WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Batman: Pennyworth R.I.P. by James Tynion IV, Peter Tomasi, Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, Chris Burnham, Marcio Takara, Diogenes Neves, David Lafuente, Sumit Kumat, Adriano Lucas, Rex Lokus, and Nathan Fairbairn, on sale now
The death of Alfred Pennyworth is perhaps the most surprising fallout from the events of the "City of Bane" storyline. Batman didn't just lose perhaps his greatest ally in his war on crime, but he also has to say goodbye to the person who most raised him into the man he is today. Now, Bruce wants to think of some big way to say goodbye to his oldest friend.
Batman: Pennyworth R.I.P. reveals that Bruce Wayne has decided to honor Alfred by building -- and naming -- a children's hospital after his oldest ally.
TRYING TO MOVE ON
During the events of "City of Bane," the titular villain worked with a number of established threats like the Flashpoint Batman, the Joker and the Riddler to bring down Gotham. Although Batman and his allies were able to liberate the city from their grasp, it didn't come without a cost. As part of a plan to keep Bruce and the others going, Alfred allowed himself to be taken by Bane -- who proceeded to kill him with ease. Alfred's death has hung over the entire Bat-Family ever since, especially for Bruce. Seeing the man who raised him die as a part of his war on crime has shaken the typically unflappable hero.
The heroes of Gotham have finally come together to deal with what has happened to them. But before the proper wake begins with just the group, Bruce and the others make a big show out of the official memorial to Alfred. A new building is constructed in the heart of Gotham that will serve as the Alfred J. Pennyworth Children's Hospital. The institution is specifically designed to help the "lost children" of Gotham City. It's a tribute meant to honor how Alfred saved Bruce from his own grief and fury when he was a child after the loss of his parents, and how he would go on to help raise and mentor the various other young heroes that have worked alongside Batman over the years.
IN MEMORIUM
It's a fitting way to memorialize Alfred, even if the rest of the Bat-Family doesn't see that yet. At the smaller wake between the group, their simmering fury with one another finally gives way and they tear into each other for their assorted anger over the events of Alfred's death. Tim specifically brings up how Bruce has decided to throw himself into his work as Batman instead of bringing the family together that shares his pain. While Tim does have a point that Alfred wouldn't want the Bat-Family at each other's throats, he's wrong about how insignificant the hospital would be to the man. Alfred was always dedicated to helping the Wayne family and, by extension, Gotham City.
He was often the calming voice for Bruce, helping guide him towards making a better future for the city -- including setting up new institutions that could help people. When Alfred briefly died all the way back in 1963's Detective Comics #340, Bruce only memorialized him with a foundation in his name. But it's more fitting that Bruce found a way for Alfred to continue helping young people in need, even while in death. It's the sort of thing the old man would have appreciated, knowing that his memory would do more than just inspire people in costumes to punch out criminals. While the pain of the moment keeps the heroes from fully seeing it, it's a sweet gesture from Bruce, and one of the best possible ways to honor his friend.