“An Unimportant Man” kicked off last month in The Penguin #6, introducing readers to the first time Penguin and Batman met. In Penguin #7, the plot thickens, and the two characters continue their symbiotic relationship. It’s a story that’s compelling as it shows us earlier renditions of these characters while also showing Penguin’s origins are tethered tightly to Batman. In part two, the Penguin’s reign as crime boss grows.
In this week’s issue, Penguin is a true monster. Stevan Subic draws his fat, bloated head like a leech or insect, always ready for more to eat and kill. Beedy eyes and compelling framing aid his monstrous look. This is a beast, not a man, yet he conducts himself like the greatest gentleman. That is until he flips out and stabs a man in the neck.
That’s how this issue starts, with a man doing his job and getting an icepick through the neck. Right off the bat, we see he’s very scary, yet Batman continues to work with him. Batman doesn’t know how murderous he is, and he’s still getting good intel about rival gangs. He knows he’s a criminal, but he’s helping cure Gotham’s wounds. The greater good. Or so he thinks.
Penguin is a monster in more than a few ways.
Credit: DC Comics
Two key elements float to the top in this issue. The first is The Help entering the narrative. Created by Tom King and David Marquez, he’s a supervillain butler who can get things done. Knowing what Penguin does to him later on, it’s fascinating to see their first interaction here. The second element is how Penguin cunningly uses Batman for his own gains. Frankly, it’s a bit surprising Batman falls for it, and I assume he’s got a bead on what is really going on, but at this juncture, Penguin is a true mastermind.
Meanwhile, Batman continues to be a vision in his own right. While Penguin is monstrous, Bamtan is like a statue of justice. Subic draws him expertly, and there’s a stoic quality to him paired with King’s captions. Together they do a good job capturing a younger Batman who is still new to crime fighting.
There are many visual highlights, from Penguin using his customary umbrella to his massiveness filling a jacuzzi. The play of shadow and light is great throughout as Subic and color artist Marcelo Maiolo create a truly macabre atmosphere. Subic draws Penguin’s mouth in a way as if it’s a wound, which may convey the fact that his words are a source of danger. There’s also a great use of rain that gives the issue a damp and cold feel.
The utter horror of Penguin shines through in Penguin #7. He’s monstrous in his actions, and he looks the part. King and Subic are crafting a definitive origin for Penguin you can’t put down.
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