When people think aboutMarvelandDCmovies or comic book characters, they most often first recall the various superheroes and antagonists. However, superheroes tend to need support from others, people who often have no special powers. The real mark that they made it as a hero is when they have their own butler.
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A good butler to a superhero not only makes sure that everything is going smoothly but also keeps the superhero down to earth and isn’t afraid to point out when they’re acting in a bad way. The best butlers inMarvelandDCComics deserve even more recognition from readers and viewers alike that they’ve gotten so far.
5Alfred Pennyworth
Undoubtedlythe most iconic superhero butler is Alfred Pennyworth, who has been working alongside Bruce Wayne for decades, both in the comics, in TV series, and movies. Alfred isn’t just Bruce’s butler, he also functions as his adoptive father since he basically raised Bruce after the death of his parents. Finally, he makes sure his master has everything he needs in order to fight crime but isn’t afraid to call Bruce out when he believes he’s making a mistake. Alfred’s character and background changes slightly, depending on the source material, but he’s usually portrayed as intelligent, diligent, and witty, ready to throw in a sarcastic remark when the situation demands it.
Some versions of Alfred have a considerable fighting background, and as such, Alfred can hold his own in a fight, and even helps Batman and other bat-themed superheroes. Alfred Pennyworth has played a prominent part in multiple movies and series, such as the Batman trilogy by Christopher Nolan where Sir Michael Caine portrayed him, or in the seriesGothamwhere he was played by Sean Pertwee. And those who would like to learn more about Alfred’s life before he and Bruce met should watch the TV seriesPennyworth,which focuses on Alfred’s younger days and his cooperation with Bruce’s father, Thomas Wayne.
4Edwin Jarvis
Alfred Pennyworth is to Batman as Edwin Jarvis is to Iron Man, and other Avengers as well. Hired to work as the butler for Howard Stark and his wife Maria, Edwin Jarvis played a significant supporting part in many comic book stories. He moved beyond a mere supporting part inthe MCU seriesAgent Carterwhere he served as Peggy Carter’s right-hand man and helped her deal with many crises that they came across. The buddy dynamic between Peggy and Jarvis was one of the upsides of the series. This version of Jarvis is quick-thinking, with a sense of humor, and deep loyalty to those he cares about.
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Of course, Edwin Jarvis’s life story is more complicated than whatAgent Cartermanaged to show. After the death of Howard and Maria, Jarvis went on to work for Tony Stark and the Avengers as a group. He became so instrumental for their well-being that Captain America even stated that Jarvis was an Avenger as well.
3JARVIS (The AI)
Having a live butler is useful enough, but building an artificial intelligence and a butler in one? That’s something only Tony Stark could think of. When Stark created the artificial intelligence that oversaw his home as well as the suits and served as one of his lines of defense. Tony named it after Edwin Jarvis, who worked for his parents. That strongly hints at the fact that Tony saw the human Jarvis as more than just an employee - he perceived him as a friend.
The AI Jarvis played a prominent part in the initial MCU movies untilVision replaced him inAvengers: Age of Ultron(2015). Jarvis was intelligent, snarky, and capable of achieving many great things. He was more of an assistant/friend to Tony than only a butler, but he fulfilled the duties of a butler as well, proving his variability.
2Heathcliff
A lot of the best superhero butlers come from the UK. Heathcliff is no exception to this rule. While not as well-known as the likes of Alfred Pennyworth or Jarvis, Heathcliff is highly efficient at his job. He has to be to make it inthe world ofBig Hero 6, a series that not so many people think of when somebody mentions Marvel. Heathcliff has an interesting past, having worked as a spy. As a butler, he seems calm and composed most of the time but also has the prerequisite biting sense of humor and enjoys making sarcastic remarks from time to time.
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He has a good relationship with Fred, a member of the Big Hero 6 team, so much so that Fred often gets happy when he sees Heathcliff. Just like the best butlers, Heathcliff might not have actual special powers, but he’s proficient at fighting and uses hidden equipment that makes it even easier for him to defeat those who threaten him or the people he takes care of.
1Wintergreen
Even though butlers in Marvel and DC Comics are most often associated with the good guys, the occasional villain has a butler too. Among them, Wintergreen who works for Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke, stands out. Not only did Wintergreen function as Wilson’s butler, but he was also his mentor. Despite not having special powers, Wintergreen had more extensive combat experience than Wilson and trained him. Slade Wilson might primarily be a villain, but Wintergreen isn’t a bad guy as he serves as Wilson’s voice of conscience.
His medical skills as well as his fighting experience all make him a butler many heroes and villains alike could only ask for. Wintergreen proved once again he was a good person when he took care of Slade’s newfound daughter Rose instead of Slade, and even contemplated adopting the girl beforeRose joined the Teen Titansinstead.
