He was instrumental in the 1966 picture, aiding Bruce Wayne as he took on his four famous foes: the Penguin, the Joker, Catwoman and the Riddler. Napier was the first to be cast in the television series despite having no previous awareness of the famed DC superhero, and he added his own playful touch to Alfred that was prevalent in both the show and film. Throughout the show, Alfred would sometimes go undercover to assist Batman and Robin, even donning a mask and driving the iconic Batmobile to help in their missions. Sharing his vast knowledge with the Caped Crusader in everything from cuisines to mechanics, Napier's Alfred is a dapper gentleman who operates discreetly for "Master Bruce", doing so with charm and poise. And what Bruce Wayne will do to Bane when he finds out what he's done.and that his hands are now wrapped around the neck of Bruce's son.Reprising his role as the kind and faithful butler from the live-action '60s series, Alan Napier portrayed Alfred Pennyworth in the first full-length theatrical adaptation of the enduring comic book character. Which means Batman fans must now wonder what the comic book version of Gotham will be without Alfred playing his usual role. As always fans will hold a sliver of hope that Alfred isn't really dead… but given Bane's mission to destroy Batman thus far, and the issue concluding with Damian becoming the next to be murdered should a Bat-hero show their face, it seems like a long shot. The heartbreaking murder of Alfred has caused DC Comics to actually sell out the distributor, with fans clamoring to get their own copy of Batman #77. Damian is in an even more intense state of shock than fans will be, but there's no getting around it: Bane promised to kill Alfred if Batman's family couldn't stay out of Gotham, and Damian finally realized there are some villains you shouldn't mess with. Thankfully the act itself isn't drawn out, with a single image showing Alfred tied to a chair, and Bane's massive hands snapping his neck. There are almost no words to describe the scene Damian wakes up to witness, Thomas voicing his regret that their word must be kept, and Alfred Pennyworth urges not to have this done in front of the boy. Which is bad news for Damian… and even worse news for Alfred. Bane and Thomas had very different reasons for breaking Bruce, but one thing they both have in common is that they are men of their word. And as Damian loses consciousness, his grandfather asks if he knows what must what happen. But while scoring some points against Thomas for betraying this universe's Bruce (pointing out Thomas couldn't save his own wife, let his entire universe die, etc.), it is Thomas who wins their fight. It's an entertaining fight, with Thomas Wayne as stoic as ever now that he's finally met his grandson-seemingly knowing exactly what kind of son the Batman would raise. And no villain will ever be as interesting to Damian as the odd Batman of another world who managed to beat his unbeatable father. Unfortunately for everything be involved… this is Damian Wayne we're talking about. If they try anything, Alfred dies-it's the perfect move for Bane to make, like so many before that led to this very victory. At least that's how Tim described the situation to Damian when trying to talk him down in Batman #76. Heroes like Tim Drake, Damian Wayne, and Barbara Gordon may be able to evacuate the city in a matter of minutes, but Bane and Thomas claimed the one hostage that a Bat hero simply couldn't endganger. The promise? If a Bat appears in Gotham, Alfred dies. One relayed to Damian by Tim Drake… who promptly ignores it to attack Thomas the first chance he gets. Tracking down the villains who are trying to evade service to Bane isn't all that different from Thomas's normal patrols, with one key difference: "villains go down, heroes go out." But for the members of the Batman Family who might be tempted to infiltrate the city, Thomas and Bane have made a very different promise. Now, Thomas has returned to act as the Batman of Gotham City completely subservient to Bane's venom-fueled command. RELATED: When Batman Dies, He Chooses SPOILER to Replace Him Bruce's father had his reasons, taking the vanquished Batman and Martha Wayne's body into the desert to force a family reunion (which Bruce luckily foiled). In the dark knight's defense, Bane may not have been able to pull it off without help from Thomas Wayne, the Flashpoint Batman now transplanted into the main DC Universe. Fans don't need to go back and read every issue to catch up, but accept that… Bane truly defeated Batman. Once fans hear what has transpired in the pages of Batman #77 they are going to want every detail, no matter how grim, leading up to the fateful page.
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