Bruce Wayne’s first ally saved his life long before he became Batman

Warning! Spoilers ahead, Batman: Dark Age No. 1!Before he ever protected the streets of Gotham, Batman He himself was protected by his oldest ally. Batman: Dark Ages has taken a new look at the Caped Crusader’s earliest days. A young Bruce Wayne may be attacked by enemies all around him, but one person has always been on Batman’s side.

In Batman: Dark Ages #1 by Mark Russell and Michael Allred, the older Bruce Wayne looks back on his life. He remembers the tragic death of his parents, who were kidnapped by Roman Sionis’ False Face Society in an attempt to take control of Wayne Enterprises.

Sionis and the board of Wayne Enterprises placed Bruce in the care of Alfred Pennyworth, believing that he was disloyal to the young man and vulnerable to bribery. However, Alfred remains vigilant against the False Face Society and even sets traps in Wayne Manor to protect Bruce Wayne from possible attacks.

Alfred Pennyworth protected Bruce Wayne before he was ever Batman

Batman: Dark Ages is just a look at Bruce Wayne’s past. But more often than not, Alfred takes care of him in Batman’s origins after Thomas and Martha Wayne are killed. The reasons vary across continuities. Sometimes Alfred does it out of a sense of duty. Sometimes it’s because Pennyworth was practically family to the Waynes. Whatever the reason, Alfred is Bruce’s oldest ally and confidant, and the first person at Batman’s side when he began his crusade. Rarely has Alfred been just a butler. He was a crucial component in Batman’s operation and a central member of the Bat-family.

Batman: Dark Ages takes place in its own continuity and does not reflect the relationship between the Prime versions of Bruce and Alfred. However, this backstory captures a key component of who Alfred was. He didn’t have to raise Bruce and could have very well moved on to other things. But Pennyworth was a good man and he knew Bruce needed someone in his life to care for him during the most painful time of his life. The rescue of the young Batman is just another example of the strong character of Alfred Pennyworth and what an ally he was.

Alfred has always been Batman’s greatest ally

Batman has dozens, if not hundreds, of allies (many of them superpowered). But Alfred knew Bruce the longest and always had his best interests in mind. A weaker man would have simply abandoned Bruce and a monster would have allowed the False Face Society to take Bruce out entirely. Alfred, on the other hand, cared deeply for Batman and did everything he could to give Bruce what he needed. If it weren’t for Alfred Pennyworth, who knows how Batman’s how life would ultimately have turned out?

Batman: Dark Ages #1 is now available from DC Comics.

Batman: Dark Ages #1(2024)
	Author: Mark Russell Artist: Michael Allred Colorist: Laura Allred Letterer: Dave Sharpe Cover artist: Michael Allred