Young Alfred: Pain in the Butler

by Michael Northrop, Sam Lotfi (Illustrator), Kendall Goode (Colorist)

Bruce Wayne wouldn’t be Batman without his righthand man, Alfred Pennyworth. But was Alfred always destined to be the greatest butler in the world? Not exactly…

Alfred Pennyworth wasn’t born to be a butler, despite popular belief. He was made to be one. 

When Alfred attends the prestigious Gotham Servants School, he is a clumsy and nervous boy going to fulfill his father’s last wish—he will become…a butler! Pushed out of his comfort zone, Alfred must adjust to new surroundings and responsibilities while trying to ace his courses and get along with his classmates. But when he suspects that his school may be involved in a criminal plot, Alfred must look within himself to see if he has what it takes to be not only a butler, but a hero.

Want to know how the iconic Gotham butler got his start? From New York Times bestselling writer Michael Northrop (TombQuest) with striking visuals from artist Sam Lotfi comes the story of a scrappy boy who becomes a legend.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Graphic Novels Comics, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Childrens, Dc Comics

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2023

About the author

Michael Northrop is the New York Times bestselling author of 13 books for kids and teens, including the middle-grade adventure series TombQuest and the hit graphic novel Dear Justice League. His first young adult novel, Gentlemen, earned him a Publishers Weekly Flying Start citation, and his second, Trapped, was an Indie Next List selection. His first middle-grade novel, Plunked, was named one of the best children's books of the year by the New York Public Library and was selected for NPR's Backseat Book Club. He is originally from Salisbury, Connecticut, a small town in the foothills of the Berkshire mountains, where he mastered the arts of BB gun shooting, tree climbing, and field goal kicking with only moderate injuries. After graduating from NYU, he worked at Sports Illustrated Kids magazine for 12 years, the last five of those as baseball editor.

Reviews

[Diz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is nice, but the story is a bit light for me.

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited when I saw this one! I just love the DC universe and I love that we aren't focussing on Batman or another superhero (or superbaddie) but instead get a glimpse in someone different, the butler, the most awesome butler of them all, Alfred! We go between the now (with a party/fair, taking care of his boss, and two baddies who are up to no good) to the past (in which he starts butler school and is not really up to it until exciting things happen). It was well-written, a lot of fun, and the art was fab! I loved getting a better glimpse at Alfred and I would like more!

[Justine Cucchi-Dietlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute. I thought the main villains for the flashback part were silly, but I had to remind myself that this is for children and not me, an adult woman who will read anything Batman-related.

[Megan Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was cute. I liked that this one took a look at a main side character throughout the Batman lore and gave him his own story. That’s neat. I liked that. And it was a fun origin story.

[Myrna ♡]

Good concept, good art, just not the best plot progression

[Emmett Spain · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet little story that my seven-year-old enjoyed well enough. Lovely art and production—DC do these kids comics really well.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where did Alfred come from?

This book is here to answer the question of the mysterious butler, who, at least until recent times, didn't have much of a back story accept to assist Bruce in his vendetta on Gotham crime. Which was fine, but it's nice to see how how got his start.

The thing about this comic is the pacing is a little to rushed, seems like just when you are getting used to a chapter and the going on it cuts short a scene, maybe for comedic reasons? or timing constraints?

The only reason I give it a 5 is because it's a great bedtime read story for a 3-year-old obsessed Batman fan. The humor is just good enough for an adult to snicker at the lunacy of it all, but not as advanced that a kid won't laugh along with you. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about my sons favorite butler, so while it has it's flaws it's a fun read and well worth the pick up. Even if it's just for late night bonding and laughs.

[Charessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to DC for providing me an eGalley to review!

This was a pleasure to read. I have always loved Alfred and getting to see his backstory is always welcome. The art style was wonderful as well.

The way the story goes back and forth between the present and the past is an interesting choice, instead of simply doing only the past (AKA an origin story). It helps to answer some of the habits Alfred has picked up and why he does what he does. He wasn't always an amazing butler, in fact he was so very close to being thrown out of butler school, but we are shown how and why he becomes one. To have had his own Arkham adversaries when he was younger makes him the perfect person to take care of Bruce and his secret, too.

As a lifelong Alfred fan, I couldn't stop smiling with this one. I think other fans will enjoy it too.

[akiiKOMORI reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, maybe not canon but still adorable :) I love Alfred!
He's just the best!

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alfred Pennyworth is Bruce Wayne/Batman's seemingly perfect butler. But was he always the calm, collected, super organized man he is now? While Bruce and Alfred prepare for 2 big events (which Joker and Harley Quinn plan to ruin), Alfred reflects on how as a young teen he arrived at Gotham Servants School to fulfill his father's dying wish though he'd much rather be headed to a stage than a butler's pantry. Alfred's first year at Gotham Servant's School was anything but ordinary, and set him on the path that led to being the man he is today.

There are quite a few Batman stories (ok, more than quite a few), but I can't think of one of them that creates a backstory for Alfred. It was enjoyable to dive into the past and go to boarding school for butlering with Alfred and imagine how that could have set him up to be the perfect butler for a superhero. He has quite a rough go of it and things don't come naturally to him (he's also got some things stacked against him), but he overcomes his challenges instead of giving up. I liked his perseverance and showing how getting through hard things can make you stronger for the future. It's an important message for today's tween/teen readers who want the easy way out.

Notes on content:
Language: None that I remember.
Sexual content: None
Violence: There are some battles between good and bad guys but it is more just fisticuffs and no one is seriously hurt. It is kept more kid-friendly since this is aimed at MG/YA.
Ethnic diversity: Alfred's classmates at boarding school come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: Alfred faces some unfair treatment from some teachers but they turn out to be bad guys and get caught

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine a background story of a younger Alfred Pennyworth. Alfred of course is the butler for Bruce Wayne, Batman’s true identity. I like Batman and characters in Batman universe so it was neat to see a side character that there’s a whole story about; and while there’s a lot of stories of sidekicks like Robin and Batgirl, there’s not as many about Alfred himself, the tried and trusted anchor for Batman and his missions.
Here in this comic trade paperback is the story of Alfred Pennyworth as a kid. He goes to Gotham Servants School which is a preparatory school to prepare kids to be a butler. As he adjusts to the school (as a kid would, going to a new place) there is an adventure that arises as Alfred suspects a criminal plot.
I think this story is one that kids can relate to. It is also a story about being in a new environment, that sees friendship being forged and the development of character. I appreciate also the story of rivalry and bullies. I read this to my kids and it was a way for them to still appreciate the world of Gotham and Batman but as a break from the main character of Batman. I do wish DC would do continue this or do similar story telling graphic novel.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

It'd childish, which you expect from a children's graphic, and it's filled with the united colors of Benneton for a cast, which you expect from mainstream comics today, but at least it didn't shove any sex into a story aimed at children, so that's a positive I guess?

Also, there is no reason for an adult to read this, it contradicts every piece of establish lore and adds nothing to the mythos.

As a one-shot for slow children, it's not the worst.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Split timeline, with the bulk of the story taking place in the past, when Alfred was a teen butler trainee, and the present, when he's the Alfred we know. Which may be too bad, because the past story is awfully thin. The mystery gets solved very quickly, almost before what the mystery is has actually been established. Concentrating on one timeline might have allowed the past story to develop more.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a joy to read! The story was fun and adventurous, the art was really, really good and who can't love a story about Alfred Pennyworth? Even if it is marketed towards kids/teens (which shouldn't stop you from reading a book anyway!!) I would give it a read if you like Alfred as a character just as much as I do. Really shows in a simpler and fun light just how Bruce and the manor, and honestly Gotham, wouldn't be the same without him.

[Jade Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

Love batman, and his entire crew. So I was so excited for Alfred to finally get the backstory that he deserves, but was left feeling disappointed. For the father figure of Bruce Wayne I expected much more to be shared, or at the least for the series to be longer. Most of story seemed rushed and lacking depth.

[Antoinette · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad to have gotten an ARC of this from the Book Show. I loved seeing a background of Alfred and how he is resourceful. I always knew he was more than just a butler, but this shows how you can be in a role that you choose and make it what you want.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is how you do a comic for kids. It's a flashback story to when Alfred went away to servant school. It's fun and smart with terrific art by Sam Lofti. Anytime DC makes another one of their comics for kids, they should hand this book to the creators to read first.

[Natalie S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know it's for kids, but even so I was expecting more. The puns were fun, but I had wanted it to be "so bad, it's good", but instead I found it a bit corny. The art was only okay, but I still enjoyed the read.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming even though it is convoluted and the mystery is paper thin, the story succeeds when focusing on the life of supporting player Alfred Pennyworth and his friend.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!!!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as I had hoped, the origin story of Alfred Pennyworth is interesting, informative, and humorous. Kudos! I hope there are more stories of Young Alfred soon.

[Michael Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Young reader graphic tale. Got to see how they changed Alfred from a former MI6 operative to a trained butler from his youth. Nice but not that great.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun backstory of Alfred while the villains felt very much pulled from the Adam West Batman show!

[Fan4infinity · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a cute story that adds a bit of characterization and lore to Alfred as a character but you can tell that it was made for children

[Phoenix Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, easy read.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miss 9 enjoyed this DC comic for kids.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well done and so funny!

[DonutKnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun look into a fledgling Alfred and an insight into a world where an education creates a doorway to greater things. ❤️

[Addie · Rating 3 out of 5]

pure stupidity sometimes but also kinda how my youtube videos be sounding

also its my 100th book logged so I have to be happy with that

[Ember Moto · Rating 4 out of 5]

the story shows Alfred has a young man just begining to learn how to be the butler who would one day raise Bruce and be the indispensable alley to Batman.