The Batman Returns actor revisits the bird of banditry for the Penguin’s 80th anniversary…
A whole bunch of Batman villains are celebrating anniversaries this year, such as Ra’s al Ghul and Talia (each hitting the 50-years mark back in the spring). But you can also include the Scarecrow (80 years), the Mad Hatter (73 years, oddly), Killer Moth (70 years by pubdate), Poison Ivy (55 years) and the original Red Hood (70 years by pubdate) among them, as well. With that in mind, DC is trotting out another of its 100-page anthology specials come November: Gotham City Villains Anniversary Giant #1.
That’s cool and all but there’s one more baddie in the issue who demands attention: the Penguin, who first appeared in October 1941’s Detective Comics #58. And get this: None other than Danny DeVito, who memorably portrayed Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot in 1992’s Batman Returns, will be writing a celebratory story about his fictional alter ego.
That rad bit of into was tucked into DC’s November’s soliciations, which were released Friday:
GOTHAM CITY VILLAINS ANNIVERSARY GIANT #1
Written by Danny DeVito, Wes Craig, G. Willow Wilson, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Joshua Williamson, Stephanie Phillips, Dan Watters, and Mairghread Scott
Art by Dan Mora, Wes Craig, Emma Rios, Riccardo Federici, Max Raynor, Max Fiumara, Skylar Patridge, Ariela Kristantina, Khary Randolph, Jill Thompson, Christian Ward, Gabriel Walta, and others
Cover by Lee Bermejo
Variants by Frank Quitely, Wes Craig, Riccardo Federici, Dan Mora, and Marguerite Sauvage
Gotham City may be protected by the Dark Knight, but this major metropolitan destination is also plagued by some of the deadliest, most nefarious villains in the DC Universe! In this oversize anniversary giant, DC Comics proudly presents tales of Batman’s deadliest foes written and drawn by some of the biggest, most exciting names in comics! 2021 marks an anniversary year for the Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, Ra’s al Ghul, Talia al Ghul, the Mad Hatter, Killer Moth, and the original Red Hood, and Gotham City Villains Anniversary Giant #1 brings these baddies to life in some big ways! Also featuring the anniversary celebration of the Penguin, written by none other than the man who brought Oswald Cobblepot to life in Batman Returns, star of the silver screen Danny DeVito!
1:25 variant by Francesco Mattina, 1:50 variant by Chris Burnham
$9.99 US | 96 PAGES | PRESTIGE | $10.99 US VARIANTS (Card stock)
ON SALE 11/30/21
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A few thoughts:
— I’ve got no clue what DeVito’s story is about and DC didn’t announce his art partner. Nevertheless, this is a lot of fun. Too bad Burgess Meredith never did the same thing!
— There are two Penguin-focused variants: Frank Quitely’s and Chris Burnham’s:
— Here are the rest:
— Speaking of the world of Tim Burton’s Batman: DC on Friday also unveiled the cover for Batman ’89 #4 — featuring your first detailed look at Robin in color. Click here.
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MORE
— BATMAN ’89 #4 Cover Gives First, Detailed Look at ROBIN — IN COLOR. Click here.
— The SUPERMAN ’78/BATMAN ’89 Comic Book Index. Click here.
August 13, 2021
Danny DeVito writing a story for the Penguin? That’s really dope!
August 13, 2021
In the Tim Burton movies, there are a lot of terrible takes on the Batman characters. But the Penguin HAS to be the one that is the farthest from the established canon. Devito and Burton’s Penguin is disgustingly brought to life, with what has to be the stupidest origin story of any character. Batman Returns was the only movie I have ever walked out of in my life, and it was about the 5th time Devito takes a bite out of a raw, green-blooded fish that did it for me. This version even tainted the brilliant Animated Series, giving Penguin those stupid flipper hands (which he got since he was raised by penguins(?)).
So they’ve taken the WORST aspect of the Batman movies and brought it over into the comics, with the actor who made it terrible writing it.
Man, DC will suck up to any celebrity at their own characters’ expense.
August 13, 2021
Oswald was deformed. He did not get his flippers from penguins. If you actually pay attention, Oswald is actually a victim of his parent’s neglect. He is a misfit who has his heart shaped by thst neglect. All-too-human, really. When Bats removes his cowl at the end, a very telling line of dialogue by the penguin reflects the whole massage that we are more than what we appear on the surface (the physical). Sorry you were so repulsed by the film
August 13, 2021
As confirmed on his Instagram, DAN MORA is the Artist!/
August 13, 2021
Hey, thanks for the update!