The Penguin Subtly Sets Up Phase 2 Of The Riddler’s Plan For Gotham Ahead Of The Batman Part II

By Ross Tanenbaum

Published Dec 29, 2024

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Batman may have locked up The Riddler in The Batman, but stuck in Arkham Asylum, but his violent message still affects Gotham. Many citizens want to fight back against Gotham's corrupt institutions, and Riddler's message remains alive even when he's gone.

In The Penguin, Gotham's criminal underworld was in a state of crisis and opportunity after Carmine Falcone's death. Everyone wanted to become Gotham's next top dog after Riddler created a massive power vacuum. The Penguin ends with Oz Cobb taking control of Gotham's criminal empire and working his way into the city's elite society. He has power as a crime boss and as an influential figure to politicians and businessmen. His new status could corrupt Gotham further, causing Riddler's plans to escalate before The Batman - Part II.

The Riddler's Imprisonment Wasn't The End Of His Reign Of Terror

The Riddler had many loyal followers who fought for him without being paid. They find his message empowering and continue to spread it, even when he's in Arkham Asylum. In episode 1 of The Penguin, Oz is riding the Gotham City Subway where a man offers him a flyer with a QR code featuring a Riddler-style question mark in the middle. The man and the flyer encourage people to discover "Gotham's true face," a reference to a Riddler line from The Batman. There is also graffiti around Gotham, saying "No more excuses."

Many of Gotham's citizens are fed up with the city's elite and feel connected to Riddler, even if his methods are destructive. The Riddler himself was inspired by Batman, who he believed was using violence and fear to clean up crime in Gotham. Several copycat criminals could try to continue Riddler's plans, even if Riddler can't communicate with his followers. While Riddler meant to punish Gotham's elite, his act of terrorism hurt lower-class citizens more, and his followers could cause more damage.

The Penguin Suggests Gotham Is On The Verge Of War

During The Batman's theatrical run, viewers could visit a website called rataalada.com. The site could be reached via QR code, and included cryptic messages from the Riddler. During The Penguin's first season, the website was updated a few times, saying "the revolution has just begun." The domain has been seized by the GD, but it featured hints that Riddler's rebellion is only beginning. The Penguin's finale suggests it could worsen as Oz is now involved in Gotham's elite and political institutions.

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Oz showed he is not above bribing politicians, as he convinced Councilman Hady to frame Sofia for Maroni's murder as a boost to his low political status. He could make Gotham's institutions even more corrupt before The Batman - Part II, despite Mayor Bella Real's commitment to fighting in-house criminal activity. If the divide between the upper and lower classes expands after The Penguin, it could lead to an all-out war, sparked by Riddler's violent methods and fiery rhetoric.