What do you think?
Rate this book
Pennyworth #1-7
Pennyworth Volume 1
Alfred's pre-Gotham spy past revealed! Based on the television series, this comic details the Cold War-era adventures of the man who would become Batman's most trusted ally.
Spanning the years between the hit TV show and today, Pennyworth tells the continuing adventures of Alfred Pennyworth as an MI6 counterintelligence agent--this time in Cold War-era Soviet Russia.
When Alfred and his partner receive intelligence that nuclear weapons are being manufactured near the Arctic Circle, they're off to infiltrate the remote military base to learn more. But things don't go exactly as planned, and the ramifications of this mission may be more far-reaching than anyone could have guessed, as our present-day butler gets dragged back into his past...
As Alfred discovers threats more terrifying than anything he's ever faced he realizes that in the end, he may prefer violence and danger to that most famous of all foes: a broken heart.
This volume collects Pennyworth #1-7.
Spanning the years between the hit TV show and today, Pennyworth tells the continuing adventures of Alfred Pennyworth as an MI6 counterintelligence agent--this time in Cold War-era Soviet Russia.
When Alfred and his partner receive intelligence that nuclear weapons are being manufactured near the Arctic Circle, they're off to infiltrate the remote military base to learn more. But things don't go exactly as planned, and the ramifications of this mission may be more far-reaching than anyone could have guessed, as our present-day butler gets dragged back into his past...
As Alfred discovers threats more terrifying than anything he's ever faced he realizes that in the end, he may prefer violence and danger to that most famous of all foes: a broken heart.
This volume collects Pennyworth #1-7.
152 pages, Paperback
First published August 10, 2021
6 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Scott Bryan Wilson
48 books10 followersScott Bryan Wilson is the writer of TRVE KVLT and KILL MORE (both IDW Originals) and THE LEFT-HAND PATH and THREE DAYS TO DEATH IS HERE (both Dead Sky), as well as Pennyworth, Batman Annual, and Batman: Gotham Nights (DC), Savage Tales, Elvira, and Altered Carbon: One Life One Death (Dynamite), Star Trek: Waypoint (IDW), Shadowman (Valiant), and many other comic books and short stories.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 2, 2024
Young Alfred 🫦
3.25/5
3.25/5
July 30, 2022
I'm as surprised as you will be to hear that the Pennyworth TV show is actually pretty damn good. It's nothing like what you'd expect, but it's a sweeping story full of eclectic and eccentric characters that you'll have a hard time disliking. Plus it has Paloma Faith murdering people which is always a joy to see.
This tie-in comic however is a bit more spy thriller and a bit less whatever magic the TV show has captured for the last two seasons on TV. As a result, it loses a little bit of the shine, and becomes a middle of the road comic book. It's fine, but I doubt it's going to entice anyone to watch the show, nor give them an accurate portrayal of what to expect.
Also, it dithers, which is never a good sign. I know Alfred's English, but he's not a ditherer, and this series takes seven issues to tell a story that you could probably have covered in three. There's a framing sequence that moves along at a glacial pace in each issue, and I'm sure we spend more time recapping what happened last time than actually progressing during the actual story. It's like watching a filler arc of an anime at times, and I did find myself saying "Will you get to the bloody point?"
Juan Gedeon's artwork is also serviceable, but nowhere near as good as I've seen it before. Maybe it's because he doesn't have a lot to work with, and there's only so many bland container ships he can draw without falling asleep.
There are worse comics out there, for sure, but this one does itself a disservice by not living up to the source material. If you want a good reason to watch Pennyworth, then hopefully my word is enough, because this comic is likely not going to be it on its own.
This tie-in comic however is a bit more spy thriller and a bit less whatever magic the TV show has captured for the last two seasons on TV. As a result, it loses a little bit of the shine, and becomes a middle of the road comic book. It's fine, but I doubt it's going to entice anyone to watch the show, nor give them an accurate portrayal of what to expect.
Also, it dithers, which is never a good sign. I know Alfred's English, but he's not a ditherer, and this series takes seven issues to tell a story that you could probably have covered in three. There's a framing sequence that moves along at a glacial pace in each issue, and I'm sure we spend more time recapping what happened last time than actually progressing during the actual story. It's like watching a filler arc of an anime at times, and I did find myself saying "Will you get to the bloody point?"
Juan Gedeon's artwork is also serviceable, but nowhere near as good as I've seen it before. Maybe it's because he doesn't have a lot to work with, and there's only so many bland container ships he can draw without falling asleep.
There are worse comics out there, for sure, but this one does itself a disservice by not living up to the source material. If you want a good reason to watch Pennyworth, then hopefully my word is enough, because this comic is likely not going to be it on its own.
October 24, 2022
3.5 rounded up to a 4. I love alfred and I think this did a good job on his characterization. The art style changing depending on the era the comic was exploring was a very smart decision. It was visually stunning and I loved the callback to 60's era comics. I have a lot of thoughts on DC and how they treat issues abroad (depictions of middle eastern people in death in the family and how they treated russians in this run). Overall, if you loved the pennyworth show or are interested in alfred as a character I think it is worth a read.
March 25, 2025
I decided to give this one a read on a recommendation from my husband as he is the bigger DC fan between us (I'd like to explore more DC and asked him for suggestions and this was among his first). I'm very glad that I did, this was a fun read!
The story makes for a fun spy thriller with familiar faces like Alfred. I enjoyed the twists and turns it took. I did wish the ending was a little more fleshed out, but overall very enjoyable. It also has enjoyable and consistent art throughout.
Glad I gave this a read. It's solid fun for anyone looking for some good standalone DC material.
The story makes for a fun spy thriller with familiar faces like Alfred. I enjoyed the twists and turns it took. I did wish the ending was a little more fleshed out, but overall very enjoyable. It also has enjoyable and consistent art throughout.
Glad I gave this a read. It's solid fun for anyone looking for some good standalone DC material.
August 12, 2021
Not the most well know name in the comic world, at least wasn't for me, Scott Bryan Wilson enter through a massive door in my life with nothing less than a series on Alfred Pennyworth himself! Woahh! That was good. I like the style it has, there is so much potential in term of story here. We surfing in a couple of timeline so it's unclear which will come dominant or where this will go, but there is a lot of space for it to growth and we a character like that and a long overdue backstory series, I'm totally in and existed to see what will happen next!!
August 3, 2022
Im Auftrag Ihrer Majestät
Fazit:Agenten-Thriller, der stark startet, aber leider schwach endet. Gesamt: 3/5
Inhalt: Autor Scott Wilson verknüpft in "Pennyworth" drei Zeitebenen miteinander. In der fernen Vergangenheit bekommt der junge Alfred nicht nur das Butlerdasein, sondern insgeheim auch Agententechniken gelehrt. Der Vater arbeitet im Haushalt der Penroses, deren Familienoberhaupt zugleich britischer Finanzminister ist. Hier bekommt der Teenager seine künftige Karriere bereits in die Wiege gelegt. In der nicht ganz so fernen Vergangenheit jagen Alfred und Shirley (Tochter von Mr. Penrose und ebenfalls MI6-Agentin) den sowjetischen Wissenschaftler Dr. Sobieski und entdecken dabei ein finsteres Experiment, welches aus Menschen unnachgiebige Kampfmaschinen macht, die aus ihren Armen Waffen formen können. Doch dies soll für Alfred nicht das einzige düstere Geheimnis sein, welches sich lüftet...In der Gegenwart wird Bruce Waynes Butler entführt und sieht sich plötzlich nicht nur mit Personen aus der Vergangenheit, sondern auch noch mit KGBeast konfrontiert...
Bewertung: "Pennyworth" ist Agenten-Thriller und gleichzeitig Lebensgeschichte. Für den Leser dürfte es äußerst spannend sein zu sehen, was Alfred vor seiner bekannten Anstellung bei Bruce Wayne gemacht hat. MI6-Agent passt äußerst gut zum zähen und mutigen Butler, den wir alle zur Genüge kennen. Auch als Agent tritt er überzeugt, einfallsreich und geschickt auf. Das trifft auch auf seine Kollegin und große Liebe Shirley zu. Es war angenehm zu beschauen, wie der sonst häufig einsame Alfred im Duett auftritt und Glück ausstrahlt. Die Jugend mit Pennyworth Senior im Haus der Penroses ist eine tolle Idee und lässt einen noch besser begreifen, wie der Protagonist zu dem allzeit bereiten Butler geworden ist. Was mir persönlich weniger gefallen hat, war die Auswahl der Antagonisten. Vielleicht schafft die "Pennworth"-Serie hier Abhilfe, aber im Comic sind alle Schurken langweilig geblieben. Der Millionste böse Sowjetwissenschaftler ist nicht gerade einfallsreich und KGBeast wurde am Ende nur eingefügt um Batman-Fans Futter zu geben. Bitte nicht falsch verstehen: Ich habe mich gefreut KGBeast wieder zu sehen, aber eingegriffen ins Geschehen hat er leider (fast) gar nicht. Vielleicht auch besser so, denn das Ende war wirklich nicht gut. Alles ging schnell und abrupt der Ziellinie entgegen und vorherige Handlungsstränge wurden quasi recycelt. Hier wäre mehr drin gewesen. Was mir schon wieder deutlich mehr zusagte war der Zeichenstil. Der hat gut zum Geschehen gepasst. Zum Einen das etwas fröhlichere bunte Design in den Jugendjahren und zum Anderen das finstere realistischere Antlitz in der Gegenwart. In allen Zeitebenen macht Alfred eine gute Figur und die Bilder transferieren die Stimmung ansprechend.
Fazit:Agenten-Thriller, der stark startet, aber leider schwach endet. Gesamt: 3/5
August 18, 2021
I didn't care for Pennyworth's backstory but this was a good read!
September 16, 2023
Despite the common misconception, no, this is not related to the (highly unnecessary) TV series of the same name. It is meant to take place in the normal comics continuity, but was of course commissioned to capitalize on the existence of the show. The mainline continuity is referenced multiple times (specifically events from post-Crisis continuity, oddly enough). Though this story does directly conflict with Alfred's backstory shown in "Regnum Defende".
In any case, none of that really matters, because Alfred is Alfred, more or less, in any universe, and he is easily my favorite Batman character. So I was very happy to see he got his own miniseries, even under the circumstances of being nominally related to the lame TV series. Frankly I expected it to be pretty lame itself, but I was pleasantly surprised. Both on an art and story level, I really enjoyed this. It's almost an expanded remake of "Regnum Defende", with a very similar core plot involving Soviet supersoldiers. But with the extended pagecount of course comes a much deeper and intimate exploration of what makes Alfred tick, and how he acquired the skills that would lead him to becoming the guardian angel for a certain wealthy vigilante. It's not a happy story, but it is a fun one. That's a hard tone to strike, but broth writer and artist accomplish it deftly in the tradition of James Bond. In fact, you could rename this a 007 book, and it wouldn't be far off. Still, it's the little Alfred-specific details, like the intersection between his butler, actor, and spy skills that really make this plate shine. Action, romance, intrigue, betrayal. This story has everything you'd want from a Cold War spy thriller starring Earth's mightiest butler, and is a great amalgamation of all the little details we've gleaned over the years about Alfred's past life.
In any case, none of that really matters, because Alfred is Alfred, more or less, in any universe, and he is easily my favorite Batman character. So I was very happy to see he got his own miniseries, even under the circumstances of being nominally related to the lame TV series. Frankly I expected it to be pretty lame itself, but I was pleasantly surprised. Both on an art and story level, I really enjoyed this. It's almost an expanded remake of "Regnum Defende", with a very similar core plot involving Soviet supersoldiers. But with the extended pagecount of course comes a much deeper and intimate exploration of what makes Alfred tick, and how he acquired the skills that would lead him to becoming the guardian angel for a certain wealthy vigilante. It's not a happy story, but it is a fun one. That's a hard tone to strike, but broth writer and artist accomplish it deftly in the tradition of James Bond. In fact, you could rename this a 007 book, and it wouldn't be far off. Still, it's the little Alfred-specific details, like the intersection between his butler, actor, and spy skills that really make this plate shine. Action, romance, intrigue, betrayal. This story has everything you'd want from a Cold War spy thriller starring Earth's mightiest butler, and is a great amalgamation of all the little details we've gleaned over the years about Alfred's past life.
October 22, 2023
Scott Bryan Wilson napisao je pristojan dodatak seriji PENNYWORTH koji bi trebalo da posluži kao stripski tie-in za televizijsku seriju. Međutim, počev od Scott Bryan Wilsona preko crtača Juana Gedeona, ovde postoji jedan ozbiljan problem. Naime, koliko god da je ovo jedna fina hladnoratovska priča, nacrtana sa nešto truda, možda čak i dosta ali bez naročito inspiracije - naročito kad je reč o izgledu glavnog junaka, sama direkcija je pogrešna.
Krenuo bih an sich u ono što je nedostatak stripa pre nego što dođem do fur mich nedostatka s tim što moram da naglasim kako će taj fur mich nedostatak ipak biti fundamentalni.
Naime, PENNYWORTH u onome što su temeljne vrednosti stripa ima problem - glavni junak ne izgleda upečatljivo, nažalost na stranicama stripa nije dovoljno dobar i kako ovde ima bondoliku sudbinu, podseća me na Dynamiteove stripove o agentu 007 - radila ih je elita, jedino Bond nije dobio neki konzistentan i prihvatljiv izgled. Stripovska stilizacija u samoj seriji je mnogo "stripičnija" od onoga čime se bave autori ovde, a to naročito važi za vizuelni element.
Sama priča je jedna relativno rutinska ali zanimljiva hladnoratovska zgoda u kojoj Alfred Pennyworth susreće KGBov proces stvaranja mutanata ubica, i od DC likova koje znamo sreće recimo KGBeasta.
Ipak, suštinski problem za mene bilo je to što serija nije prepoznala ono što je u samoj seriji postalo belodano u drugoj sezoni. Ovo je alanmurovski ugođaj prepun alternativne istorije i u domenu politike i tehnike i popularne kulture, a toga u PENNYWORTHu nema. Štaviše, on ima jednostavnost i jednosmernost nekog stripa koji čitaju neki žandari-batinaši u V FOR VENDETTA. Nisu nažalost iskorišćeni mnogi aspekti alternativne istorije i to je šteta jer sam ja u tome video prostor za dalje stripsko produbljivanje a serija je u tome išla daleko već od prve sezone.
PENNYWORTH strip je baš za najzagriženije fanove. Ostali u njemu nemaju šta da nađu.
Krenuo bih an sich u ono što je nedostatak stripa pre nego što dođem do fur mich nedostatka s tim što moram da naglasim kako će taj fur mich nedostatak ipak biti fundamentalni.
Naime, PENNYWORTH u onome što su temeljne vrednosti stripa ima problem - glavni junak ne izgleda upečatljivo, nažalost na stranicama stripa nije dovoljno dobar i kako ovde ima bondoliku sudbinu, podseća me na Dynamiteove stripove o agentu 007 - radila ih je elita, jedino Bond nije dobio neki konzistentan i prihvatljiv izgled. Stripovska stilizacija u samoj seriji je mnogo "stripičnija" od onoga čime se bave autori ovde, a to naročito važi za vizuelni element.
Sama priča je jedna relativno rutinska ali zanimljiva hladnoratovska zgoda u kojoj Alfred Pennyworth susreće KGBov proces stvaranja mutanata ubica, i od DC likova koje znamo sreće recimo KGBeasta.
Ipak, suštinski problem za mene bilo je to što serija nije prepoznala ono što je u samoj seriji postalo belodano u drugoj sezoni. Ovo je alanmurovski ugođaj prepun alternativne istorije i u domenu politike i tehnike i popularne kulture, a toga u PENNYWORTHu nema. Štaviše, on ima jednostavnost i jednosmernost nekog stripa koji čitaju neki žandari-batinaši u V FOR VENDETTA. Nisu nažalost iskorišćeni mnogi aspekti alternativne istorije i to je šteta jer sam ja u tome video prostor za dalje stripsko produbljivanje a serija je u tome išla daleko već od prve sezone.
PENNYWORTH strip je baš za najzagriženije fanove. Ostali u njemu nemaju šta da nađu.
September 4, 2025
I was expecting adventures in Butlery.... I feel ripped off.
This book details Alfred's MI5 past and shows us that he was basically James Bond at one point. He infiltrates secret lairs, he has cool gadgets, he beats up bad guys... Scott Bryan Wilson, who wrote this, really takes advantage of Alfred's past and makes it as cool as possible. Sure there are hints of things to come here and there but really, this is a spy thriller, complete with a betrayal, and femme fatale...Also, the story flashes back and forth between the present and past, showing us Alfred in a dire situation for each time period, situations which appear to be related...
The art is also really solid. With a realistic pencil, Juan Gedeon's style was perfect for this book. It really does feel like a 60's adventure comic due to the artwork.
I didn't expect to like this as much as I did. I would definitely recommend it to people who like more spy/thriller stories in their comics.
This book details Alfred's MI5 past and shows us that he was basically James Bond at one point. He infiltrates secret lairs, he has cool gadgets, he beats up bad guys... Scott Bryan Wilson, who wrote this, really takes advantage of Alfred's past and makes it as cool as possible. Sure there are hints of things to come here and there but really, this is a spy thriller, complete with a betrayal, and femme fatale...Also, the story flashes back and forth between the present and past, showing us Alfred in a dire situation for each time period, situations which appear to be related...
The art is also really solid. With a realistic pencil, Juan Gedeon's style was perfect for this book. It really does feel like a 60's adventure comic due to the artwork.
I didn't expect to like this as much as I did. I would definitely recommend it to people who like more spy/thriller stories in their comics.
August 21, 2022
Really loved this book. The morse code, Alfred’s narrator voice having its own speech bubbles over the scene providing his opinion, the linework, the colors, the witty repartee and chemistry between Alfred and his co-spy, and the big twist at the end of chapter 1 — all super great. Some of the later twists I could see coming, many I could not. The most magnificent twist is at the end — it really wraps everything up.
Unlike another reviewer, I couldn’t get past two episodes of Pennyworth — where the TV show was dull and flat in color, I found everything about the comic quite charming and vibrant. I consumed this comic in like one hour haha, I just had to see what was going to come next!! Planning on an eventual reread.
Unlike another reviewer, I couldn’t get past two episodes of Pennyworth — where the TV show was dull and flat in color, I found everything about the comic quite charming and vibrant. I consumed this comic in like one hour haha, I just had to see what was going to come next!! Planning on an eventual reread.
August 12, 2022
This was abysmal. Author, Scott Bryan Wilson wasn't sure what kind of tone he wanted here. It seems like he tried to have a James Bond book in the DCU. It was billed as more of a continuation of the Pennyworth show. The show, which is amazing, has style and heart. This was insanely bad. It for some reason takes place in the regular DCU so we get super-villains for no reason. Plot holes for days. This was embarrassingly bad. The art was so-so at best. Overall, a complete misfire that I'm glad I borrowed from the library instead of buying.
January 26, 2023
Wow. This is a fun little romp that follows Alfy (Alfred Pennyworth) from the 1st(?) season of 'Pennyworth'. It's before things went batsH*% crazy on the tv show and they added metahumans and a UK civil war into it.
Maybe this just a glimpse of the Wayne family butler's previous life in the espionage world? It would still fit into the DC universe as it stands.
----------
If you like Batman stories AND you like MI5/James Bond action adventures, then this is something you should check out.
Bonus: Dave-Boy is fun, no matter the context
Maybe this just a glimpse of the Wayne family butler's previous life in the espionage world? It would still fit into the DC universe as it stands.
----------
If you like Batman stories AND you like MI5/James Bond action adventures, then this is something you should check out.
Bonus: Dave-Boy is fun, no matter the context
June 25, 2022
Starts strong then kind of stumbles over the finish line. There's a lot to like here but there is also a tricky balance that Wilson and Gedeon are trying to pull off, resonating with the Alfred of the PENNYWORTH television series yet keeping it anchored in the DC Batman universe, that I don't think they fully succeed at. Still, it's entertaining and inventive and I am 100% down if DC and the creative team want to give us more adventures with Alfred in this vein.
December 29, 2022
The Pennyworth television show is excellent, with its vision of a 1950s-era Great Britain under attack by fascism and such characters as Captain Blighty and Bet Sykes, as well as a much younger "Alfie" fighting against the forces that would subjugate his precious England. But this comic version contains none of the offbeat magic of the show. In fact, it's quite dull and builds to one of the strangest non-endings I've read in quite some time.
March 26, 2022
If you're a fan of the show, this ain't that. I question if this writer has even seen the show. But as an Alfred Pennyworth tale there are some fun notes between the terrible art. In the same way the current Joker series is really a James Gordon story, you feel like they're trying to hide something when it might have been just as good on it's own.
November 2, 2022
A story from Alfred (Batman's butler) Pennyworth's past as a member of British Intelligence. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this wasn't quite it. The story is told in three timelines: the present, his MI6 days, and his childhood, with it all connecting in an entertaining story. An implausible story/plot, but entertaining none the less.
August 13, 2022
Alfred gets his own comic from when he was a spy in his younger years. It's not half bad either although the back end could have used some tighter writing. I did like how they tied it all together into KGBeast's history.
August 31, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up
I liked this more than I expected to based on reading some of the reviews on here. Can't say it'll make me watch the show, but I did like this volume. I'd probably try the next one too.
I liked this more than I expected to based on reading some of the reviews on here. Can't say it'll make me watch the show, but I did like this volume. I'd probably try the next one too.
February 24, 2023
This is peripherally about Alfred's life in Gotham - it's mostly about his time before as a spy, and heavily utilizes both flashbacks and flashbacks-within-flashbacks. It's kind of a generic spy thriller that happens to be about an iconic character.
September 22, 2022
Well done enough that superheroes are incidental to character, a rare feat in such work.
December 27, 2022
3.5.
Fun spy tale. The cover shows the TV Pennyworth but they don’t seem connected. In an attempt to be smart and not obvious it gets a bit muddled at times.
Fun spy tale. The cover shows the TV Pennyworth but they don’t seem connected. In an attempt to be smart and not obvious it gets a bit muddled at times.
March 18, 2023
007 vibes. Will continue the series.
May 3, 2024
Mostly fun. Ending was a bit daft.
August 11, 2021
This is so exciting! As a fan of the television series, I've always been curious of Alfie's history. Can't wait for the next issue to see Dave Boy come to the rescue! Fingers crossed we will see Bazza in the flashbacks as well.
August 20, 2021
Strong enough to keep me going but not quite enough for me to reach out to friends about it.
March 4, 2022
Not quite as exciting as the TV series.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews