Summary
Warning! Spoilers ahead Batman: Dark Age #1!Before he was ever protecting the streets of Gotham,Batmanhimself was protected by his oldest ally.Batman: Dark Agehastaken a fresh look at the Caped Crusader’s earliest days. A young Bruce Wayne may be targeted by enemies all around him, but one person has alwaysbeen on Batman’s side.
InBatman: Dark Age #1by Mark Russell and Michael Allred, an elderly Bruce Wayne looks back on his life. He recalls the tragic deaths of his parents, who were taken out by Roman Sionis' False Face Society to take control of Wayne Enterprises.
Sionis and the Wayne Enterprises board put Bruce in the care of Alfred Pennyworth, believing him to hold no loyalty to the young man and susceptible to bribes. However, Alfred remains vigilant for the False Face Society andeven sets up traps in Wayne Manor to keep Bruce Wayne safe from potential attacks.
Alfred Pennyworth Protected Bruce Wayne Before He Was Ever Batman
Batman: Dark Ageis just one look at Bruce Wayne’s past. But more often than not, most of Batman’s origins have Alfred taking care of him after Thomas and Martha Wayne are killed. The reasons are different depending on the continuity. Sometimes Alfred does it out of obligation. Other times it’s because Pennyworth was practically family to the Waynes. Whatever the reason, Alfred is Bruce’s oldest ally and confidante and the first person by Batman’s side when he began his crusade. Rarely was Alfred just a butler.He was a crucial component in Batman’s operationand a core Bat-Family member.
Batman: Dark Ageis set in its own continuity and doesn’t reflect the relationship between the Prime versions of Bruce and Alfred. However, this backstory does capture a key component of who Alfred was. He didn’t have to raise Bruce and could very well have moved on to other things. But Pennyworth was a good man and he knew that Bruce needed someone in his life looking after him during the most painful period of his life.Saving a young Batman is just another example of the strong character Alfred Pennyworth possessedand the kind of ally he was.
Alfred Has Always Been Batman’s Greatest Ally
Batman has dozens, if not hundreds of allies (many of whom have superpowers). But Alfred knew Bruce the longest and always had his best interest at heart. A lesser man would have just left Bruce and a monster would have allowed the False Face Society to take Bruce out altogether. Alfred, on the other hand, cared deeply for Batman and did everything he could to give Bruce what he needed. If it weren’t for Alfred Pennyworth, who knows howBatman’slife ultimately would have turned out?
