First Penguin NFT

The Story

Released on December 24th, 2020, the first-ever Penguin NFT strutted onto VeVe Collectibles with 3,250 editions at a retail price of $44. Modeled after Brian Bolland's iconic artwork from DC's Batman Black & White series, this collectible immortalizes Oswald Cobblepot in a pose pulled straight from the pages of the "Hush" storyline. Sculpted by Ray Villafane, it's a tribute to one of Gotham's most notorious villains, and an early gem in VeVe's digital archive. This NFT has since sold and now resides on the VeVe secondary market.

Who Is the Penguin?

The Penguin, aka Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, is one of Batman's oldest and most enduring enemies. A criminal mastermind known for his aristocratic style and lethal umbrella arsenal, Penguin blends brute intellect with underworld clout. Over the decades, he's been reimagined in countless comics, animated series, and blockbuster films. Despite his dapper look, Penguin's dark ruthlessness makes him one of Gotham's most unpredictable threats, and a fan-favorite across generations.

In this digital collectible, Penguin is decked out in his classic black top hat, pinstripe pants, monocle, and trademark umbrella, poised to strike. The sculpture captures every ounce of his villainous charm, from the sneering expression to the menacing stance. The grayscale palette adds a noir-style flair, staying true to the Batman Black & White aesthetic while letting the fine sculpt details shine. Whether you know him as a club owner, mob boss, or mad genius, this pose is peak Penguin, ready to unleash chaos in high society style.

As #24 in the Batman Black & White line and one of the earliest VeVe drops, this Penguin NFT is more than a villain, it's a piece of digital comic history. Its roots in Brian Bolland's revered storytelling and the "Hush" era make it a must-have for Bat-collectors, comic purists, and digital art fans alike. With its editions long sold, this Penguin now flaps his way through the VeVe secondary market, umbrella in hand and legacy intact.

The Drop

The Penguin dropped on Christmas Eve 2020, just two months after VeVe's very first release (the Todd McFarlane Batman). At this point, VeVe was still brand new. Most people in the NFT space hadn't heard of the app yet, and the collector base was tiny compared to what it would become.

3,250 editions went live at $44 each. Like most early VeVe drops, it didn't sell out instantly. It sat in the store for a while, quietly finding its way into the hands of Batman fans and early adopters who were exploring the platform. That slow rollout is actually a big part of its appeal now, the people who picked this up at retail weren't chasing hype.

The Penguin released the same day as Harley Quinn, making December 24, 2020 a double-drop for DC on VeVe. Both were part of the Batman: Black & White series that launched the entire platform.

The Collectible

The design is based on Brian Bolland's artwork from the Batman: Black & White line, with 3D sculpting by Ray Villafane. As piece #24 in the series, it's part of the same collection that includes the Todd McFarlane Batman (#100), the Joker (#55), and Harley Quinn (#17).

Artist: Brian Bolland

Bolland is best known for illustrating The Killing Joke, one of the most celebrated Batman stories ever published. His style is clean, precise, and deeply expressive, the kind of work where every line feels intentional. That sensibility carries over into this Penguin sculpt, where the character's personality comes through in posture and expression rather than action.

Edition Breakdown

The Penguin has a single variant at Common rarity with 3,250 editions. That's one of the smallest mint sizes in VeVe's early catalog. For comparison, the first Batman and first Joker both had 7,500 editions each, and Harley Quinn had 5,000. Penguin's supply is less than half of Batman's.

No additional variants or color editions were released later, so this is the only version of the first Penguin NFT that exists. Within the 3,250 run, serial numbers matter, First Editions and low mints command premiums on the secondary market.

Market Context

As one of VeVe's first five drops ever, the Penguin sits in rare company. Only Batman, Joker, Harley Quinn, and Superman preceded or matched its release window. That early-drop status gives it historical significance beyond just being a Penguin collectible.

The small edition count works in its favor from a supply perspective. With only 3,250 copies and some collectors holding multiples, the actual number of available units on the market at any given time is tight. As VeVe's user base has grown into the millions, competition for early pieces like this has increased.

With VeVe's migration to the Collect blockchain (completed January 2026), StackR marketplace integration for OMI trading (live since April 2025), and upcoming self-custody options, early DC pieces should benefit from increased liquidity and discoverability. The Penguin's small supply makes it especially sensitive to any uptick in demand.

Collector's Note

If you're a Batman villain collector, this is essential. The Penguin is one of the oldest rogues in the gallery, and this is his only digital "first" on VeVe. The Brian Bolland connection and the Black & White series pedigree add layers that most collectibles don't have. It's not flashy, no animation, no multiple variants, but that simplicity is part of the charm.

From an investment angle, the math is straightforward: 3,250 editions is tiny by VeVe standards, it's from the platform's genesis era, and there's no dilution from later variants. You can browse listings on the VeVe secondary market. New to the app? VeVe is offering $10 off your first purchase right now.