The Penguin Concept Art Showcases Oz Cobb’s Underground Operation

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As a seasoned movie reviewer with a soft spot for Gotham City’s grimy underbelly, I must say that ‘The Penguin‘ has been nothing short of a delightful dive into the murky depths of its criminal underworld. The latest episode, delving deep into the complex relationship between young Oz Cobb and his brothers, was an unexpected gem that added layers to this fascinating character.

WARNING! The following contains major spoilers for The Penguin Episode 7!

In this week’s installment of HBO’s “The Penguin”, viewers were treated to a trip down memory lane, delving into the intricate bond between a young Oz Cobb and his siblings. This episode delved into the origins of Gotham City’s hidden subway train system, now serving as Oz’s operational hub in the contemporary setting. Similar to the portrayal of Gotham City in “The Penguin”, the sets for the deserted cart depot are steeped in history and filled with hidden references, and generously, production designer Kalina Ivanov has graciously allowed MovieWeb to publish the stunning concept art and set photographs for fans to pore over.

The trolley depot, surprising viewers midway through the series, might just be the most impressive set, based on an authentic piece of New York history hidden from view. As Kalina Ivanov shared in an interview with MovieWeb, “Did you know that New York City actually had trolley depots and trolley cars? They all closed down in the late 50s, even the 59th Street Bridge had one on it.” Despite being based on real New York locations, Ivanov and her team tailored the designs to match the style of “The Penguin”. She elaborated that arched ceilings were a recurring element in the series’ sets, particularly the Falcone Mansion. To reflect this, she aimed to incorporate this design into Oz’s drug operation, suggesting his success had reached Falcone levels. Reflecting on this, she reminisced:

As a budding movie critic, I’ve sketched out some initial ideas that delve into the intriguing concept of vaulted ceilings and archways. I envisioned presenting these ideas in two distinct forms – one resembling a bustling shop warehouse, the other transforming into a mesmerizing space with those grand vaulted ceilings. I’ve shared my preliminary thoughts with Matt Reeves and Lauren LeFranc, hoping they find them as captivating as I do.

The Penguin’s Trolley Carts Feature Easter Eggs to Batman Comics

The show “The Penguin” wouldn’t feel like a superhero production without some cleverly concealed Easter Eggs scattered throughout the sets. It falls upon Kalina Ivanov and her team to embed these hidden gems, making her possibly the only one who knows each of their exact locations. Although she didn’t reveal every Easter egg in the trolley depot set, she did provide fans with a helpful starting point for their quest, hinting:

”
The numbers on the trolley cars are Easter eggs.
They all relate to comic book issues.”

The last installment of “The Penguin” series is fast approaching, and it’s been a breath of fresh air for fans of comic book television. Over the course of seven episodes, it’s sparked curiosity and rekindled debates about potential implications for Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” universe. The popularity of “The Penguin” suggests promising prospects for spin-offs, such as the revived “Arkham Asylum” series. Intriguingly, Matt Reeves has expressed an intention to develop more spin-offs featuring Batman’s rogues gallery. If they’re anything like “The Penguin”, even lesser-known characters like Baby Face, Condiment King, and Kite Man could captivate audiences in their own standalone series set in a dark and gritty world.

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2024-11-04 02:05