Alfred Pennyworth providing comic relief with his sarcastic and cynical attitude which often adds humor to dialogue with Batman. A vital part of the Batman mythos, Alfred was nominated for the Wizard Fan Award for Favorite Supporting Male Character in 1994. In non-comics media, the character has been portrayed by noted actors William Austin, Eric Wilton, Michael Gough, Michael Caine, and Jeremy Irons on film and by Alan Napier, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Ian Abercrombie, David McCallum, and Sean Pertwee on television. The character first appeared in "Batman" #16 (April 1943), by writer Don Cameron and artist Bob Kane. Evidence suggests that Alfred
Battling Butler Battling Butler Battling Butler is a 1926 comedy silent film directed by and starring Buster Keaton. Alfred's father wants him to make a man of himself so sends him off on a hunting and fishing trip. He doesn't catch or shoot anything, but he does fall in love with a mountain girl. When her father and brothers laugh at this they are told that he is Alfred "Battling" Butler, the championship fighter. From there on the masquerade must be maintained. Like Keaton's earlier Seven Chances, the film is an adaption of a stage play. The play was actually called "Battling