In Gotham City, Batman and his vast organization of crime-fighters known as the Bat-Family work tirelessly to rid their city of the corruption and evil that lurks just beneath its surface. Complementing the boots on the ground, Batman also receives help in the form of a little voice in his ear that is more often than not parked behind a computer screen that gives him even more assistance and insight in his crime-fighting endeavors. Whether that’s the reassuring voice of the loyal Alfred Pennyworth, his daughter Julia, Lucius Fox, or the newly returned Oracle aka Barbara Gordon, the support staff of the Dark Knight’s war on crime are as invaluable as anyone physically on the streets.

After the events of Joker War, it’s clear that Batman will always need an extra layer of support when he sets out to strike fear into the hearts of criminals, and with the recently deceased Alfred leaving a hole in Batman’s metaphorical armor emotionally, mentally and logistically, a new person must step into the role. Enter Oracle, DC Comics’ resident computer hacker and tech extraordinaire, and from the looks of things, she’s about to become Batman’s new Alfred.

Related: Batgirl Shows Why She's A Better Hero As Oracle

Returning at the end of Joker War, Barbara Gordon stepped away from her iconic role of Batgirl and back into the world of computers as she helped coordinate and manage the entire Bat-Family as they took to the streets to foil Joker’s latest plot. Having served these heroes for decades in the past after the Joker crippled her and left her in a wheelchair, Oracle had always been the guiding voice in their ears when they needed her most. But in post-New 52 continuity, Oracle was left by the wayside when Barbara regained the use of her legs and re-donned the cowl of Batgirl, leaving Alfred to step up and become Batman’s new go-to tech whiz.

I am oracle batman

Over time, Alfred – already a perfect fit for this type of role – became even more ingrained in Batman’s nightly escapades as he acted as a pseudo-Oracle, helping the Bat-Family from his perch in the Batcave. Proving himself to be more than the Bat’s butler and father figure, Alfred was the unbreakable link in the chain that allowed these vigilantes to successfully manage a night out on the town where anything could happen.

For a time after Alfred’s death, committed Batman confidant and producer of most of Batman’s wonderful toys, Lucius Fox, took up this role, only to balk at continuing after the Joker’s new girlfriend, Punchline, dosed him with Joker Toxin and kept him under her thumb. In the aftermath, Lucius was still rattled by the experience and now, with the added stress of dealing with a company that is in all sorts of legal trouble, has decided that he is not fit to continue in Alfred’s role. So with the position yet again vacant at the exact time a confrontation with her brother has pushed Barbara into retiring from costumed vigilantism, Oracle clearly seems to be the next runner-up to fill his shoes.

With Alfred tragically having lost his life to the vengeful wrath of Bane and Lucius Fox nearly driven mad by the Joker’s latest attack, Oracle must pick up the slack and fill a hole in a Bat-Family that would fall apart without her. For all intents and purposes, Oracle is Batman’s new Alfred, and she’s going to make sure that the Bat-Family has all they need to keep the hope alive in a city that needs it now more than ever.

Next: Alfred Understands Joker More Than Batman