It’s been a while since Ian and Steph got together to geek out over Batman: Wayne Family Adventures, which you can read over at Webtoon, because Steph came down with a case of the yucks and missed reviewing two episodes ðŸ˜. However, the dynamic duo are back and feeling better than ever! Let’s see what they thought about episodes #105 through #107.
Steph: Ian! How’s your fall starting?
Ian: It’s starting pretty well, though it’s raining tonight! How about you?
Steph: Fantastic! The weather is great for wearing shorts and a hoody (here in Texas at least) and hiding on the couch reading Webtoons! Speaking of which, you ready to talk Batman: Wayne Family Adventures?
Ian: All ready to go! Let’s hit the streets of Gotham!
Steph: Let’s start with episode #105 “Trivia Night” with Bruce, Clark, and Diana hanging out for the evening. I loved this one so much I showed my husband. He can relate to competitiveness and not liking getting answers wrong. Very amusing to me on a personal level (he’s not Bruce-bad though). I loved seeing Diana’s arms ripped and on display again.
Ian: Diana, Clark, and Bruce all looked amazing, especially Bruce’s TERRIBLE disguise at the beginning.
Steph: I was reading the comments, and someone pointed out this was Steph’s disguise in the “Duke’s Date” episode.
Ian: Oh, my, that’s some amazing continuity! I bet Steph raided his disguise closet. But even so, it doesn’t fit him at all! 😄 But I appreciate the idea that Bruce wouldn’t want the paparazzi seeing him hanging out with Clark and Diana.
Steph: I do as well. This seems like a safe space to try out different ideas, even if they don’t work out.
Ian: Did you call the ending?
Steph: Oh yes. I love the scream at the end that flows onto the Superman panel.
Ian: And of course Clark and Diana were waiting for it.
Steph: Even though this was a silly episode, I did appreciate that it did show growth, change in Batman, and the fact that changing is hard and what “progress” can look like.
Ian: I also really appreciate the friendship between Clark, Diana, and Bruce. And that even though Clark and Diana were teasing Bruce, they weren’t mad at him or mean. Just poking Bruce’s competitiveness.
Steph: It reminds me a bit of my father-in-law. No one else dares tease him or treat him with anything other than respect and reverence, and I poke him all the time. We love each other and it’s great. I really loved how the art captured the insane frustration as he screams into the pillow at the end. Very vivid 😂 .
Ian: Starbite really captured the emotions this episode!
With great comedic zest!
Steph: Yes! The next two episodes #106 and #107 “What You Taught Me”, were a more serious arc focusing on the relationship between Luke (Batwing) and his dad Lucius (Batman’s tech man). This is his first appearance, right?
Ian: Let me check Luke’s previous major appearance!
In “Worthy” parts 1 and 2 (episodes 75-76), Luke mentors Duke Thomas (Signal), but he doesn’t really talk about his own past, so no Lucius there. This probably is his first appearance!
Steph: He got a name card, so I assumed. It was pretty good. What are your thoughts? I know you have a special place in your heart for the Fox family.
Ian: Good call – name cards are usually the sign of a first appearance! I love the Fox family a lot, and I feel that the writing in the main comics has been very disrespectful to Luke and Lucius in the past 3 years. So this was really, really wonderful.
Seeing Lucius acting as a mature, virtuous father, even though he worries about his son and the choices he’s making,
and Luke being inspired by his dad to be a hero and being able to tell him that. Pretty much exactly the dynamic I want to see.
Steph: I appreciated the hurt feelings on both sides, the way those feelings were expressed (both before and after the actual discussion). I also liked how it was resolved, though I did feel it was wrapped up a little too neatly for the end of such a short discussion. But other than that, it was handled very maturely.
Ian: I mean, there’s a limit to the amount of relational depth that I feel I can expect from a two-episode format.
I think that this handled it pretty well, since it had to introduce it, bring it to a climax, and then resolve it.
Steph: For sure. I understand. Yeah. I’m just saying, to add a touch of more realism, I feel like saying they just need a bit more time to come to terms with it would have been perfect. However, ending a fight with a hug is always a good idea.
Ian: I would not mind if WFA built on its current increasing continuity by allowing longer term conflicts and resolution to build into its episodes!
Steph: I would to, however, at this point, I feel like that would disrupt the “flow” of how the series goes now. But if there were a spin off series that was maybe like a Batman Chronicles or Urban Legends (except good), where there were 4-6 episode arcs of some DC story, that would be cool.
Ian: I feel the way they’re slowly adding in recurring elements like Damian’s friend and Tim and Jason’s kidnapping gag, it could work! It would just have to be very carefully done!
Steph: Or the “Tim Gets Kidnapped” arc. A classic.
Ian: Exactly!
Steph: Any final thoughts on these 3 episodes? It was a nice combo of fun, serious, and character building.
Ian: I agree – I like the balance of this chunk, with the trinity goofing around, while Luke and Lucius have a serious heart to heart. The strengths of WFA – the emotions!
Steph: This was fun Ian! I love talking WFA with you, and I can’t wait for the next batch!
Ian: Me too! Bring on the adventures!
