HBO debuted its highly anticipated series The Penguin on Thursday evening, and eagle-eyed fans spotted a secret riddler QR code, which led to Gotham’s True Face website.

In the series, Colin Farrell returns as the title character – a.k.a. Oswald ‘Oz’ Cobb – reprising his role from the 2022 film The Batman. 

And fans have been told The Penguin is going to be directly impacted by The Batman’s dramatic climax, however, those connections remain to be seen. 

Upon noticing the QR code, fans took to X formerly known as Twitter, to reveal to others that a message appears on screen once the code has been scanned. 

One fan posted a screenshot of a message which read: ‘XxREIGNITINXx: Arkham’s releasing patients and Blackgate is a mess… no one’s really a prisoner in there. Not even our old pal Sal Maroni.’

HBO debuted its highly anticipated series The Penguin on Thursday evening, and eagle-eyed fans spotted a secret riddler QR code, which led to Gotham’s True Face website

In the series, Colin Farrell, (pictured) returns as the title character – a.k.a. Oswald ‘Oz’ Cobb – reprising his role from the 2022 film The Batman

And fans have been told The Penguin is going to be directly impacted by The Batman’s dramatic climax, however, those connections remain to be seen (Robert Pattinson pictured as Batman)

‘HOLDTHELINE81: People say they want the truth but they shield their eyes when we shine the light’

‘DETERMINATOR: Let’s make sure they’re not blinded again to the corruption, the killings, the Falcone_power_grab…’

‘HOLDTHELINE81: We start in the streets. Tonight at 9 p.m. Meet at the metro outside Crown Point.’

‘Clockbreak3r: Done and done. The revolution is just getting started.’

Other viewers followed suit by posting a screenshot of the message to X as well.  

The QR code in episode one, pops up about two-thirds of the way through the series premiere, as Colin’s titular crime boss, along with his new teenage sidekick Vic (played by Rhenzy Feliz), climb aboard a Gotham City subway car. 

It appears on a piece of paper being handed out to fellow passengers by a masked man who seems to be a follower of the now-incarcerated Riddler killer (played by Paul Dano in The Batman). 

However, the code when scanned, links to the Gotham’s True Face website just as the man on the train said it would. 

Upon noticing the QR code, fans took to X formerly known as Twitter, to reveal to others that a riddler teaser message appears on screen once the code has been scanned

When clicking on the link, it redirects back to the Rataladaa website that was used for some cryptic Riddler-themed marketing in the lead-up to The Batman’s initial release.

At the time of writing, a message appears on the Rataladaa site, talking of the start of a ‘revolution’ and that followers should ‘meet at the Metro outside Crown Point’ at 9pm.

This seems to be a new message posted to the site as a part of The Penguin’s release and could lead to even more cryptic teases appearing as the series continues.

The QR code appearing in The Penguin and directing fans once again to the mysterious Rataladaa website shows audiences that Matt Reeves was not joking when he spoke about how closely connected the HBO series is to The Batman. 

Over two years ago, Colin also teased that the series would pick up ‘about a week after The Batman ends’ and that is exactly what has happened. 

He said: ‘It starts about a week after ‘The Batman’ ends. So Gotham is still somewhat underwater.’

‘I read the first script of the first episode and it opens up with (Oswald Cobblepott) feet splashing through the water in Falcone’s office, which even just that alone when I read it I was like, ‘Ahh, geez.’ 

The events of Matt’s first Gotham-based will be felt throughout The Penguin’s eight-episode run.

The QR code appearing in The Penguin shows that Matt Reeves was not joking when he spoke about how closely connected the HBO series is to The Batman

Over two years ago, Colin also teased that the series would pick up ‘about a week after The Batman ends’ and that is exactly what has happened

The fallout of the Riddler killings, as seen in The Batman, will also significantly shape The Penguin’s narrative.

Followers of Paul Dano’s on-screen killer are still very much present in the world of Gotham City, and they could potentially continue to wreak havoc on the city’s most privileged despite their leader being behind bars.

All of which could potentially set up the Riddler to be a part of The Batman Part II.  

A villain has not yet been announced for that film, but the Riddler and Colin’s Penguin will almost certainly be a part of it.

Fans will have to keep an eye out for more teases from Paul’s DC villain online, as there could be some hints at where the franchise is going during The Penguin’s HBO run. 

The Penguin continues with new episodes airing every Sunday on HBO and Max at 9pm.