The Penguinis the latest in a long line of reimaginings of the Batman mythos. When a character reaches a certain level of indelible popularity, they begin to create their own context, almost becoming a genre in and of themselves. The Caped Crusader brings his rogues gallery with him in most iterations, allowing for constant innovation among the iconic cast of villains. One example that often flies a bit under the radar is Salvatore Maroni, an important part of many Batman narratives.
There was a time not that long ago that most of DC’s roster sat unused on the big screen. The Warner Bros. corporation is not the best steward of intellectual property in the industry. They famouslymishandled nearly every DC projectbetween the mid-1990s and the release ofWonder Woman. Batman was the lone exception, enjoying a stellar trilogy via Christopher Nolan and a prominent position in their attempt at a new Justice League. It obviously crashed and burned, but DC and WB return to the Bat as often as they can.
Bill Finger and Bob Kane
First Appearance Date
August 1942
Salvatore Maroni has been a notable figure inGotham City’s criminal underworldsince the 1940s. He has a lot of big moments, but his crime career mostly exists as a catalyst for another villain’s story. Sal Maroni, originally known as Boss Moroni, was the man who disfigured Harvey Dent’s face, causing him to become the villain Two-Face. Maroni’s first appearance saw him on trial for murder with Batman as the star witness. Dent, then known as Kent, was the dedicated prosecutor who revealed damning evidence in the form of Maroni’s lucky two-headed silver dollar. Desperate and enraged, Maroni threw a vial of acid into Dent’s face. Though Batman managed to block some of the splash, half of Dent’s visage became horribly disfigured, eventually leading to a psychotic break and a life of crime. Dent often fixates on Maroni specifically, killing him in a few versions of the story. Maroni doesn’t get a lot more to do in the early days, but his story developed over the years.
Sal Maroni inThe Long Halloween
Maroni’s most notable spotlight comesinThe Long Halloween, one of the most influential runs in the franchise. His role is familiar but a bit more fleshed out. The story features a serial killer called Holiday who targets notorious mobsters on yearly occasions. The first few victims come from the mighty Falcone family, leading Sal, the scion of the rival Maroni family, to testify against Carmine Falcone. He still throws acid in Harvey Dent’s face, causing him to become Two-Face. Shortly thereafter, the authorities move Maroni, allowing Holiday to take his life. Accurately recognizing that opportunity, Batman catches and unmasksHoliday as Alberto Falcone, an independent member of Carmine’s family trying to make a name for himself. Maroni is dead, but his legacy lives on in Harvey Dent.
Sal Maroni’s on-screen appearances
Maroni appears in several live-action and animated Batman projects. Notable appearances include:
Sal Maroni inThe Penguin
The great Clancy Browntook over the role of Sal Maroni inThe Penguin. An uncredited extra briefly portrayed the character inThe Batman, but the character has a much more important role in the show. Maroni went to prison after a historic drug bust, turning over his operation to Carmine Falcone. The Riddler assassinated Falcone, leaving a massive power vacuum in Gotham’s underworld. InThe Penguin, Oz turns to Maroni as a potential ally. Oz attempts to play Maroni and the remaining Falcone family members against each other, constantly digging himself into deeper trouble.Brown’s performance is characteristically excellent, bringing Maroni a new spotlight.
Maroni is afascinating figure in the comics. He exists almost exclusively to give another Batman villain motivation, but he’s grown beyond that initial purpose. Maroni remains a minor member of Batman’s rogues gallery, but his involvement in so many iconic stories can’t be ignored.
