Summary

• Batman's true weakness lies in his emotional vulnerability, which stems from the trauma of his parents' deaths.
• Despite his physical prowess, Batman can be emotionally manipulated by his enemies, exploiting his aversion to death.
• Alfred demonstrates that even Batman, with all his strengths, can be brought down by triggering his deep emotional scars.

Batman has faced plenty of horrifying villains over the years who have tried to crush his spirit and defeat him in combat. Despite going up against the likes of Ra's al Ghul, the Joker, and Bane, none of these villains has beaten Batman. But after one particular conversation, Alfred decided to show exactly how to bring the terrifying Batman down.

In order to become Batman, Bruce Wayne traveled around the world and learned from the most dangerous people on the planet. Naturally, when Batman returned to Gotham, he felt able to decimate the criminal element with few problems. His own strength and knowledge made Batman dangerously overconfident, and Alfred decided confronted him about his own arrogance in the story "The Butler Did It" by Damon Lindelof and Jeff Lemire from Legends of the Dark Knight #1.

Batman begins bragging to Alfred that he's the best hero because he has no weaknesses. He specifically points out how Green Lantern is weak to the color yellow, and how Batman isn't weak to Kryptonite like Superman is. When Alfred points out that everyone has a vulnerability, Batman challenges Alfred to prove it, which he soon comes to regret.

Writer Damon Lindelof is best known as the creator and showrunner of hit television show Lost.

Alfred Proves That Even Batman Has a Vulnerability

"The Butler Did It" by Damon Lindelof, Jeff Lemire, Jose Villarrubia, and Saida Temofonte from Legends of the Dark Knight #1

Batman often seems utterly unstoppable. Despite having no powers, he regularly goes up against superpowered beings and often wins. These wins have given both fans and, in some cases, Batman the idea that Bruce truly has no weakness and cannot lose. While it's true that Batman doesn't have any specific physical weakness, he does have a vulnerability that can be exploited. The death of Bruce Wayne's parents left a major mark on Batman's psyche: a vulnerable spot that can be easily manipulated, which Alfred shows with surprising cruelty.

While Batman is out on patrol in this story, he comes across a mugger threatening a family. Naturally, Batman immediately swings into action and attacks, only to be surprised when the family also turns out to be criminals. Batman is then violently beaten and left battered and wounded on the concrete. Alfred then appears, collecting his one dollar winnings from Batman's utility belt. While Batman doesn't have a physical weakness, the trauma of his parents' deaths will always be with him, and Alfred expertly shows that with his knowledge that Batman can easily be emotioanlly manipulated into a deadly trap.

Batman's True Weakness Speaks to the Heart of His Character

Batman tries to prepare for every situation, but he still has emotions and can be manipulated by his enemies. Everyone in comics has a weakness, and Batman is no exception. His deep aversion to death means he will immediately leap into action to prevent people from dying — especially strangers. When the danger resembles his own traumatic experience, Batman tends to act before he thinks. While this lesson from Alfred Pennyworth is especially brutal, the Batman from this short story is only six months into his career, and without this reminder of his own weakness, Batman might not have survived as long as he has.

Legends of the Dark Knight #1 is available now from DC Comics!