Danny DeVito returns to the Penguin

“You don’t really think you’ll win, do you?” It's almost 3 decades since Danny DeVito played the Penguin in Tim Burton's sombre sequel to Batman, Batman Returns.

From collecting Kenner's die-cast action figures to the Atari Lynx video game and a faulty CD pressing of Danny Elfman's soundtrack (I'm writing this as it streams on Amazon Music HD), the release of Batman Returns is forever associated with applying to university and the inherent anxieties therein. As I've written previously, imposter syndrome stalks my waking hours. Wearing a mask (to protect others and myself) during the ongoing pandemic has been freeing - much like school drama class - for someone with relatively low self-esteem, which isn’t unique to me.

Whilst DeVito is yet to reprise the role for the big screen (unlike Michael Keaton's return as Batman in The Flash), he'll be penning a new Penguin one-shot story, to celebrate the monocled menace's 80th birthday, for release this November.

Here’s the official outline for Gotham City Villains Anniversary Giant #1:

"Gotham City may be protected by the Dark Knight, but this major metropolitan destination is also plagued by some of the deadliest, most nefarious villains in the DC Universe! In this oversize anniversary giant, DC Comics proudly presents tales of Batman’s deadliest foes written and drawn by some of the biggest, most exciting names in comics! 2021 marks an anniversary year for the Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, Ra’s al Ghul, Talia al Ghul, the Mad Hatter, Killer Moth, and the original Red Hood, and Gotham City Villains Anniversary Giant #1 brings these baddies to life in some big ways! Also featuring the anniversary celebration of the Penguin, written by none other than the man who brought Oswald Cobblepot to life in Batman Returns, star of the silver screen Danny DeVito!"

The Penguin, played by Colin Farrell, will appear in Matt Reeves's The Batman next year.

Are you looking forward to Gotham City Villains Anniversary Giant #1, and what are your Batman Returns memories? Let me know in the comments below.