REVIEW: Batman: One Bad Day – Penguin,’ Issue #1

Batman: One Bad Day – Penguin #1 is a part of a series of one-shots published by DC Comics, written by John Ridley, layouts by Giuseppe Camuncoli, finishes by Cam Smith, colours by Arif Prianto and letters by Rob Leigh. The Penguin was badly beaten by the Umbrella Man and had his empire overthrown. Now he is broke and friendless. So he sets out on a mission of revenge and return.

This is a phenomenal plot with a stunning progression. It starts as low as the character could be: outside of Gotham, with the motivation of getting back to the top. There was a slow and methodical pace that I settled into. This is a long and truly immersive read. Knowledge of the backstory isn’t overly needed, as Ridley brilliantly explains it. It could be argued that the fact that Umbrella Man beat Penguin is repeated too much, but that is necessary. It’s a constant reminder of his humiliation and makes the task of reclaiming his territory even bigger.

The plot does split to focus on other characters, namely Batman and Umbrella Man. It creates tensions as the readers are aware of an impending collision before Cobblepot is. There are some explosive pieces of action in this issue, but much of the drama comes from tense and emotive verbal showdowns. There is a big surprise at the end of this issue that was brilliantly teased earlier in this comic.

The title character of the one-shot is exquisitely written. It is easy to forget at times whilst reading that Penguin is a criminal and a villain as I began to root for him. Much of that is because Oswald is presented as so low at the beginning of the comic, alone and devoid of options. Ridley does an excellent job at giving Penguin some redeeming qualities, ones that he has recently developed since being brutally humbled. When trying to reconnect with old friends, he is sorely disappointed. He also seems to have a set of values that are slightly less atrocious than the other villains in Gotham.

Around this comic is a supporting cast that is fantastic and brand new. What’s great about this one-shot is the characters aren’t all introduced at once, instead getting involved one by one, like a violent, messed-up Wizard of Oz. The dialogue is amazing, very frank and honest. Because, at times, that is what Penguin needs. The growth in this comic can be seen through multiple lenses, but the evolution of Cobblepot’s confidence is one of the most notable.

The art is also terrific. Camuncoli and Smith brilliantly tap into the twisted nature of this comic. This is largely found in facial expressions, which can look incredibly creepy and unnerving. The artists are also unbelievably good during those conversation scenes. Although the angle might be the same and the panels look identical, there are small details that show excellent storytelling and character development. The inks are superb, adding pieces to a page that may not be picked up on initially but provide so much to the depth of the art style.

The character designs are also fantastic, all with their own unique size and shape. Batman’s permanent stoicism is magnificent, but so is his own costume in the book. There is a beautiful simplicity to the look. The pieces of action in the comic are these brutal moments that are quick and shocking. They have consequences, too, with there almost always being a reaction shot for what just happened.

The colours are beautiful. The tone of the comic is dark, but this isn’t a comic that keeps in the shadows. The lighting fills the room, and the variety in the shades is fantastic. There is a green hue that shines onto the comic, then an orange colour that alternates with the green. The blending of the two colours is unconventional but a great contrast. The lettering brilliantly fits the art style of the issue.

Batman: One Bad Day – Penguin #1 is an incredible look at one of Batman’s most distinctive foes. The story itself is stunning, but the character development of Oswald Cobblepot balances, making him frightening and sympathetic. It’s not just the character but his relationships with the city of Gotham and the man who seeks to protect it. It’s a comic with layers and emotion, brilliantly encapsulated by a fantastic art team. For those that may not understand what Penguin brings to the crime community of Gotham, this one-shot beautifully demonstrates why he may be the one you keep onside. 

Batman: One Bad Day – Penguin #1 is available where comics are sold.