Ahead of Batman’s latest adventure, DC has officially unveiled its dark new redesign of the Penguin. Not only has the character experienced a major physical transformation, but he’s now wielding some creative artillery.

Introduced in 1941, Oswald Cobblepot’s Penguin is one of Batman’s most versatile villains. In some depictions, he’s a bird-obsessed clown, while in others he’s a vicious gangster smart enough to stand alongside Joker and Bane as serious threats to the Dark Knight’s health.

In 2026, Penguin is firmly in the latter camp. Depicted by Colin Farrell in The Batman and The Penguin as a ruthless sociopath, and as a mastermind willing to sacrifice his own children in Tom King and Rafael de Latorre’s The Penguin comic, Cobblepot has rarely been scarier… which makes this new design a surprising further step into darkness.

Absolute Batman Finally Unveils Penguin’s Supervillain Rebirth

Absolute Batman‘s Nick Dragotta recently revealed his concept art for the Penguin via Instagram, as Oswald Cobblepot is reborn as a supervillain. The villain is shown stooped, using twin machine guns as crutches. He’s dressed in a white shirt with black body armor over his back and braces on his legs – a result of his brutal beating by Bane in Absolute Batman #12.

In that issue, Bane targeted Oswald Cobblepot, Harvey Dent and Edward Nigma. Sensing that Cobblepot was insecure about his physique and height, Bane broke his body to resemble his worst nightmare, leaving him in constant pain for the rest of his life. Dragotta also shared an image of Two-Face’s new design, with the two available as variant covers for Absolute Batman #21.

DC Has Turned Batman’s Classic Villains into Utter Tragedy

In the lore of Absolute Batman, several of Batman’s biggest villains – the previously mentioned plus Waylon Jones (Killer Croc) and Selina Kyle (Catwoman) – are childhood friends. The group form a rogueish community where everyone looks out for each other, and yet they have been plunged into disaster by Batman’s mission.

While Cobblepot’s bones were broken, Bane burned half of Dent’s body and caused brain damage to Nygma. Meawnhile, Jones was experimented on by the Ark M facility, turning him into a gigantic crocodile monster – one who begrudgingly teamed-up with Batman to bring down Bane.

Bane destroyed Bruce Wayne’s friends, and now it’s time for them to be fully reborn as villains. Once, Absolute Batman loved Oswald Cobblepot like a brother – but now it’s time for the Penguin to emerge as his latest nightmare-fuel villain.

Absolute Batman #21 is coming June 10, 2026.

Created By

Bob Kane, Bill Finger

Alias

Bruce Wayne

Alliance

Justice League, Outsiders, Batman Family

Race

Human

Franchise

D.C.