DETECTIVE COMICS 58 (1941)
by Bill Finger & Bob Kane
cover by Fred Ray & Jerry Robinson
Once again the cover has nothing to do with the story. It’s a Golden Age thing.
Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson are visiting a museum. It’s something more rare these days… now whenever we see Bruce Wayne he’s after some mission or some woman, but he used to just hang out. I know he’s Batman, but not EVERYTHING has to be part of a plan.
A quick search tells me that 2 million dollars in 1941 would be the equivalent of 37.6 million dollars in 2021, if you’re wondering. Quite a big win for the thief.
The guards search everyone, but every single suspect is clear. Including a familiar looking gentleman.
This is the Penguin, and I absolutely love that in his first appearances he can go around with his classic look and nobody bats an eye because people really used to dress that way.
I’ve always loved the Penguin. He’s like a living time capsule of old school villains, plus it’s always fun when people regret underestimating him.
Such as when he confronts a mob boss.
Even Batman falls for it, when he tries to bust one of the latest robberies.
This is quite embarrassing for Batman. I know he’s been beaten up by every single villain we’ve seen so far, but as this is not going to be great for his resumé.
I’ve always wondered how the Penguin survived the Golden Age when he doesn’t have a very memorable gimmick. But in addition to a fun personality, HE’S A FREAKING GENIUS:
He’s turning public opinion about the superhero over twenty years before Spider-Man existed!!!
Who does that IN THE GOLDEN AGE!?
Not only that, he has a perfectly good reason for not killing Batman: if he murders him he’ll have to come up with an alibi, but instead he plans to have the police kill him!!!
However, not even the Penguin could foresee the utter randomness of Batman having installed a telegraph in his shoe!!!
Even with Robin showing up, the Penguin still has the upper hand.
Batman and Robin escape, only to track the Penguin to his other hideout and repeat the process.
Nice artistic flourish with the Penguin’s shadow.
Even if the Penguin is a genuine menace, the second Batman catches up with him he doesn’t have much of a chance.
At the end the Penguin manages to reach the end of the story without being seemingly killed or arrested, which is a rarity in early Golden Age stories.
Historical significance: 10/10
The Penguin is probably the most consistent Batman villain.
He was a big deal from his first appearance, showing up regularly even in the 40s and 50s. Unlike people like the Joker, Two-Face and the Riddler, there isn’t a relevant pause in his appearances.
(yes modern readers, believe it or not but it WAS possible to avoid using the Joker for every freaking storyline).
And this story establishes most of his traits: him being constantly underestimated, his ability to use the law and public opinion against Batman (whether it’s running for mayor or creating a legitimate front business), and of course his trick umbrellas.
The only part missing is his obsession with birds, which isn’t even a consistent trait and which tends to come and go.
Silver Age-ness: 6/10
Holy tap dancing telegraph shoes, Batman!
Does it stand the test of time? 8/10
With the caveat of needing to look past some Golden Age ingenuities, this holds up quite well!
How close is this to the modern character? 9/10
I would argue that the Penguin is the Batman villain who has changed the least between the Golden, Silver, post-Crisis and even the modern era. He might be more ruthless, sometimes he’s more grotesque, sometimes he’s more obsessed, but he’s still the Penguin.
And of course his look is utterly classic.