The world of Batman has its heart torn out when Bane’s mission to break Bruce Wayne culminated in Alfred Pennyworth’s shocking death. But Bruce Wayne is using that tragedy to build a better Gotham City, and create a new legacy for his beloved butler, partner, and father. In the first pages of the memorial issue Batman: Penyworth R.I.P., fans get a glimpse of how that tribute becomes a reality.

It went without saying that Bane snapping Alfred’s neck in Tom King and Mikel Janín’s Batman #77 would turn out to be a source of controversy among fans. But when his motivations were laid bare for Bruce and the reader, Alfred’s death was downright beautiful… but no less heartbreaking for both fans and the members of the Batman family. The stories of both Batman and Detective Comics have continued to follow their new path in a world without Alfred, but writers James Tynion IV and Peter J. Tomasi are joining forces for the coming memorial issue in Batman: Pennyworth R.I.P., gathering the heroes he helped to raise to immortalize Alfred in the new Gotham City. And DC’s first official preview pages are guaranteed to pull even settled feelings back to the surface.

When Tom King handed the reins of the core Batman book to Tynion, the new changes coming to Batman and Gotham were a major part of the writer’s mission statement. In the first issue those ideas became real, as Batman monitored the construction of a hospital in Alfred’s name (to the world at large, it’s safe to assume Alfred ‘died during Bane’s takeover’). With the first preview pages released for Batman: Pennyworth R.I.P., it appears that place of healing is the new home of a massive statue erected in Alfred’s honor. The whole family is there to see it, as Alfred is immortalized caring for Bruce – and giving him the inspiration to save the entire city. Take a look:

It’s more than a little heartwarming to see what appears to be Bruce, Barbara Gordon, Dick Grayson, Damian Wayne, Tim Drake, and even Jason Todd assembling to pay their respects. A good reminder to get plenty of tissues ready for this R.I.P. special issue, while also giving fans a tease of the other mission unfolding between Kate Kane, Selina Kyle, Cassandra Cain, and Duke Thomas on the other side of town. The full issue will arrive on February 12th, but until then, read on for the full credits and plot synopsis for the issue below.

  • BATMAN: PENNYWORTH R.I.P. Release Date: February 12th, 2020 Written by: James Tynion IV, Peter J. Tomasi Art by: Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreria Cover Art by: Lee Weeks Alfred Pennyworth served the Wayne family for decades-even through the tragic loss of Bruce Wayne’s parents. His death at the hands of Bane is the only event that could possibly compare to that fateful night in Crime Alley, and it leaves Bruce at a similar crossroads. If Alfred was the glue that held the Bat-Family together, how will Batman deal with that all falling apart? And if the Caped Crusader is to be truly alone, he might either hang that cape up once and for all…or double down and carry on with this vengeful quest forever. Batman: Pennyworth R.I.P. #1 celebrates the life of one of the most important people in the history of Gotham City, while also addressing questions about what’s next.

Batman: Pennyworth R.I.P. will be available from your local comic book shop on February 12th, 2020.

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