. However, the entrepreneurial Penguin is often fencing stolen property or arranging early furloughs for incarcerated former criminal associates - for a hefty fee, of course - on the side. When Gotham City is nearly leveled by an earthquake, he stays behind when the US government shuts down and blockades the city. He becomes one of the major players in the mostly-abandoned and lawless city, using his connections to profit. One of these connections is discovered to be Lex Luthor and his company.
Infinite Crisis
The Penguin becomes swept up in the events of Infinite Crisis. He is part of the Battle of Metropolis, a multi-character brawl started by the Secret Society of Super Villains. The Penguin, along with several other villains, are bowled over by the surprise appearance of Bart Allen.
One Year Later
While the Penguin was away from Gotham City, the
Great White Shark and the
Tally Man killed many of the villains who worked for the Penguin (including
The KGBeast,
Magpie,
Orca and the
Ventriloquist), and framed
Harvey Dent. The Shark had planned to take over Gotham's criminal syndicate and weaken all his competition - Penguin included. Upon his return to Gotham, the Penguin continues to claim that he has gone "straight" and reopened the Iceberg Lounge nightclub, selling overpriced penguin merchandise. He urges the
Riddler to avoid crime, as it's more lucrative in their current, non-criminal lifestyle.
Powers and Abilities
Abilities
Genius-Level Intellect: Criminal genius with an exceptional understanding of business.
Leadership: Skilled in organized leadership.
Connections: Vast underworld connections.
Martial Artist (Judo)
Avian Trainer: The Penguin is also known for his usage of birds to help him commit crimes.
Paraphernalia
Equipment
One of his cigarette holders holds a listening device to aid police (though its just a cover to get the police and court's respect)
Transportation
He also is carried in limos and his penguin boat and penguin submarine.
Weapons
- Trick Umbrellas: The Penguin employs an assortment of "trick" umbrellas, many of which can be used as weapons as well. A few of his umbrellas are equipped with motorized flight capabilities, and he often uses such devices in order to affect an expedient escape.
- Hidden Pistol: In his top hat (in some cases) he has a hand pistol for urgent situations.
- Hidden Machine Gun: he also has a pop-out machine gun in his hotel sweat umbrella holder for urgent cases also.
Trivia
- In the continuity of the Super Friends comic book series, the Penguin was the leader of a team of villains known as the Super Foes. The Super Foes were analogous to the Legion of Doom from the Super Friends cartoon series. The Penguin recruited his own personal sidekick, Chick, and instructed him to infiltrate the Hall of Justice.
- In a Saturday Night Live skit called "Superman's Funeral," the Penguin attended Superman's Funeral and made the same sound he made for laughing as he did when he cried.
See Also
Recommended Reading
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Links and References
Footnotes
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Oswald Cobblepot (New Earth) was a monthly Main Page Featured Article on the DC Database Project for its degree of quality, excellence, and general not-suckiness.
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