As a long-time fan of the Batman universe and someone who has followed Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, since his debut in Detective Comics #58 back in 1941, I must admit that I was initially taken aback by the decision to change his name to Oswald Cobb in Matt Reeves’ Batman universe.
I, a devoted fan, find “The Penguin” to be an exciting new chapter in the comic book movie phenomenon. Though the initial excitement may have waned, standout productions like “The Batman” still leave a lasting impression. “The Penguin” signifies a genre shift, abandoning the superhero angle entirely to delve deeper into Gotham’s criminal underworld. While it doesn’t stray too far from the comics, there’s one alteration that has fans in an uproar – the character’s government name has been changed from Oswald Cobblepot to Oswald Cobb.
Comic book movies elicit diverse viewpoints. It can be challenging to persuade purists to overlook even minor deviations from their beloved stories. Some fans are less stringent and open to creative interpretations as long as they fit within the narrative. These situations tend to be more beneficial when assessed individually. It’s not productive to argue about changes that facilitate the new format, but it doesn’t automatically imply that every compromise enhances the discussion.
The Penguin changes Oswald Cobblepot’s name
Oswald Cobblepot, also known as the Penguin, made his debut in Detective Comics issue 58 back in December 1941. Since then, he’s mostly gone by that name. Surprisingly, Matt Reeves’ The Batman movie doesn’t reveal their version of the Penguin’s full real name; instead, they call him “Oz.” Notably, no one else in the movie seems to know his surname either. Even the script addresses him as the Penguin, which might annoy him. When it was announced that a spinoff series would be released on HBO Max, it became evident that the writers and producers had changed his name to Oswald Cobb for the show. According to Comic Book Movie’s Josh Wilding, writer and showrunner Lauren LeFranc spoke about this change with SFX Magazine.
In Matt’s movie, he established a new version of the canon, while I am doing the same for this series. Our characters might be familiar to you, but they have a unique twist. Watching this Gotham City in the movie, Penguin (Cobblepott) seemed more like a title or role rather than a real person, much like how Cobb is simply a surname. However, in my show, he’s portrayed as a genuine individual, which feels more appropriate given that he is a gangster.
According to her account, the team chose to alter Oz’s name from Oswald Cobblepot because it seemed a bit amusing. The surname Cobb is genuine and carries a more traditional feel. Interestingly, while Edward Nigma’s name was adjusted in the comics, the same wasn’t done for Oz. However, the producers of Matt Reeves’ Batman universe deemed that whimsical names are no longer fitting within their new narrative. It’s worth noting that Cobblepot is indeed a real surname, with at least 57 family trees recorded, while searches for Cobb yield over a million results.
Comic book movies have made worse changes
In the movie “X-Men” directed by Bryan Singer in 2000, some viewers drew parallels between the alteration of the character Oz’s name and the controversial costume changes made in that film. The filmmakers decided to replace the mutants’ colorful uniforms with indistinguishable black leather outfits, which sparked a lot of anger. Interestingly, the writers attempted to address these concerns by making a snide remark about the old costumes. This sarcastic comment was more infuriating than the changes themselves because it came across as insincere. Without that joke, the change might have been accepted with explanations about tactical advantages. However, with the joke included, they seem to present themselves as protectors of the original source material, which might not have gained a fanbase in its original form. This doesn’t mean that every adaptation must adhere to any specific level of loyalty. It just means that a decision made with trend-focus rather than respect for the original could appear as an attack under certain perspectives. The new name for Oz doesn’t carry the same impact.
Comic book character names are a common issue
As a gamer, I’ve noticed that goofy monikers from the comics can pose challenges for movie creators. It’s tough to envision a character with a laughable name fitting into a more serious setting. This issue seems to be universal among studios and generations. Victor Von Doom has been a recurring figure in this debate. The 2015 Fantastic Four film initially planned to change his name to Victor Domashev, but they backed off due to fan backlash. Even the comics rebranded him as Victor Van Damme for the Ultimate Universe. The Riddler is somewhat of an exception. In the current DC Universe, he was born Edward Nashton and later changed his name to Edward Nigma. Oz’s new name, Oz Cobb, doesn’t really add anything fresh about The Penguin. Despite the debates over comic book names, does Oz Cobb fundamentally alter the essence of The Penguin?
The alteration of Oz’s name is a strange choice that doesn’t really change anything. The character goes by Oz or the Penguin for 90% of his screentime. Some fans imagine creators turning up their noses at the material as if there isn’t plenty of familiar DNA in The Batman and its spinoff. He’s called Oz Cobb, and he doesn’t kill people with an umbrella nearly as often, but that doesn’t push him much further from the Penguin.
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2024-09-18 21:04