Warning: Minor SPOILERS for Batman #83

The death of Alfred Pennyworth was a tragedy that shocked Batman fans everywhere, proving the mark Bane would leave on the Dark Knight’s history. But in the upcoming issue, Bruce Wayne is about to discover Alfred’s death for himself… and to help fans cope, DC Comics has released an early preview of the heartbreaking scene. Get those tissues ready, Batman fans.

It comes as little comfort knowing Bane has already paid the ultimate price for murdering the Batman Family’s most vulnerable and beloved member. After killing Alfred as punishment for Batman – believing Alfred was out of danger – sending his allies into Bane-controlled Gotham, Bruce returned to face the villain in combat. Apparently, Alfred’s death didn’t come up in the preamble to their fight. And after Batman’s father executed Bane, and put two bullets through Bruce for good measure, the loss of blood and consciousness meant Bruce was spared the truth… until now.

We can only assume that with Batman readers just as heartbroken as the Batman Family heroes, DC has offered this scene as a free preview so that everyone can cry right along with Bruce. Discovering Alfred is truly gone was going to be painful no matter what, but Thomas Wayne goes about it in just about the cruelest way possible: sitting Bruce and Alfred in their dining room, ready for a meal that’s never coming. Take a look at the preview pages from Tom King and Mikel Janin below, and join Batman fans everywhere in wishing Bane was even more dead than he already is:

The fallout of this story will lead into Tom King and Clay Mann’s Batman/Catwoman series, but it’s expected that Bruce’s war with Bane and his Flashpoint father will be concluded before then (meaning this is the first of three final issues for Bruce to take his revenge, and close the book on this horrifying story once and for all). But the description for the coming Batman: Pennyworth R.I.P. memorial issue promises this loss will make waves for every Batman Family member. But no matter what heartbreaking scenes may be coming, these pages may be hard to beat.

Readers will be able to see how Bruce responds to this horrible truth when Batman #83 arrives in comic book shops everywhere on Wednesday, November 20th. Until then, read on for the full credits and plot synopsis below.

  • BATMAN #83 Release Date: November 20th, 2019 Written by: Tom King Art by: Mikel Janín, Jordie Bellaire Cover Art by: Mikel Janín It’s chapter nine of “City of Bane,” and it’s time for a reckoning in Gotham City! Thomas Wayne has joined forces with Bane, and that alliance threatens to throw a monkey wrench into Batman’s plans. And as Bane’s evil army begins to crumble, the Caped Crusader must face the real force behind it all. As the end of this epic tale grows near, Batman and his allies have a choice: let Bane stay in power and guarantee the city’s survival, or risk everything to break free!

Batman #83 arrives this Wednesday, November 20th.

MORE: Batman Just Became Stronger Than The Green Lanterns

Source: DC