Oh oh…Steph and Ian got a little too caught up in their holiday revelry and forgot to review the last three episodes of Batman: Wayne Family Adventures!!! Never fear, they caught up with each other recently and were able to share their opinions of the season 2 finale!!
Steph: Hi Ian!! Man…it’s been a while. I got all caught up in the holidays and forgot to review the last batch of Batman: Wayne Family Adventures! We’re your holiday shenanigans as distracting as mine?
Ian: They were indeed! Very pleasurable – but I will say, Wayne Family Adventures was also very pleasurable!
Steph: It was, ESPECIALLY Episode #114 “Even The Best Detectives…”
Ian: I knew you would get a huge kick out of that!
Steph: Teehee. Did you guess what the big “villain takedown” was before the end punch line?
Ian: I definitely did guess – WFA has not really given us a “terrible things happening” type of plot scenario, so I was betting it was a phrasing issue! Do you feel the way they’ve played Bat/Cat shipping throughout has been development, or more of a recurring character trait?
Steph: I think more recurring character trait. It could be that it’s developing behind the scenes, but what we see is Catwoman as Bruce’s girlfriend who occasionally does things with the family.
Ian: Agreed!
Steph: I do think it was irresponsible of the kids to destroy a potential bomb without looking at it, but other than that I loved this episode.
Ian: In general, I don’t think WFA has tried to really develop characters so much as give us callbacks…though the next few episodes might be a bit different! I personally loved that Steph, Tim, Damian, and Duke are a kind of “younger kids” unit.
Steph: Me too!
Ian: that’s the same group that embarrassed Duke on his date way, way back when, so it’s great to see that they are sort of a mini friend group within the wider family.
Steph: It’s awesome that they add those kinds of dynamics into the comic. Instead of just saying “here are all the kids and they’re all friends,” they really have developed little 2sie, 3sie groups within the family dynamics. Also, I think Selina knows the family well enough that a scenario like this is expected and would never ruin a date.
Ian: Totally! I think back to when Batman broadcast his sweet-talking over comms, and Steph was traumatized for life, but Selina took it all in stride
Steph: I was also very glad to see Starbite draw Selina. So pretty!
Ian: absolutely! The art for this episode was top notch!
Steph: It was. Lots of fun dynamic poses and action scenes…against a dinner table covered in a sheet.
And now for the season 2 finale, #115 and #116, “Batman and the Signal” Parts 1 and 2. I really liked the first part. I think it showed a little what Duke’s powers are (though…I’m still confused), and it had him think through being put in a more serious version of what Tim has been dealing with.
Ian: I agree that the powers in the main comics are still really confusing – but here they made it pretty coherent, so I’m glad for that! I did feel like this two-parter was definitely a finale – unlike the season 1 finale, which was just Superman meeting Harley Quinn – cute, but not climactic or building on anything.
There were SO MANY callbacks – but as I hinted before, these callbacks felt a bit more like development – Duke and his relationship with the family has actually grown! Though I’m curious how you feel about that – do you think Duke has gotten growth throughout the series, or does this feel a bit abrupt?
Steph: It feels a little abrupt, but like we said, this isn’t really a developing story, and I feel like the stories starring Duke have been a little bit more on the development side. So, yes abrupt, but still within reason of what the comic has been doing with him.
Ian: Indeed! Since he’s the newest character in the comics, I like that they did put thought into his arc. I don’t think his first three-parter really had much to do with his growth – other than the growing relationships with the family.
But his second two-parter with Batwing was called back in a big way – both in Duke using his powers, and him feeling confident to lead the attack, and getting applause from the family in the final scene.
That’s very true! It explained his focus on the Bat-kids more, with Steph teaching him to drive the Batmobile, Cass and Jason teaching him about crashing through windows (a HUGE callback this episode!), etc.
Steph: I think the first three-parter helped establish to him why having relationships outside the vigilante circle is so hard. Something a young man might have to discover for himself.
I have to say, I was pretty disappointed in the finale. We got a promise of seeing EVERYONE in #115, but then they didn’t even appear till the very end of #116, and I’m not sure what they did at all.
Ian: I do wish they’d had everyone take part in the attack. I get that drawing everyone in a fight scene isn’t really what Wayne Family Adventures is all about, but I think it would have been a better artistic choice. I still really enjoyed the finale, though. Especially since Duke being the new kid in episode one, and being a beloved member of the family who feels like he’s found his place in this finale, was quite nicely thought through. Though it does make me really wonder where the series will go next, as Webtoons promises that it will return!
Steph: For sure. I just tend to zone out a bit when people keep just talking. Thankfully they did illustrate some of the scenarios Duke talked about, but I still got a little bored. But that’s just my personal take.
Ian: I think that it’s a good example of how a narrative misstep can matter more to some readers than others!
Steph: I was happy that the end showed the whole family welcoming “The Signal/Duke” to the Batcave.
It was cool seeing everyone together and happy.
Ian: I think we both agree that having everyone join in would be better, but I was less sad about it not happening.
Everyone together and happy is how I like my finales!
Steph: What are you looking forward to next season (if we get one!) Red Hood, Zatanna, and Vixen all have ended, right?
Ian: Yep, all of the other DC Webtoons have had their series finale – at least, none of them have “will return” on their pages!
I really hope we get at least one more series launched this year, hopefully two or three!
I think this is a really good avenue for DC to continue to produce content for, both because it gets a new set of eyes that wasn’t reading DC material before, and it gives a great secondary market with the Walmart and other box stores carrying the collections – and I think they should expand that! Maybe get some Lego sets for Wayne Family Adventures!
(Am I just hoping they’ll finally make a Lego of Steph? Maybe….)
😉
Steph: Oh man, that would be cool! Though I think LEGO Batman already has the LEGO market cornered.
Ian: Sure, but that was a while ago now! Gotta get the NEW kiddies!
And honestly, I prefer Wayne Family Adventures to Batwheels. If we’re going for toys based on material for a younger audience. 😄
Steph: Next season, I really hope we do get a bit more development of all the characters and relationships next year…
Like Bat/Cat.
Ian: Absolutely! Let’s get some kind of recurring thing going with Bruce, Damian, and that evil PTA lady! And the Bat-kids can get in on that too!
Steph: Of course, I also predict we’ll get more Bernard…but hopefully not too much.
Ian: Why do you predict that? 😦
Steph: Cause internet people love Bernard.
Ian: I’m not convinced that’s totally true. I think pretty much only people on the internet love Bernard, but I don’t think that everyone on the internet is a Bernard fan. But I was more curious if you had any specific hints from the comic that made you think that.
Steph: No. Just thinking about what fanservice they could provide to the shipping crowd. Any final thoughts of this fantastic WFA season or hopes for the future? I have really enjoyed doing this review with you and I can’t wait for more!
Ian: I think this season, surprising as it might be, might be even more beloved by me than the first season. The two-parters focused on the characters felt more assured, and dived more into the comic histories. The art got more consistent, and the characters got tons of really delightful bits! I love reviewing this title with you, and I also eagerly anticipate the next Wayne Family Adventures!
Steph: Yay! Same! Talk to you soon!
Ian: 👋
