Ultimate Batman immediately breaks the original’s “No Guns” rule by shooting [SPOILER]

WARNING: Contains potential spoilers for ABSOLUTE BATMAN #1!DC promised darker and more hardcore versions of fan-favorite characters with the launch of their Darkseid-created the Absolute Universe, and Batman is currently leading the comic book publisher’s efforts to deliver on that promise. The Dark Knight had already broken his DCU counterpart’s iconic “no guns” 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 Coles Ultimate Batman Issue 1 not only introduced the Ultimate Universe’s Bruce Wayne, 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 the Joker, as well as notable mentions. Oswald Cobblepot, Selina Kyle, Edward Nygma and Harvey Dent.

While all of these names are familiar, each character plays a completely different role in the Ultimate Universe compared to their DCU counterparts. Surprisingly, of all the above, The Ultimate Batman shoots Alfred Pennyworth in the face.

Who is Ultimate Alfred Pennyworth?

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

Before delving into how Alfred took a shotgun to the face, it’s important to first understand how it came to Batman shooting his former ally. It all starts with identification The Ultimate Universe’s version of Alfred Pennyworth, who is far removed from his traditional origins as the Wayne family’s butler. The opening pages depict him as a tormented, lonely 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 request of a mysterious benefactor who appears to be connected to a larger secret organization.

Through Alfred’s narration, readers learn that he was suddenly pulled away from an overseas assignment to return to Gotham and conduct intelligence on the Party Animals, a gang/terrorist group led by Roman. “Black Mask” Sionis. Although Alfred accepts these new orders, his narrative shows a growing sense of frustration and unhappiness. He begins to question orders, which is out of character for him as he describes himself as just “servant” meant following orders unquestioningly. Later in the issue, Alfred lies to his handler and disobeys direct command, signaling that Snyder lays the groundwork for this hitman Alfred to eventually go rogue.

The first meeting between Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth was rewritten with violence

Scott Snyder teases an epic and complex dynamic between Bruce and Alfred

As mentioned earlier, Alfred disobeys his handler’s orders. This occurs during a mission where he is sent to observe partygoers planning to shoot up Mayor Jim Gordon’s press conference. Alfred offers to intervene and stop the massacre, but his handler demands that he not interfere and not allow the bloodshed to play out – only to intervene if “another player” aka Batman appears. Batman does arrive, and despite orders to stop Batman from protecting the innocent, Alfred lies to his handler about what is happening and postpones his fight with Batman. until the Party People are subdued.

By allowing Bruce to stop the massacre, Alfred directly disobeys the order. However, after the threat posed by Gotham’s local terrorist group is neutralized, Alfred can no longer put off confronting Batman. This leads to a confrontation in which Alfred points a deadly DC-34 automatic shotgun at Bruce’s head, threatening to kill him if he moves. In classic Batman fashion, Bruce disarms Alfred and escapes, taking the hitman’s gun with him. This marks the first interaction between the two characters.creating a unique and complex dynamic that completely redefines the typical fan relationship that is associated with Bruce and Alfred.

Regardless of the Universe, Alfred Pennyworth Knows Bruce Wayne Better Than Anyone

Prediction: The Ultimate Batman and Alfred Pennyworth Are Destined to Forge Their Iconic Bond

After Bruce and Alfred’s first interaction, the hitman makes it his mission to find out everything he can about Batman. Using its vast resources and research skills, Alfred learns that Batman is Bruce Wayne and delves into Bruce’s personal history.. It reveals Bruce’s entire life story, from growing up in Crime Alley, being an engineering and science prodigy, losing his father in a mass shooting at a zoo, having a criminal record, attending college, and to his current job as a civil engineer. . Among these revelations is Bruce’s only weakness – his mother, Martha Wayne, who is still alive in the Ultimate Universe, unlike in the main DCU.

Bruce’s weakness is revealed through the pursuit of Alfred, who intends to kill him. However, after seeing Bruce with his mother, Alfred cannot bring himself to kill the vigilante, noting: “…you’re just a &$#% child.” This moment shows that Alfred is far from being a heartless hitman and shows his growing disillusionment with his current employer. Despite the decision not to kill Bruce, there is a feeling that Alfred is far from done with Batman, a sentiment that is confirmed at the end of the issue. The dynamic between the two characters changed again. making it increasingly likely that Alfred and Bruce will develop a relationship more reminiscent of their DCU counterparts.– some kind of partnership.

The Ultimate Batman shoots Alfred Pennyworth in the face with the hitman’s own gun.

DC gave Alfred and Bruce the perfect but fun movie Spy vs spy Dynamic

After Alfred nearly kills Bruce, the hitman tracks Batman to one of his bases – the top floor of a construction site. This leads to a confrontation in which Bruce turns Alfred’s own shotgun on him – the one he stole during the confrontation with Party Animal. Looking down the barrel of his own gun, Alfred says: “Give me the gun, baby. You are not a killer. Bruce responded by shooting Alfred in the face, no doubt leaving many readers’ jaws on the floor. However, in turn, It is revealed that Bruce modified the once-lethal gun to make it non-lethal, meaning Alfred survives the explosion, albeit with miniature batarangs stuck in his face.

Still stunned by the explosion, Alfred quickly realizes several things: first, Batman has modified his prized shotgun to make it non-lethal; secondly, Bruce accidentally drops “destroyed” the gun is next to Alfred, as if to say: “Hold it”; and third, the roar of Alfred’s own motorcycle, which was stolen by an unknown assailant earlier in the issue. This comical moment creates a dynamic reminiscent of MAD. Spy vs spywhere the two constantly try to outsmart and sabotage each other with elaborate and absurd traps. With this issue, DC established one of the freshest and most interesting dynamics between Alfred Pennyworth And Batmanand Screen Rant is just one of many hungry for more.

Ultimate Batman #1 Available now from DC Comics!

ABSOLUTE BATMAN #1 (2024)
	Writer: Scott Snyder Artist: Nick Dragotta Colorist: Frank Martin Letterer: Clayton Coles Cover Artist: Nick Dragotta and Frank Martin