Batman Allies: Alfred Pennyworth (graphic novel).
What attracted me to this book, ‘Batman Allies: Alfred Pennyworth,’ is the Alex Ross cover. The book contains 14 stories spanning from 1943 to 2011, all of which prominently feature Bruce Wayne’s butler. Mostly. The problem with choosing any sort of favourites from the Batman mythology, which has been spanning some ninety years now, is that no one could have read absolutely everything on every character, so it’s hardly surprising more selections come from recent decades.
Some selections are fairly easy. The first appearance takes place in 1943. That’s here, from 1943. Although Alfred Pennyworth was more rotund, he thinks of himself as more of a detective, fulfils his role as a butler to the Wayne household as a responsibility to his father, and accidentally learns who Batman and Robin are. A year later, he goes on a diet and gets fit and loses weight and gains height and a moustache. Comic books can do that, and we have his more familiar look. Over the years we learn more about his World War II days as a British undercover agent in France as his life is fleshed out.
If anything is omitted from the 1960s, it’s Alfred’s death, although his resurrection as the Outsider covers some of it.
Some of the choices are surprising, especially for the more cartoony issues. Much of the time, it’s highlighting Alfred’s loyalty to Batman and how resourceful he is on his own, although I think his wearing a bat mask and taking on some villains himself is pushing it a bit. I mean, he’s virtually a pensioner, so how can he be as excellent as the Batman? He has, however, stood the passage of time. Not only in comic books but also on TV and in films, the Batman scene would be somewhat lacking if he weren’t there supporting his boss.
GF Willmetts
December 2024
(pub: DC Comics, 2020. 200 page graphic novel. Price: varies. ISBN: 978-1-40129-894-4)
check out website: www.dc.com
