The Penguinseems like a brilliant new dimension for the ailing superhero genre. After Matt Reeves' excellentThe Batman, the streaming spinoff will depict breakout character Oz Cobblepot’s new rise to power in Gotham’s underworld. It’s a sequel that can explore new dimensions before the sequel drops in 2025. One of its most fascinating character decisions will see Alberto Falcone join the cast, implying a classic comic book narrative as a potential future subject.
The Batmanspawned a side-universeunrelated to the larger DCU. As James Gunn shakes up the previous DCEU and casts new versions of DC’s beloved heroes, Matt Reeves' alternate dimension stands firm. The grim and gritty Gotham City he imagined could house wildly varied narratives. While it can get a bit confusing with two or three versions of every hero and villain running around, this variety can keep the franchises fresh.
Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale
First Appearance Date
October 1996
Alberto Falcone is the youngest son of Gotham City crime boss Carmine Falcone. Don Carmine “The Roman” Falcone became one of the most threatening underworld figures in Gotham. Introduced inBatman: Year One, Carmineis a naked expyofThe Godfather’s Don Vito Corleone. Like Marlon Brando’s character, Carmine has three children patterned after the Corleone kids. His eldest son, Mario, works tirelessly to legitimize the family, like Michael Corleone. His daughter, Sofia, boasts a short fuse like Sonny Corleone. Finally, Alberto occupies Fredo’s tragic position in the family. Alberto carries Fredo’s inadequacy and rough relationship with his father. Unlike Vito, Carmine Falcone loved Alberto deeply. His actions, motivated partially by his inability to communicate, led Alberto down the wrong path.
Alberto was an intelligent young man who attended Harvard and Oxford on full-ride scholarships. Though Alberto had an excellent path toward a decent life, he wanted nothing more than tofollow in Carmine’s footsteps. Carmine favored his elder children, providing them with the means to continue his criminal empire. Alberto felt cheated out of his birthright, even as his father did everything he could to give Alberto better options. Carmine couldn’t express his genuine desire for his son, leading to an inferiority complex and several unhinged responses. Alberto internalized his perceived inadequacy and weaponized it. Hebecame a serial killer, targeting mob members on special occasions. He became the Holiday Killer.
InBatman: The Long Halloween, Alberto guns down several Falcone family members, including his cousin. He turns his attention to Salvatore Maroni’s men, igniting a gang war between the two. Falconehires costumed supervillainsto secure his grip on power, shifting the balance in Gotham and granting “freaks” a chance at taking control. Alberto fakes his death before launching his final assault, assassinating Sal Maroni in court. Batman beats him savagely as Jim Gordon arrests him. Alberto confesses to the Holiday murders, claiming his successes should make him a more prominent underworld figure than his dad. He pleads insanity, dodging the death penalty and landing in Arkham Asylum. InBatman: Dark Victory, The Scarecrow and Calendar Man attempt to manipulate Alfredo into killing his sister. He saves Sofia from the Joker and overcomes their brainwashing. Sofia saves Alberto from Calendar Man, breaking the villain’s jaw andleaving him for Batman. When Alberto expresses pain, he disgusts Sofia, who holds him to Carmine’s unfair standards. Sofia smothers him to death, ending his story by misunderstanding her father’s lesson as he did.
Where else does Alberto Falcone appear?
Alberto is most famous in the comics, but he also appears in some other notable media. Here’s a short list of his other appearances:
Who plays Alberto Falcone inThe Penguin?
Michael Zegen will play Alberto Falcone inThe Penguin. Zegen previously portrayed a notorious mobster inBoardwalk Empire, where he took on the role of historical celebrity gangster Ben Siegel. He’s also known for roles inRescue Me,The Walking Dead, and movies likeThe Stand In. Zegen won two SAG Awards for his performance as Joel Maisel inThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. His appearance as Alberto Falcone could extend into futureBatmanoutings.
The Penguincould adapt countless grimBatmancomics. As the series delves deeper into Gotham’s criminal underworld, the franchise could explore the classic stories fans love.The Long Halloweenseems like an obvious candidate for a future sequel. Introducing Alberto Falcone could lead to an adaptation, but it could just as easily suggest a serial killer plotline throughout the miniseries. Al Falcone is a fascinating figure who will add a lot to the upcoming series.
