Summary
DC’s latest TV series,The Penguin, just premiered, and the first episode may offer a glimpse into the future of theBatmantrilogy.
The show has quickly become a hit, giving one ofBatman’s most iconic villains the spotlight for the first time. A subtle Easter egg hidden in the debut episode hints at what may lie ahead for the franchise. This clever nod could even suggest which characters might make appearances in future installments, leaving fans excited to see how the story ofThe Penguinunfolds and how it ties into the broaderBatmanuniverse.
Early inThe PenguinEpisode 1,After Hours, sharp-eyed viewers may have noticed something unusual in one of the scenes — a QR code. While it seems random at first, scanning the code reveals a message from none other than The Riddler (as shared by @CultureCrave). This Easter egg has sparked speculation among fans, with many believing it hints that DC is not ready to part ways with the iconic villain just yet.
Approximately 40 minutes into Episode 1, viewers can spot a secret message during a scene where Oz (Colin Farrell) and his assistant/hostage Victor Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz) board Gotham’s metro. The duo is on their way to visit Oz’s mother, Francis (Deirdre O’Connell), in the suburbs when a masked man approaches them, handing out flyers that read “Gotham’s True Face,” each with a mysterious QR code. When scanned, this code directs users to the familiar website rataalada.com, which was used to promote The Riddler’s mythology ahead ofThe Batman’s release in 2022. The message appears to come from The Riddler himself, suggesting that although he may have been captured by Batman, he is far from defeated. The text hints at a “revolution,” implying thatThe Riddler may return to the trilogy, rallying his remaining followers to gather at Crown Point. This location was notably affected by The Riddler’s attack at the end ofThe Batmanand is also the hometown of both Oz and Victor. While the exact implications of this message are still unclear, it certainly seems to set the stage for Gotham’s further destruction and chaos in the future.
The Penguinisnot your typical superhero show; instead, it delves into the life of one of DC’s most notorious villain. The series centers on the titular antagonist fromThe Batmanrather than a hero, offering a fresh perspective on his rise to power within Gotham’s dark and gritty underworld. With only one episode released so far, the show is rapidly gaining popularity and becoming a hit amongBatmanfans. The story picks up shortly after the events ofThe Batman, where Oz’s boss has been killed and half of Gotham is left underwater.Colin Farrell reprises his role as Oswald Cobblepot, also known as The Penguin, leading a talented cast that includes Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone/The Hangman, Rhenzy Feliz as Victor Aguilar, Deirdre O’Connell as Francis Cobb, and Clancy Brown as Salvatore Maroni, among others. As the series unfolds, viewers are in for a thrilling ride through Gotham’s underbelly, exploring the true nature of power and what it means to be a villain.
The Penguinis currently airing on HBO and available for streaming on Max.
The Penguin
Cast
Created by Lauren LeFranc and starring Colin Farrell, The Penguin builds on 2022’s The Batman. The Max series chronicles the eponymous villain’s attempt to reach Gotham’s criminal peak, rising through the underworld in the middle of a power struggle.
