WARNING: This article includes SPOILERS from The Penguin episode 1, “After Hours.“DCfans are reacting toThe Penguinepisode 1, as Colin Farrell returns toThe Batmanuniverse as Oz Cobb. WhileThe Batman - Part IIis on its way, 2024 marked the return of the Elseworlds-based universe with the premiere ofThe Penguinepisode 1, marking the first spinoff in Matt Reeves' franchise. With Farrell back as the iconic Batman villain,The Penguinpicks up after the events of the big ending toThe Batman.
Following the official premiere ofThe Penguinon HBO, as well as streaming on Max, the DC audience has finally been able to catch the first hour of Farrell’s spinoff, with reactions coming in non-stop through social media. Check out several examples below:
@RawbertBeefappreciatedThe Penguinepisode 1 because"we get to see this “softer” side of him,“while paralleling the dynamic that Oz begins to build with Victor, in contrast to what was explored with Oswald Cobblepot on theGothamTV show.
@Kilo1899called the premiere a"good first episode"forThe Penguinwhile defining Oz as"the psychopath Gotham deserves.”
@supermangeek101gave the perfect reaction of having to wait forThe Penguinepisode 2, using a clip fromThe Batmanwhere the Dark Knight punched Jim Gordon.
@captaincupkicksstressed how they"can’t say enough good things"aboutThe Penguinpremiere, adding how muchthey loved"seeing Gotham’s underworld from his perspective, it really feels like a powder keg about to explode.”
@k4tttttttttt_had an interesting observation fromThe Penguinepisode 1 abouthow Oz came into Victor’s life in a very similar way to what happened to Jason Todd when Bruce Wayne came into his.
@joshbecker659loved howThe Penguinepisode 1"feels like a classic mob story with that mature rating we all wanted,“while also expandingThe Batmanuniverse as a whole.
@blurayangelpraisedThe Penguinpremiere as"the return of cinematic television and PEAK DC,“while also continuing The Batman Crime Saga.
@MatthewWoolbrigadded thatThe PenguinTV show is"starting off strong as hell,“adding how fun it is to see"Gotham from the street level.”
What The Penguin Reactions Mean For The DC Show
FromThe PenguinTV reviewsthat have emerged so far, along with the audience response,it’s clear this is the type of DC content many fans have been waiting to see in the world of television. With 2024 being a quiet year for DC, since the DCEU is over and James Gunn’s DC Universe (at least on the big screen) doesn’t begin until 2025,The Penguinis arriving at the right time. The show’s story and world also serve to build on some of the strongest aspects of the universe that were set up inThe Batmanback in 2022.
This is also showing more excitement for the expansion ofThe Batmanuniverse,sinceThe PenguinandThe Batman - Part IIwon’t be the only products coming out of Reeves' franchise over the next few years. If this is the quality that fans can expect while giving these positive responses, it bodes well forthe newThe Batmanspinoff showthat is also in development.The Penguinepisode 1 also further proves that solid characters other than Bruce Wayne are more than capable of carrying their own solo project when handled with care.
Our Take On The Penguin Fan Reactions
It is no shock thatThe Penguin’scast and storyhave garnered a lot of strong reception this early on,especially given how long the HBO drama has been in development after the success ofThe Batman. With seven episodes remaining of the limited series, time will tell whatThe Penguin’soverall reception will look like in the coming weeks. Hopefully,The Penguinepisode 2 and beyond will keep raising the stakes and quality as Oz’s story gets further extended inThe Batmanuniverse.
The Penguin
Cast
Created by Lauren LeFranc, The Penguin is a crime-drama spin-off television series of 2022’s film The Batman. Set shortly after the events of The Batman, Oz Cobb, A.K.A. the Penguin, begins his rise in the underworld of Gotham City as he contends with the daughter of his late boss, Carmine Falcone, for control of the crime family’s empire.
