Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Batman #3Alfred Pennyworth. Alfred was the very first ally that Batman ever had and was the only ally Batman planned on having. Without Alfred, there likely wouldn't have been a Batman. Alfred is an indispensable part of Batman's operation, but in the Absolute Universe, Alfred its that he might very well hate Batman.

This shocking confession is seen in Absolute Batman #3 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta, where Alfred narrates: "...I may actually hate Batman." Batman and Alfred haven't exactly gotten off on the best foot in this universe.

While Batman is still the Dark Knight that fans know and love, Alfred is a secret agent who has been sent to gather intel on Batman, and if possible, take him out. Naturally, this mission hasn't made the two as close as they are in the main DC universe. This version of Alfred has never met Bruce Wayne, which spawns an entirely different opinion on Batman, especially considering their different backgrounds and methods.

Alfred Pennyworth Officially its that He Hates Batman in the Absolute Universe

Absolute Batman #3 by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, Frank Martin, and Clayton Cowles

Considering Alfred Pennyworth is a literal spy, Batman making as much noise as possible and letting people know that he exists, ensures that Alfred isn't a fan of Batman. Batman's loud mission and his goal of making a statement - making sure that all criminals in Gotham know that he exists - is entirely antithetical to Alfred's decades of training as a secret agent and a spy. This new relationship is entirely different from what fans are used to seeing with Batman and Alfred.

In the main universe, no one s Batman more than Alfred. He has been there for Bruce Wayne more than anyone else. When Bruce lost his parents, Alfred ended up raising him, practically adopting the boy and becoming his sole guardian. It's no secret that Batman considers Alfred his father. They've had an incredible bond over the years, and it's pretty much never been broken. There have been plenty of times that Alfred has had disagreements with Bruce, but they've always worked it out together.

While Alfred has always loved and ed Bruce Wayne, his feelings towards Batman have been a bit more complicated.

While Alfred has always loved and ed Bruce Wayne, his feelings towards Batman have been a bit more complicated. There are many times that Alfred has itted that he wished Bruce had found a better outlet for his grief instead of being Batman. In fact, when Bruce first started considering getting revenge on Joe Chill back when he was a child, Alfred sent him to the child wing of Arkham Asylum for psychological help. He has also sometimes been presented as being against Bruce deciding to travel the world for the sole purpose of learning how to fight criminals.

Alfred Pennyworth and Batman Have Gotten Off to a Rough Start in the Absolute Universe

But Alfred Might Start to Believe in Batman

Alfred has itted in the past that he believes the Batman mantle to be something of a curse, as well as being highly destructive for Bruce. In Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #60 by Dennis O'Neil and Eduardo Barreto, after Bruce becomes obsessed with finding his lost girlfriend, Alfred resigns on the spot. This story was after Bane broke Batman's back, and Bruce was simply in no condition to be pushing himself so hard. While Alfred has always loved Bruce, he's shown in the past that he's not always willing to put up with the extremes that Bruce goes to as Batman.

This new Absolute version of Alfred never got to know Bruce as a child, so he has no attachment to Bruce whatsoever - at least for now. All he knows about Bruce is how he acts as Batman, and that presents an amazing potential for a new dynamic. Alfred tolerated Batman in the main universe because he cared for Bruce. But Absolute Alfred doesn't know Bruce, which means that Bruce has the chance to truly inspire and convince Alfred of his mission, which seems to be working so far, as Alfred its soon after declaring his hatred of Batman that he may just love Batman, too.

Despite Batman, Alfred Pennyworth Will Always Bruce Wayne

But He's Definitely Iffy On Batman

It'll be interesting to see what an Alfred who never knew Bruce Wayne as a child is like. Batman may impress and inspire Alfred, making him believe that change really can help. It's already been seen earlier, as Alfred comments on how Batman never stops marching forward. Alfred is a cynical man who thinks some things are simply too big to be stopped. Alfred tried to prove this to Batman when he exposed the Ark blacksites, but Batman has never been one to give up. If Batman can shut down the Arks and defeat Black Mask, then Alfred Pennyworth might very well become the first person in the Absolute Universe to truly believe in Batman.

Absolute Batman #3 is available now from DC Comics!