Summary
The Bat-Family is well-acquainted with death, with most of its core members having been killed off and later resurrected at various points in the comics; however, one death stands out for its positive impact onBatmanandNightwing’srelationship. At the same time, though, it begs the question: Was the loss of this family member worth the improvement in the dynamic between Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne?
Alfred Pennyworth’s New Fate in Batman Lore Is So Much Sadder than His Death
One of DC’s most controversial decisions was to kill Alfred Pennyworth in 2018; shockingly, Alfred’s death is less tragic than his new fate in comics.
InNightwing#100, by Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, and Adriano Lucas, Dick and Bruce visitAlfred Pennyworth’s gravetogether. It’s here that the two heroes engage in one of the most heartfelt and emotionally revealing conversations depicted in their shared comic history.
Within this interaction, Dick and Bruce openly acknowledge the strain on their relationship since Alfred’s passing, recognizing his pivotal role as a mediator who maintained open lines of communication between them. However,the mere acknowledgment of this negative impact also underscores a way in which their relationship has improved since Alfred’s death.
Alfred Pennyworth’s Death Made Batman and Nightwing’s Relationship Stronger Than Ever
Alfred’s passing dealt a devastating blow toNightwing and Batman, as he had long been the linchpin holding the Bat-Family together, notably maintaining open lines of communication between Dick and Bruce. In Alfred’s absence, the two heroes found it increasingly difficult to connect, with Bruce openly acknowledging that Alfred often conveyed what he left unsaid to Dick. Consequently,without Alfred, their ability to communicate suffered, leading to strains in their relationship. However, their candid conversation in this scene serves as a testament to their growth in learning to communicate directly, without relying on a middleman like Alfred.
The emotionally charged andcommunicative scene inNightwing#100is proof that Batman and Nightwing have effectively overcome the communication limitation in their dynamic, reaching one of their healthiest points in years. However, this raises the question:was Alfred’s death worth the character growth that both Dick and Bruce experienced?The answer inevitably hinges on each fan’s personal opinion, but it’s undeniable that both Nightwing and Batman would willingly sacrifice their personal growth if it meant having Alfred Pennyworth back in their lives.
How Would Alfred Pennyworth’s Return to the Bat-Family Effect Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne’s Relationship?
Despite DC’s tendency to swiftly revive characters after apparent deaths, it’s been five years since Alfred’s passing, leading fans to speculate whether this might be one of the rare permanent deaths in comics. However, with Taylor’sNightwingrun prominently featuring the lingering presence of Alfred Pennyworth and nearing itsconclusion with theFallen Graysonarc, fans are left to anticipate what’s in store. There’s a hopeful expectation that Taylor will conclude his run with a significant impact, perhaps even bringing Alfred back. If the fan-favorite butler does return, it will be intriguing to see whetherBatmanandNightwingrevert to relying on him for communication or maintain the character growth they’ve undergone.
NIGHTWING #100 (2023)
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
Alfred Pennyworth
Nightwing
Nightwing is the superhero moniker taken up by Dick Grayson, upon his aging out of the Robin role and becoming a superhero of his own. Inspired by the original Kryptonian hero of the same name, Grayson has risen to comic book immortality with the identity, earning respect as one of the greatest leaders in the DC Universe.
