The following contains spoilers for Batman vs. Robin #3, on sale now from DC.

The resurrected Alfred Pennyworth of Batman vs. Robin is actually an agent of the Devil Nezha created from a fragment of the real Alfred's soul, Issue #3 reveals.

The truth behind Alfred's revival occurs in the final pages of Batman vs. Robin #3 as Batman duels a mind-controlled Nightwing wielding the Sword of Sin. To throw Dick off guard, Batman lets his former Robin stab Alfred with the sword, revealing the green demon that has assumed the form of the beloved Wayne family butler.

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Batman goes on to explain that he knew the resurrected butler was a spy three minutes after meeting him in Issue #1. He points out a number of subtle discrepancies between the real Alfred and the fake -- for instance, the pair shared oolong tea and talked about Alfred's granddaughter in Batman vs. Robin #1, and Bruce points out that Alfred hates oolong and has no granddaughter.

"You knew enough about Alfred's life to answer all my questions," Bruce says. "But not enough to contradict me when you thought I was telling the truth. I played along so as not to alert your master."

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A fragment of the true Alfred's soul reveals himself The True Alfred Reveals Himself

As the Nezha spy inhabiting Alfred's body flies away, a tiny echo of the real Alfred's soul appears and speaks to Bruce. The echo, which calls itself nothing but a "shadow" of the true Alfred, begs Bruce to stop blaming himself for the events of 2019's Batman #77 when Bane murdered Alfred by snapping his neck.

"You were half a world away," the echo of Alfred says. "Not even you could have possibly prevented it. This is unnecessary remorse. And I can find no peace while watching you carry an unearned burden."

Bruce ultimately agrees to stop blaming himself, and Alfred's soul fragment passes into the afterlife, but not before murmuring that Bruce's "parents send their love." While it's possible that Alfred may yet be resurrected fully -- especially after Batman and Damian presumably defeat the Devil Nezha at the conclusion of Batman vs. Robin -- the touching moment once again cements Alfred as the closest thing that Bruce has had to a father figure since the death of his actual father.

Batman vs. Robin #3 is written by Mark Waid, illustrated by Mahmud Asrar and Scott Godlewski, colored by Jordie Bellaire, lettered by Steve Wands and features cover art by Asrar and Nathan Fairbairn, Alex Maleev, Tony S. Daniel and Tomeu Morey, Mateus Manhanini and Mario "Fox" Foccillo and Prasad Rao (Pressy). The issue is on sale now from DC.

Source: DC