Who is Magpie, the Batman villain who appears in THE PENGUIN? Your DC Comics History, Explained

HBOs so far The penguin doesn't contain many references to Batman or larger DC Comics lore. In fact, you know next to nothing about Batman and can enjoy this series as a pure crime series. But in episode four, which features extensive flashbacks to Sofia Falcone's time at Arkham Asylum, we discovered that her cellmate was a woman who called herself “Magpie” and was played by actress Marié Botha. This character is actually a deep-rooted villain from the comics. Here's the story of a character who never made it past the D-list, but still keeps popping up in non-comic media.

Magpie debuts in the 80s and fights both Batman and Superman

Magpie was created by writer/artist John Byrne and first appeared in Man of Steel #3 in 1986. This series was the post-Crisis on Infinite Earths Revisiting Superman's backstory and origins. The third issue told the story of Superman and Batman's very first meeting in this new continuity. Superman flies to Gotham City to capture Batman, whom he sees as a dangerous vigilante. But the two end up working together to take down a new jewelry thief in town, codenamed Magpie. In traditional Bat-Villain fashion, Magpie doesn't play with a full deck of cards.

Magpie, who has an extremely 80s new wave design, was born Margeret “Maggie” Pye. In classic Batman tradition, Magpie is a jewel thief who only steals jewels named after birds. She then replaced them with booby-trapped replicas, most of which killed anyone who stumbled upon them. Maggie was originally a museum curator, but eventually went crazy and couldn't stand being surrounded by shiny, beautiful things that she could never own. She was the first villain to be captured by Superman and Batman together.

Next Magpie appeared in Batman #401, which came out just a few months before Frank Miller's Batman: Year One. She made a few appearances over the next few years, but was never able to establish herself as a main member of Batman's rogues gallery. It probably had something to do with the fact that her costume design was so extremely '80s-esque that it almost immediately seemed dated. Over the next few years, she appeared a few times at Arkham Asylum as Poison Ivy's cellmate. She eventually died, but returned to the event series as a zombie-like Black Lantern Blackest night.

“Magpie is being reimagined for DC Comics' new '52 reboot”

When DC rebooted its universe in 2011's “New 52,” Magpie appeared again. This new version of Magpie had a different costume design. However, she still clung to the same basic obsessions as her counterpart from the previous universe. She fought Flash and several other DC villains besides Batman. Unfortunately, she also died, just like her predecessor in the previous timeline. This time she met her end as a member of the infamous Suicide Squad.

Magpie in Beware of Batman And Gotham

Although it never shows up Batman: The Animated Series or The Batmanshe appeared in the short-lived animated series Beware of Batman. There her real name was Margaret Sorrow, and her Magpie identity was part of a split personality. Much like her fellow Gotham jewel thief Catwoman, she has a crush on Batman. However, unlike Catwoman, Batman does not return her feelings. She later appeared in the television series Gothamalso inspired by her New 52 comic counterpart.

Magpie in The penguin

In The penguinimagines the character Sofia Falcone in the cell next to her as a magpie. Marié Botha plays the character with her stereotypical little girl voice. No mention is made of her tendencies towards kleptomania or a previous criminal career. She tries to befriend Sofia and convince her to take the medication prescribed to her. After months of torture, the now mentally broken Sofia begins to suspect that Magpie is spying on her. She murders her in cold blood in Arkham's mess hall by banging her head against a table. Sadly, if you were hoping Magpie would make a cameo The Batman – Part IIthat seems to have dashed all hopes. Once again, this D-list villain just isn't making it to the big leagues.