Alfred Pennyworth is resurrected in the upcoming Batman vs. Robin miniseries, and though the Dark Knight is skeptical, this may really be the truster butler and friend restored to life.
The return of the Bat Family's loyal guardian was revealed in an early preview for the Batman event written by Mark Waid with art by Mahmud Asrar. The first look showed Bruce Wayne visiting his abandoned home, Wayne Manor, before Alfred arrives at the doorstep and asks the shocked hero, "Master Bruce... is it really you?" DC has now released an extended preview with pages showing the interaction that immediately follows between the two.
Bruce, ever the detective, initially thinks of a number of villains that could be responsible for an Alfred imposter, ranging from Clayface to Hugo Strange, the Court of Owls and beyond. However, this Alfred remembers exactly what was happening in Gotham City just before his death when Bane snapped his neck in front of Robin Damian Wayne in Batman #77. He recounts the moment to Bruce, saying, "I recall Master Damian's horrified face... a blinding pain, and then... and then... and then I awoke wandering outside. I'm as confused as you are, Sir. Perhaps more so."
BATMAN VS. ROBIN #1
- Written by MARK WAID
- Art and cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
- Variant covers by JASON FABOK, ALEXANDER LOZANO, JOSHUA MIDDLETON, and STEVE BEACH
- 1:25 variant cover by LUCIO PARRILLO
- 1:50 variant cover by BRYAN HITCH
- 1:100 foil variant cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
- Team retailer variant cover by DAVE RAPOZA
- $5.99 US | 48 pages | 1 of 5 | Variant $6.99 US (card stock)
- ON SALE 9/13/22
- Spinning out of the events of both Batman/Superman: World’s Finest and Shadow War, father and son will do battle in one of the single most earth-shattering tales ever told!
- Deep in the heart of Lazarus Island, the demonic legacy of the al Ghul family line has at last been freed, and the Devil Nezha is out for blood. To reclaim his total domination over planet Earth, Nezha has supercharged magic—anyone who dares use it is overcome by a demonic evil that supercharges their abilities to dangerous, unpredictable, and in some cases deadly levels! With Damian in Nezha’s clutches and Bruce haunted by the return of an old friend, the Dark Knight and the Boy Wonder are pitted against one another in the battle of the century! Legendary writer Mark Waid helms the next epic saga in Batman history, while superstar artist Mahmud Asrar makes his triumphant return to DC!
Batman Will Fight Robin and a Dangerous Villain from His Past
Bruce puts Alfred through a number of tests before the two of them head down to the Batcave, where an unseen figure has been waiting. Batman vs. Robin pits Bruce against Damian, his son, who is being manipulated by the Devil Nezha, a villain with immense magical power. Batman and Superman have fought Nezha in the past, a story told in Waid's Batman/Superman: World's Finest series that ends with the duo trapping Nezha within an island tomb. The tomb is located on nowhere else but Lazarus Island, where Damian has been exploring and building a new home for himself and others in the Robin series by writer Joshua Williamson.
Robin Almost Resurrected Alfred Pennyworth in the Past
Williamson's Robin partially focused on Damian coping with the loss of Alfred, and he even contemplated resurrecting Alfred at one point. In Robin #12, Damian visits Alfred's grave while in possession of Lazarus Resin (capable of reanimating the dead), but ultimately decides to leave Alfred at rest. Whether his decision changed by the beginning of Batman vs. Robin though remains to be seen.
Batman vs. Robin will be a five-issue miniseries, with the first issue going on sale Sep. 13 from DC Comics. In addition to Waid writing and Asrar on art, colors are by Jordie Bellaire, letters by Steve Wands and main cover art is by both Asrar and Nathan Fairbairn. Variant cover artwork for the issue is contributed to by Joshua Middleton, Alex Lozano, Jason Fabok, Brad Anderson, Lucio Parrillo, Bryan Hitch, David Rapoza and Steve Beach.
Source: DC Comics