The Penguinhas confirmed the dire state of Gotham City after Robert Pattinson’s Batman failed to stop the Riddler’s grand plan inThe Batman.DC’sThe PenguinrecommencesThe Batman’s narrativejust days later, with much of Gotham City still in a state of fragile recovery.The Penguinepisode 2has confirmed precisely how bleak things are in Gotham, suggesting that Batman’s actions at theend ofThe Batmanmay have been more detrimental to the city than beneficial.
Directed by Matt Reeves,The Batmanoffered a gritty, noir-driven portrayal of Gotham City, one on the brink of collapse under the pressure of corruption, criminal empires, and mass unrest. Robert Pattinson’s version of Batman was at the heart of this narrative - a vigilante just beginning his crusade against Gotham’s deep-seated problems, including the Riddler’s murderous rampage and the downfall of crime boss Carmine Falcone. However, Gotham’s problems did not end with Falcone’s death.The Penguincontinues this, exploring the power vacuum left by Falcone and the systemic failures plaguing Gotham.
Robert Pattinson’s Batman Is A Huge Missing Part Of The Penguin
Robert Pattinson’s Batmanhas not appeared inThePenguin during the aftermath of Gotham City’s flooding, and his absence is deafening. Gotham has become a hotbed of criminal activity, exacerbated by Falcone’s murder and the city-wide flooding caused by the Riddler’s grand plan. This chaosshould logically prompt Gotham’s masked vigilante to intensify his efforts. However, inThe Penguin, there’s no sign that Batman has intervened to prevent the rising tide of lawlessness.
With Falcone’s death, Gotham’s criminal underworld is in disarray, and Oswald Cobb (The Penguin) is seizing control. Gotham’s situation has seemingly worsened, withviolent power struggles erupting between criminal factions. The fact that this shift is happening unchecked, with no mention of Batman confronting these developments, speaks volumes about how Gotham has been left to fend for itself.
The Penguin Confirms Gotham’s Crime Rate Is Up 42%
One of the most telling moments inThe Penguinoccurs during episode 2 when a radio broadcast reveals a staggering statistic: Gotham’s crime rate has surged by 42%. This revelation underscores the full extent of the crisis engulfing the city. The significant increase in criminal activity is adirect result of the chaos unleashed by the floodsinThe Batman. This catastrophic event has left large swathes of Gotham in ruins, with many residents lacking power, shelter, and basic necessities.
The desperate conditions have become a breeding ground for criminals, who are taking full advantage of the power vacuum and lack of law enforcement. The Penguin, now rising through the ranks, is one of the key beneficiaries of Gotham’s descent into chaos, whileBatman’s failure to intervene and provide order in the wake of such a disasterbecomes increasingly noticeable. Gotham’s streets have become more dangerous than ever. Instead of protecting the city and its people, Batman’s prior actions have inadvertently contributed to an even darker period in Gotham’s history.
Batman’s Riddler Failure Cost Gotham Badly
Perhaps the most significant failure of Robert Pattinson’s Batman lies in his handling of the Riddler. Though Batman did manage to stop the Riddler’s killing spree, he failed to uncover his grand plan until too late while inadvertently aiding the villain. This resulted in Carmine Falcone’s murder and the sea wall destruction, which hastransformed entire areas into uninhabitable wastelands. Crown Point, in particular, has been described as a"no man’s land,“a term that evokes the level of devastation and lawlessness now gripping Gotham.
DC Just Dropped A Huge Reference To The Batman Part 2’s Perfect Story
The Penguin has just referenced a major DC storyline that would be the ideal story for The Batman Part II and is perfectly set up by the series.
Batman’s inability to prevent this disaster has left a void that Gotham’s criminals are only too happy to fill. The aftermath of the flooding has allowed crime families and drug cartels to flood the streets with illegal substances, further corrupting a police force that was already struggling with rampant corruption. Meanwhile, many Gotham residents are missing or dead. The crime rate is soaring, withentire neighborhoods left uninhabitable.
While the Riddler is no longer an active threat, the consequences of his actions, and Batman’s unwitting assistance, have left Gotham on the brink of collapse. Withno sign of Batman returning to restore order, Gotham is left in a state of peril. Rather than creating a safer environment, Batman’s actions have merely shifted the balance of power, allowing figures likethe Penguinto rise and thrive in the disorder.
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.
The Batman
The Batman follows a young Bruce Wayne as he investigates a sadistic serial killer targeting key political figures in Gotham. As he delves deeper, he is confronted by the city’s hidden corruption and questions surrounding his own family’s legacy.
