Alfred Pennyworth
| Alfred | |
|---|---|
| File:BatmanGothamKnightsCVR42.jpg Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's butler, as seen on the cover to Gotham Knights #42, by Brian Bolland. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Batman #16 (May-June 1943) |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | Alfred Pennyworth |
| Supporting character of | Batman |
Alfred, normally named in full as Alfred Pennyworth, is a fictional character who, in the series of Batman comics published by DC Comics, is the butler of Bruce Wayne. He first appeared in Batman #16 (May-June 1943). He introduced himself as the son of a butler named Jarvis, and the convention being that British butlers are known by their surnames, the implication may have been that his name was Alfred Jarvis, but this was subsequently ignored, and in Detective Comics #96 (February 1945) he was named Alfred Beagle, and subsequently Pennyworth (introduced in Batman #216 in 1969) became his accepted surname at least in the Earth-One and post-Crisis DC Universe.
It can be said (and indeed, has been said in an issue of Starlog) that, being Bruce Wayne's butler, valet, and general assistant, Alfred is, in effect, Batman's batman.
Alfred holds down the fort at Wayne Manor and the Batcave, and does not accompany Bruce Wayne when he goes out as Batman. He however stays in contact with Batman in order to feed information or carry out instructions. When he chauffeurs Bruce around Gotham City, Alfred always keeps a spare Batman costume in the trunk, just in case. His skills in first aid have proven invaluable on numerous occasions when his master or his companions are injured. He is also the only member of the "Bat-Family" that is allowed by Bruce Wayne to own a firearm.
When Alfred first appeared, he was overweight and clean-shaven. However, when the 1943 Batman serial was released, William Austin, the actor who played Alfred, was trim and sported a thin moustache. DC editors wanted the comic 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 his death (in Detective Comics #328 in 1964) and resurrection (in Detective Comics #356 in 1966).
The pre-Crisis comics (i.e., comics published by DC Comics between 1938 and 1986) established Alfred as a retired intelligence agent who followed the deathbed wish of his dying father, Jarvis, to carry on the tradition of serving the Wayne family. To that end, Alfred introduced himself to Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson at Wayne Manor and insisted on becoming their butler. Although the pair did not want one, especially since they did not want to jeopardize their secret identities with a servant in the house, they did not have the heart to eject Alfred. That night, Alfred awoke to moaning and followed the sound to the secret door to the staircase to the Batcave and met his would be employers in their superhero identities (Wayne had been injured while out in the field). As it turned out, the wounds were actually insignificant, but Alfred's care convinced the residents that their butler could be trusted. Since then, Alfred included the support staff duties of the Dynamic Duo on top of his regular tasks.
Later, Alfred was reunited with his long-lost daughter, Julia Remarque. This character is yet to appear in the post-Crisis comics.
In the post-Crisis comics' continuity, Alfred has been the Wayne Family butler all of Bruce's life and he helped his master establish his superhero career from the beginning. Alfred was hired away from the British Royal Family by Bruce's parents, and virtually raised him after their murder.
In other media
- William Austin was the first actor to portray Alfred, in the 1943 Batman serial.
- Eric Wilton portrayed Alfred in the serial Batman and Robin in 1949.
- Alan Napier portrayed Alfred on the 1960s TV series starring Adam West.
- Michael Gough portrayed Alfred in the movies Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), Batman Forever (1995), and Batman and Robin (1997). In Batman & Robin, he was visited by his niece Barbera Wilson who becomes "Batgirl".
- Efrem Zimbalist Jr. provided Alfred's voice on Batman: The Animated Series (with the exception of four episodes from the first season in which Alfred was voiced by Clive Revill). This version of Alfred combines elements from pre-Crisis and post-Crisis continuities; Alfred has been serving the Wayne family since before Thomas Wayne's death and helped his young charge assume the Batman identity, but was also revealed to be a former agent for British Intelligence.
- Ian Abercrombie portrayed Alfred on the short-lived TV series Birds of Prey.
- Alastair Duncan provided Alfred's voice on the animated TV series The Batman.
- Michael Caine portrayed Alfred in the movie Batman Begins (2005).
Awards
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.