Matt Reeves’The Batmanuniverse seems to be heading for an epic clash betweenDCvillains inThe Batman - Part IIasThe Penguincontinues to develop Gotham’s criminal underworld. Although Robert Pattinson’s Batman was young and inexperienced, he had already spent a considerable amount of time fighting low-to-mid-level crime in Gotham before the events ofThe Batman. However, Batman wasn’t prepared for a threat as big as the Riddler. Edward Nashton landed a huge blow on Gotham with the destruction of the city’s seawall inThe Batman’s third act, arguing that the city’s corruption had to be eliminated from the core.
What the Riddler didn’t ancitipate — or what he willingly ignored — is that his terrorist attack would affect Gotham’s low-income zones the most, while the city’s richest would remain untouched. AsThe Penguin’s Victor Aguilarexplains to Oz Cobb, he found himself forced to survive on the streets after his home was destroyed by the flood. From the Riddler’s perspective, his plan to destabilize Gotham was a success. From the perspective of innocent victims like Victor Aguilar, the Riddler only made Gotham’s poorest more vulnerable.
The Penguin Teases Villain Conflict In The Batman’s Future
Oz Cobb Hates Criminals Like The Riddler And Joker
In the source material, Batman’s rogue gallery often joins forces to wreak havoc upon Gotham and attempt to defeat the Dark Knight. That might not be the case in Matt Reeves’The Batmanuniverse, as at least one key villain loathes terrorists like the Riddler. InThe Penguin, Oz Cobb doesn’t hesitate to voice his disdain for the Riddler. InThe Penguinepisode 1, Oz angrily dismissesa Riddler supporter who carries a QR codeon the subway, and in episode 3, Oz bonds with Victor over Victor’s loss of his home and family following the Riddler’s terrorist attack.
The Penguin Theory Nails The Perfect Set Up For Two Of Batman’s Greatest Villains
The Penguin episode 3 saw the emergence of Bliss in Gotham, a new drug that could provide the perfect set-up for two iconic DC Comics villains.
Once Oz inevitably amasses the power he craves, he will be able to oppose criminals like the Riddler, not only because they threaten his business, but because they ruin the lives of people like Victor, Oz’s mother, and himself.If the Penguin ever crosses paths with the Riddler, chaos might ensue. What’s more, the Riddler will likely be accompanied by the Joker, who’s seemingly planning to corrupt the Riddler’s mind even further, as suggested by theJoker’s cameo at the end ofThe Batman. Add other criminals like Sofia Falcone and Catwoman into the mix, and Gotham might have a full-blown villain war.
Why A Penguin Vs Riddler Conflict Would Be Great For The Batman 2
Batman Movies Have Barely Touched Upon ‘Villain Vs Villain’ Storylines
The BatmanandThe Penguin’s plots have plenty of moving pieces that make the dynamics between characters quite exciting. An extra conflict between two of their villains further adds to the complexity of Gotham’s chaos. Several live-action Batman movies have included multiple villains simultaneously, but few of them have explored a “villain vs. villain” conflict in depth.InThe Batman - Part II, Batman could be facing a huge threat to Gotham like Hush or the Court of Owls while villains like the Penguin, the Riddler, and the Joker wage their own war.
The Penguin and the Riddler are often depicted as allies in the comics, animated series, and live-action shows. The 1960sBatmanseries starring Adam West andGothamare two live-action series where both villains are close friends.
Colin Farrell’s Penguin and Paul Dano’s Riddler represent two very different sides of Gotham’s crime issues in Matt Reeves’The Batmanuniverse. Oz Cobb is a power-obsessed gangster who rose through the ranks of Gotham’s criminal underworld to make a name for himself, while the Riddler is a misguided, anti-social terrorist who wishes to destabilize society and excuses himself behind an anti-corruption message. InThe Batman - Part IIandThe Batman - Part III, both villains could recruit more well-known DC names to their respective causes, while Batman attempts to take them all down.
