Death of the Family ENDING Speculation

[JasonTodd428]

Damian would be able keep him anchored if he lost Alfred, but even Alfred couldn't do much if Batman lost his own son.

It would be the Jason Todd scenario all over again only made worse by the fact that Damian is actually his child. I could see that happening however I don't think Damian is the one who is going to "die" or at least not literally. I'm still betting the "death" involved is more metaphorical than literal but we'll see.

Also there is no way in h*** that Alfred is the Joker. That's a completely bogus idea IMHO.

[The Nuke]

I highly doubt they'll kill Damian in Snyders comic when he's still a central character in Morrison's. That would just be retarded. Plus confuse people. In theorgy Inc is still part of the old continuity. It was more than likely only changed up a little to fit with the new 52 in order not to confuse the new readers.

[doordoor123]

Writers have expressed how the Batfamily will be different after this event and things will change. From the solicitations, it is hard to tell what exactly it is that changes. It must be something minimal because if it weren't it would be more apparent.
What do you think the change will be after DOTF is finished next month?

My theory:
After Batman was electrocuted in this past issue, he will forget who he is and what he stands for. He will forget those closest to him. If that were the case he might not even mourn the death of Alfred if he died -- because he wouldn't remember him. That will lead Batman to the most recent solicitation where he is using a gun (because he doesn't have the same morals as he did).

[theDarkJAww13]

I could see ^ that happening. It could be kind of cool, giving Batman a memory-wipe (cliched and done to death, but cool) - which would allow him to branch off from the Bat-Family and go in a new, different direction.

Anyways, don't know if it's been mentioned yet but who else thinks it's going to be Alfred's face on the dinner platter Joker's been carrying around (in Batman & Batgirl)?

[Charlus]

Hey guys! Long time reader, first time poster.

I've joined the site specifically to comment on this Joker/Alfred theory, because I think it's 100% true. I've been a Batman fan since I was 2 years old (I'm 26 now), and after being the fanatic that I am, I've pretty much reached this same conclusion on my own, separately.

First of all, consider this (some of these points have already been given):

- I firmly believe that the "Joker" in Death of the Family is NOT THE Joker. Someone else is wearing his face. I'm 100% convinced. There has been zero reason given as to why Joker cut off his own face, so we are waiting for that specific explanation. Why he cut his own face off is a mystery yet to be solved. Secondly, if you notice these alternate covers, the Joker's "Mask" face is worn on top of everyone's face like a mask (i.e., Batman is wearing Joker's face, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, etc.). Everyone in the Bat-Family is wearing his face on these covers except for Alfred.

- There are two Jokers in a deck of playing cards.

- Alfred has a background in acting. We know he studied Shakespeare, and had a part in Macbeth.
- Joker can't stop referring to Shakespearean archetypes, referring to himself as Batman's "Court Jester".

- The Joker is tall, skinny, and lanky.
- Alfred is tall, skinny, and lanky.

I am 100% convinced that Batman will kill The Joker in front of the entire family, only to discover that "The Joker" is actually Alfred, thus, Batman kills Alfred. The REAL Joker reveals himself in Arkham, and The REAL Joker's plot was to make Batman kill Alfred - thus, "killing" the entire family.

I'd put money on this.

I think it was in Batman & Robin 15 that the Joker refers to himself as the only one who has ever made Batman laugh (in obvious reference to the Killing Joke). I don´t believe Alfred could´ve known that.

[Charlus]

Hey Eckhart, thing about the future.

Nice!

[destro]

Here is the problem with killing Damien. How are you ever going to sell the idea of Batman having another Robin if Damien is killed? His own son killed while playing Robin... It was bad enough that he continued on with new Robins after Jason's supposed death, but if his own flesh and blood died wearing the suit I just don't see how they could sell Batman allowing anyone else to take up the role. And we already know that DC needs a Robin around, just due to being an iconic/marketable character.

[The Greatest Hero]

Damian's got a destiny. He'll live. No one people actually think he could possibly die.

[Quasar's Bands]

I think it's Alfred's face on that platter - which would be gross, but distinctive, and would make Penguin and Harvey go "are you serious?" Now, using Joker's logic, here's why: If Batman is supposed to be the king, yet Alfred has been the father figure since he was a child, then in fact, the "king" cannot be the "king" at all as long as his father is alive. Does this mean Alfred has to actually die? I wonder... If Alfred's face is removed, and Alfred is taken away where Bruce can't find him and a NEW face put on him -- then for all intents and purposes, there is no Afred for Bruce, and the whole family is shaken up by this. Bruce's view then is that he cannot be close to people (we've never heard THAT before), and the possibly brainwashed Alfred is taken off the board -- for now. What the outstanding question would be is -- what face would they give Alfred? When will new-face Alfred return? Will the Joker have brainwashed or blinded him to the point that he doesn't even remember who he is?

[Quasar's Bands]

It sure would be, I've always seen Alfred as the patriarch of the Bat-family, more so than Bruce, and by shattering that, the family would be left reeling & demoralized. It's the kind of thing that could hit them harder than a literal death.

I agree - Alfred is the patriarch of the Bat-family -- and you can't say "Long Live the King" unless the King is Dead. Removing Alfred's identity the same way Joker removed HIS old identity seems to fit perfectly with the story -- and would affect every one of the princes and princesses.