GN Expansion Pak: The Penguin is an excellent show that rubs me the wrong way

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I saw The Batman opening night when it released back in 2022 and I really enjoyed it. I still don’t know where it falls in the pantheon of Batman movies overall, but it’s certainly an above-average film, at least in my opinion. As with most movies, there are things I felt it did right and wrong, but the end result was still something I have no problem giving my overall stamp of approval to.

When I found out that the universe of The Batman was going to continue through a Penguin TV show, I didn’t really feel anything at all. I will give literally anything a shot when it comes to entertainment, but obviously I have things I’m personally interested in. While I was quite excited to see The Batman as soon as it came out, The Penguin didn’t really bubble up any interest in me. I was struggling to understand why that was, but now with the show halfway over, I think I’ve finally found my answer.

By all measures so far, The Penguin has been an absolutely stellar show. From acting to plot, cinematography to score, it’s been a really top-notch experience. It’s a series that once again displays why so many turn to HBO for prestige programming, as it’s a piece of entertainment that has been meticulously crafted by all of those involved. Clearly both critics and audience feel the same way, as praise from both sides has been exploding all over the internet. That adulation only grows with each passing episode, and will most likely stay sky-high straight through the finale.

When I’m watching The Penguin, I recognize and experience all that makes it great. I am truly engrossed in the series and constantly wowed by the direction it takes. I’m blown away by the performances and get lost in the shot composition. All of the show’s pieces and parts are moving together beautifully, creating something that stands out even in a market saturated with excellent choices. The thing is, all the while I’ve also found myself disappointed and let down by what I’m seeing.

I’ve been picking my brain trying to figure out what it is about The Penguin that makes me so disinterested. Literally every bit of praise I heaped on the show above is 100% genuine. I truly do feel like it’s a quality top to bottom, so why is it missing the mark for me? After coming at things from a multitude of angles, I think I’ve finally found my explanation. The Penguin has everything to do with the Batman universe, yet nothing at all as well.

I didn’t get into anything comic book related until 2019. Sure, I had seen some comic book-related movies and TV shows, but those were few and far between. It wasn’t until I heard everyone talking about Avengers: Infinity War that something stirred in me. I had nothing against comic book movies or the MCU, but due to work and other factors, I never saw a single entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As a New Year’s Resolution, I made it a point to get caught up on the MCU and see if it was for me.

Making that decision led me down a path of not just appreciating, but adoring all things comic book. I went from watching the movies to going to my local comic book shop on a weekly basis. There wasn’t a week where I wasn’t buying/reading something, and it didn’t matter what company was behind it. Marvel, DC, Image, Dark Horse, you name it. Making the decision to jump in on the MCU showed me how much fun I was missing out on, and it really made me regret not engaging with comic books for the first 40 years of my life. I still regret not getting in sooner, but at least I’m a very active participant now.

I’m also open to all kinds of approaches to comic book content. A comic book that revels in the over-the-top action and silliness of it all is just as valid as something that goes the serious route. I think it’s worth all avenues being explored, as they can pave the way for unique perspectives, and also create entry points for others who might not engage with the medium elsewise. That approach also explains the style of MCU projects and The Batman as well. While most MCU outings lean very heavily into the fantastical nature of comic books, The Batman looks to portray Bruce Wayne and the universe around him in a very dark, grounded tone.

For me, the reason why The Batman worked was because it was gritty and realistic, but didn’t hide away the comic book roots. You still have an adult man running around in a bat suit fighting crime. The core elements of Batman were there, albeit told through a bleak and grimey lens. It’s absolutely ridiculous to think about in real life, but when told on the big screen and with the right attention to detail, none of those off-the-wall elements matter. If anything, they become more believable through the story’s beats.

When it comes to The Penguin, I feel what we’re getting doesn’t really capture the spirit of the Batman series, or comic books in general. Again, I definitely think you can tell a serious, practical story about the Penguin and all he is, but The Penguin goes far too into realism for me. The Penguin may be filled with names and locations you recognize, but the heart and soul of all things Batman seem to be missing.

I honestly find it a bit sad when something like a comic book is taken and adapted into a dark and weighty show or movie. It makes me feel like people get involved with the project who want to rip away the fantastical, absurd, strange and odd to make something more “adult,” something that the general audience will find more palatable. This is obviously just my opinion, but I think when comic books are adapted, those adaptations should celebrate the work that came before it. It doesn’t have to go all-in or be 100% the same as the comics before it, but hanging on to that core is extremely important.

With The Penguin, I feel like we’re getting a Batman project that is Batman-related in name only. You take out the mentions of Gotham, Oswald Cobblepot, Arkham and so on, and you’re left with any other crime boss drama. Take something like The Sopranos or The Godfather and match it up with The Penguin. I’m not making an argument on quality here, but instead the simple fact that The Penguin would fall right in line with those other big names in terms of story, tone, and approach. Again, I’m not saying that’s a right or wrong approach, I’m just saying it leads to me not really enjoying what the show is doing.

Could The Penguin tell a similar story with the same gravitas while better embracing elements of the Batman universe? I certainly think it could, and that would work wonders for something like me. Would that appeal to the greater masses just as the current version of The Penguin is? That’s a hard question to answer, as we’re only speculating. You’d have to think that the success of projects like various MCU movies/TV shows and other creations like The Boys, Peacemaker, Invincible and so on would make a strong argument for such an adaptation to be possible. That said, it’s easy for me to point to successful projects and say something of the same ilk could be done for The Penguin, but I’m not the one creating these pieces of art (nor could I ever!).

I imagine The Penguin will continue to sit between both worlds for me as I finish the series out. As I’ve said, I’m both enjoying and lamenting the series the whole way. I’ll go on praising the actors and story while finding it a shame that it doesn’t feel like a Batman-related project to me. I’ll completely understand the hype and acclaim throughout the show’s run while also being a bit bummed out by the approach. It is what it is, and I’ll take it all in stride and move on.

What’s most important to recognize is that every piece of entertainment isn’t meant for me, and that very much includes things I hold near and dear. I’m a huge fan of Batman, just as I am Nintendo, Star Wars, Marvel, anime and so on. These are vast entertainment properties or genres that have tons of content associated with them. Just because I connect with these pieces of entertainment as a whole doesn’t mean I’m going to like everything that’s put out there. It’s important to understand that new things will be tried, and they’re done for different reasons. Something I dislike doesn’t “ruin” a franchise or “bastardize” everything that came before it. I engage with the content, form an opinion, and take those thoughts with me on to the next work.

The Penguin both is and isn’t for me, and that’s okay. More Batman-related projects will come and go, and they’re sure to make me feel a variety of things as well. In the end, they’ll all amount to an exploration of something I really love, and that alone puts a smile on my face.

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