It’s been a while, but Steph and Ian sat together recently for a Batman: Wayne Family Adventures #131-133 Webtoon Review. The “Batman Is Too Controlling” arc seems to be coming to a close and they are there for it!
Steph: Ian! My goodness, times fly when you…forget to write reviews 😬 . But have you been keeping up with Wayne Family Adventures? Because I sure have and I am excited!
Ian: I have! It’s been very exciting to see the big storyline unfold!
Steph: It has! There’s been so many facets and ups and downs, it’s hard to believe it’s been one continuous story! Last time we left off with Bruce visiting Jim in the hospital and fighting with Barbara. Now we’re in episode #132 – Homebound. Bruce has just come to the Manor to talk to Duke and gets a little reprimand/encouragement from Alfred.
Ian: I do like how it breaks down into major action set-pieces and then relationship set-pieces helps make it not feel like the 24 tv show
Steph: I never watched that, but I remember it looked stressful to watch.
Ian: it is WAY too stressful! WFA is not nearly as stressful, thankfully!
Steph: Though I realize it could come off as a bit preachy, maybe, I really like Alfred talking to Bruce in the beginning here. So often I think fiction goes for the action and the “sexy” parts of story telling, but we really could use some real life, genuine advice here. It’s almost like Pennyworth has a PhD in counselling.
Ian: I love how Alfred rightly observes that Bruce isn’t just wrong all the time. That his coping mechanisms are right and proper for some situations – the fault isn’t that Bruce compartmentalizes, but that he doesn’t know how to stop. I feel there’s a side of the Batfamily fandom that just dislikes Bruce because he’s the antagonist for our favorite characters, but I think even though WFA falls into that a little bit, it makes sure to take time to affirm that Bruce is a hero and great character in his own right.
Steph: My two favorite things he says are first: “As for Batman, I’ve always found he makes better choices when his heart is involved.” which I think has been lost a lot in modern comics. Second is: “Do not make the mistake of thinking it is up to them [the kids] to deal with your insecurities.” which I think is probably a big message for many people these days.
Ian: I appreciate that Alfred works hard to advocate for responsibility and maturity in parenting. A solid message.
Steph: Me too. And the interaction between Bruce and Duke was sweet. I like that they both cheated at Battle Ships (TM).
Ian: That was awesome. So silly, but it was such a great character moment.
Steph: It was. And I loved that he stays to talk to Duke about his nightmares. Later, he seems tempted to take on the guilt of them, but realizes all he can do is try to make sure it never happens again. Which unfortunately, appears to be shutting down the Belfry!
Ian: Clocktower, though! Belfry is Tim’s space! And yeah, that ending of this episode leaves such a worried feeling!
Steph: I know! He’s slowly getting the message, but he’s not there yet. I have an art question. So, it says Art: Starbite, but then it says Pencils & Inks Vadynea. Does that mean Starbite didn’t actually draw this issue?
Ian: I don’t think Starbite actually did art for season 3. The art is really consistent, so there’s no moments like when it would switch between Starbite and Tobyfan. Which I think is part of why this season had such a long break before it launched, because they wanted it to be consistent all the way through.
Steph: Hmm. There are some panels sometimes I swear it’s Starbite, (not necessarily in this episode) but maybe I’m wrong. I wish I knew how it worked. Well, on from the cliffhanger, episode #133 – For Your Own Good. Batman is checking in with Babs to shut her down. And of course, any excuse to have Nightwing without a shirt on 😂
Ian: Do you think that was part of a secret marketing campaign for Nothing Butt Nightwing, to injure Nightwing so he would have to be shirtless for the next 10 episodes? 😄
Steph: I wouldn’t be surprised. Just kidding, this is far more tasteful. That series…was not for me.
Ian: I have to admit I also was not drawn in. But meanwhile, Bruce faces the wrath of…Jason!
Steph: However, before Batman can get to the Clocktower, he is intercepted by Babs’s first line of defense, Jason!
Lol.
Ian: I think it was a smart move, since Jason went through a very similar emotional breakdown that Bruce is going through, so having him able to reach a hand out from the same place is good.
Steph: One thing I love about Bruce’s response, is that he is remembering back to conversations he’s had with family so far. It really goes to show that those interactions weren’t for nothing. They are sticking with him, they’re just taking time to hit home.
Ian: Yup! There’s a lot of really good callbacks in these episodes!
Steph: And it’s interesting that Bruce comes to the correct conclusion. That fighting Joker was easier before he had family, which Joker also picked up on and is using this time round. And then we get the lovely hug between Bruce and Jason. So precious. There isn’t enough platonic/familial hugging in media IMO.
Ian: I blame James Tynion for leaving. He put in lots of hugs.
Steph: And Batman is almost at the turning point in his actions, but he’s not there yet. And Jason has been stalling for the big guns to show up. 🐱
Ian: The biggest gun of all!
Steph: Catwoman. I was very excited, but also distraught, as she only shows up and we have to wait till episode #134 – The Bat and The Cat for her to get real screen time! Thankfully, we can talk about it here.
Ian: You gotta get the full impact of BatCat I tell you!
Steph: On a somewhat unrelated note, what do you think about her more conservative costume/figure in WFA vs the DC comics?
Ian: I think the WFA design is fine. I like a Catwoman who is sexy but practical, and I feel the problem with the Darwyn Cooke design from the early 2000s is it’s kind of the best you can do with that, so everyone since then has either made it more sexy but less practical, or more practical and less sexy.
Steph: I think they could at least give her a belt. There’s so much grey mass of the suit it’s unflattering.
Ian: that’s true! It’s all kind of one smooth line and thus looks kind of blobby. But I still like it.
Steph: But she shows up and Batman immediately seeks her comfort, which I thought was so sweet, despite it giving Jason a tummy upset.
Ian: I adore the callback to when they were making out on coms and everyone complained. Perfect deployment of continuity.
Steph: I think one thing I missed about this episode the first time through (because of all the BatCat 😻 ) was that that Dick, Babs, and Jason agree to give Bruce time to decide what he’s going to do. They will show trust in him the way the want trust in them. Very mature.
Ian: Yup! I like that the family is still present even in more two-character focused pieces like this!
Steph: For sure! However, back to Bruce and Selina, I love that she’s probably one of very few people who on a regular basis can give Bruce a hard time and he gives in. So here, she is requesting more than grunts in their conversation.
And he opens up.
Ian: I think it’s interesting and in character that Catwoman has a more “steal from the rich” attitude – something that fits her, but does rub me a bit the wrong way because I don’t trust the writers to see why that is a wrong attitude.
Steph: To be fair, we’re not really sure what she does in this universe, but whatever it is, Batman seems okay with not stopping her. Or at least asking her.
Ian: Indeed. So, Steph, is 134 the best episode to date, or the BEST episode to date for you? 😄
Steph: Hmm. I’m not sure about best, but I’ll tell you what I loved about it, from a healthy relationship standpoint. She is his safe space. She may still call him out on stuff, but she is gentle, kind, and someone he can fall into. It is so important to feel safe with your significant other. To be your worst self with – weak, fragile, confused, etc…
As my husband said to me once in a fever haze, “There’s no one I’d rather be miserable with than you.”
Ian: A good thing since Batman is often miserable! Oh, that reminds me – I love that Bruce is so sad that he’s inspired people to choose the same self-sacrificing life he chose. It feels very in character to me.
Steph: How did you feel about these episodes? I really liked that we’re finally getting to a turning point for Bruce. If this whole season had him being obstinate and this whole Batman vs Batkids thing, it would have gotten very old very quick.
Ian: I think this was a really nicely written bit that allows Bruce to grow without making him the bad guy. And the Bat/Cat episode was really, really sweet and nicely emotional. Completely agree that we needed to get the family on the same side again – I don’t need another Gotham War!
Steph: Ugh. This would have been a better Gotham War.
Ian: Indeed.
Steph: So, talk to you next time?
Ian: Indeed! Can’t wait!
