DC’s ‘The Penguin’ Sets the Standard for Future MCU TV Shows

Many fans were uncertain about what to expect from Colin Farrell’s portrayal of Oswald “Oz” Cobb (with a slight name change), better known as The Penguin, in Matt Reeves’ The Batman.

Farrell didn’t initially seem to fit the character, but his performance was so impressive that HBO quickly commissioned a stand-alone series featuring The Penguin, with Farrell on board to star.

As of this report, the show has released two episodes and has been praised by both critics and fans as one of the best series of the year.

Viewers are lauding the acting, world-building, character development, and narrative progression, and the show’s viewership numbers are strong.

In light of this, it seems that DC has successfully found the formula for a compelling superhero TV show. Reflecting on this, we believe that The Penguin serves as an excellent blueprint for future superhero series—especially one in particular—and that Marvel could learn a great deal from this approach.

The Penguin has it all. It’s a spin-off from a highly successful and acclaimed movie, meticulously crafted to tell a compelling story. It features a charismatic main character, even as a villain, along with excellent supporting characters. Additionally, the main actor delivers a brilliant performance, and the series significantly contributes to the lore’s world-building.

It avoids feeling forced or contrived; instead, it flows naturally, presenting a gritty and realistic portrayal while addressing issues related to minorities, class disparities, and women’s rights.

The Penguin skillfully weaves these themes into the narrative, which is likely why fans are embracing it so wholeheartedly. But there’s much more to glean from this success.

In fact, The Penguin seems to have cracked the code for successful storytelling, and understanding this formula could benefit other shows as well. While DC’s future productions now have an excellent blueprint to follow, we believe that Marvel could also learn valuable lessons from The Penguin, especially concerning certain shows.

Though the Penguin formula may not fit series like Ms. Marvel or Hawkeye, the upcoming Daredevil: Born Again series—along with the entire Daredevil universe and the Defenders—presents an ideal opportunity to apply this blueprint.

While Born Again is likely to be grittier than the average MCU show, it probably won’t reach the same level of darkness as The Penguin, though it certainly has that potential. This series offers a fantastic framework for crafting a street-level, gritty narrative that can captivate fans.

Moreover, focusing on a villain is another aspect Marvel could adopt. There are numerous compelling villains—most notably Kingpin—who deserve their own standalone series. If Marvel ever decides to explore that avenue, The Penguin would serve as an excellent model for creating a standout show.

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