The Hidden S in Phone Booth

The Hidden S wonders how alfred Pennyworth got to be such a badass...

There is a tradition in English Literature of a butler being the superior of his master and that tradition extends to the decades long comics relationship between Alfred and the Batman.

Alfred Pennyworth (full name Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth) is, as most comic fans know, Batman's butler. This character is one of the most consistent characters associated with Batman in the Dark Knight's mythology; hardly anyone has had more interaction with Batman (not even Dick Grayson). How is it this character came into the Batman universe and how has he evolved over the years? I am glad you asked...

Alfred was an early part of the Batman narrative, making his first appearance in 1943. Physically, he was overweight and clean shaven. Alfred's physicality was altered radically and permanently as a result of the portrayal of Alfred in the Batman serials of the 1940s, where Alfred was portrayed as thin with a pencil mustache. DC changed his "look" as a result and Alfred's characteristics have remained consistent (at least in the comics) since then.

It's hard to figure why Batman's writers felt the need to interject this character. Initially, Alfred functioned as comic relief and attempted to be a detective as his employer was. In time, this comic angle was eliminated and Alfred was given a sober back story; a retired actor and Intelligence Agent who followed the deathbed wish of his father to serve the Wayne family. Alfred then located Bruce Wayne and Grayson and offered him their services. Predictably, Bruce and Dick did not feel they needed a butler, and the possibility of them compromising their alter-egos was considerable. Despite this, they were charmed by Alfred's offer and took him into their employ. Alfred found out the dynamic duo's identities quickly (in his first comic appearance while thwarting a robbery). Alfred's abilities soon came into focus as he was able to use disguise (from his acting career) and medical training (from his work in the military) to aid Batman in situations where he (Batman) can't do it all himself.

In the Post-Crisis narrative, Alfred was always Bruce Wayne's butler and in some versions he even assumed legal guardianship of young Wayne after his parents were killed. This is the more recent and familiar version for most comic fans (this version made its way into Batman Begins). The modern, Post-Crisis version of Alfred has been a more fully realized character with love interests, his own relationships with others in the DC Universe (like Superman, Wonder woman, etc.). The most recent evolutions of the character emphasize Alfred's physical prowess and -dare I say it- his badass qualities. He uses skilled hand-to-hand combat in some of the recent, high profile Batman arcs like the "No Man's Land" episodes.

Alfred also was crucial in forging some of the weapons that Batman used to fight Dracula in the "Vampire Batman" trilogy (where Batman became a vampire to fight Dracula). Most recently, Alfred was portrayed in Frank Miller's All Star Batman and Robin as a muscular operative who unwinds by pounding the heavy bag like Mike Tyson. Alfred is pictured as handsome as an English matinee idol from the 30s and as resourceful as 007 (he is a retired MI-6 agent here). This portrayal is a kind of culmination of Alfred's increasingly virile persona and somehow it works.

Alfred is, in my mind, part of the reason that Batman is probably the richest superhero in comics (not the greatest however). His supporting characters are without a doubt the most sophisticated and impressive of any superhero. Batgirl, Robin and Nightwing are all major superheroes in there own right (Batwoman is a major second-tier hero), but at theend of the day they are in the service of the Bat. Is Alfred a superhero then? Not quite, but he is on the cusp of being a superhero due to his superior physical and intellectual skills and talents. And, most importantly, by his proximity and influence on the Batman.

As with other Butlers in fiction, he may not have the greatness or material resouces that his master has, but he is undeniably his master's superior. Alfred is the most charming of comic characters and his acerbic wit helps make some of Batman's mission palatable. Alfred has been played by a number of smooth actors like Alan Napier, Michael Gough and Michael Caine. In some ways, Alfred reminds me of the Dos Equis Guy, the Most intersting Man in the world ("He can Disarm you with his looks or his hands, either way...").



The Hidden S...