Comic Title: Batman:The Dark Knight Archives Vol. 4 HC
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2003
On Sale Date: July 23, 2003 Direct Market Date July 30, 2003
Source: Previews, Vol. 13 #5 (#173)

Direct Market Date July 23, 2003
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, July 23, 2003

Cover Price: $49.95
Page Count: 224
Editor: Dale Crain

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "Here Comes Alfred"
Pages: 13

Feature(s):
Batman (of Earth-2)

Writer: Don Cameron
Penciller: Bob Kane
Inker: Jerry Robinson

Reprinted From:
Batman #16 (1943)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in Batman #16; next appearance in Detective Comics #74)

Supporting Character(s)

• Robin (last appearance in Batman #16; next appearance in Detective Comics #74)
• Alfred Beagle (first name only given in this story; first appearance; next appearance in Detective Comics #75)

Villain(s)

• Manual Stiletti (an underworld leader; no further appearances)
• Pablo and Tomas (Stiletti's henchmen; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• The Duke of Dorian (aka Gaston Leduc; no further appearances)

Comments:
Alfred's last name, Beagle, is revealed in the first story of Detective Comics #96.

Synopsis:
Crooks attack a recently arrived passenger from England. Batman and Robin are on hand to fight off the crooks, who manage to escape. The intended victim is an amateur sleuth named Alfred. Later, Alfred arrives at Bruce Wayne's home. Alfred's father Jarvis was Bruce's father's butler. Alfred intends to carry on in the family tradition. Despite Bruce's protests Alfred makes himself comfortable.

That night the crooks return trying to steal Alfred's valise. Batman once again chases away the crooks. While Batman follows them, Alfred accidentally discovers the Bat-Cave and the secret identities of the Dynamic Duo.

Having trailed the thieves to a music hall, Batman and Robin are captured. Alfred also follows and manages to rescue them. Batman then apprehends the crooks, who are after the crown jewels of Dorian. The Duke of Dorian was a passenger on the ship that carried Alfred.

The following evening, Alfred brings Bruce and Dick their uniforms, revealing that he knows their secret identities. Bruce is surprised, but decides to keep the trustworthy man on as his butler.