Blind Al

Blind Al
Deadpool's prisoner, Blind Al.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Deadpool #1 (January 1997)
Created by	Joe Kelly (writer) Ed McGuinness (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Althea
Species	Human
Place of origin	Earth
Partnerships	Deadpool
Notable aliases	Blind Alfred

Blind Al is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She is commonly depicted as a supporting character of Deadpool, an antihero.

Al (also known as Althea or Blind Alfred) first appeared in Deadpool #1, living with him in "The Deadhut", his house in San Francisco. At first her relationship with him was unclear, but over time it would reveal itself as highly complex and bizarre.

Actress Leslie Uggams portrays Blind Al in the 2016 feature film Deadpool.

Al is a skinny old woman who, as her name suggests, is blind. Her origin is never explicitly elaborated. It is eventually revealed that she was somehow involved with British intelligence, although in what capacity is unknown. She was already blind by this point and has been most of her life. Wade Wilson, the mercenary who would eventually become Deadpool, was hired to kill her in Zaire where she was stationed. What actually occurred is unknown, but apparently Wilson killed everyone around except her, allowing her to flee. Years later, after he had gotten cancer, received a healing factor from Weapon X, gone insane, and become Deadpool, Wilson met up with Al again and captured her.

Thus began the bizarre relationship between the two, with Al acting as a cross between a prisoner, friend, housekeeper, Greek Chorus and mother-figure to Deadpool. At times Wade could be unbelievably cruel to Al. He would frequently insult her and play cruel pranks, taking advantage of her blindness. He forbade her visitors and would kill anyone who tried to help her escape. When she angered him he would put her in the Box, a small room filled with sharp objects (although he never actually locked the door, counting on her fear of him to keep her imprisoned). He also forced her to cook and clean for him, and dangled the prospect of freedom in front of her only to snatch it away.