HBO’s series ‘The Penguin‘ has paved the way for the next Batman movie, ‘The Batman: Part II,’ showing how Gotham’s criminal underworld evolves after the events of ‘The Batman.’ From the beginning, the show made it clear that it would be essential to set up director Matt Reeves’ vision of Gotham’s dark, gritty world following the destruction and chaos caused by the Riddler’s attacks. Now that ‘The Penguin’ has completed its story, it’s easier to see how it will shape Batman’s next big challenge.
In ‘The Batman,’ crime boss Carmine Falcone is the top player in Gotham, with the rival Maroni family also having some control, even though leader Salvatore Maroni is in prison. Penguin, or Oz Cobb, was a minor player in this hierarchy, running his nightclub and handling some deals but ultimately answering to Falcone. However, in ‘The Penguin’ series, Oz has changed everything. By the show’s end, he has eliminated all other crime bosses, established himself as Gotham’s primary crime lord, and introduced a dangerous new drug on the streets.
Oz also manipulates the system to gather loyalty from gang leaders across Gotham, empowering lower-level gang members to replace their former bosses. These leaders now owe him their positions, creating a loyalty that Falcone never had. With this shift, Oz controls an army of gangs across the city. On top of that, he has built ties with Gotham’s political figures, making it easier for Batman to operate, with Oz getting in the way.
The final scene of ‘The Penguin’ shows Gotham’s Bat-Signal lighting up the sky from Oswald’s new penthouse window, reminding viewers that Batman is still in the city. Meanwhile, there’s another development with Selina Kyle, also known as Catwoman. In ‘The Penguin’ finale, Sofia Falcone—Carmine Falcone’s daughter—is shown receiving a letter in Arkham Asylum from Selina, who claims to be her half-sister.
As a known daughter of Carmine, Selina seems to have plans to confront Gotham’s organized crime and may look to team up with Sofia, adding a new twist to her storyline. In this way, ‘The Penguin’ builds an intricate web of power struggles and alliances in Gotham, setting up high stakes and fresh challenges for Batman in the next movie. With Oswald now holding political influence and control over the city’s crime world, ‘The Batman: Part II’ promises a fierce battle for Gotham’s soul.
