Superhero Origins: Alfred Pennyworth
advertisement
VOICE OVER: Dan Paradis
Fans of Batman's trusted butler, Alfred Pennyworth, may be surprised to learn that he didn't make his first appearance in the series until 1943 – four years after Batman began striking terror into the heart of Gotham City's criminals. When Alfred first showed up in the pages of Batman #16, the character wasn't quite the svelte, suave gentleman's gentleman of later adventures. Rotund and bowler-hatted, Alfred disembarked from a trans-Atlantic crossing to reveal himself as an amateur criminologist, offering his assistance to the dynamic duo. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we explore the comic book origin of Alfred Pennyworth.
*Written by Craig Butler
A butler is trusted with safeguarding his master's secrets – especially when he's serving a superhero. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we will explore the comic book origin of Alfred Pennyworth.
As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginations and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen primarily to follow the storyline which unfolded in 1943's Batman #16 and which was expanded upon in 1957's Batman #110, 2000's Batman: Gotham Knights #7, and 2012's Batman #9-11.
Fans of Batman's trusted butler, Alfred Pennyworth, may be surprised to learn that he didn't make his first appearance in the series until 1943 – four years after Batman began striking terror into the heart of Gotham City's criminals.
When Alfred showed up in the pages of Batman #16, the character wasn't quite the svelte, suave gentleman's gentleman of later adventures. Rotund and bowler-hatted, Alfred disembarked from a trans-Atlantic crossing only to find that a gang of thieves had an unnatural interest in procuring his humble valise. Batman and Robin fought the villains off and Alfred, who fancied himself an amateur criminologist, offered his assistance on future cases – which the Dynamic Duo declined.
Later, Alfred showed up at Wayne Manor and insisted that he was there to become Bruce Wayne's butler. It turned out that Alfred's father Jarvis had been the butler for Bruce Wayne's father. Alfred had chosen to pursue a career as a music hall actor; however, on his deathbed, Jarvis forced Alfred to promise to come to America and go into service at Wayne Manor.
This didn't fit in with Bruce Wayne's plans, as having a butler around would make it difficult for him and Dick to slip away to become Batman and Robin. They humored Alfred for the night, intending to send him away the next day. As luck would have it, however, the thugs from the pier had followed Alfred to Wayne Manor and broke in, still after his suitcase.
Batman and Robin foiled them and left in pursuit of the gangsters. In their absence, Alfred stumbled upon the secret entrance to the batcave and learned his masters' secret identities. Alfred then helped to rescue Batman and Robin, who had been captured by the thieves; he also helped solve the mystery of why the criminals were interested in his valise: it contained a clue leading to the crown jewels of a foreign country.
At the end of the story, Alfred revealed that he also knew Bruce and Dick's secret identities, thus cementing his new position as the family's loyal retainer.
Through the years, there have been numerous small revisions to Alfred's origin. In a 1957 story,
Alfred discovered Bruce and Dick's identities when he heard Robin calling his name from behind the secret entrance to the batcave; he was seeking help with an injured Batman.
After the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Alfred's story was changed so that he was the Wayne family butler during all of Bruce's childhood, rather than meeting him as an adult. As such, Alfred was there when Bruce's parents were killed and acted as a surrogate father to him thereafter.
A further revision occurred in 2012, in a 3-part story focusing on Jarvis Pennyworth, Alfred's father. In the story, Jarvis was in service for the Waynes when the villainous Council of Owls began threatening them; one of threats was to Jarvis, warning him that they would kill his son in England. Jarvis tried to warn Alfred and to tell him never to come to Wayne Manor – but he was killed before he could do so. Alfred arrived soon after, to take over for his father, never knowing why his father was killed.
Alfred Pennyworth has been a fixture in almost all of Batman's incarnations in various media, from his memorable turn in the 1960s TV series to his portrayal in animated series and on film. Aspects of his personality changes from one version to the next, but he remains always the steadfast, loyal and utterly indispensable behind-the-scenes helper to the Caped Crusader.
Are you a fan of Alfred Pennyworth? For more comic book origins, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
Superhero Origins: Alfred Pennyworth
A butler is trusted with safeguarding his master's secrets – especially when he's serving a superhero. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we will explore the comic book origin of Alfred Pennyworth.
As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginations and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen primarily to follow the storyline which unfolded in 1943's Batman #16 and which was expanded upon in 1957's Batman #110, 2000's Batman: Gotham Knights #7, and 2012's Batman #9-11.
Fans of Batman's trusted butler, Alfred Pennyworth, may be surprised to learn that he didn't make his first appearance in the series until 1943 – four years after Batman began striking terror into the heart of Gotham City's criminals.
When Alfred showed up in the pages of Batman #16, the character wasn't quite the svelte, suave gentleman's gentleman of later adventures. Rotund and bowler-hatted, Alfred disembarked from a trans-Atlantic crossing only to find that a gang of thieves had an unnatural interest in procuring his humble valise. Batman and Robin fought the villains off and Alfred, who fancied himself an amateur criminologist, offered his assistance on future cases – which the Dynamic Duo declined.
Later, Alfred showed up at Wayne Manor and insisted that he was there to become Bruce Wayne's butler. It turned out that Alfred's father Jarvis had been the butler for Bruce Wayne's father. Alfred had chosen to pursue a career as a music hall actor; however, on his deathbed, Jarvis forced Alfred to promise to come to America and go into service at Wayne Manor.
This didn't fit in with Bruce Wayne's plans, as having a butler around would make it difficult for him and Dick to slip away to become Batman and Robin. They humored Alfred for the night, intending to send him away the next day. As luck would have it, however, the thugs from the pier had followed Alfred to Wayne Manor and broke in, still after his suitcase.
Batman and Robin foiled them and left in pursuit of the gangsters. In their absence, Alfred stumbled upon the secret entrance to the batcave and learned his masters' secret identities. Alfred then helped to rescue Batman and Robin, who had been captured by the thieves; he also helped solve the mystery of why the criminals were interested in his valise: it contained a clue leading to the crown jewels of a foreign country.
At the end of the story, Alfred revealed that he also knew Bruce and Dick's secret identities, thus cementing his new position as the family's loyal retainer.
Through the years, there have been numerous small revisions to Alfred's origin. In a 1957 story,
Alfred discovered Bruce and Dick's identities when he heard Robin calling his name from behind the secret entrance to the batcave; he was seeking help with an injured Batman.
After the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Alfred's story was changed so that he was the Wayne family butler during all of Bruce's childhood, rather than meeting him as an adult. As such, Alfred was there when Bruce's parents were killed and acted as a surrogate father to him thereafter.
A further revision occurred in 2012, in a 3-part story focusing on Jarvis Pennyworth, Alfred's father. In the story, Jarvis was in service for the Waynes when the villainous Council of Owls began threatening them; one of threats was to Jarvis, warning him that they would kill his son in England. Jarvis tried to warn Alfred and to tell him never to come to Wayne Manor – but he was killed before he could do so. Alfred arrived soon after, to take over for his father, never knowing why his father was killed.
Alfred Pennyworth has been a fixture in almost all of Batman's incarnations in various media, from his memorable turn in the 1960s TV series to his portrayal in animated series and on film. Aspects of his personality changes from one version to the next, but he remains always the steadfast, loyal and utterly indispensable behind-the-scenes helper to the Caped Crusader.
Are you a fan of Alfred Pennyworth? For more comic book origins, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
Bernard Sussman
“In the 1980s the surviving actors of the TV show were presented on a daytime TV chat show. Alan Napier (who was showing signs of senility) launched into an overlong storyline he was proposing that Alfred was the illegitimate son of Brit aristocracy.”
0
1
report
Bernard Sussman
“In the animated cartoon series, the Penguin has a particular grudge against Alfred which relates back to the great-grandfathers of both.
”
0
1
flagged