Batmanmay sometimes act like a spoiled, self-suffering teen when it comes to his former guardian and pseudo father,Alfred Pennyworth. However, a closer look at the character reveals that Alfred is undeniably one of DC’s most unproblematic and beloved figures—so much so that the fandom is more than willing to overlook his rare red flags.
DC has elevated Alfred from the unsung hero of the Bat-Family to a virtual DCU saint.
Alfred Pennyworth stands outin the DC Universe not just as Batman’s butler, but as one of the most beloved and unproblematic characters in the entire roster. In a world full of morally complex and often troubled figures, Alfred offers a refreshing contrast with his unwavering integrity and pure heart.
What makes him truly remarkable is that,after more than 80 years in comics, there are few, if any, major flaws or controversies tied to his character—a rare achievement in a universe where even the greatest heroes are far from perfect.
Alfred Pennyworth Is One of DC’s Most Unproblematic Characters (Rivaled Only by Ma & Pa Kent)
Alex Ross Variant forBatman#686 (2009)
Alfred Pennyworth is undoubtedly one of the most incredible characters in the DC Universe. Time and time again, he proves to be the epitome of selflessness and unwavering loyalty. This is especially evident in his origin as the Wayne family butler,where he took on the responsibility of raising an extremely traumatized child with no blood relation to him.Not only did he embrace this role without exploiting his position as a billionaire’s guardian, but he went above and beyond, raising Bruce and dedicating his life to supporting Bruce’s mission to become Batman.
From the moment of Martha and Thomas Wayne’s death, Alfred made a life-altering decision—his life would no longer be his own. He committed himself entirely to Bruce’s needs and aspirations. There’s something profoundly emotional about Alfred’s unwavering loyalty and purity of heart, especially when you consider thathis eventual death was a direct resultof this devotion.Alfred’s commitment to Bruce underscores the rarity and beauty of unconditional love, making him an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind character.
While Alfred stands out as one of the most unproblematic and beloved figures in DC,two characters who rival him in that regard are Martha and Jonathan Kent, Superman’s adoptive parents. Much like Alfred, the Kents took in a child who wasn’t their own, raising and loving him as if he were. Their loyalty to Clark mirrors Alfred’s to Bruce, although, the Kents benefit from an even cleaner past—a detail that can’t always be said about Alfred. Yet, in terms of unwavering loyalty and love, Alfred still holds a special place, proving himself to be one of the best of the best.
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Okay, We’ll Admit It: Alfred Pennyworth May Have Some Problematic Red Flags
Main Cover by Lee Weeks & Mat Lopes forBatman: Pennyworth R.I.P.#1 (2020)
For the most part, Alfred is entirely unproblematic in his role serving Bruce and the rest of the Wayne family. For years, he has been the Bat-Family’s rock, helping raise the various children Bruce has taken in and showing unwavering loyalty and steadiness to every member. It’s incredibly difficult to find any piece of canon where a Bat-Family member speaks negatively about Alfred or has any major qualms with him. However,critiques of Alfred being crowned as"unproblematic"often point to his pastbefore he became the Wayne family’s butler.
Canon surrounding Alfred has evolved over time, but for the most part, it has long been established that Alfred served in the British military as a field medic and was also a member of MI5. This background raises the argument thathis past activities in the military and as an intelligence operative could be considered problematic. However, these potential red flags are typically overlooked by the fandom, who prefer to focus on Alfred’s actions during his time with the Bat-Family. While one could make an argument that Alfred has a few problematic aspects in his past, it’s a relatively weak case when compared to his more commendable qualities.
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Canon Basically Made Alfred Pennyworth a DCU Saint
Comic Panel Comes FromNightwing#92 (2022) – Art by Bruno Redondo
While fans are always entitled to their own takes and opinions, there’s no denying that even DC seems to agree that Alfred Pennyworth is their least problematic character.The comic publisher has elevated him from the unsung hero of the Bat-Family to a virtual DCU saint.Following Alfred’s death at the hands of Bane, various writers have explored the impact of this loss on the Bat-Family members. One of the most notable explorations was done by Tom Taylor in hisNightwingrun, where he immortalized the butler in various ways within canon.
In Taylor’s run, Alfred leaves his billions to Dick Grayson, trusting that his pseudo-grandson would use the fortune for good. Dick then establishes theAlfred Pennyworth Foundationin the butler’s name, dedicated to bettering Blüdhaven and aiding those in need. This grand gesture is made even more meaningful with the unveiling ofa statue in Alfred’s likeness, permanently memorializing the butler and the profound influence he had on his wards.Through these tributes, Nightwing solidified Alfred as the closest thing to a saint in the DCU.
No Matter the Universe, Alfred Pennyworth Is ALWAYS One of the Most Morally Steadfast
Comic Panels ofElseworldsAlfred Pennyworth Come FromDCeased,Injustice: Gods Among Us,Dark Knights of Steel, andDC vs. Vampires: World War V
What truly drives home Alfred’s unproblematic nature and pure heart is the fact that, no matter the universe, he stays true to his principles, emerging as one of the most morally steadfast. This is particularly evident in DC’sElseworldsstories, which often depict heroes being corrupted in some way. Yet, despite the chaos, carnage, fear, and opportunities for power, Alfred always remains loyal to the Bat-Family. This is showcased inDCeased,Injustice: Gods Among Us,Dark Knights of Steel, andDC vs. Vampires: World War V. It’s clear that not only isAlfred Pennyworthunproblematic, but he is also one of the purest characters in the entire DCU.
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