It is not an overstatement to call Batman One of the bravest characters in the DC Universe. Time and time again, Batman has thrown himself against impossible odds and sadistic serial killers, all to save the lives of innocent strangers he’s never met. Despite this being a major character trait, DC has only recently revealed the true source of Bruce Wayne’s bravery.
This revelation takes place in Batman: The Brave and the Bold #18 By Christian Ward and Patrick Reynolds. In this story, readers are shown a moment in Bruce’s childhood where he is afraid of speaking in front of a crowd of people. Terrified of messing it up, Bruce really does not want to continue and is only convinced by the one person in his life he is always able to trust.
Afraid of getting in front of the crowd, Bruce is soothed by none other than Alfred Pennyworth, who tells him that he is capable of anything. This one moment is one of the first times that Bruce manages to overcome great fear and doubt, and It is unlikely that Alfred ever foresaw the path this would set Bruce on.
Alfred is the reason Batman can overcome his fear
Batman: The Brave and the Bold #18 by Christian Ward, Patric Reynolds, Luis NCT and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Of all Batman’s trusted family and teammates, Alfred is the one who has been there the longest and knows Batman the best. Without a doubt, without Alfred’s influence, Bruce Wayne would not have grown into the man he is today. Bruce’s whole life was about overcoming fear, and this was helped in part by the three words Alfred spoke to him that changed his life, “Yes you can.”
After seeing the senseless murder of his parents, the very thought of going back out into the world was a terrible thought.
Batman’s life is defined by fear, but he has managed to never succumb to it. When Bruce’s parents were killed, he was left with a fortune, and considering the trauma he had suffered, it would have been easy for him to just stay in Wayne Manor and never see the world again. After seeing the senseless murder of his parents, the very thought of going back out into the world was a terrible thought. Later, when Bruce was putting together his identity for Batman, he once again turned to the power of fear during the iconic “I will become a bat” scene.
Without Alfred Pennyworth, there wouldn’t be a Batman
Alfred helped Batman master his fear
Without Alfred, there would never be a Batman, and it all started from one good moment where Alfred helped a scared little boy overcome a basic fear. That one moment Bruce learned that no matter how scared he is or how full of doubt he is, he Can Get it and do everything. This one moment wasn’t just Alfred helping Bruce, it was Alfred teaching him that he could become Batman If he really believes that Gotham needs it, then no amount of terrifying serial killers or monsters is enough to stop him.
Batman: Brave and the Bold On sale from DC Comics on October 23rd.