A new piece Batman fan art shows Alfred Pennyworth responding in the sweetest way to Tim Drake's coming out as bisexual. This revelation about Tim happened in Batman: Urban Legends #6, in the third chapter of the "Sum of Our Parts" story. Tim's coming out is the perfect conclusion to his Batman: Urban Legends story, which focuses on him discovering his true self. The news of Tim coming out as bisexual swept across the internet as no past version of Robin has ever been depicted as queer, naturally, the response was big.
Alfred Pennyworth has always been a major part of the Bat-family. Some would say that there is no Batman or Robin without their trusty English butler. During Tom King and Tony Daniel's 2019 "City of Bane" storyline, Alfred was killed by Bane, who broke his neck and left him for dead. Alfred's death came as quite the shock to the Bat-family, who are at a loss without him. Additionally, it must be noted that Alfred has yet to return since he died more than two years ago in real time. That is a very long time for a comic book character to stay dead, especially one as prominent as Alfred.
With Tim Drake coming out as bisexual, the very talented Tumblr user Meruz came up with the perfect and sweetest way to honor Robin's coming out from the eyes of Alfred. Doing what he does best, Alfred irons a bisexual pride flag that presumably belongs to Tim Drake. It's a soft and tender tribute to both characters. Not only does it highlight the love that Alfred had for Tim, but also how sad it is that he isn't there to prepare Tim for the next stage in his life.
Arguably, more than Bruce Wayne, Alfred was the biggest influence in all of the Robins' home lives at Wayne Manor. He had a distinctly deep connection to each of Batman's protégés as he acted as one of their guardians. The artwork feels as if it could have been ripped out of one of Batman: Urban Legends' panels, which makes the fan art all the more impactful and moving. It's a real big shame that something as touching as this will not make it into any Batman-related comics anytime soon while Alfred is still dead.
There have been hints that Alfred has returned as a ghost, thanks to his brief appearances during the new Robin series that follows Damien Wayne. Although it's more than likely that Alfred will return from the dead, it seems that, for now, Batman and Robin's apparitions of Alfred are part of their continued grieving. Nevertheless, it's an exciting time for Tim Drake fans as him being bisexual is officially canon, after many years of speculation. Alfred Pennyworth would be proud. Batman: Urban Legends #6 is available in comic book stores and on digital platforms now.
Source: Meruz via Tumblr