So far, HBO’s The Penguin doesn’t have a ton of references to Batman or larger DC Comics lore. In fact, you could know next to nothing about Batman and enjoy this show as a pure crime drama series. But in episode four, which features extensive flashbacks to Sofia Falcone’s time in Arkham Asylum, we discovered that her cell neighbor was a woman calling herself “Magpie,” played by actress Marié Botha. This character is actually a deep-cut villain from the comics. Here’s the history of a character that never made it past D-list, yet somehow keeps popping up in non-comics media.
Magpie Debuts in the ’80s, Fighting Both Batman and Superman
Created by writer/artist John Byrne, Magpie first appeared in Man of Steel #3 in 1986. This series was the post-Crisis on Infinite Earths reboot of 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 apprehend the Batman whom he views as a dangerous vigilante. But the two end up working together to take down a new jewel thief in town who goes by the codename Magpie. In traditional Bat-villain fashion, Magpie is not playing with a full deck of cards.
Magpie, who has an extremely ‘80s New Wave design, was born Margeret “Maggie” Pye. In the classic Batman tradition, Magpie is a jewel thief who only steals jewels named after birds. She would then replace them with booby-trapped replicas, most of which killed whoever stumbled onto them. Maggie was originally a museum curator, but she eventually went insane, not able to handle being surrounded by shiny beautiful things she could never possess. She was the first villain apprehended by both Superman and Batman working together.
Magpie next appeared in Batman #401, which came out a mere few months before Frank Miller’s Batman: Year One. She made a handful of appearances over the next few years, never quite gaining traction as a major member of Batman’s rogues gallery. It probably had to do with how extremely ‘80s her costume design was, causing her to become dated almost right away. A few times over the next few years, she turned up as Poison Ivy’s cellmate in Arkham Asylum. She eventually died, but returned as a zombie-like Black Lantern in the event series Blackest Night.
Magpie Gets Reimagined For DC Comics’ New 52 Reboot
When DC rebooted their universe in 2011’s New 52, Magpie re-emerged once again. This new version of Magpie had a different costume design. Yet she still adhered to the same basic obsessions as her counterpart from the previous universe. She fought the Flash, and a few other DC villains besides Batman. Sadly, she also died like her predecessor did in the previous timeline. This time, she met her end as a member of the infamous Suicide Squad.
Magpie in Beware the Batman and Gotham
Although never appearing in Batman: The Animated Series or The Batman, she did appear in the short-lived cartoon series Beware the 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 develops quite a crush on Batman. Unlike with Catwoman, however, Batman does not reciprocate her feelings. She later appeared in the TV series Gotham, also inspired by her New 52 comic book counterpart.
Magpie in The Penguin
In The Penguin, the character introduces herself to Sofia Falcone in the cell next to her as Magpie. Marié Botha plays the character in your stereotypical looney bin, little girl voice. None of her proclivities towards kleptomania or a prior criminal career get a mentioned. She tries to befriend Sofia and convince her to take the drugs they’re prescribing. After months of torture, a now mentally broken Sofia begins to suspect that Magpie is spying on her. She murders her in cold blood in the Arkham mess hall, by slamming her head against a table. Sadly, if you were hoping Magpie would cameo in The Batman – Part II, this seems to have dashed any hopes. Once again, this D-list villain just can’t make it into the big leagues.
