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* {{Acting}}: He can work undercover on cases for Batman. |
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Revision as of 10:48, 12 December 2012
- We soldier on undaunted, you and I, Master Bruce. And if I may say so, sir... I couldn't beg, borrow or steal a finer way to live my life.
- — Alfred Pennyworth src
History
Origin
Alfred Pennyworth is the British butler and valet to the Wayne Family. He took up the role of legal guardian of Bruce Wayne after the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne. Alfred grew up in England and joined the army once he became of age. He severed in various conflicts all over the world, gaining skill in as a field medic. He spent years as a member of soldier in the British Guard and later became a member of MI-5 before retiring and taking up a career as an actor.
He performed all over the UK and was following his dream that is until his father dies. He is contacted by Thomas who informs him of his father passing, and he agrees to become the Waynes' butler, only to honour the dying wish of his father. At the time he begins working for the Waynes, Bruce is but a young child. After several months, Alfred voices the desire to return home to continue his life as an actor. However, these plans are forgotten when young Master Wayne returns home, after getting into a fight with a school bully. Alfred teaches Bruce to a way to deal with the bully strategically, rather than using brute force. His advice, Master Wayne manages to take care of his bully problem. On returning home, Bruce requests that Alfred stays, and Alfred agrees without a second thought.
After the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne, Alfred was named Bruce's legal guardian, however, social services combated the will thinking that Bruce should not be raised by a servant. However, Bruce managed to remain in Alfred's care by, despite his young age, bribing the social service agent into allowing Alfred to raise him.[1]
Alfred raises young Bruce Wayne together with Dr. Leslie Thompkins a close friend and colleague of Thomas Wayne. Later, Bruce decided to travel abroad and Alfred stayed at Wayne Manor and begins a short lived romance with Dr. Leslie Tompkins.
Batman Begins
Main article: Batman: Year One
Alfred is pleased that young Master Bruce returned home to Wayne Manor after many years of study and training. It is on his return that he supports Bruce's plan to take back Gotham City from the criminals and helps him as best he can. After his first outing it is Alfred that patches him up, but only after Bruce discovers a bat in the sudy that inspires him to don a costume to strike fear into criminals. When Lieutenant Gordon and his wife come to visit Bruce he helps convince them that his employee is nothing more than a playboy billionaire that hurt his leg in a skiing accident.
No Man's Land
His resourcefulness came to the fore in the No Man's Land event, [2]. Batman was missing for weeks, leaving Alfred alone to watch the city. He used his skills as an actor, storyteller, medic, and spy to survive and collect information on the recently destroyed society. Alfred even used hand-to-hand combat in a rare on-panel fight sequence between him and a pair of slavers that ended with his rescue by a just-returned Batman.
Outsiders
After Batman's death, Alfred set up a new Outsiders team, in an effort to fill Batman's shoes with their combined efforts.
Powers and Abilities
Abilities
- Hand-to-Hand Combat (Advanced)
- Leadership
- Military Protocol
- Tactical Analysis
- Medicine: A former field medic, Alfred is capable of performing minor surgery and stitching wounds for Batman.
- Acting: He can work undercover on cases for Batman.
- Mimicry: His ability for vocal mimicry means he can impersonate Bruce Wayne on the telephone convincingly.
Notes
Publication History
Created by writer Bob Kane and artist Jerry Robinson, he first appeared in Batman #16 (April-May 1943), overweight and clean-shaven. This specific incarnation was later named as Alfred Beagle and used as the family manager of the Earth-Two Wayne and Grayson.
This printed page version of Alfred would be changed after "Alfred the Butler" was presented in the 1943 Batman movie serial. William Austin, the actor who played Alfred, was trim and sported a thin moustache. DC editors wanted the printed page version of Alfred to resemble his cinematic counterpart, so in Detective Comics #83 (January 1944), Alfred vacationed at a health resort, where he slimmed down and grew a moustache. This look has remained with the character ever since, even surviving the apparent death of the Earth-One version of Alfred (in Detective Comics #328 in 1964) and his resurrection (in Detective Comics #356 in 1966).
When Earth-Two was formally reintroduced into regular DC comic usage, the old heavier Beagle would be brought back.
Trivia
- He is the only member of the Batman Family that is allowed by Bruce Wayne to own a firearm.
- The character is very popular, having received a nomination for the R.A.C. "Squiddy" Award for Favorite Supporting Character in 1994 and for Best Character in 2001. He was also nominated for the Wizard Fan Award for Favorite Supporting Male Character in 1994.
- Like most of the Earth-One Batman Family members, Pennyworth never met Beagle, although he did meet the Earth-Two Huntress and Earth-Two Grayson, who mentioned Beagle to Pennyworth.
Related
- 1,214 Appearances of Alfred Pennyworth (New Earth)
- 139 Images featuring Alfred Pennyworth (New Earth)
- 73 Quotations by or about Alfred Pennyworth (New Earth)
- Character Gallery: Alfred Pennyworth (New Earth)
External Links
- Alfred Pennyworth article at Wikipedia
- Alfred Pennyworth profile at the Oracle Files
- Alfred Pennyworth profile from Batman: The Animated Series
- Comic Book Awards Almanac
Footnotes
- ↑ Batman #404
- ↑ especially in Legends of the Dark Knight #117
Batman Family member This character is or was an incarnation of or an ally of Batman, and a member of the Batman Family. This template will automatically categorize articles that include it into the "Batman Family members" category. |
Outsiders member This character is or was a member of one or more of the teams known as the Outsiders. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Outsiders members" category. |
This is an in-universe article with out-of-universe material.