Posted By Dan Greenfield on Sep 22, 2024 | 1 comment

Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson gave us something that has stood the test of time…

In 1966, DC Comics produced a series of six pinups that you could purchase in three sets of two. Images — all by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson — included the famous Batman and Robin rooftop pose, Batman swinging over Gotham, the Dynamic Duo in the Batmobile, plus one each of the Joker, Riddler and Penguin.

The illustrations, with the exception of the Batmobile, became synonymous with the characters and for years afterword adorned a wide array of merchandise and advertising, everything from Megos to Slurpee Cups.

Today, though, as you can see, we are here to praise the Penguin specifically, what with his Max TV series putting him front and center in the Bat-zeitgeist.

So check out the original illustration, pencilled by Infantino and inked by Anderson:

It sold through Heritage Auctions in 2016 for $15,535, including buyer’s premium. I don’t know whether it’s changed hands in the intervening eight years but I do know the image remains the greatest Penguin illustration ever.

Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez did his own DC Style Guide version…

… and even colorists like Rich Seetoo have been unable to resist giving their own spin:

It’s the definition of a classic.

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MORE

— How MAX’s THE PENGUIN Pays Tribute to BURGESS MEREDITH. Click here.

— SUNDAY FUNNIES WITH KERRY CALLEN: How THE PENGUIN Finally Got One Over on BATMAN. Click here.