end of The Batman may have been more detrimental to the city than beneficial.

Directed by Matt Reeves, The Batman offered a gritty, noir-driven portrayal of Gotham City, one on the brink of collapse under the pressure of corruption, criminal empires, and mass unrest. Robert Pattinson's version of Batman was at the heart of this narrative - a vigilante just beginning his crusade against Gotham's deep-seated problems, including the Riddler’s murderous rampage and the downfall of crime boss Carmine Falcone. However, Gotham’s problems did not end with Falcone’s death. The Penguin continues this, exploring the power vacuum left by Falcone and the systemic failures plaguing Gotham.

Robert Pattinson's Batman Is A Huge Missing Part Of The Penguin

Robert Pattinson As Bruce Wayne In Full Batman Costume Driving Batmobile In The Batman

Robert Pattinson’s Batman has not appeared in The Penguin during the aftermath of Gotham City’s flooding, and his absence is deafening. Gotham has become a hotbed of criminal activity, exacerbated by Falcone's murder and the city-wide flooding caused by the Riddler's grand plan. This chaos should logically prompt Gotham’s masked vigilante to intensify his efforts. However, in The Penguin, there’s no sign that Batman has intervened to prevent the rising tide of lawlessness.

With Falcone’s death, Gotham’s criminal underworld is in disarray, and Oswald Cobb (The Penguin) is seizing control. Gotham's situation has seemingly worsened, with violent power struggles erupting between criminal factions. The fact that this shift is happening unchecked, with no mention of Batman confronting these developments, speaks volumes about how Gotham has been left to fend for itself.

The Penguin Confirms Gotham's Crime Rate Is Up 42%

One of the most telling moments in The Penguin occurs during episode 2 when a radio broadcast reveals a staggering statistic: Gotham’s crime rate has surged by 42%. This revelation underscores the full extent of the crisis engulfing the city. The significant increase in criminal activity is a direct result of the chaos unleashed by the floods in The Batman. This catastrophic event has left large swathes of Gotham in ruins, with many residents lacking power, shelter, and basic necessities.

The desperate conditions have become a breeding ground for criminals, who are taking full advantage of the power vacuum and lack of law enforcement. The Penguin, now rising through the ranks, is one of the key beneficiaries of Gotham’s descent into chaos, while Batman’s failure to intervene and provide order in the wake of such a disaster becomes increasingly noticeable. Gotham’s streets have become more dangerous than ever. Instead of protecting the city and its people, Batman’s prior actions have inadvertently contributed to an even darker period in Gotham’s history.

Batman's Riddler Failure Cost Gotham Badly

Oz Cobb/The Penguin (Colin Farrell) in the Falcone mausoleum in The Penguin Season 1 Episode 2
Image via Max

Perhaps the most significant failure of Robert Pattinson’s Batman lies in his handling of the Riddler. Though Batman did manage to stop the Riddler's killing spree, he failed to uncover his grand plan until too late while inadvertently aiding the villain. This resulted in Carmine Falcone’s murder and the sea wall destruction, which has transformed entire areas into uninhabitable wastelands. Crown Point, in particular, has been described as a "no man’s land," a term that evokes the level of devastation and lawlessness now gripping Gotham.

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Batman’s inability to prevent this disaster has left a void that Gotham’s criminals are only too happy to fill. The aftermath of the flooding has allowed crime families and drug cartels to flood the streets with illegal substances, further corrupting a police force that was already struggling with rampant corruption. Meanwhile, many Gotham residents are missing or dead. The crime rate is soaring, with entire neighborhoods left uninhabitable.

While the Riddler is no longer an active threat, the consequences of his actions, and Batman’s unwitting assistance, have left Gotham on the brink of collapse. With no sign of Batman returning to restore order, Gotham is left in a state of peril. Rather than creating a safer environment, Batman’s actions have merely shifted the balance of power, allowing figures like the Penguin to rise and thrive in the disorder.

  • The Penguin

    Your Rating

    The Penguin
    Release Date
    2024 - 2024-00-00
    Showrunner
    Lauren LeFranc
    Directors
    Craig Zobel

    WHERE TO WATCH

    Streaming

    Created by Lauren LeFranc, The Penguin is a crime-drama spin-off television series of 2022's film The Batman. Set shortly after the events of The Batman, Oz Cobb, A.K.A. the Penguin, begins his rise in the underworld of Gotham City as he contends with the daughter of his late boss, Carmine Falcone, for control of the crime family's empire.

  • The Batman Poster

    Your Rating

    The Batman
    Release Date
    March 4, 2022
    Runtime
    176 minutes
    Director
    Matt Reeves

    WHERE TO WATCH

    The Batman follows a young Bruce Wayne as he investigates a sadistic serial killer targeting key political figures in Gotham. As he delves deeper, he is confronted by the city's hidden corruption and questions surrounding his own family's legacy.

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