What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Penguin
Lauren LeFranc · Series · 2024
If you loved The Penguin, start with The Batman (Matt Reeves, 2022) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Penguin across media.
What hooked you in The Penguin was the grit of watching calculated power plays unfold within a crumbling, morally bankrupt city.
Books on the same thread
Batman
Jeph Loeb, Tim Sale, Bob Kane · Book · 2011
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Organized Crime, Vigilante Justice.
If you enjoyed the complex criminal hierarchy in The Penguin, this story offers a similar dive into Gotham's organized crime and the moral ambiguity that defines its dark corners.
The Crow
James Vance · Book · 2004
Explores: Revenge, Justice, Morality.
Much like the brutal quest for control in The Penguin, this narrative focuses on the heavy personal cost of vengeance when justice is taken into one's own hands.
Reacher: Persuader
Lee Child · Book
Explores: undercover operations, lone wolf protagonist, ruthless justice.
You will recognize the same atmosphere of dangerous underground operations found in The Penguin as you follow a protagonist navigating the ruthless landscape of a crime lord's fortress.
Absolute Batman, Vol. 2: Abomination
Scott Snyder · Book
Explores: psychological warfare, corrupt institutions, dark justice.
This comic mirrors the psychological warfare and systemic corruption present in The Penguin, highlighting how individuals struggle to assert themselves within the dark, unforgiving institutions of their city.
Films on the same thread
The Batman
Matt Reeves · Film · 2022
Shares a thread with The Penguin: Neo-Noir.
This film provides the same neo-noir exploration of systemic decay and corruption seen in The Penguin, grounding the city's struggle in a gritty, high-stakes detective narrative.
The Dark Knight Rises
Christopher Nolan · Film · 2012
Shares a thread with The Penguin: Neo-Noir.
The focus on the fragile reputation of Gotham's elite and the social collapse following a crisis will resonate with viewers who appreciated the power vacuum in The Penguin.
Batman Begins
Christopher Nolan · Film · 2005
Shares a thread with The Penguin: Neo-Noir.
Just as The Penguin tracks the rise of a man shaped by his environment, this origin story examines how corruption and fear dictate the trajectory of Gotham's most influential figures.
The Godfather
Francis Ford Coppola · Film · 1972
Shares a thread with The Penguin: Family Loyalty.
The foundational blueprint for the gangster drama in The Penguin lies here, exploring the intersection of family loyalty and the ruthless ambition required to maintain an organized crime empire.
Podcasts on the same thread
Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network · Podcast · 2026
Explores: moral ambiguity, social justice, human behavior.
This podcast captures the same moral ambiguity found in The Penguin by investigating the lives of those caught between the law and the underworld, revealing complex human motivations.
Kinahans Downfall
Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with The Penguin: Criminal Underworld.
If the brutal reality of the criminal underworld in The Penguin held your attention, this investigation into a real-world cartel offers an equally intense look at organized crime.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Penguin a standalone series?
The Penguin focuses on Oswald Cobb as he attempts to seize control of Gotham following the death of Carmine Falcone. The series explores his rise to power and his complex relationship with his mother, Francis, while he navigates the dangerous power vacuum created by the city's recent seawall collapse.
What is the main conflict in The Penguin?
The primary conflict in The Penguin centers on Oswald Cobb's struggle to fill the power vacuum left by Carmine Falcone. Oz must confront various enemies who challenge his authority while dealing with his own reputation and the ongoing chaos caused by the collapse of the Gotham seawall.
Does The Penguin feature Oswald Cobb's family?
Yes, family is central to the motivations of the protagonist in The Penguin. Oswald Cobb is specifically driven by a desire to provide a better life for his mother, Francis, as he maneuvers through the criminal underworld to secure his new position of power in Gotham.
What events set the stage for The Penguin?
The Penguin begins in the aftermath of a major catastrophe involving the collapse of the Gotham seawall. This environmental disaster leaves the city in peril and creates a significant power vacuum following the death of Carmine Falcone, which Oswald Cobb attempts to exploit for his own gain.