Connect with us
'Pennyworth' #1 scratches that espionage itch
DC

Comic Books

‘Pennyworth’ #1 scratches that espionage itch

Pennyworth the spy makes his DC Comics debut.

Pennyworth is a television show about Batman’s best butler Alfred and the adventures he went on long before he worked for the Wayne family. It’s a show that seemed to make no sense on paper but has been a success. So much so, DC Comics is launching a new seven-issue comics series. From creators Scott Bryan Wilson and Juan Gedeon, this story is a Cold War-era spy drama, but it all connects to Alfred in the modern era too. Expect gritty narration and spy tricks, but also a love story and a threat you won’t see coming.

The tricky thing about spy dramas is there are certain notes the reader and viewer expect. This first issue hits a few of them, not least of which is an opening interrogation on the top of the Eiffel Tower. There are also secret identities, the trouble with speaking languages and their dialects perfectly, and of course punching! For fans of spy dramas, you’ll likely find something here to enjoy.

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!

Heavily narrated by Alfred, Wilson takes us through key aspects of Alfred’s life as a child, but mostly as an agent heavily focused on stopping Russia from committing heinous acts. Wilson puts you inside his head and while the narration can feel overly done, it gets more across than what the art may accomplish in a single issue.

Two things that work very well are how this connects to current events — whatever “current” is in this series, since Alfred is technically dead — and the main threat. Both are great at shocking the reader while supplying plenty of questions. It’s shocking to see what the threat is since it would be a threat modern superheroes should handle and not just a few spies. Both of these are bold storytelling choices that kick up the story quite a bit.

DC Preview: Pennyworth #1

Those handy captions with arrows seemingly disappear after a certain point.
Credit: DC Comics

Gedeon’s art along with John Rauch’s colors do well to flesh out the world around Pennyworth. There’s a cartoony nature to the lines which simplifies the facial expressions, but it also gives Alfred a youthful look in the past. Rauch adds nice details like purples in the sky or hues in the frozen water. Two full-page splashes will resonate and linger with you thanks to the moody atmosphere that plays with shadow and color. Both are threatening in an intriguing way.

Having never watched the Pennyworth show, it’s safe to say there’s enough here for spy aficionados. The story structure leans a bit too heavily on captions, however, which sometimes cover panels far too much and slow the narrative down even when the action is picking up.

'Pennyworth' #1 scratches that espionage itch
‘Pennyworth’ #1 scratches that espionage itch
Pennyworth #1
Having never watched the Pennyworth show, it's safe to say there's enough here for spy aficionados. The story structure leans a bit too heavily on captions, however, which sometimes cover panels far too much and slow the narrative down even when the action is picking up. 
Reader Rating0 Votes
0
Scratches a lot of spy drama itches
Solid art with good use of color and atmosphere
Can get way too heavy on narration with caption boxes filling panels at times
7
Good

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024 WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024

WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024

Pro Wrestling

AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024 AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024

AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024

Pro Wrestling

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024 AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024

Pro Wrestling

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt' Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt'

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in ‘Blood Hunt’

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup