Review by scrooge3 - The Penguin Vol. 1: the Prodigal Bird, Volume 1

scrooge3 's review for:

The Penguin Vol. 1: the Prodigal Bird, Volume 1 by Tom King

4.0

dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Collects Issues #0-7, although inexplicably, #0 (by Chip Zdarsky and Belén Ortega) is at the end of the book, after #7. The series takes a gritty look at a character who is typically used as comic relief, similar in tone to the recent HBO series. In dramatic fashion, the story begins with Penguin and Batman trapped in the Batmobile which is sinking in some water. How did they get there? Maybe, hopefully, this will be resolved in Volume 2, but here it's quickly dropped and we go back in time to see how Penguin has been fairing in Metropolis, putting together a team of goons to help him regain his place as the big cheese of crime in Gotham City (Issues #1-5). Then, in Issues #6 and 7 we go even further back to see how Penguin's symbiotic relationship with Batman early in Batman's career helped Batman become the crimefighter we all know and love. Unfortunately, this volume doesn't have a conclusion, so stay tuned for Volume 2. Artist Rafael de Latorre does a great job of conveying the grit and darkness of Tom King's story. The collection also includes a number of variant covers by a variety of excellent artists.

Content Warnings