Alfred Pennyworth

"Pennyworth" redirects here. For the TV series, see Pennyworth (TV series). For the ship, see Pennyworth (ship).

Alfred Pennyworth
Cover art of Batman #686 (March 2009).
Art by Alex Ross.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearance
  • Batman (July 16, 1943)
  • DC Comics:
  • Batman #16 (April 1944)
Created by
In-story information
Full nameAlfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth
Team affiliationsBatman Family
Wayne Family
Supporting character ofBatman/Bruce Wayne
Notable aliasesAlfred Beagle, Alfred J(arvis), Pennyworth, Thaddeus Crane, Thaddeus Middleton, The Eagle, Penny-One, The Outsider
Abilities
  • Classically trained butler
  • Classically trained actor
  • Former British special forces and intelligence expert
  • Proficiency in first aid medical techniques and computer systems
  • Skilled in armed and unarmed combat
  • Use of shotgun

Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth, originally Alfred Beagle and commonly known simply as Alfred, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, most commonly in association with the superhero Batman.[2]

Alfred is depicted as Batman's loyal and tireless butler, legal guardian, best friend, aide-de-camp, and surrogate father figure following the murders of his parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne. As a British noble who is a classically trained butler and an ex-Special Operations Executive operative of honor and ethics with connections within the intelligence community, he has been called "Batman's batman".[3][4][5][6] He serves as Bruce's moral anchor while providing comic relief with his sardonic and cynical attitude; as an amnesiac, he has also served as the supervillainous Outsider. A vital part of the Batman mythos, Alfred was nominated for the Wizard Fan Award for Favorite Supporting Male Character in 1994.[7] Bane killed Alfred in 2019 during the City of Bane storyline, and he remains dead in the primary continuity of the DC Universe as of 2024.

In non-comics media, the character has been portrayed in live-action and voiced by actors William Austin, Eric Wilton, Michael Gough, Michael Caine, Jeremy Irons, Douglas Hodge, and Andy Serkis on film, and by Alan Napier, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Ian Abercrombie, David McCallum, and Sean Pertwee on television, among others. Ralph Fiennes provided the voice of Alfred in the animated Lego Movie franchise, and Martin Jarvis voiced the character in the Batman: Arkham video game series. A young version of Pertwee's Alfred, played by Jack Bannon, depicts the character before he became the butler to the Wayne family in the television series Pennyworth.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Serial was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Fleisher, Michael L. (1976). The Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes, Volume 1: Batman. New York City: Macmillan Publishing Co. pp. 5–14. ISBN 0-02-538700-6. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  3. ^ Batman: Caped Crusader, Pennyworth's name comes from the Duke of Devonshire
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference VarietyFeb2014 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Mackie, Rob (21 October 2005). "Batman Begins review". The Guardian. London, England. Retrieved 20 February 2007.
  6. ^ Tilley, Steve (13 June 2005). "Michael Caine one tough butler". Edmonton Sun. Archived from the original on 29 June 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2007.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ^ "Comic Book Awards Almanac". Users.rcn.com. Archived from the original on 7 January 2009. Retrieved 25 December 2010.