If any character is more essential toBatmanlore than The Dark Knight himself, it would have to be Alfred Pennyworth. Without Alfred in his life, Bruce Wayne would not be the Batman he is today. More than a butler, he’s the heart and soul of the Bat-Family, and his footprint can be felt in generally all forms of Bat media.
Even with Alfred dead in the current DC canon, his presence can still be felt in currentBatmanstorylines, like when Damian Wayne’s Robin carried aKendrick Lamar-esque beef against Banefor killing Alfred. With that in mind, truth be told, a lot of characters and audiences forget that Alfred can hold his own in a fight. Again, Mr. Pennyworth is more than just a butler. He is a skilled marksman with a background in military training as a former British intelligence agent. For all intents and purposes, Batman’s butler is a badass, and the following moments prove it.
10Kills Joker in His Dream
Batman and Robin #17 by Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray, John Kalisz, and Carlos M. Mangual
On a night where the entire Bat-Family is having their individual ordeals with nightmares, Alfred envisions walking into a room to find The Joker bludgeoning every member of the Bat-Family with a hammer, each sporting a Joker-ish smile. Having seen enough, Alfred does not hesitate to not only pick up a shotgun, but use an open, clean shot to blow The Joker’s head clean off. While Damian and Bruce are disturbed by their dreams, Alfred falls back to sleep like a baby with a smile on his face.
Even in a dream, Alfred knows exactly what to do with an intruder, and even takes delight in what he does. It’s also a reminder that Alfred hasno problem breaking Batman’s biggest rule.The only thing keeping The Joker alive today is that his archrival is Batman, so he better be grateful that he’s never come face-to-face with Alfred like this in real life.
9Helping Batman Come to His Senses From the Grave in Joker War
Batman#98 by James Tynion IV, Jorge Jimenez, Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles
After being spiked with a Fear Toxin-Joker Gas hybrid by Punchline some issues prior, Batman spent much of theJoker Wararc either being knocked out or hallucinating. During one of these unconscious episodes, he hallucinates Alfred still alive, making his famous Darjeeling that he’d make for Bruce whenever he was disturbed or afraid. As Master Wayne continues to doubt himself, his butler needs to smack some sense into him - literally (well, as literal as a hallucination can be).
Alfred was always the voice of reason, but without Bruce having that actual voice in his ear, he’s been struggling.It’s pretty badass that Alfred finds a way to still be that voice of reason while still being dead, by way of Bruce’s psyche. It’s especially vital to see the heart and soul of the Bat-Family to give Batman advice on how to carry that torch for Alfred in spirit.
8Surprising and Disarming Hush
Detective Comics#850 by Paul Dini, Dustin Nguyen, Derek Fridolfs, John Kalisz, and Jared K. Fletcher
The issue opens with Alfred finding an injured Bruce Wayne at Wayne Manor, seemingly injured with a scarred face. As Alfred helps him up, Bruce tells him that Thomas “Hush” Elliott (who actually returned recently) attacked him. Suddenly, before Bruce knew it, Alfred attacked him with a palm strike. Bruce, revealing himself to be Hush in disguise, pulls out a gun only to be disarmed and struck to the ground. When asked what gave his disguise away, Alfred says he received a call from the real Bruce right before finding Tommy Boy.
DC Reveals Alfred Pennyworth’s Origin (And It’s Shockingly Hardcore)
DC has revealed the origin of Batman’s loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth in a new comic that continues the story of the hit EPIX show.
Although Alfred getting that call in advance helped him get the jump on Thomas,his having a special set of skills as a military combat specialist made it easier for him to pull it off. Hush would’ve disposed of any other older gentleman in Alfred’s position with ease, but a former British Secret Service operative puts up a bigger fight.
7Escaping Arkham
Batman: Eternal#31 by Scott Snyder , James Tynion IV, Ray Fawkes, Kyle Higgins, Tim Seeley, Fernando Pasarin, Matt Ryan, Blon, and Taylor Esposito
Alfred is checked into the Gotham Mercy Hospital after suffering from an extreme injection of Fear Toxin, but one Dr. Thomas Elliott (a.k.a. Hush) has Alfred transferred into a padded cell of Arkham Asylum. Eventually, he makes an unexpected alliance with Bane, with whom he makes a prison breakout attempt while still hallucinating under the effects of the toxin. They have to fight their way through a horde of Deacon Blackfire’s cult members, but they manage to get it done.
Despite seeing vampires in his head, Alfred shows no fear and takes out any and all combatants in his path.Even Bane is impressed by Alfred, taking note of his British Army background. Furthermore, once in safety at a hidden Batcave, he manages to incapacitate the big Bane as well using knockout gas.
6Assumed the Batman mantle
Batman(Rebirth) #5 by Tom King, David Finch, Sandra Hope, Matt Banning, Scott Hanna, Jordie Bellaire, and John Workman
When a hero named Gothamsurfaced in the city, he soon became a threat to the city he swore to protect. With Bruce incapacitated, that leaves Alfred on Batman duty. His first act as Batman? Drive the Batmobile directly into Gotham, the so-called superhero. Gotham is utterly confused as to why a man he’s never met is masquerading as Batman, but he’s ready to fight him off.To his credit, Alfred is ready to fight off Gotham with nothing but a pair of fisticuffs, until he gets a call that the real Batman has stepped on the scene.
Small moments like this makes it easy to see where Bruce learned his bravery and resilience from. Alfred is even more outmatched and out of his league than Bruce is as a crimefighter with no powers, yet doesn’t balk at the thought of having to fight a superpowered metahuman.
5Shooting His Shotgun at Booster Gold
Booster Gold#12 by Chuck Dixon, Dan Jurgens, and Norm Rapmund
This is another reminder that Alfred does not abide by the same no-kill rule as Batman does, but it is also a sign thathe carries the same fearlessness as Bruce. Two mysterious costumed individuals show up in the Bat Cave, and without hesitation or a single sign of being afraid, he shoots first and asks questions never. If not for Skeets intervening, Alfred may have ensured that neither Michael or his twin sister would have a future to go back to.
4Punching Deathstroke
Outsiders#18 by Peter J. Tomasi, Lee Garbett, Trevor Scott, Brian Reber, and Sal Cipriano
Alfred’s cameo appearance in Outsiders #18 has a few moments of badassery for the butler. First, Alfred takes a visit to the offices of PSM Global in Opal City in hopes of meeting with VP of Operations Richard Benioff on the pretense that he bears an uncanny resemblance to an old associate of his (emphasis on old, as in during Alfred’s MI-5 days). When the jig is up, Nigel tries to have Alfred escorted out of his office, only for Alfred to nearly twist his arm off.
Then, Alfred is on the scene to see a wild Deathstroke appear, answering a hit on Nigel’s life. Unarmed and unaware that the Outsiders are on their way, Alfred punches Deathstroke in the face, refusing to let the hitman continue with his plan.Not many people have stared down the barrel of Slade Wilson’s gun or hit him and lived to tell the tale. For Alfred to do so without batting an eye is most impressive.
3Becoming Green Lantern and Beating Wonder Woman
DC vs. Vampires: World War V#2 by Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt
Alfred Pennyworth has proven himself as a real hero on more than one occasion, and dubbing him a superhero makes that status all the more official.
When Damian Wayne killsthe Vampire Queen, Barbara Gordon, it starts an all-out war (or, rather, a world war) between humans and vampires. Among those gunning forthe young vampire leader’shead is Wonder Woman, Batgirl’s right hand. She attempts to kill Alfred as a warning to Damian, but Alfred blasts Diana away, unveilinghis own Green Lantern power ring.
It should come as no surprise that Alfred Pennyworth is worthy of a Green Lantern promotion. Many of the moments on this list showcase the bravery and nobleness needed as a Green Lantern. Nonetheless,it still is worth commending that Alfred has earned himself a ring by being personally chosen to the Green Lantern cloth. Alfred Pennyworth has proven himself as a real hero on more than one occasion, and dubbing him a superhero makes that status all the more official.
2Beats up Superman
Injustice Gods Among Us#36 by Tom Taylor, Mike S. Miller, David Lopez, Santi Casas off Ikari Studio
This is probably the most well-known moment on this list, and the moment that most readers will think of when they hear the words “badass” and “Alfred” used in the same sentence. It came moments after Superman delivered a beating to Batman in the Batcave. Soon enough, Superman realizes that the Super-Pill in Batman’s possession has gone missing. The next thing he knows, he’s approached by Bruce’s trusty butler, who gives a swift headbutt to Clark Kent’s face.
With Clark bloodied, Alfred takes full advantage of his new powers after having ingested the Super-Pill. Alfred savors every single second of it, unleashing a bitter fury against the Man of Steel, promising that Clark will never get the chance to hurt his family again.Powers or no powers, Alfred doesn’t let anyone hurt his family, but if someone hurts his family while Alfred has powers, that someone better run. An angry Alfred with powers can be downright scary.
1Beats up Batman
The Batman Who Laughs#4 by Scott Snyder, Jock, David Baron, and Sal Cipriano
Following the events ofDark Nights: Metal, the more canonical Bruce Wayne is haunted by fears and nightmares from the Dark Multiverse, specifically the Batman Who Laughs. With The Grim Knight on the loose, Bruce self-administers Joker serum to beat Batman Who Laughs at his own game, but he starts to lose his mind in the process. Alfred has only one solution:beat the tar out of his surrogate sonuntil he comes to his senses. It actually works, ending with both men hugging and offering apologies to each other.
As skilled as a student can be, they will rarely (if ever) be more skilled than the master. The same can be said for a father (or father figure) to a son. As good as Batman is at beingBatman, Alfred Pennyworth taught him his morals and determination, so this was always going to be a tough fight even if Bruce had his faculties intact.
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
