The Penguin may not be as crazy as the Joker or as powerful as Bane, but he’s still one of Batman’s greatest enemies thanks to his powerful criminal empire. Soon, fans will be able to see more of Gotham City’s crime lords through HBO’s upcoming “Penguins” TV series, which will premiere on September 19th. The spin-off series will see Colin Farrell reprise his role as Batman.
While the new TV series will be The Penguin’s biggest on-screen appearance to date, the character has also starred in his own comic book storylines and one-shots over the years, and we’ve put together a short list of the highlights. It’s worth a read to learn about the origins of this tuxedo-and-top-hat-wearing villain, as well as some of his biggest conflicts with Gotham’s Caped Crusader.
If you’re looking for more Batman comic recommendations (perhaps because the new Penguin series doesn’t feature Batman or Bruce Wayne at all), then be sure to check out our massive roundup of the best Batman graphic novels of 2024.
Penguin series
One of the best places to start is with the character’s latest storyline, aptly titled “Penguin.” The 13-issue comic series, which begins in 2022 and concluded earlier this month, follows the titular villain who returns to Gotham after years away as a secret informant for the U.S. government.
The first paperback in the series, Penguin Volume. 1: “Prodigal Son”, released in June, includes issues 1-6. Issues 7-12 will be included in Penguin Volume. 2, will be released on February 25, 2025 and is available for pre-order on Amazon. You can also get the entire series in digital Kindle format, including prequel Issue 0, which is not part of either paperback edition.
Batman: One Bad Day – Penguin
The Penguin appears in many other DC comics and graphic novels, including his own story in the Batman: Bad Day anthology. The series spotlights eight of Batman’s most iconic villains – The Penguin, The Riddler, Two-Face, Mr. Freeze, Catwoman, Bane, Clayface and Ra’s al Ghul – and the stories that make them… A “bad day” in trouble.
The Penguin stories can be purchased as a standalone graphic novel for $11 (originally $18), or you can purchase all eight stories, plus a special edition of Batman: The Killing Joke, Included in the Batman: Bad Day Hardcover Edition Bos set for $90 (regularly $18). The series is also included in the Kindle Unlimited library, which members can access through a $12 monthly subscription. New members can sign up at a discount and get their first three months at $12 until September 15th.
Batman Arkham: Penguin
If you’d like to purchase the collection of classic Batman stories featuring the Penguin, the Batman Arkham: Penguin graphic novel is on sale for $16.76 (originally $20). This paperback collection includes 10 issues from various Batman comics, all of which feature the Dark Knight versus the Penguin. The collection is also available in Kindle e-book format for $10, or as part of Kindle Unlimited.
Penguin: Pain and Prejudice
Penguin: Pain and Prejudice offers an alternative look at the origins of Gotham’s crime lord, giving readers a glimpse into Penguin’s childhood and his eventual rise to becoming Gotham’s gang leader. The complete 5-issue series was collected into a 142-page graphic novel back in 2012. You can also get the graphic novel digitally via Kindle for $10, or read it as part of Kindle Unlimited.
Penguin: Pain and Prejudice Kindle Edition – $10 | Also included in Kindle Unlimited
DC Comics Encyclopedia
The Penguin also appears along with more than 1,200 other DC characters in the massive DC Comics Encyclopedia – New Edition, currently on sale for $22 (originally $40). For a tighter selection, the upcoming revised edition of DC’s Ultimate Character Guide, out November 5, has narrowed its scope to just 230 DC heroes and villains, including the Penguin and other members of Batman’s rogues gallery. You can pre-order DC’s Ultimate Character Guide – New Edition for $22 on Amazon.
