Warning: incorporates spoilers for Nightwing #89!
Kelex, Superman’s model of Alfred Pennyworth, lately paid a name on Nightwing, confirmed he’s a lot weirder than Batman’s loyal butler in DC Comics. In Nightwing #89, on sale now in print and digital, Superman’s robotic assistant reminds Nightwing of his obligations to each the Man of Metal and Jon Kent—and readers see Kelex is hardly Superman’s “butler” and as a substitute a wealthy, compelling character of his personal.
SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY
Superman has left Earth behind, embarking on a quest to liberate WarWorld from Mongul’s clutches. In his absence, his son Jon Kent has stepped as much as assume his father’s function. Earlier than he left, nonetheless, Superman requested Nightwing to look out for Jon, and be a shoulder for him to lean on. Like many different heroes within the DC Universe, Superman thinks extremely of Nightwing, and asking him to take care of his son reveals the very best degree of belief. Nonetheless, Nightwing has been slack in his duties—by means of no fault of his personal. Utilizing cash left to him by Alfred, Nightwing has opened a basis within the late butler’s honor, designed to deal with long-standing social points in Blüdhaven. Whereas it has made him standard with the folks, it has put him within the crosshairs of the improper form, diverting his consideration away from Jon Kent. Nonetheless, Kelex pops by to remind Nightwing of his obligation. The problem, the primary installment of “World’s Most interesting Sons,” is written by Tom Taylor, illustrated by Bruno Redondo, coloured by Adriano Lucas and lettered by Wes Abbott.
Nightwing and Barbara Gordon are asleep after an extended day. He awakens to seek out Kelex, Superman’s robotic assistant, hovering over the mattress, gently petting Bitewing. Nightwing, shocked awake, instinctively hurls a baton at Kelex, who catches it. Nightwing calls Kelex “Superman’s robotic” to which Kelex retorts that he’s not, and his and Superman’s relationship is more healthy than that. Kelex tells Nightwing that he sought him out as a result of Jon wants assist, greater than Kelex and holograms of his father can present. Nightwing realizes he has uncared for Jon, and instantly heads out to verify on him.
In some ways, Kelex serves as Superman’s model of Alfred. Kelex tends to the Fortress of Solitude, overseeing its upkeep and safety—very like Alfred did at Wayne Manor and the Batcave. Kelex additionally tends to the psychological wellbeing of these round him, together with Jon Kent; solely when Kelex realized he couldn’t assist Jon did he attain out to Nightwing. Alfred served as a confidant for not solely Batman, however generations of Robins as nicely, seeing to their psychological and emotional wants. Alfred was additionally identified for his droll humorousness and Kelex’s quip when Nightwing tossed his baton remembers Alfred’s greatest one-liners. The important thing distinction between the 2 is Kelex, as a consequence of being a robotic, lacks Alfred’s human contact, which might severely affect his means to empathize with Jon Kent, main him to hunt out Nightwing.
Alfred Pennyworth was a key member of Batman’s military, an ethical compass for the remaining to observe. Superman has his personal model of the butler, and Nightwing realized why he’s Alfred’s weirder counterpart.