Did you know the captivating Cristin Milioti, who dominates the screen as Sofia Falcone in DC's "The Penguin," also had a surprising stint in a Marvel series? It's true! While "The Penguin" has been hailed as a standout achievement for DC, drawing comparisons to "The Sopranos" with its Gotham setting and a mobster grappling with 'mommy issues,' Milioti's performance truly shines. The show quickly establishes its own identity, distinguishing itself from previous Batman-adjacent series like the quirky and underrated "Gotham". Instead of presenting a typical antihero, Oswald "Oz" Cobb, portrayed by Colin Farrell, is depicted as a truly pathetic and sociopathic character – a liar, cheat, and murderer who acts without remorse. He's a fascinating study in moral ambiguity.
But as much as Farrell captivates, Cristin Milioti, as Sofia Falcone, the formidable daughter of the Falcone crime family, truly steals the show. Sofia, having endured a decade locked away in Arkham Asylum, is as central to the narrative as Oz. Milioti masterfully embodies the character, portraying her as unhinged yet grounded, never falling into caricature like a Harley Quinn. Instead, we see someone deeply scarred by a tragic past, committing terrible acts driven by genuine anger and resentment. Her performance adds layers of complexity and makes Sofia a truly compelling character.
Before she was captivating audiences as Sofia Falcone, Milioti briefly dipped her toe into a different comic book universe. And this is the part most people miss... It wasn't the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but rather the second season of the criminally underappreciated animated series "Hit-Monkey" on Hulu. In "Hit-Monkey," Milioti voiced Iris McHenry, a waitress and the daughter of Bryce (Jason Sudeikis), a deceased assassin whose ghost is bound to Monkey (Fred Tatasciore) on a mission of revenge.
The Animated Marvel Universe That Almost Was
"Hit-Monkey," created by Will Speck and Josh Gordon, is a hilariously violent and bizarre adult animated series centered on a Japanese macaque (a snow monkey) whose clan is brutally massacred. Trained by the ghost of Bryce Fowler, an American assassin (voiced by Sudeikis), Monkey transforms into a vigilante, hunting criminals first in Tokyo and then in New York City during the second season.
This show is unlike anything else Marvel has produced. Originally, "Hit-Monkey" was conceived as part of Hulu's response to the Netflix Marvel universe that culminated in the critically panned "The Defenders." The plan was for "Hit-Monkey" and "M.O.D.O.K." to be the foundation of a series of animated shows based on Marvel characters, including "Howard the Duck" and "Tigra & Dazzler." The ultimate goal was a crossover series titled "The Offenders."
What made this concept truly exciting was the intention to give each show its own unique animation style, avoiding a standardized look. Will Speck, the creator of "Hit-Monkey," even suggested that the crossover might employ a completely different animation style or adopt the style of one of the preceding shows. But here's where it gets controversial... Some argued that a unified style would have created a more cohesive universe, while others championed the artistic freedom of diverse approaches.
Despite Marvel making a grand announcement about these plans in 2019 during the launch of Disney+, the strategy shifted quickly, and the universe collapsed after only two shows, leaving "The Offenders" unrealized. It's a shame, as the potential for unique storytelling was immense.
As for Milioti, she delivered a strong performance in her smaller role in "Hit-Monkey," portraying a quirky and funny New Yorker with a sharp attitude. Her character had the most emotionally resonant arc of the season as she reunited with her father and attempted to rebuild their fractured relationship. Although "Hit-Monkey" didn't make it past its second season, "The Penguin" is confirmed for a second season – though, sadly, without Milioti's Sofia.
What do you think about the abandoned Marvel animated universe? Do you believe a unified animation style would have been better, or was the diverse approach more appealing? And were you surprised to learn about Cristin Milioti's role in "Hit-Monkey?" Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
