Absolute Batman immediately breaks the original ‘no guns’ rule, shooting [SPOILER]

Warning: Contains potential spoilers for Absolute Batman #1!DC promised darker, more hardcore versions of fan-favorite characters with the launch of their Darkseid– Created Absolute Universe, and Batman is now leading the charge in the comic publisher’s effort to keep that promise. The Dark Knight has already broken his DCU counterpart’s iconic ‘no gun’ rule by shooting a former ally in the face, a move that completely rewrote one of the Bat-family’s strongest and longest-standing bonds.

Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, Frank Martin and Clayton Cowles Absolute Batman #1 not only introduced the Bruce Wayne of the Absolute Universe, but also featured appearances by several iconic Gotham characters, including Barbara Gordon, Jim Gordon, Alfred Pennyworth, Waylon Jones, Martha and Thomas Wayne, Black Mask and Joker, along with notable mentions . by Oswald Cobblepot, Selina Kyle, Edward Nigma and Harvey Dent.

While the names are all familiar, each character plays a very different role in the Absolute Universe compared to their DCU counterparts. Surprisingly, however, of everyone listed, It’s Alfred Pennyworth whom Batman absolutely shoots in the face.

Who is Absolute Alfred Pennyworth?

Alfred Pennyworth: Hitman for a secret organization, destined to go rogue

Before delving into Alfred getting a shotgun to the face, it’s important to first understand how things escalated to Batman shooting his former ally. It all starts with the identity of The Absolute Universe version of Alfred Pennyworth, who is far removed from his traditional lineage of his Wayne family butler. The opening pages paint him as a jaded, solitary hitman who has just returned to Gotham after a long absence. However, it is also clear that his return is not entirely voluntary, but rather at the demands of a mysterious benefactor, who seems to be connected to a larger, secret organization.

Through Alfred’s narration, readers learn that he is suddenly pulled from an overseas assignment to return to Gotham and run recon on the Party Animals, a gang/terrorist group led by Roman “Black Mask” Sionis. Although Alfred accepts the new orders, his story reveals a growing sense of disillusionment and unhappiness. He begins to question the orders, something that is out of character for him, as he describes himself as just a “servant” Meant to follow orders without question. Later in the issue, Alfred lies to his handler and disobeys a direct command, signaling that Snyder is laying the groundwork for the hitman Alfred to eventually turn rogue.

Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth’s first meeting gets a violent rewrite

Scott Snyder weaves an epic, complex dynamic between Bruce and Alfred

As mentioned earlier, Alfred disobeyed an order from his handler. This happens in a mission where he was sent to observe the party animals, who are planning to shoot up the press conference of Mayor Jim Gordon. Alfred offers to intervene and stop the slaughter, but his handlers insist that he not interfere and let the bloodshed play out – only to intervene if “The other player,” AKA Batman, shows up. Batman does arrive and despite being ordered to stop Batman from protecting the innocent, Alfred lies to his handler about what’s going on and delays Batman’s engagement Until the party animals are subdued.

By allowing Bruce to stop the slaughter, Alfred directly disobeyed an order. However, after the threat posed by Gotham’s local terrorist group is neutralized, Alfred can no longer delay confronting Batman. This leads to a confrontation where Alfred points a lethal DC-34 automatic shotgun at Bruce’s head, threatening to kill him if he moves. In classic Batman fashion, Bruce disarms Alfred and grapples away, taking the hitman’s gun with him. This is the first interaction between the two charactersEstablish a unique and complex dynamic that completely redefines the typical relationship fans associate with Bruce and Alfred.

No matter the universe, Alfred Pennyworth knows Bruce Wayne better than anyone

Prediction: Absolute Batman and Alfred Pennyworth are destined to form their iconic alliance

After Bruce and Alfred’s first interaction, the hitman makes it his business to learn everything possible about Batman. Using his immense resources and investigative skills, Alfred discovers that Batman is Bruce Wayne and digs deep into Bruce’s personal history. He reveals Bruce’s entire life story: from growing up in crime alley, being a child prodigy in engineering and science, losing his father to a mass shooting at the zoo, having a criminal record, attending college and his current job as a civil servant. Engineer. . Among the revelations is Bruce’s only weakness – his mother, Martha Wayne, who is still alive in the Absolute Universe, unlike in the main DCU.

Bruce’s weakness is revealed by Alfred’s stalking when he intends to assassinate him. However, upon seeing Bruce with his mother, Alfred cannot bring himself to kill the vigilante, remarking, “… you’re just a &#$#% kid.” This moment reveals that Alfred is far from being a cold-hearted hitman and shows his growing disillusionment with his current boss. Despite deciding not to kill Bruce, there is a feeling that Alfred is far from finished with Batman, an idea confirmed by the end of the issue. The dynamic between the two characters has shifted once again, Making it increasingly likely that Alfred and Bruce will develop a bond more reminiscent of their DCU counterparts– A partnership of some kind.

Absolute Batman shoots Alfred Pennyworth in the face with the hitman’s own gun

DC gives Alfred and Bruce a perfect, but hilarious, Spy against spy Dynamic

After Alfred’s near assassination of Bruce, the hitman tracks down Batman to one of his bases – a construction site’s top floor. This leads to a confrontation in which Bruce points Alfred’s own shotgun – the one he stole during the Party Animal confrontation – at him. Facing the barrel of his own gun, Alfred says, “Give me the gun, kid. You are not a murderer.” Bruce responds by shooting Alfred in the face, no doubt leaving many readers’ jaws on the floor. But, in a twist, It is revealed that Bruce has modified the once-lethal gun to be non-lethal, meaning Alfred survives the blast, albeit with miniature batarangs embedded in his face.

After being dazed by the blast, Alfred quickly realizes several things: first, that Batman has modified his prized shotgun to be non-lethal; Second, that Bruce casually drops these “ruined” Gun by Alfred’s side as if to say, “hold it”; And third, the roar of Alfred’s own motorcycle, which was stolen earlier in the matter by a previously unknown criminal. The comic moment sets up a dynamic reminiscent of MAD Spy against spyWith these two, they always tried to march out and sabotage, with elaborate and absurd traps. With this issue, DC has established one of the freshest and most entertaining dynamics between Alfred Pennyworth And BatmanAnd Screen Rant is just one of many eager for more.

Absolute Batman #1 Available now from DC Comics!

Absolute Batman #1 (2024)
	Writer: Scott Snyder Artist: Nick Dragotta Colorist: Frank Martin Writer: Clayton Cowles Cover artist: Nick Dragotta & Frank Martin