10 Messed Up Comic Book Moments Everyone Wishes They Could Unsee

Alfred Pennyworth was the butler, assistant, and all-around aide-de-camp to Bruce Wayne and Batman, and a sounding board and secondary father figure to the entire Bat Family. Although he was rarely called upon to engage in the more physical aspects of their lives, Alfred was an integral part of the overall heroic operation, and used his many skills to aid the Bat Family in more ways than can be listed.

Young Alfred was a bit of a black sheep but he joined the British Army at 18 and fathered a child. After discharge, he found his way to the English stage and played the Globe theatre. Unfortunate events spurred him to take up his father’s place as the butler to the prominent Wayne family. Thanks to shrewd investments by Lucius Fox, Alfred was a billionaire by the time Bruce took in Dick Grayson, but the loyal Pennyworth never considered leaving his post.

In 2020's City of Bane story, Bane, with the assistance of an alternate reality Thomas Wayne, took control of Gotham in Batman’s absence and chased the Bat Family out of the city. To ensure that they stayed away, the villainous powerhouse took Alfred hostage and threatened to kill him if any member of the family entered Gotham. Damian Wayne believed he could best Bane and Thomas, and so infiltrated their stronghold. Quickly captured, Robin was forced to watch as Bane fractured Alfred’s neck with his massive hands.