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From SCIFIPEDIA
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| Batman Character
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| Alfred Pennyworth
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Cleaning up after Batman's adventures was sometimes part of the job.
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| Publisher
| DC Comics
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| Gender
| Male
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| Species
| Human
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| Creator(s)
| Bob Kane
Jerry Robinson
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| First Appearance
| Batman #16 (April-May 1943)
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| Profession
| Butler - Wayne Manor
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| Affiliations
| Wayne Family
British Secret Service
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| Special Features
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Alfred Pennyworth is a fictional DC Comics character created by Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson for the Batman comics series. Alfred serves as Batman's Butler and confidant.
Alfred began as an rotund, bumbling, humorous figure, providing comic relief to Batman and Robin in the early 1940s. He was a shown trying to use detective skills on his own, usually with humorous results. He was soon modified to resemble the actor who played him in the 1943 serial, so now he is portrayed as thin, tall, and sporting a mustache. His manner is now that of an impeccable, dignified English manservant. Instead of being a comic figure, Alfred provides comic relief with sarcastic barbs, commenting on his master's dangerous lifestyle and self-destructive choices in the service of his crime fighting obsession. Now it is the Batman who is the target of the humor, not the Butler.
Alfred appears publicly as Bruce Wayne's butler, but he actually offers logistical support for Batman. His role in Batman's life and crime fighting pursuits cannot be underestimated. He helps maintain the Batcave and its equipment while serving as council and father figure. He was the Wayne's butler when Bruce's parents were alive, and was appointed the boy's guardian when they were murdered. He looked over young Bruce Wayne, watched him harden and deal with his parent's death the best he could. He was there for Bruce while he grew up, and the boy's and then the man's only confidant until Robin came along. Then, he helped Bruce raise all three Robin characters; Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, and Tim Drake. When Tim went away to school temporarily, Alfred even went with him, ostensibly as his manservant, but actually for council and advice.
He is trained at first aid, and often patches Bruce Wayne's injuries that he receives from his activities as Batman. Supposedly, Alfred has some background in the British Secret Service, as well as experience as a stage actor. He intially went into service to please his father, who had also been a butler for the Wayne family. Again, with altering continuities at DC Comics, the facts of Alfred's back story has sometimes been contradictory. Still, Alfred is a significant figure in Batman's life, present in every incarnation of the Dark Knight in any medium, even more consistantly than Robin.
Alfred Portrayals
External links
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