Published Feb 3, 2026, 7:01 AM EST
Robert Wood is a writer and editor based out of Cheshire, England. He is the author of 'The False Elephant: and 99 Other Unreasonably Short Stories' - 100 stories, each told in exactly 100 words.
Rob got into comics via Bendis' Ultimate Spider-Man and the UK anthology 'The Mighty World of Marvel,' which was running Frank Miller's Daredevil, Classic Hulk and Contest of Champions II.
Prior to journalism, he worked in copywriting and copyedited for Oxford University Press. He is on X as @PinchTwigs and Instagram as roobwoodjourno.
In a huge twist to Batman lore, the Dark Knight just met his grandson for the first time. The entire fate of the universe hangs on Bruce Wayne abandoning his latest relative, but can he really force himself to leave his last remaining family behind?
As part of the DC K.O. event, Batman is being hurled between different futures where his various Robins take on the Batman persona. His latest destination is a future where his son Damian Wayne became Batman, and where he just found out he has a grandson.
5 He's Named After Batman's Butler
Batman's grandson was introduced in DC K.O.: Knightfight #3 with the name 'Alfred Wayne.' The choice of name is intended to honor Alfred Pennyworth - the Wayne family butler who ended up becoming a father to Bruce Wayne after the death of his parents.
It's not surprising that Batman's son would name his child after Alfred. Alfred Pennyworth was killed by Bane in 2019's 'City of Bane' arc. Pennyworth knowingly sacrificed himself to allow the Bat-Family to reclaim Gotham, but his plan backfired when Bane snapped his neck in front of Damian, traumatizing the young Robin.
Damian blamed himself for Alfred's death, and it caused a major schism between him and Batman. In past flashforwards to the future, Damian has owned a cat named Alfred. In this version of the future, he gave the name to his son.
4 His Dad Is the Ultimate Version of Batman
A preview of DC K.O.: Knightfight #4 confirms that Damian Wayne is the greatest Batman of all time, and has fully and permanently saved Gotham, to the point his costumed persona is no longer needed.
As Batman explores this future Gotham, he notes that "this is more than a fresh coat of paint over its bleeding wounds. He healed the city... to the point that it no longer needs a Batman." In this potential future, Damian became both a doctor and a vigilante, surpassing Bruce and finally completing his mission to save the city.
As a result, Alfred has grown up in an unrecognizable Gotham - one where the Joker is dead and Batman is a distant memory. He has a very different relationship with the city than perhaps any member of the Wayne family since the line began, and understands Batman's legacy as one of pure, successful heroism.
3 He's Part of a Major Gotham Villain Dynasty
Despite how Damian has changed Gotham, Alfred Wayne is still the latest in the al Ghul family line. Damian is the son of the supervillain Talia al Ghul, who is herself the daughter of the immortal terrorist Ra's al Ghul. So far, fans don't know who Alfred's mother is, but even if she's just a civilian, he's still the culmination of two epic hero and villain dynasties.
Should Alfred make the leap to modern-day Gotham, fans can expect both Talia and Ra's to have a major interest in winning his allegiance (indeed, Ra's might try to steal his body, given his history doing the same to Damian.)
2 He's a Dragon Ball Z Fan (And So Is Batman)
As Bruce spends time with Alfred, the two enjoy a show that's clearly Dragon Ball Z (specifically, episode 274 of the anime, 'Mind Trap.')
This is the latest Dragon Ball reference in a comic from Joshua Williamson and Dan Mora, and thanks to Alfred's fandom, Batman fans now know that the Dark Knight enjoys Goku and Vegeta's adventures. If Alred Wayne grows up to be a hero, fans shouldn't be surprised if his persona includes some Dragon Ball inspirations.
More seriously, in a preview of DC K.O.: Knightfight #4 launched by DC, Bruce admits that his experiences with Alfred may actually be the thing that defeats him. Bruce's journey through these possible futures is part of the competition for Darkseid's former power, and Bruce has to tear himself free to ensure it doesn't fall into the hands of the Joker.
However, after meeting Alfred and spending time with him, Bruce admits, "I'm not sure I want to go home. ... I never thought I'd get to have this kind of life."
1 He's Not Real... Yet
The futures that Batman is passing through are visions created by a new artifact known as the Heart of Apokolips, challenging his strength and will power. However, this new world is different for one reason - unlike the future Batmen before him, Damian Wayne knows he isn't real.
Damian is so smart that he immediately deduced he's a construct living in a world created from Batman's fears and desires. His only argument for Batman not to leave is Alfred, and the chance for Bruce to live out the rest of his life in a false world that's everything he ever wanted.
However, Damian has always been the craftiest and most ambitious member of the Bat-Family. There's no way he'd leave the existence of his world and son to chance - so while he may be trying to tempt Batman, there's also a major chance he's preparing some kind of escape into true reality for Alfred.
So far, Alfred Pennyworth is a possibility created by the Heart of Apokolips, however in comics, no alternate world ever ends up wasted. Fans can expect that DC will find some way or reason to keep Alfred Wayne around, especially because his world is such a crystallization of everything Batman is fighting for.
Not every world in Knightfight is meant to last, but mark our words, Batman's grandson Alfred Wayne will outlive his first appearance.
DC K.O.: Knightfight #4 is coming February 4 from DC Comics.
Created By Bob Kane, Bill Finger
Alias Bruce Wayne
Alliance Justice League, Outsiders, Batman Family
Race Human
Franchise D.C.
English (US) ·