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As a sequel to Matt Reeves’ The Batman, The Penguin promises to keep exploring a gritty and grounded version of Gotham City. It’s no wonder that the show brings back Colin Farell’s Penguin to face Sofia Falcone, a somewhat unknown DC Comics character.
Created by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, Sofia Falcone debuted in 1997’s Batman: The Long Halloween #6, part of one of the quintessential Dark Knight stories. As the daughter of Carmine “The Roman” Falcone, Sofia quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with in Gotham’s criminal landscape.
As The Penguin’s marketing campaign teases, Cristin Milioti’s critically acclaimed take on Sofia Falcone will also fight for a piece of Gotham’s criminal cake, putting her at odds with Oswald Cobb – yes, Reeves changed the Penguin’s name. It’s fair to say Reeves will put a unique spin on Sofia Falcone, just as he did with The Penguin, Riddler (Paul Dano), and Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz). Still, the character’s comic book history may hint at the confrontations in the series.
Who is Sofia Falcone in DC Comics?
The Long Halloween storyline introduces Sofia as a loyal enforcer for her father’s criminal empire. She’s portrayed as a tall, physically imposing woman, often seen wielding dual shotguns. Her initial role is to assist her father in uncovering the identity of the mysterious Holiday Killer, who has been targeting members of the Falcone crime family. At the end of The Long Halloween, Carmine is killed by Harvey Dent, and Sofia falls to her death after an altercation with Catwoman.
Sofia’s character undergoes a significant evolution in the sequel storyline, Batman: Dark Victory. Contrary to expectations, she survives her fall from The Long Halloween. Yet, she appears to be wheelchair-bound and wearing a fitted brace, due to her injuries. Following her father’s demise, she takes over as the head of the Falcone crime family, hoping to expand their business.
During Dark Victory, it is also revealed Sofia faked her injuries so she could conceal her secret identity as “The Hangman,” a serial killer targeting corrupt members of the Gotham City Police Department who worked with Harvey Dent. While looking for revenge, Sofia also goes after Two-Face, being shot in the head by the villain and dying, this time for good.
Did Sofia Falcone ever face The Penguin in DC Comics?
While Sofia Falcone and the Penguin don’t have extensive direct interactions in the main comic continuity, their relationship is characterized by a tense rivalry rooted in their competing claims to Gotham’s criminal throne.
The Penguin, ever the opportunist, views the power vacuum left by Carmine Falcone’s death as a chance to expand his influence. This naturally leads to friction with Sofia during Dark Victory, who sees herself as the rightful heir to her father’s criminal legacy. Their relationship is of mutual distrust, each trying to outmaneuver the other in the high-stakes game of Gotham’s underworld. Furthermore, The Penguin’s preference for maintaining a veneer of legitimacy through his nightclub and other businesses often clashes with Sofia’s more direct and brutal approach to criminal enterprise.
Sofia and Oz Cobb not sharing an extensive DC Comics history is a blessing for The Penguin. The Batman already shows Reeves has a unique vision for Gotham City that demands him to deconstruct the Dark Knight’s rogue gallery. By focusing on Sofia and Oswald Cobb in the series, Reeves has plenty of wiggling room to create an engaging storyline without worrying about legacy and canon.