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Who is Dr. Julian Rush and Theo Rossi's “The Penguin” character from DC Comics?

The penguin Episode 2 features Dr. Theo Rossi's Julian Rush introduced a new character that raises questions about who he is and what connections, if any, he has to DC Comics. At the time of The penguin The ending of Episode 2, “Inside Man,” deals with a storyline indicated by the title. Sofia Falcone's fears grow when it appears that someone is passing information to the Marconi crime family. As a war between The penguinGotham's crime families are simmering, with Oswald Cobb at the center and trying to make his way to the top.




The more the landscape of Gotham's underworld is explored, the more of it there is The penguinThe expanded cast of characters comes to the fore. One of these actors is no stranger to superhero TV shows Luke CageTheo Rossi makes his debut as someone linked to Sofia Falcone The penguin villainous alter ego executioner. Rossi plays Dr. Julian Rush, raising many questions as to whether he has potential ties to DC Comics, is merely an Easter egg for Batman's rogues gallery, or is an original character created to further flesh out the world of DC Comics The Batman And The penguin.


Theo Rossi plays Dr. Julian Rush in The Penguin.

Julian Rush has ties to Sofia Falcone

Theo Rossi as Julian Rush in Arkham Asylum in The Penguin, Episode 2 (2024)


The first appearance of Dr. Julian Rush is coming The penguin Episode 2's opening montage detailing Sofia's time in Arkham Asylum. It seems so Julian was the primary therapist for Sofia as she endured her stay in DC's legendary prison. This was hinted at through a series of flashbacks in which Julian accompanies Sofia through sessions after she was sentenced as an executioner, the latter probably being the former's main patient.

The scene has intimate undertones, suggesting that Rush and Sofia have a connection that they morally shouldn't have…


As is often the case with patients like Sofia, it was confirmed that the character continued to receive sessions with a therapist after her release from Arkham. Rossi appeared as Julian Rush The penguinin the present-day timeline, when his methods were revealed to be the cause of Sofia's Arkham flashbacks. However, it is suggested in this scene that Rush's relationship with Sofia runs deeper than patient and doctor. Sofia reacts negatively to her past memories, causing Rush to hold her tightly until she calms down. The scene has intimate undertones, suggesting that Rush and Sofia have a connection that they morally shouldn't have.

Dr. Julian Rush is not from DC Comics

Theo Rossi's character is apparently an original creation for the penguin

Theo Rossi as Julian Rush and Cristin Miloti as Sofia Falcone stare at each other in “The Penguin” (2025).

Given the obvious centrality of Rush The penguinDue to his history and connection to Arkham Asylum, many have wondered if he is a character from DC Comics. That means, Julian Rush appears to be an original character created by the developers of The penguin. This certainly fits the tone of Matt Reeves' The Batman Universe. Although there are several DC Comics Easter Eggs The penguin And The Batman The universe is no stranger to established characters, the overall sense of grounded realism the franchise has established makes Rush's original creation seem logical.


Despite his original character, Dr. Julian Rush admittedly has a loose connection to a character from DC Comics. The name Rush was used in the best DC Universe for a Green Arrow villain who was quickly defeated by the hero along with his gang. The only connection between him and The penguinThe name is “Julian Rush”, although the two have little other similarities.

Theo Rossi draws parallels to several DC characters

Rush may be based on several villains from the world of DC


Even if Dr. While Julian Rush isn't directly modeled on a DC villain, the way his character is anchored in it is established The penguin brings to light several parallels. A few theories have been put forward suggesting that Rossi's Rush is this The Batman Universe version of Hugo Strange, a mad scientist who opposes the Caped Crusader. Another theory is that Julian Rush is the version of Dr. Jonathan Crane aka The Scarecrow is in this franchise. Admittedly, there is more evidence for this theory than for Hugo Strange, largely due to the similarities between Julian and Jonathan.

It could be that Dr. Jonathan Crane in this universe Dr. Julian Rush is called…


For one thing, they both work at Arkham Asylum. Scarecrow was first introduced as someone who conducts fear-based experiments on Arkham's patients. Rush's session with Sofia appears in a certain light The penguin you could see something similar. Aside from that, The Batman Franchise is no stranger to changing the names of DC characters, as evidenced by The Riddler and even Penguin himself. Therefore, it could be that Dr. Jonathan Crane in this universe Dr. Julian Rush is called, although this change would be more egregious than the two previous cases of DC name changes The Batman And The penguin.

The Riddler's name was changed from Edward Nygma to Edward Nashton, while the Penguin's name changed from Oswald Cobblepot to Oswald Cobb.


The last DC character with whom Dr. Julian Rush has parallels, Dr. Harleen Quinzel aka Harley Quinn. Harleen Quinzel started out as a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum for The Joker, which led to her frowned-upon love affair that led her to become Harley Quinn. The parallels in The penguin come from Rush's work as a psychiatrist for Sofia Falcone and their implied romantic connection. That's not to say that Rush is a replacement for Harleen Quinzel, but that's just interesting The penguin draws as many parallels as between him and several DC Comics villains.

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