Alfred Pennyworth
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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).
Alfred holds down the fort at Wayne Manor and the Batcave, and does not accompany Bruce Wayne when he goes out as Batman. However, he 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.
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 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.
The Batman: The Animated Series version of Alfred combines elements from both continuities; Alfred had 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.
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, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, and Batman & Robin.
- 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).
- 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.
- In the movie Batman Begins, Alfred is portrayed by Michael Caine.
External Links
- Alfred Pennyworth's Journal (http://alfredpennyworththebutler.blogspot.com)fr:Alfred Pennyworth (Batman)