Steph and Ian are back for a Batman: Wayne Family Adventures #159-161 Webtoon Review! It’s getting close to the end of the season, and they are eager to see how this Joker saga is going to turn out!
Steph: Ian! It feels like it’s been so long! How are you liking hosting the Batman Universe Podcast?
Ian: It’s a really fun gig – BJ is a wonderful co-host, and I’m having a really awesome time covering Batman audio dramas and random comics that I’ve never read before from decades ago! How’s the Batman Universe Comics Podcast for you?
Steph: So fun, though we miss you bunches! You know what one of our favorite books is on the cast?
Ian: I’ve heard it’s Absolute Batman, aka Big Rectangle Man 😄
Steph: Well, yes, but also Batman: Wayne Family Adventures!
Ian: HOORAY! A great comic for sure!
Steph: And I think we’re getting near the end of season 3. Wanna talk with me about it?
Ian: Let’s review it!
Steph: Well, episode #158 ended with Cass and Steph becoming Batgirls again!
Ian: With some absolutely KILLER flashbacks!
Steph: However, most of 159 – With a Bang was about Catwoman and Harley talking to Penguin about stopping his turf-war with Black Mask.
Ian: I think it’s fun how CRC Payne is clearly such a fan of classic team-ups like Gotham City Sirens, and uses them in ways that I think are pretty organic.
Steph: I would agree.
Just as their about to strike a ceasefire, Joker comes in, bombing the place, with everyone being saved by Ivy, who happens to show up just in time for one reason.
I will say that in my opinion, I think this is one of the weaker episodes in the season.
Not a lot happens, there’s not much interpersonal chatter, and the whole thing takes place at the Iceberg Lounge.
Ian: I would agree. The goal of the episode – stop Penguin from fighting Black Mask – is lost completely, so it makes our heroes look like failures, and no real character development is given.
Steph: I would agree. And there’s isn’t much really to discuss or talk about in this episode, other than it is nice seeing the Sirens working together, and Joker is finding ways to pull Penguin’s strings
Ian: Yup! On to our next episode!
Steph: But in episode #160 – The Battle Begins, we see Tim, the team lead, frustrated at this setback. Also, there are three bombers/hostages, Firefly and Killer Moth are wreaking havoc again, and Black Mask and Penguin are facing off at the docks.
Poor Tim!
Ian: I like how they layout both the final battle for Tim, and Tim’s thought processes. A very nice use of Red Robin as tactician and strategist!
Steph: I was thinking since this is the final stretch, we might not have many more relationship moments, but Dick swoops in and does a great job talking Tim off the metaphorical ledge.
Especially the part about how Tim, unlike Bruce, was trained to work with a team, but also to think like Batman; a combination Joker wouldn’t see coming. Do you agree with this?
Ian: Dick being there for his brothers is such a nicely consistent character thing for him, and nice development for how he couldn’t balance it early in season 1!
I think Tim’s ability to work with the family, instead of trying to do everything himself is a big plus, and makes perfect sense!
Steph: And it works. Tim is able to delegate everyone to their strengths.
What do you think about Azrael getting the bomber/hostage detail?
I thought that was an odd choice, though I guess I don’t know what I’d do with Azrael.
Ian: I think it’s fun – Azrael hasn’t had ANY previous character moments, unlike every other character in the team, so it’s nice to see him getting a serious task!
Steph: Indeed he does.
Ian: Â Tim and Steph’s connection over the Batgirls reclaiming their costumes was really nice – especially since last time Tim saw Steph as Batgirl, it was during a very hard time in his life, and he didn’t accept her very graciously. Him trusting Steph so fully this time is very nice growth
AND we have a hint of the final plan with Tim privately contacting Duke! Gotta setup the dominos to fall later!
Steph: Oh, right! I put that in my notes, too!
I wonder what he said, because we sure don’t find out any time soon.
Ian: We shall see!
Steph: It’s a real small moment, too. Something you could forget until you go back and read.
Episode 161 – Heating Up, starts off with the something the Bats should have probably done from the start – put a flyer and a range fighter in the field.
So Batwing and Bluebird take Killer Moth out in a minute. I didn’t really like how long the family had struggled up until now to take him out.
Ian: Yeah, Killer Moth really shouldn’t be that big a problem – even though he lasts for 9 issues of Batgirl Year One! (Though to be fair, Batgirl was brand new, as Year One points out 🙂 )
Steph: Yeah. And if the whole family has been after him this whole time…I felt that was unbelievable. But he’s out of play now. And it SEEMS like Firefly is out as well, or at least injured, thanks to Nightwing.
Ian: Firefly is a lot more dangerous, so it makes sense to me that he lasts longer in this fight than Killer Moth.
Steph: That’s true.
Ian: I thought Bluebird, who is great with tech and gadgets, taking out Killer Moth, who relies on his own tech and gadgets, was a great choice!
Very nice character foiling
Steph: It was a very nice shot.
We learn that Joker is at Wayne Enterprises and has taken two security guards hostage, and that Signal’s team, along with Tim and Damian, are helping with the fires.
Tim learns that a hospital is in the fire’s path, and they need to do more than just rescue and evacuate. What do you think his plan is?
Ian: Well, I’ve been waiting for Tim to call on Mr. Freeze for a while, so that’s my guess of where he’s going! Fire vs Ice? Robert Frost would be proud!
Steph: lol. Calling on villains for help is the road less traveled by.
Ian: I mean, the use of the Sirens indicates that it’s semi-regular
(and yes, I insist that Ivy at least is a villain)
Steph: Are there any frost or water heroes?
Ian: Oh, yes! There’s Ice, partner of Fire in the JLI, and Mera, queen of Atlantis can manipulate water like a waterbender from Avatar the Last Airbender!
(though currently in the comics Arthur, the Aquaman, has gotten that power due to the Absolute Power mix-up)
Steph: 🌊
Tim has so many secrets!
He checks in on the Batgirls who are en route to the docks, but have to make a quick stop to meet with…LADY SHIVA!! TBC
Ian: I really love that Steph is stepping up as a leader herself – coming up with plans now that she has confidence in herself after Babs and Cass showed her she doesn’t need to be afraid of messing up anymore.
Steph: That coupled with Dick pointing out that messing up doesn’t make you less perfect for the job really made this a lovely little section of comics, despite the more dry sections.
Overall, I really did like these, even if they’re not as charming as the first 2 seasons, and even the rest of this season.
Ian: This is definitely a “setting up the endgame” section of the story, but there’s a lot of nice character interactions in 160 and 161, and I like seeing stuff like Tim and Mr. Freeze starting to pay off!
Steph: What are you looking forward in the next (and final!) 6 episodes?
I, of course, would love some Bat/Cat celebratory hugging.
Ian: I’m most excited to see how Steph’s plan works of course! I think it will be quite interesting to see how CRC Payne and the art team can pay off all the characters they’ve been juggling!
Steph: Oh, and we must know what secret plans Tim has been hatching!
Ian: all the secret plans!
Steph: Well, that’s all I’ve got for now! Same Bat time, Same Bat Place for our next review?
Ian: Same Bat time, same Bat place!
