Warning: this article is chock-full of spoilers for the latest issue of Batman #77
The latest issue of Batman continues the “City of Bane” story arch where Bane has enacted his master plan to take over Gotham City and kill a beloved character. Tom King has decided to make this arch a memorable one when it kicked off with Thomas Wayne, Batman’s dead father from an alternate reality, where Bruce is killed in the ally instead of the Wayne parents, comes to ours to team with Bane. And in this issue, they deal a shocking blow to the Batfamily. To keep all the other superheroes from interfering in their plans, they take the one person hostage that no one is willing to risk, Alfred.
Readers have learned that throughout this series, Bane has caused most of the misfortunes that has happened to Batman in his life. From his failed marriage to Salina Kyle (Catwoman) to the shooting of Dick Grayson (Robin/Nightwing) to alienate the Dark Knight from his closest friends and make him more of a loner. Now with Batman exiled, and half-dead across the world, Bane’s plan is in full effect.
With Batman gone and all the world’s heroes to worried to interfere, Bruce’s arrogant and foolhardy son, Damien Wayne (Robin), decides to take matters into his own hands. Undeterred by Thomas Waynes’ ultimatum, stay out of Gotham or Alfred dies, Robin decides to use his ninja training to sneak into Gotham. He does pretty well and even manages to subdue Gotham-Girl with the Wand of Klarion. It all culminates in a one on one showdown with Damien’s alternate reality grandfather, which he promptly gets his butt handed to him. In his defeat, he can only watch in horror as Bane snaps Alfred’s neck.
While a Damien watches in horror, learning the consequences of his actions, Thomas announces that the loss of Alfred is nothing to worry about since they now have a new hostage in Damien Wayne. The silver lining is Batman appears to be fully recovered from his injuries and ready for a rematch with the deadly duo.
What do you think of this shocking loss to the Batfamily? Do you think it’ll actually stick? Is this beloved character truly gone? Sound off in the comments below!