10 Obscure Batman Facts That You Have Probably Never Heard Of
7. In The Original Story He Was Raised By His Uncle
Batman’s origin story is arguably the most famous in all of comic book history. The unforgettably grisly sight of a helpless Bruce, collapsed on the cold ground, as his parents lay dead in front of him, is known to one and all. What is equally well known, is that after the tragedy he was raised by his butler and proxy dad, Alfred Pennyworth.
In one of the earliest versions of the story however, it was not Alfred but rather Bruce’s uncle Philip Wayne who took in the young orphan and helped raise him. Originally, Philip was part of the Earth-One continuity, though subsequent revamps saw his character moved to Earth-Two. He was then erased completely in the aftermath of Crisis on Infinite Earths. Ultimately, he does get re-introduced, but as Philip Kane, Bruce's maternal uncle.
Though he gets very little mention in mainstream discussions, it is worth wondering how different the entire Batman franchise might have looked without Alfred as one of the key pieces. After all, the Waynes’ most loyal servant is so much more than a mere caretaker. He is the one who helps shape the kind of hero Bruce eventually goes on to become.