Loki. Venom. Agatha. Harley Quinn. It feels like we’re in the era of villains-turned-antiheroes, right? But The Penguin isn’t following that trend. Forget the redemption arc, the tragic backstory, or the “he’s just misunderstood” narrative. In this series, Oswald “Oz” Cobb isn’t a hero or antihero—he’s the villain. And trust us, the writers make sure you never forget it. So, let’s break down four traits that solidify Oz as one of the most despicable, irredeemable villains in Gotham’s history.d
#1 Sycophantic Power-Hungry Snitch
From his childhood, Oz has been a classic yes-man—except his “yes” always comes at someone else’s expense. Take his betrayal of Sofia Falcone, for example. He eagerly ran to her father, Carmine Falcone, to snitch on Sofia’s meeting with a journalist who was getting a little too close to the truth about him. This act of sniveling flattery earned Oz a spot as Carmine’s right-hand man—but it also destroyed Sofia’s life. The result? She spent ten years tortured in Arkham Asylum, framed for crimes she didn’t commit—all thanks to Oz’s insatiable need to kiss up to the powerful. Talk about a backstabber with no shame.
#2 The Oedipus Complex That Should Have Stayed in Therapy
Oz’s relationship with his mother? Well, it’s… problematic. To say the least. Oz is obsessed with being her one and only focus—so much so that he went as far as to murder his own brothers, believing that if they were out of the picture, Mom would finally love him more. Spoiler alert: this didn’t end well. His mother’s suffering only intensified her illness, triggering her dementia. But here’s where it gets even weirder—Oz then hires a prostitute to pretend to be his mother. Yes, you read that right. He pays her to dress, talk, and act like his mom and tell him she’s proud of him. If you thought your family dynamics were bad, just wait till you see this twisted mess. By the end of the season, his mother’s stroke keeps her tied to him forever—an eerie result of his unrelenting Oedipus complex.
#3 Pathological Liar Extraordinaire
Oz’s superpower? Lying. And we don’t mean the occasional fib—we’re talking about full-blown, compulsive, believes-his-own-lies level deception. The man lies like it’s second nature, and what’s even scarier is that he fully convinces himself. This allows him to manipulate anyone and everyone—escaping sticky situations with ease. His lies escalate into full-blown chaos, including instigating a brutal gang war between Maroni and Falcone, all while convincing countless henchmen to betray their bosses. The result? A catastrophic explosion that leaves Gotham in ruins, all sparked by Oz’s web of lies. If Gotham’s suffering had a face, it’d be Oz’s smug grin.
#4 Narcissistic Self-Obsession Gone Too Far
And then there’s narcissism. In the season finale, Oz does something that’ll make your jaw hit the floor: he murders his most loyal ally, Vic. Fans were left reeling, but honestly, there’s no real mystery here. He did it because he’s Oz Cobb—and he can. With the gang war won, control of Gotham’s drug trade locked down, and a seat at the council’s table, Vic is just a pawn that Oz no longer needs. In his mind, why keep a loyal friend when you can have Gotham all to yourself? Vic’s loyalty doesn’t matter—Oz’s thirst for power outweighs any relationship. His narcissism takes selfishness to a whole new level, leaving his closest ally to suffer the ultimate betrayal.
Conclusion
The Penguin is a breath of fresh air in a sea of morally gray characters. It’s rare to see a comic book villain who’s not being turned into a misunderstood antihero, and that’s exactly what makes this show so great. The writers committed to making Oz the true villain, never once allowing us to forget his monstrous traits. And that’s why the show works. By the end, we’re rooting for his downfall, and yet, we can’t look away. It’s a masterclass in character writing.
The Penguin isn’t just a series—it’s a deep dive into the psyche of an irredeemable villain who leaves Gotham (and viewers) in his wake. For that reason, we’re giving it a solid 9/10. No Batman cameo needed here; he’s probably watching The Penguin himself because even the Dark Knight knows this show is peak.
