The Batman's batman: Alfred Pennyworth
Mar. 15th, 2005 10:31 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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watchtower_fansAlfred Pennyworth wasn't always the slim, competent family retainer we know and love. In his earliest appearances (1943), he was a new employee who was not only rotund but a bit of a comic relief character who discovered the Batcave purely by accident. The character's appearance changed in order to match an actor portraying the role in an early film appearance, and gradually he became the Alfred Pennyworth of today: the spiritual descendant of Bunter and Jeeves, a man who is carrying on a tradition of service at Wayne Manor, the most faithful retainer of this most unusual family. As hard as it is to imagine Batman without Robin, it is even harder to imagine Batman without Alfred.
In current continuity, Alfred is a veteran of the British Army as well as an actor, both of which provided the training necessary to become the Dark Knight's aide. He holds several degrees, is a gourmet chef, a skilled medic, a mechanic, and a master of disguise. He has nurtured the young Bruce Wayne after the murder of his parents. He was perhaps the greatest source of comfort for Dick Grayson when the Boy Wonder first came as an orphan to Wayne Manor. He has watched over Jason Todd and Timothy Drake, fretting over each young squire as they join the Dark Knight's crusade against the superstitious, cowardly lot. He is also Batman's gadfly. There are few characters indeed who would dare to speak sharply to Bruce Wayne about his shortcomings, and fewer still who would be heeded.
He's an incredibly intimidating role to play, thanks to his status as an icon. There are fans who will argue the merits of one Robin over another, but how many would want Alfred to be replaced? He is probably the one man in Gotham who can and must get by on less sleep than Bruce Wayne, as he is always working behind the scenes to ensure that both Wayne Manor and the Bat-cave continue to function smoothly.
One of Alfred's first appearances in our RPG was, endearingly enough, at a birthday celebration. How atypical, since there are few times when Alfred will take any time for himself, and I can think of no times when he has ever asked for such a display of affection. But he is indeed loved by the Bat-family, especially by the younger members, for his patience, his insight, his compassion, and his cookies. Perhaps two of the most terrifying scenes we've ever played out involved Alfred mediating a dispute between Batman and Nightwing, and Batman reprimanding Alfred for enabling Tim Drake to resume the mantle of Robin.
If you judge merely in terms of "on camera" appearances, Alfred is one of the least active roles in this RPG. But who truly believes that we are allowed to witness everything he does? Not I, his humble player. I'm only grateful for the opportunity to bring this great comics icon to life, in those moments when he chooses to let himself be seen.
In current continuity, Alfred is a veteran of the British Army as well as an actor, both of which provided the training necessary to become the Dark Knight's aide. He holds several degrees, is a gourmet chef, a skilled medic, a mechanic, and a master of disguise. He has nurtured the young Bruce Wayne after the murder of his parents. He was perhaps the greatest source of comfort for Dick Grayson when the Boy Wonder first came as an orphan to Wayne Manor. He has watched over Jason Todd and Timothy Drake, fretting over each young squire as they join the Dark Knight's crusade against the superstitious, cowardly lot. He is also Batman's gadfly. There are few characters indeed who would dare to speak sharply to Bruce Wayne about his shortcomings, and fewer still who would be heeded.
He's an incredibly intimidating role to play, thanks to his status as an icon. There are fans who will argue the merits of one Robin over another, but how many would want Alfred to be replaced? He is probably the one man in Gotham who can and must get by on less sleep than Bruce Wayne, as he is always working behind the scenes to ensure that both Wayne Manor and the Bat-cave continue to function smoothly.
One of Alfred's first appearances in our RPG was, endearingly enough, at a birthday celebration. How atypical, since there are few times when Alfred will take any time for himself, and I can think of no times when he has ever asked for such a display of affection. But he is indeed loved by the Bat-family, especially by the younger members, for his patience, his insight, his compassion, and his cookies. Perhaps two of the most terrifying scenes we've ever played out involved Alfred mediating a dispute between Batman and Nightwing, and Batman reprimanding Alfred for enabling Tim Drake to resume the mantle of Robin.
If you judge merely in terms of "on camera" appearances, Alfred is one of the least active roles in this RPG. But who truly believes that we are allowed to witness everything he does? Not I, his humble player. I'm only grateful for the opportunity to bring this great comics icon to life, in those moments when he chooses to let himself be seen.
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Date: 2005-03-15 08:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-03-15 09:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-03-18 08:53 pm (UTC)And yeah - that scene was nervewracking - and the conclusion totally unexpected! I love it when it works out that way *grins*