The Penguinepisode 2 introduces a new character in the form of Theo Rossi’s Dr. Julian Rush, begging the question of who he is and what connections, if any, he has to DC Comics. By the time ofThe Penguinepisode 2’s ending, “Inside Man” deals with a plot typified by its title; Sofia Falcone’s anxieties grow as it seems someone is feeding information to the Marconi crime family. As awar betweenThe Penguin’s Gotham crime familiesbrews, Oswald Cobb finds himself at the center as he attempts to maneuver his way to the top.
As the landscape of Gotham’s underworld is further explored, more ofThe Penguin’s extended cast of characterscome to the forefront. One of these cast members is no stranger to superhero TV shows, withLuke Cage’s Theo Rossi making his debut as someone connected toSofia Falcone’sThe Penguinvillainous alter ego Hangman. Rossi plays Dr. Julian Rush, raising many queries about whether he has potential connections to DC Comics, is merely an Easter egg to Batman’s rogues gallery, or is an original character created to further flesh out the world ofThe BatmanandThe Penguin.
Theo Rossi Plays Dr. Julian Rush In The Penguin
Julian Rush Has Connections To Sofia Falcone
Dr. Julian Rush’s first appearance comes inThe Penguinepisode 2 in the opening montage detailing Sofia’s time at Arkham Asylum. It seems as thoughJulian was the primary therapist for Sofia as she overcame her stint in the iconic DC penitentiary.This was implied via a series of flashbacks showcasing Julian walking Sofia through sessions after she was convicted as Hangman, with the latter likely the former’s main patient.
The scene has intimate undertones, implying Rush and Sofia have a connection they morally should not…
As is often the case with patients like Sofia, the character was confirmed to still receive sessions with a therapist after being released from Arkham. This saw Rossi appear as Julian Rush inThe Penguin’s present-day timeline, as it was revealed his methods were the cause of Sofia’s Arkham flashbacks. However, Rush’s relationship with Sofia is teased as going deeper than patient and doctor in this scene. Sofia reacts negatively to her past memories, leading Rush to grab her tightly until she calms down. The scene has intimate undertones, implying Rush and Sofia have a connection they morally should not.
Dr. Julian Rush Isn’t From DC Comics
Theo Rossi’s Character Is Seemingly An Original Creation For The Penguin
Given Rush’s apparent centrality toThe Penguin’s story and his connection to Arkham Asylum, many have been wondering whether he is a character from DC Comics. That said,Julian Rush appears to be an original character created by the developers ofThe Penguin.This certainly fits the tone of Matt Reeves’The Batmanuniverse. Although there are several Easter eggs to DC Comics inThe PenguinandThe Batmanuniverse is no stranger to established characters, the overall sense of grounded realism the franchise has established makes Rush’s original creation seem logical.
The Penguin Episode 2: 14 Easter Eggs & DC References
The Penguin episode 2 has several exciting Easter eggs from The Batman alongside references to the original Batman mythos from DC Comics.
Despite his original nature, Dr. Julian Rush has an admittedly loose link to a DC Comics character. The name Rush was used in the prime DC Universe for a villain of Green Arrow’s, one who was swiftly defeated by the hero alongside his gang. The only connection between him andThe Penguin’s Julian Rush is the name, with the two possessing little else in the way of similarities.
Theo Rossi Draws Parallels With Multiple DC Characters
Rush May Be Based On Several Villains From The World Of DC
While Dr. Julian Rush is not outright adapted from any DC villains, the way his character is established inThe Penguinbrings to light several parallels. Some theories have been raised to suggest Rossi’s Rush isThe Batmanuniverse’s version of Hugo Strange, a mad scientist who opposes the Caped Crusader. Another theory is that Julian Rush is this franchise’s version of Dr. Jonathan Crane a.k.a. The Scarecrow. This theory admittedly has more evidence than the one concerning Hugo Strange, primarily due to the similarities between Julian and Jonathan.
It could be the case that Dr. Jonathan Crane is named Dr. Julian Rush in this universe…
For one, both work in Arkham Asylum. Scarecrow was first introduced as someone who conducts fear-based experiments on Arkham’s patients. In a certain light, Rush’s session with Sofia inThe Penguincould be seen similarly. Furthermore,The Batmanfranchise is no stranger to changing the names of DC characters, as evident with The Riddler and even Penguin himself. As such, it could be the case that Dr. Jonathan Crane is named Dr. Julian Rush in this universe, though this change would be more egregious than the two prior instances of DC name changes fromThe BatmanandThe Penguin.
The Riddler’s name was changed from Edward Nygma to Edward Nashton, with The Penguin changing from Oswald Cobblepot to Oswald Cobb.
The final DC character who Dr. Julian Rush has parallels with is Dr. Harleen Quinzel a.k.a. Harley Quinn. Harleen Quinzel began as a psychiatrist in Arkham Asylum for The Joker, leading to their frowned-upon romantic relationship that saw her become Harley Quinn. The parallels inThe Penguincome from Rush’s work as a psychiatrist for Sofia Falcone, as well as their implied romantic connection. While this is not to say that Rush is a replacement for Harleen Quinzel, it is simply interesting thatThe Penguinis drawing as many parallels as it is between him and several DC Comics villains.
The Penguin
Cast
Created by Lauren LeFranc, The Penguin is a crime-drama spin-off television series of 2022’s film The Batman. Set shortly after the events of The Batman, Oz Cobb, A.K.A. the Penguin, begins his rise in the underworld of Gotham City as he contends with the daughter of his late boss, Carmine Falcone, for control of the crime family’s empire.
