Penguin – Pain and Prejudice #1
Title: Cold World
Written by Greg Hurwitz
Artistry by Szymon Kudranski
Colors by John Kalisz
What a cool book. Really, Penguin is a character that often gets laughed at within the Batman Universe and is often seen as a non-threat. Well, not in this book, brother! Pain and Prejudice paints quite a dark picture for our deformed bird-man villain of Gotham City. Regarded as a mistake by his own father, tortured by school children, and viewed as a monstrosity for all of his like, Oswald Cobblepot has worked up quite a hatred for the citizens of Gotham. Inhumanely cruel, plotting, and dark as pitch, the Penguin poses a very calculated threat to Gotham in this new series.
What first caught my eye about this book was the gorgeous art of Szymon Kudranski. He seems to have found just the right style and atmosphere needed to give Penguin a unique look and feel. Every page is beautifully drawn, with the colors of John Kalisz lending a gloom and oily edge to the character as he slithers through the streets of Gotham City. Hurwitz version of the Penguin is something born out of a deep loathing for humanity and it truly shows by way of Penguin’s actions throughout the book. So much as brushing up against the man by accident could lose you your family, your fortune, and your future all in one fell swoop from this dastardly bird. Dripping with rock solid line work and shadow play Penguin: Pain and Prejudice is a treat for anyone willing to look into what makes this villain tick.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Penguin is a classic villain from the Batman Universe and is not to be taken lightly.
VERDICT
Buy it – If you’re a fan of all things Batman then this is a must own book. It really puts the Penguin character in the spotlight in a dark but positive fashion. With a final page that is to die for I’m really anticipating the next issue to see how it all plays out.
