Though Batman has always been considered a powerless hero, unless you consider being a billionaire a power, the upcoming Batman: Pennyworth R.I.P. #1 one-shot demonstrates that the Caped Crusader does indeed have one: public speaking. After the untimely death of Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne’s trusty butler, at the hands of Bane in writer Tom King’s epic “City of Bane” Batman storyline, the Bat Family is in mourning. Bruce is left to write a captivating eulogy at Alfred’s funeral, as he expresses his sorrow at the loss of a man who’s been the the lone constant in his life.

 Batman: Pennyworth R.I.P. #1 will be written by James Tynion IV and Peter J. Tomasi, who are currently helming the main Batman ongoing series and the iconic Detective Comics, respectively. Tynion IV and Tomasi’s story will illustrate the emotional effect that Alfred’s passing has had on numerous classic characters. The issue features a whole host of artists as well, including Eddy Barrows, Chris Burnham, Sumit Kumar, David Lafuente, Diogenes and Marcio Takara with a cover from Lee Weeks.  Batman: Pennyworth R.I.P. #1 is set to hit comic book shops on February 12.

Bruce Wayne, Barbara Gordon and multiple iterations of Robin are shown grieving from the death of the heart of the Bat Family. Tynion and Tomasi indicate that they wanted to showcase a more somber Bruce that readers could empathize with, a glimpse inside the the mind of the grieving Dark Knight, a side seldom seen of “Master Bruce.”

The writers are also making a point to not just depict the aftermath of Alfred’s death, but to have flashback scenes that pull back the curtain on who Alfred truly was as a person, making this one-shot a celebration of his entire life. Bruce’s beautiful eulogy will only be the start for this heart-rending issue.

While no death in comics is permanent, as readers have long been accustomed to seeing their favorite heroes perishing and resurrecting at the whims of a publisher, it’s still hard not to feel dejected when thinking about Alfred’s death. He feels even more essential to the Bat Family than Bruce Wayne itself and it’s fitting that his passing came in a story as gripping as “City of Bane.” Regardless of how long Alfred will be gone from the pages of Batman and Detective Comics, Batman: Pennyworth R.I.P. #1 is sure to be an emotional affair for all Batman fans.

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