10 Ways Alfred Pennyworth Is The Most Important Member Of The Bat Family
A master of dry wit and endless dedication, Alfred Pennyworth is more than just the butler of Wayne Manor. As a major influence in Batman's story, he is a father, grandfather, advisor, and designated ego deflator, taking no guff from anyone—not even Superman. While he rarely passes us the perfect opportunity for sarcasm, Alfred loves his little family like no other, time and time again proving his boundless dedication.
Through the years, Batman, unable to say no to cute kids with killer instincts, has built a family of misfits. Even though Bruce is the one who brings them in, Alfred is the one who keeps them all together. He loves and cares for every soul brought into the fold, including Bruce himself, going to great lengths to protect and care for them. It's not just his paternal instinct, though, that makes him important to the Bat-Family; Alfred is a man with a distinguished background and a great many experiences under his belt.
10 Military Background
Excluding the early days of Alfred's comic appearances before his character was more deeply developed, every continuity gives him a military background. Sometimes it's the British Secret Service, sometimes the Royal Army or Air Force. Any of which are used to explain his background as a field medic and his ability to used weapons and hand-to-hand combat.
The skills learned in Alfred's time traveling the world in service of his country serve him well as he assists Batman in his crusade against crime. Technological skills, strategy, and subterfuge are all knowledge he uses to help the vigilante family on a nightly basis.
9 Time As An Actor
After retiring from the armed forces, Alfred turned to stagecraft. He became a well-trained actor who was eventually recruited by MI5 to train agents in the art of subterfuge using acting techniques. He was given a special mission that, once completed, required him to retire and move to the United States. Filling his ailing father's job as Wayne's butler, put him on the path to teaching Bruce those same subterfuge techniques.
It was Alfred who taught Bruce and the rest of the bat family how to hide their nighttime alter egos with a completely different daytime one. He also used the art of deception on a regular basis himself, misdirecting reporters, law enforcement, and villains alike.
8 Accomplished Fighting Skills
Alfred's days in the military might be in the past, but his fighting skills are not. He has, on many occasions, demonstrated his prowess despite his age. Most of the time he reserves showing off his moves for when he is defending his family, such as when Hush attacked the manor or the one memorable time he beat up Superman—but this isn't always the case. Alfred once punched out Deathstroke for calling him "Wayne's errand boy."
Combining his training with such a fearless nature makes Alfred a man not to be trifled with. He fights ruthlessly for his family, never hesitating to stand up against Batman's many comicbook villains.
7 Trusted Firearm Owner
Witnessing his parent's shooting, and also having a firm "no killing" rule as a vigilante, Batman has good reason to not like guns. Anyone who works with him is not allowed to use guns—with one notable exception. Bruce allows Alfred Pennyworth not only to use firearms, but to keep them in the manor, as well. Batman keeps many secrets from his allies, so it's only fair that he allows one of his closest confidants to break a few rules.
No one is as trusted as Alfred in the DC Universe. He is a constant in the Bat Family's life, especially for Batman. Bruce believes Alfred would never abuse the use of his weapons, only choosing to use them in time of dire need. Not even Superman can claim that kind of faith from Gotham's protector.
6 He Raised Batman
After the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne and a healthy dose of bribery and forgery, Alfred became Bruce Wayne's Guardian. Raising a young man so full of pain and darkness was not an easy feat, but he did the best he could, teaching him to stop bullies with strategy instead of brute force, spending nights in front of the fire, playing chess and imparting wisdom to his ward.
Batman would not be Batman without the man he came to see as a father. Because of this paternal care for Bruce, any children he brought home were welcomed with Alfred's open arms. He saw them as his grandchildren, caring from them as he had Bruce. They would each receive the same training, the same care, and, in turn, give the same loyalty and trust their adoptive father gave the butler.
5 Knows When To Ignore Orders
A man who is brave enough to punch Deathstroke in the face is brave enough to defy Batman's orders when necessary. Alfred's courage and wisdom do not allow him to follow instructions blindly. Instead, he'll do what he believes is right in spite of Bruce's orders.
Tim came back as Robin because of Alfred's willingness to disobey, and Batman's life has been saved on many occasions for the same reason. Sometimes, loyalty is not blind devotion, but a willingness to say no to loved ones for their own good.
4 Keeps the Family Together
When Batman seemed to be dead and all lost, it was Alfred who lobbied for Dick Grayson to set aside Nightwing and become the next Batman. While advising the group of orphans, he was building a new group called the Outlaws, a ragtag group of people to help his boys hold the line in Gotham.
Even when Batman was around, Alfred is the one bringing the boys back home again and again. He is the one that confronts Bruce about his poor behavior with his children. Alfred is the glue holding them all together.
3 Protector
Alfred will do anything to protect his charges, even break Batman's golden rule. In Batman: Earth One, the butler uses his trusty shotgun to kill the Penguin before he can kill Bruce. He also has no problem aiming the same shotgun at Booster Gold when he broke into the Batcave in Booster Gold#12.
Alfred also uses less lethal means of protection, like tracking down Bruce's scantily clad stalker or putting Vicky Vale off the trail of connecting Bruce to Batman. He is a fierce protector of his family, and Nightwing has even jokingly referred to him as "Mom" a few times.
2 Stands Up To Batman
Alfred is a man who will not back down just because his surrogate son is also his employer. He raised Bruce and continues to play father figure through the years. In the early years of Batman's career, Bruce was becoming moody and volatile. Alfred uses his training to recreate the timeless Batman slapping Robin meme. He gives the bat a beatdown he would never forget, calling him out for acting like an amateur.
Alfred has also, through the years, stood up to Bruce, when the rest of the family could not. Such was the case in Robin: Year One when he ran interference and advocated for Dick when Batman was too emotionally constipated to deal with him properly. In a home full of children broken and bruised from their pasts, the butler was a buffer and a safe place. Everyone in the family knew there was at least one place they could go to always feel cared for.
1 Endless Love For His Boys
From the first Robin to the last, Alfred has shown endless patience and love for his boys. The DC universe is full of small, heartwarming moments between Alfred and Nightwing. He even inspires enough dedication in Damian Wayne, that the boy names his cat Alfred. He has mediated relationships, brought them food on patrol, and always made them feel at home.
He once told Dick that "you are not alone. I imagine you will never be again." Alfred followed through with that statement for the entire family. He has never let them feel alone, no matter what they were going through. For this reason most of all, Alfred Pennyworth is the most important member of the Bat-Family.
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