The Penguin

Few villains in DC's rogues gallery carry themselves with quite the audacious flair of The Penguin, who waddled onto the scene in 1985's All-Star Squadron #50, brought to life by the legendary Bronze Age talents of Roy Thomas and Arvell Jones. Over four decades of publication — stretching all the way to 2026 — this dapper schemer has proven his staying power, turning up most frequently in the pages of Batman and Absolute Batman, right where Gotham's darkest corners demand his presence. He keeps genuinely elite company, sharing adventures with Bruce Wayne, Batman, Robin, Alfred Pennyworth, and even Green Lantern, which speaks to how deeply woven into the DC tapestry he truly is. If you're building out your Gotham collection, The Penguin is an essential piece of the puzzle — a character whose longevity alone tells you everything about why readers keep coming back.