WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for Two-Face #1!Two-Faceis officially taking a page out ofBatman’sbook by recruiting a sidekick of his own—one whose origin amusingly parallels that ofRobinTim Drake in a striking way. But if HBO’sThe Penguintaught DC fans anything, it’s that whenever a villain takes on a sidekick, we should brace ourselves—hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.
…fans of HBO’s The Penguin know that when a notorious Gotham rogue takes on a sidekick, it doesn’t always end with a heartwarming found-family trope.
Christian Ward, Fabio Veras, Ivan Plascencia, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou’sTwo-Face#1 kicks offHarvey Dent’s first-ever solo series, bringing the iconic Gotham rogue back to his roots as an attorney. This time, however, Harvey isn’t serving as Gotham’s District Attorney.
Instead, he’s navigating the murky waters of Gotham’s underworld, solving disputes among its most eccentric and dangerous criminals in the shadowy court known as the White Church—a place where villains deliver their own brand of justice. Harvey’s first case sees him defending Victor Zsasz against murder charges, and it’s here that readers are introduced to Lake Cantwell, Harvey’s soon-to-be sidekick.
Meet Lake Cantwell: Two-Face’s New Sidekick
Harvey Dent Initially Rejects the Idea of Taking Lake Under His Wing
Despite Victor Zsasz being innocent of the Falcone murder he’s accused of, the Gotham rogue does himself no favors when he grabs a girl and threatens to kill her in front of the courtroom—an impulsive act driven solely by his uncontrollable urge to kill. Frustrated that Zsasz is sabotaging his own defense, Harvey gives him a blunt ultimatum: kill the girl and lose all chance of walking out alive, or release her and let Harvey ensure not only his freedom but also an apology from his accuser. Surprisingly, Zsasz relents and lets the girl go. True to his word, Harvey wins the case. However,Two-Face’s good deed in saving the girl doesn’t go unnoticed.
After court adjourns, the girl Harvey saved catches up to him to thank him before launching into an unexpected pitch. She introduces herself as Lake Cantwell and explains she’s tired of her current life, expressing a desire to be seen the way people view Harvey:“Respected. Feared.”Lake insists she’s“smart”and“[doesn’t] scare easy,”a claim she proved when she remained composed with Zsasz’s blade at her throat.She eagerly offers to assist Two-Face in any way she can, essentially presenting herself as his sidekick.However, despite her determination, Harvey doesn’t immediately accept her offer.
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Harvey Dent is FINALLY returning to his original and beloved role in Batman lore. However, this reclaiming comes with a unique twist you’ll love.
Two-Face’s New Sidekick Pulls a Tim Drake on Him
Lake Cantwell & Tim Drake’s Origin Stories Share 1 Strong Parallel
Despite Harvey’s initial dismissal, Lake refuses to give up and pulls out her trump card—implying that she knows Harvey’s secret: he’s faking the presence of his“bad half.”As readers later discover, Harvey has mentally imprisoned his darker side but continues to act as though it’s still in control. This charade helps him maintain his street credibility within Gotham’s criminal underworld while secretly pursuing his ambition to reclaim his position as Gotham’s District Attorney.Faced with Lake’s implied blackmail, Harvey reluctantly agrees to let her assist him—a pivotal moment, as it marks Two-Face taking on his very first sidekick.
What makes Lake’s rise to becoming Two-Face’s sidekick particularly notable is how it mirrorsTim Drake’s journey to becoming Robinunder Batman.Tim’s path also involved a personal pitch and a touch of blackmail.After being turned down by Nightwing when he initially tried to convince him to reclaim the mantle of Robin following Jason Todd’s death, Tim sought out Batman directly. He presented a compelling argument on why Batman needed a Robin, laced with the revelation that he knew Bruce Wayne’s true identity. This key aspect of Tim’s Robin origin story finds a clear parallel in Lake Cantwell’s journey to becoming Two-Face’s sidekick.
What Role Will Lake Cantwell Play as Two-Face’s Sidekick?
Is Lake Cantwell Destined to Suffer the Same Tragic Fate as Jason Todd?
While Lake has yet to adopt a quirky moniker or don a brightly colored costume,Two-Face hints at her first mission—becoming his eyes and ears.As Harvey’s monologue explains, Gotham’s underworld operates as a“delicate ecosystem,”one that influences the entire city. This delicate balance is why the gangs and criminals abide by the laws of the White Church and why it’s critical for Two-Face to be present and involved in its operations. However, his commitment to the White Church pulls him away from his other pursuits, as even Two-Face can’t be in two places at once.
Lake’s loyalty addresses this issue, allowing her to act as his eyes and ears. While Harvey doesn’t specify where or what he wants her to spy on, it serves as an intriguing teaser for her role as Two-Face’s sidekick. Another noteworthy development is the possibility that their relationship may evolve to mirror Batman’s dynamic with his Robins. The comic’s conclusion teases this potential, as Zsasz is seen stalking Lake back to her apartment.If Harvey wants to keep his new informant alive, he may be forced to take her in, much like Bruce Wayne did with his Robins, offering her protection while strengthening their partnership.
Two-Face’s New Place in DC Lore Turns Him into Batman’s New Nightmare
Dent’s dual identities collide as he embraces his lawyer roots in a way that promises to blur the line between hero and villain like never before.
WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for HBO’s The Penguin
HBO’s The Penguin Proved We Should Definitely Be Worried for Lake Cantwell
The prospects of Two-Face getting his own sidekick are certainly promising, especially since it could reveal a softer side of the iconic villain. However, fans should temper their expectations. Those who have watched HBO’sThe Penguinknow thatwhen a notorious Gotham rogue takes on a sidekick, it doesn’t always end with a heartwarming found-family trope.In the TV series, Oswald Cobblepot takes an orphaned petty thief named Victor under his wing, revealing a more sympathetic and vulnerable side of the villain. Unfortunately, this dynamic didn’t last.
In the season finale, episode eight, Penguin shocks fans by killing Victor, choking him to death after deciding that his emotional attachment to the boy was a weakness that could be exploited. This brutal betrayal devastated viewers who had grown to love the mentor-mentee relationship, only to see it snuffed out so violently. Similarly, while the development of Two-Face gaining a sidekick is exciting, readers shouldn’t get too attached to Lake Cantwell. There’s a strong possibility that theBatmanvillain will eventually turn on her, especially since his“bad side”is already urging him to kill her.
10 Best Comics To Read if You’re Watching HBO’s The Penguin
Following the debut of HBO’s newest mini-series, The Penguin, we have curated the perfect list of comics to read before jumping into the series.
Two-Face
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
