Welcome to an all-new edition of Parlay Points, the comic book review blog to the ODPH Podcast.
For this entry, we are taking a trip back in time with the Dark Knight and one of his most dangerous rogues. With the current story, readers are seeing the first encounter between Oswald Cobblepot and BATMAN. How did their first encounter lead into such a bitter rivalry?
THE PENGUIN #7 by Tom King, Stevan Subic, Marcelo Maiolo, and Clayton Cowles continues to reveal this mystery with its’ latest chapter.
Let’s take a deeper dive into this Bat-storic story!
THE PENGUIN #7 by Tom King, Stevan Subic, Marcelo Maiolo, and Clayton Cowles (DC COMICS - Cover: Carmine Di Giandomenico)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
After being a mistreated bartender at The Falcone-owned Iceberg Lounge, Cobblepot gets on the radar of Batman. With a loose agreement, Cobblepot begins working with the Dark Knight to take down Falcone. Once their deal is done, Cobblepot starts teasing the readers to what his true endgame is? Was it revenge on the crime family who mocked him or was this a long play after all?
This issue begins one year after Falcone was taken out. Penguin is running things in the casino. He asks one of Falcone’s former employees about finding the muscle behind Falcone’s moves. Penguin is given a business card. The gesture is returned with a knife through the neck courtesy of Penguin. Readers see the name on the card as “The Help”.
At this time, a young Jim Gordan answers a call from Penquin addressing the rampant crime in the city. This prompts a call to Batman. The weapon Penguin used to kill is recovered. The chase leads to a confrontation between Bats and Penguin. After some questioning, the suspect shifts away from Penguin onto another target.
Who is the next target on Penguin’s hit list? Readers see how the set-up plays out in the ever-changing movement of the unlikely pair’s journey. The sense of tension never escapes the page. This plays heavily into the closing moments. A shocking event begins which will have readers guessing until the next chapter drops. Just wait until you see that final page!
THE PENGUIN #7 by Tom King, Stevan Subic, Marcelo Maiolo, and Clayton Cowles (DC COMICS - Cover: Francesco Mattina)
King excels at showing how layered Cobblepot early days were. Is he playing the long game of working Batman? Does he have plans all his own? The writing dives into the uneasiness of the new partnership. Doubt and suspension linger in the air. This leads readers into seeing a new side of Cobblepot. The shifting of gears continues to be a strong point of this series. With a shocking final page, there will be much to discuss.
Subic steps in for art duties on this story. The vision of Penguin comes off as cunning and misleading. The conversation with him and Batman demonstrates the swings in behavior. This leads into a solid full page image of Penguin stating in the center of Gotham.
The visuals of Penguin running the casino further illustrates what makes him dangerous. The unsettling nature shines through each panel. This all builds towards a show-stopping final full page that will have many fans excited for what’s next.
FINAL POINT: 8
The secrets behind Cobblepot’s past give a great insight to the ascension in the criminal ranks with this strong issue. King’s writing demonstrates Cobblepot’s maneuvering and deceptions perfectly. Subic Maiolo, and Cowles stage the visuals for an easy win with readers. Just when yo think you have the answers, the final mage changes the questions. Prepare for quite the entertaining issue.
Hit me up on ODPHpod social media and let me know your thoughts on The Penguin #7. Thanks for reading.