Batman can generally act like a spoiled and struggling teenager relating to his former tutor and pseudo father, Alfred Pennyworth. Nevertheless, a better take a look at the character reveals that Alfred is undeniably one in every of DC's most beloved and unproblematic figures - a lot in order that the fandom is greater than keen to disregard his uncommon warning indicators.
DC elevated Alfred from the unsung hero of the Bat-Household to a digital saint of the DCU.
Alfred Pennyworth stands out within the DC Universe not simply as Batman's butler, however as one of the crucial beloved and trouble-free characters in your entire forged. In a world stuffed with morally advanced and infrequently problematic figures, Alfred gives a refreshing distinction along with his unwavering integrity and pure coronary heart.
What makes it actually exceptional is that, After greater than 80 years in comics, there are few, if any, main flaws or controversies tied to his character—a uncommon achievement in a universe the place even the best heroes are removed from excellent.
Alfred Pennyworth is one in every of DC's least problematic characters (rivaled solely by Ma & Pa Kent)
Alex Ross Variant for Batman #686 (2009)
Alfred Pennyworth is undoubtedly one of the crucial unimaginable characters within the DC Universe. Again and again, he proves himself to be the epitome of selflessness and unwavering loyalty. That is particularly evident in his origins because the Wayne household's butler, the place he took on the duty of elevating a particularly traumatized youngster with no blood relation to him. Not solely did he embrace this function with out exploiting his place as a billionaire's guardian, however he went additional, elevating Bruce and dedicating his life to supporting Bruce's mission to develop into Batman.
From the second of Martha and Thomas Wayne's dying, Alfred made a life-changing choice: his life would not be his personal. He dedicated himself completely to Bruce's wants and aspirations. There's something deeply shifting about Alfred's unwavering loyalty and purity of coronary heart, particularly when you think about that his eventual dying was a direct results of that devotion. Alfred's dedication to Bruce highlights the rarity and fantastic thing about unconditional lovemaking him a unprecedented and distinctive character.
Though Alfred stands out as one in every of DC's most beloved and unproblematic figures, two characters who rival him on this regard are Martha and Jonathan KentSuperman's adoptive dad and mom. Similar to Alfred, the Kents took in a son who wasn't theirs, elevating him and loving him as if he had been. Their loyalty to Clark mirrors Alfred's to Bruce, though the Kents profit from an excellent cleaner previous - a element that may't all the time be mentioned about Alfred. Nevertheless, by way of unwavering loyalty and love, Alfred nonetheless holds a particular place, proving himself to be probably the greatest of the very best.
Okay, let's face it: Alfred Pennyworth might need some problematic warning indicators
Fundamental cowl by Lee Weeks and Mat Lopes for Batman: Pennyworth RIP #1 (2020)
For essentially the most half, Alfred has no issues in his function of serving Bruce and the remainder of the Wayne household. For years, he has been the rock of the Bat-Household, serving to to lift the various kids Bruce has taken in and exhibiting unwavering loyalty and steadfastness to every member. It's extremely troublesome to seek out any canon the place a member of the Bat-Household speaks negatively about Alfred or has any main points with him. Nevertheless, criticism of Alfred being topped as "not problematic" typically level to your previous earlier than changing into the Wayne household butler.
The Canon surrounding Alfred has developed over time, however for essentially the most half, it has now been established that Alfred served within the British navy as a discipline medic and was additionally a member of MI5. This context raises the argument that his previous actions within the navy and as an intelligence officer could also be thought of problematic. Nevertheless, these potential warning indicators are usually ignored by followers, preferring to deal with Alfred's actions throughout his time with the Bat-Household. Whereas it may be argued that Alfred has some problematic features to his previous, it's a comparatively weak case when in comparison with his extra commendable qualities.
Canon principally turned Alfred Pennyworth right into a DCU saint
Comedian panel comes from Nightwing #92 (2022) – Artwork by Bruno Redondo
Whereas followers are all the time entitled to their very own views and opinions, there's no denying that even DC appears to agree that Alfred Pennyworth is the least problematic character. The comedian ebook writer elevated him from the unsung hero of the Bat-Household to a digital saint of the DCU. Following Alfred's dying by the hands of Bane, a number of writers explored the impression of this loss on the members of the Bat-Household. One of the vital notable explorations was made by Tom Taylor in his Nightwing run, the place he immortalized the butler in varied methods inside the canon.
In Taylor's run, Alfred leaves his billions to Dick Grayson, trusting that his pseudo-grandson would use the fortune for good. Dick then establishes the Alfred Pennyworth Basis within the title of the butler, devoted to bettering Blüdhaven and serving to these in want. This nice gesture turns into much more important with the inauguration of the a statue within the likeness of Alfred, in everlasting reminiscence of the butler and the profound affect he had on his prices. By these homages, Nightwing solidified Alfred because the closest factor to a saint within the DCU.
Regardless of the universe, Alfred Pennyworth is ALWAYS one of the crucial morally steadfast
comedian panels Different worlds Alfred Pennyworth got here from DCcessed, Injustice: Gods Amongst Us, Black Knights of Metaland D.C. vs. Vampires: World Warfare V
What actually makes Alfred's unproblematic nature and pure coronary heart clear is the truth that, regardless of the universe, he stays true to his ideas, rising as one of the crucial morally steadfast. That is notably evident in D.C. Different worlds tales, which regularly depict heroes being corrupted not directly. But regardless of the chaos, the carnage, the concern, and the alternatives for energy, Alfred all the time stays loyal to the Bat-Household. That is proven in DCcessed, Injustice: Gods Amongst Us, Black Knights of Metaland D.C. vs. Vampires: World Warfare V. It's clear that not solely is Alfred Pennyworth no drawback, however he's additionally one of many purest characters in your entire DCU.