Oswald Cobblepot’s plan to return to Gotham City is about to be executed, but he’s going to need one last, key piece…and only a beautiful face from his past can provide it. Enter the femme fatale, Lisa St. Claire. The Penguin #4 is another fantastic entry in the series that shows off Oswald’s twisted relationship with pretty much everyone.

Four issues in and The Penguin continues to deliver. Every issue has been amazing. Every issue has been packed with moments that make you feel sympathy for and fear The Penguin. Written by Tom King, The Penguin #4 is another amazing issue that dives further into the deprave relationships the character has making you wonder if anything is normal when it comes to him. It also highlights how sad his being dragged away from his recent domestic bliss really is.

Recruited by the US government, Oswald is on a mission to take back what’s his in Gotham. To do that, he needs to rebuild his crew and has been doing so methodically. His latest focus is on Lisa St. Claire, his ex-wife and currently running a casino.

For those that don’t know the relationship and history, no need to worry. King does an amazing job of running through what you need to know in the casual conversation between the two as they catch up and reconnect. We also get so much about their relationship, good and bad, and where the Penguin stands with his current crew. The end result is a story that’s full of ups and down and a clear understanding that when it comes to The Penguin and people, no interaction is normal.

The art by Rafael De Latorre continues to amaze. With color by Marcelo Maiolo and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the comic is beautiful to look at. There’s a tension throughout that builds as Oswald and Lisa reconnect and of course builds until a cathartic explosion. There continues to be an amazing focus on the facial reactions and body language that hit home to emotional struggle Oswald is internally going through. You get a sense of what he’s thinking or reacting just by a small detail in his face or how his body moves. Small details like that tell a hell of a story here.

The Penguin #4 is another amazing issue in a series that stands out as one of the best on the shelves right now from any publisher. Don’t sleep on this one. It’s delivered excellence with every issue.

Story: Tom King Art: Rafael De Latorre
Color: Marcelo Maiolo Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Every so often there’s a series that’s so good, you just wait until the shine wears off. The Penguin is that series for me with the first two issues being some of the best of the year. The Penguin #3 continues the quality with another issue that continues a hell of a setup.

The Penguin knows that to return to power in Gotham City he’s going to need a crew that’s not based in the city or caught up in the Gotham War…so he makes a play for a surprising group. Enter, the Force of July!

Who is the Force of July? It really doesn’t matter as writer Tom King delivers an issue that shows motive for each character and a bit of their personality. The Penguin #3 is a hell of an issue and Oswald builds out his new squad of goons after realizing the old crew just won’t do. It’s another fantastic issue as we see the methodical nature that Penguin “recruits” each member. He analyzes their wants, their needs, and when that doesn’t exist, makes them an offer they can’t refuse. Like the second issue with The Help, it’s another example of the brilliance of the character, bringing him up to a level to really appreciate. Being a gangster with a gimmick is no longer a thing. Instead, we have a brilliant mind who’s able to get what he wants using violence as a last resort.

King also has some sly commentary about heroes that were part of the government. There’s some statements by Force of July that hint of their crimes and thoughts about what they’ve done in the past and what they think about that. It’s all rather interesting and intriguing thoughts on not just America’s action abroad but also a bit about the people who commit it as well. You also have an interesting layer of the US using the Penguin to achieve its goals which then has the Penguin using former US interests to achieve his. There’s something there about the intertwined bullshit that is US “interests” and who it’s willing to get in bed with no matter what they’re willing to do and how the snake eats its own tail.

The art by Rafael De Latorre continues to be on point and nail every moment. With color by Marcelo Maiolo and lettering by Clayton Cowles there’s a drabness about the look but it’s not depressing. It feels and looks like a comic about a character dragging himself up from the bottom again. Rocky… but with more violence, crime, and blackmail. What’s fantastic is the comic’s ability to transition so easily between moments that are so different from each other and the style still working so well. Really in the end, every story told within is a tragedy and the look of the comic delivers that with the focus of every panel. All of that is emphasized by the dialogue and thoughts, the lettering playing a huge role in this issue delivering the motive for each character.

The Penguin #3 is another fantastic issue of a comic that has “best of the year” qualities about it. Each issue has delivered in unexpected ways. It has added layers to the character of the Penguin elevating him from his trick umbrella past. Most importantly, it has given us a character that you feel empathy towards while also being completely frightened by. It’s one that shouldn’t be missed.

Story: Tom King Art: Rafael De Latorre
Color: Marcelo Maiolo Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle