Secret Origins #38
1989
- Series
- Secret Origins
- Issue
- 38
- Cover date
- Mar 31, 1989
Where to find one
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Where it came from
Secret Origins #38 was published by DC Comics in March 1989 as part of a long-running series dedicated to exploring the histories and backstories of various DC characters. This specific issue focused on the origin of the Penguin, written by Alan Grant with art by Sam Kieth. The narrative serves as a dark, psychological examination of Oswald Cobblepot, delving into his traumatic upbringing and the events that led him to adopt his signature criminal persona.
The creative team intended to provide a grounded, gritty interpretation of the character that contrasted with his more whimsical portrayals in earlier decades. Sam Kieth’s distinctively stylized and moody artwork was instrumental in establishing the issue’s somber tone, which resonated with readers who appreciated DC's late-1980s shift toward more mature, character-driven storytelling. The issue remains a notable entry in the series for its successful modernization of a classic rogue.
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About Secret Origins #38
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