Batman Returns actor Danny DeVito is returning to Oswald Cobblepot not on the big screen but on the page as he is writing a Penguin story in DC’s upcoming Gotham City Villains Anniversary Giant #1, a special comic celebrating the anniversaries of many of Batman’s rogues gallery.
DeVito brought The Penguin to life in Tim Burton’s 1992 follow-up to his hit Batman film Batman Returns. Those expecting a performance similar to Burgess Meredith in the 1966 Batman TV series were in for a surprise though as DeVito’s Penguin was not a posh supervillain, but a deformed former circus performer living in Gotham City’s sewers with his fellow circus followers and pet penguins. After blackmailing a wealthy corporate tycoon, Penguin runs for mayor and teams up with Catwoman to frame Batman for a series of crimes.
The artist for DeVito’s story has not been revealed, but legendary icon Frank Quitely, who has illustrated such as All-Star Superman, New X-Men and Batman & Robin among many others, has done a variant cover for the special featuring Penguin bearing many similarities to DeVito’s iconic look. The synopsis for the special reads:
Gotham City may be protected by the Dark Knight, but this major metropolitan destination is also plagued by some of the deadliest, most nefarious villains in the DC Universe! In this oversize anniversary giant, DC Comics proudly presents tales of Batman’s deadliest foes written and drawn by some of the biggest, most exciting names in comics! 2021 marks an anniversary year for the Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, Ra’s al Ghul, Talia al Ghul, the Mad Hatter, Killer Moth, and the original Red Hood, and Gotham City Villains Anniversary Giant #1 brings these baddies to life in some big ways! Also featuring the anniversary celebration of the Penguin, written by none other than the man who brought Oswald Cobblepot to life in Batman Returns, star of the silver screen Danny DeVito!
Other writers and artists attached to the special include Wes Craig, G. Willow Wilson, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Joshua Williamson, Stephanie Phillips, Jill Thompson, Dan Mora, Emma Rios, Riccardo Federici, Max Raynor and more.
Gotham City Villains Anniversary Giant #1 will be 96 pages in prestige format and on sale November 30.
Ricky Church – Follow me on Twitter for more movie news and nerd talk.
