Alfred Pennyworth’s return inside the pages of Batman vs. Robin #1 (by Mark Waid, Mahmud Asrar, Jordie Bellaire, and Steve Wands) is as a lot trigger for pleasure as it’s skepticism. Nevertheless, by the top of the difficulty, Batman appears to just accept that that is Alfred, and who higher to make that judgment? What must be requested now could be this: How will Alfred’s return have an effect on the established order of the Bat-Household?
For many, it will likely be a purpose to have fun. One member, nevertheless, would possibly discover his return barely inconvenient. As followers of Nightwing will know, he not too long ago inherited an enormous fortune from Alfred, which he used to fund the creation of an enormous homeless shelter, in addition to a complete charity basis in Alfred’s title. If this actually is Alfred, then this might imply Nightwing should give the cash again to its unique proprietor.
Now, this can be a collection of questions one might solely ask inside comedian books. It isn’t day by day {that a} fortune value billions is bequeathed to a beloved surrogate son, just for the fortune’s proprietor to really be raised from the lifeless. Other than the authorized problems with attempting to revive Alfred to a dwelling standing inside correct documentation, there’s additionally the query of what occurred to his liquid property that he held.
Alfred’s fortune comes from cautious funding over time, in addition to a present of gratitude from the Wayne household that went unknown to many up till he died. It was maybe the largest proof of his timeless love for the Wayne household: that he by no means give up being their trusty butler despite the fact that his fortune meant he would by no means should work one other day in his life. Now that he is again although, the query must be requested if, alongside his different authorized holdings, will the cash return to him as properly?
The speedy consequence of such a choice could be to primarily bankrupt Nightwing. The funding for the Alfred Pennyworth Basis would dry up nearly immediately and all of the onerous work Nightwing put into making this place could be gone. On a extra private stage, it will actually power Dick Grayson to get an precise job. Whereas he could also be utilizing this cash for good, it is also extremely probably he is been utilizing it to maintain himself afloat as properly.
Alfred would probably really feel responsible about such a flip of occasions, as he of all individuals might see Nightwing’s carried out a lot good work with the cash that he in any other case left to languish. Which actually begs the query of why Alfred did not do one thing related along with his cash. He could have simply trusted that it will go to somebody who might put it to higher use. Finally, he was proper, but when the cash does go to him, it would power Nightwing to adapt his civilian life to accommodate such a change.