The Penguin’s Batman Framing Scheme (Detective Comics #58)
The Penguin, more commonly known as Mr Boniface (apparently) a respected, higher class figure (and implicitly a knowledgeable figure in the field of psychology) wishes to make a name for himself in the world of crime. Matching his wits against the likes of other criminals, and Batman.
–First, he conducts a robbery at an art gallery. Following which, he brings the results of it to a group of thieves and fences it to them.
–With the thieves, he quickly builds respect by planning out future robberies for them. Their leader doesn’t take kindly, and the Penguin promptly kills him, now taking control of the gang.
–They plan out another robbery. Penguin visits the museum they intend to rob, and upon his signal, his men break in. Batman by now though, is hot on their heels.
–Penguin anticipated Batman’s interference, and gassed him with his umbrella. Following which he breaks a police wire, bringing them swiftly to the location. Once they arrive, the Penguin cries out that it was Batman who had been organizing these robberies. This further works as coverage, as it would likely be noticed that Penguin was in both places that were robbed, however, he bluffs that Batman all along had been threatening him into casing the areas he intended to rob.
–The police arrest Batman, but on his transfer to prison, the Penguin has his men intercept them and kidnap Batman, making it look like it was a planned escape by Batman.
–Penguin then calls the police to say that Batman had broken into his home. This completes the fabrication that Batman was using Penguin under threat of violence and was now intending to kill Penguin, taking advantage of the fact that while Batman is known as a crime fighter, he is still a criminal himself who is entirely anonymous. What’s more, now that Batman is known as having escaped from prison, and is seen as highly dangerous because, well, he’s Batman, the police are incentivized to shoot to kill, giving Batman no ability to explain himself. (Social Integration, Influence Building, Leadership, Anticipation, Setting Traps, Fabrication, Concealment, Misdirection, Logical Manipulation, Overall Strategy and Overall Planning.)
Posted Jun 27, 2026, 7:19 AM UTC