Did The Penguin Kill His Brothers in DC Comics?

Did The Penguin kill his brothers? This question has intrigued fans, especially after the recent dark twists in The Penguin miniseries. Created by Lauren LeFranc, the show has viewers hooked with gripping storylines, including a haunting flashback to Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, and his siblings. With the recent series’ revelations, many wonder if Oz killed his brothers in the DC Comics as well.

Here’s how the story unfolds in both versions.

Did Oz also kill his brothers in DC comics like The Penguin series?

Yes, Oz did kill his brothers in DC Comics, but not in the same way as shown in The Penguin series.

In DC Comics, Oz’s relationship with his family is fraught with neglect, taunts, and tragedy. Born with a beaked nose and a unique fascination for birds, young Oswald earned the nickname “Penguin” from his brothers, who constantly bullied him for his appearance. His father rejected him from birth due to his distinct looks, though his mother, the only family member who showed him affection, tried to encourage his brothers to accept him. However, their cruelty toward Oswald persisted.

In the comics, each of Oswald’s brothers dies under mysterious, tragic circumstances, later revealed to be orchestrated by Oz himself. Jason, the youngest, dies from food poisoning, choking on his own vomit after Oswald laces his food with rat poison. William, the middle brother, falls victim to a fatal hit-and-run accident planned by Oswald. Eventually, Oswald’s eldest brother, Robert, dies after falling through thin ice on a lake where he often played hockey. Oswald had strategically melted a patch of ice, watching as Robert slipped into the freezing water and drowned.

In The Penguin miniseries, however, the portrayal of Oswald’s actions is slightly different. Episode 7, “Top Hat,” provides a flashback to Oswald’s childhood, where he and his brothers Jack and Benny play “flashlight tag” in Gotham’s abandoned trolley tunnels. At one point, Jack and Benny urge Oz to climb down into a drainage tank, which angers him. Ignoring Jack’s apologies, Oz locks his brothers inside the tank. As rain begins to flood the area, Oz lies to his mother, claiming his brothers went to the movies, leaving them to ultimately drown.

Although the circumstances shown in the series are different from those portrayed in DC Comics, Oz did kill his brothers.