Warning: Contains reference to sexual assault.
There are few things in comics that is more certain than Alfred’s unconditional love for Bruce Wayne as the butler/vigilante assistant helps Batman with whatever he needs on a professional as well as personal manner, but The Boys’ version of the fan-favorite butler does not feel the same way about his ‘Batman.’
The Boys is known for creating parody characters poking fun at original Marvel and DC Comics heroes, from Homelander parodying Superman to The Deep mocking Aquaman. One supe from The Boys takes inspiration from two separate Marvel and DC heroes, Batman and Iron Man, though his butler is an obvious play on Batman’s Alfred. While the supe in question shares some striking resemblances to Bruce Wayne, the main difference is his version of Alfred absolutely hates him, and for good reason.
In The Boys #8 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, the butler of the supe Tek Knight abruptly quits with Tek Knight chasing him and pleading for him to return. Tek Knight’s butler, Thomas, refuses to reconsider his resignation because of an incident only hinted at in their on-panel exchange. Based on their conversation, Tek Knight sexually assaulted Thomas by non-consensually engaging with one of the butler’s ears, causing Thomas to be temporarily hard of hearing.
The violent sexual assault Tek Knight inflicted on Thomas is reason enough for the butler to hate the supe’s guts, and he proves it by ruining the Tek Knight’s life immediately after he quits. Thomas contacted a newspaper and told them about the sexual assault he suffered by the hands of Tek Knight while also releasing his former boss’ secret identity to the public. Tek Knight became a pariah after the story was published, rightfully paying for the horrendous crime he committed on his long-time friend and confidant.
The edgy and violent comic series The Boys is no stranger to corrupting fan-favorite comic heroes within their universe by taking otherwise beloved superheroes and twisting them into vile versions of their former selves. With this example, The Boys managed to corrupt one of the most pure relationships in comic book history. Batman and Alfred have something of a father/son relationship and love each other unconditionally within the parameters of said relationship. The idea of Batman doing to Alfred what Tek Knight did to Thomas is a disturbing thought that thankfully (hopefully) will never happen on the pages of a Batman comic.
By releasing his secret identity as well as telling the world about his disgusting crime, Thomas proved that he hated Tek Knight for what he did and took him down as one would dismantle a sworn enemy. The Boys’ version of Alfred hated his ‘Batman’ after he was sexually abused by the ‘hero,’ and proved his hatred by subsequently ruining his life.