As seen in The Batman by director Matt Reeves, Edward Nashton was put behind bars after killing mob boss Carmine Falcone (whom Oz Cobb worked for). However, The Penguin has confirmed that Riddler’s followers are still out there, even after they tried killing Mayor-Elect Bella Reál and triggered Nashton’s flood which caused city-wide devastation at The Batman’s ending. To that end, it’s been suggested that Riddler could very well become a major rival to Penguin in The Batman – Part II.
The Penguin Revealed The Riddler’s Army Is Still Active
The Riddler’s Followers Are Still Gathering
As seen at multiple points throughout The Penguin, which takes place just one week after the events of The Batman, Riddler’s followers are still active in Gotham. Even though Edward Nashtion is still locked away in Arkham State Hospital, his presence and influence remain as seen in The Penguin episode 1 when two Riddler followers are shown handing out fliers with QR codes. When the code is scanned (which can indeed be done by viewers watching at home), the same “rataalada” website used by Riddler during The Batman is shown with all-new messages between Riddler’s followers.
At the time of the premiere’s release, it was shown on the website that Riddler’s followers were still organizing, wanting to share the truth of Gotham’s corruption first exposed by Nashton in The Batman. To that end, protestors with Riddler signs are seen outside Alberto Falcone’s funeral in The Penguin episode 2, protesting against the Falcone Crime Family and particularly Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) who was recently released from Arkham after being exonerated for crimes that earned Sofia the nickname “The Hangman”. Likewise, Riddler’s question marks are shown all over the city, confirming that Nashton’s impact on Gotham has yet to fade even as he’s behind bars.
Penguin’s Corruption Of Gotham Makes Him Riddler’s Enemy
Oz Cobb Represents Everything Riddler Was Fighting Against
Keeping the above in mind, it’s likely that Riddler and his followers aren’t too happy with the results of The Penguin. Having successfully taken advantage of the power vacuum created following Carmine’s murder, Oz Cobb is now the new kingpin of Gotham’s criminal underworld. Not only did his war with Sofia Falcone result in the end of the Falcone/Gigante Crime Family, but it also saw Oz uniting all the city’s smaller gangs after deputies were supported in taking out the various heads of the Triads, Odessa Mob, Burnley Town Massive, LoBoys, and The Sullivans (with each of them claiming loyalty to Cobb himself as seen in The Penguin episode 8.
Penguin also forged new inroads with Gotham’s rich and powerful, having made a key ally with a corrupt councilman with the promise of getting more meetings with Gotham’s corrupt elite. As a result, Oz Cobb’s Penguin has arguably become far more powerful than Carmine Falcone ever was. As such, one can imagine that Riddler and his followers would want Penguin taken out just like any other corrupt and powerful member of Gotham City, now that he’s very much become a big part of everything Riddler was fighting to expose and bring to an end.
Batman Could Be In The Middle Of A Major War In Part II
Riddler Could Try And Disrupt Penguin’s Empire (With New Allies)
It wouldn’t be surprising if Penguin ends up clashing with Riddler in The Batman – Part II, or at least with Nashton’s followers. Likewise, Gotham could have an all-out war on its hands, especially if Riddler manages to break out of Arkham in the upcoming sequel alongside the new “friend” he made behind bars at the end of The Batman, Barry Keoghan’s Joker. Regardless of how it specifically shakes out, Robert Pattinson’s Batman could find himself at the center of a major storm that comes to Gotham City.
“Penguin’s newly claimed power is exactly what Riddler would hate, including those who believe in his message and support what he did in the first movie”
Riddler and his fanatics could easily try and wage war against Penguin’s new criminal empire. After all, Penguin’s newly claimed power is exactly what Riddler would hate, including those who believe in his message and support what he did in the first movie. While it doesn’t necessarily have to be the primary focus or threat in The Batman – Part II, Penguin having to deal with Riddler and his vengeful legacy could serve as an intriguing subplotThe Penguin has certainly helped set up.
All episodes of The Penguin are now streaming on Max. The Batman – Part II releases October 2nd, 2026.
