Review: Batman: Wayne Family Adventures Episodes 168-170

The first three episodes (episodes 168-170) of Batman: Wayne Family Adventures episodes is available now on Webtoons and Steph and Ian couldn’t contain their excitement. Let’s see what they thought of the Season 4 premier.

Steph: Oh man, Ian, it’s time for SEASON 4 OF Batman: Wayne Family Adventures!!! Are you ready to rock!?
Ian: AND ROLL, Steph!
Steph: Let’s start with episode 168 – Keep Your Eye on the Ball, which almost had me convinced this was going to be a gag season.
With Bruce struggling to just be “okay” throwing the opening pitch at a baseball game, and then eating dirt on the pitcher’s mound by accident.
With you mentioning the character development of last season, do you think it was in “new character” of Jason’s to be so excited about Bruce wiping out?

Ian: I mean, the kids always like seeing Bruce screw up, because he’s still the most in control and intimidating in the family
Steph: I thought it was funny, and I feel like it wasn’t done too maliciously. Probably just part of his personality that will always be there.
Ian: I loved all the little gags of each kid trying to get Bruce to mess up in their own personal ways – Steph wanting him to do a dance particularly, of course
Steph: They were all fun.
Then, at the end of the issue and at the beginning of 169 – Cold Case, we find out that Tim has been monitoring Freeze since last season, but his tracker has been deactivated! Now, having read the next few episodes, we know this doesn’t appear to be the main/only focus of the season, but what do you think of this? I feel like they were jumping to conclusions a bit, thinking he was up to something.

Ian: I am very curious – at first it did seem like Freeze was the new Joker of this season, but it seems they’re going for a more complicated plot setup.
Mr. Freeze is a villain, and unlike Ivy and Harley, hasn’t gotten a redemption story arc in either WFA or mainstream comics really, so I fully expect this disappearance to be a very bad thing.
But another villain could be masterminding!
Steph: That’s true. Now, we do have some minor arcs happening as well, and Damian appears to be distressed! Alfred’s birthday coming up and he’s fretting about what to get him…how cute is this?
Ian: I like it a lot!
It’s very relatable, exactly the kind of thing WFA does in single episodes, but looks like they’re making it more of a sitcom engine episode driver, which I think is smart
a way to twine the fun hijinks with the more serious casefic
Steph: I agree. Where last season did manage to put lots of heart and character growth in among the serious story, it did lack the fun from the previous two seasons. This is very promising. And love how seriously Damian is taking this.
Episode 170 – Wheels in Motion, continues Damian’s “saga” while introducing ANOTHER seemingly main plot with a potential threat to Lucius. The episode ends with a mysterious person taking pictures of Lucius at a gala.

Ian: A third plot enters!
this is more plots than we get in most mainstream comics today, I approve
I loved the Babs and Damian interactions, as well as the integration of Luke and Kate as Batwing and Batwoman – they didn’t really have that much to do last season. Maybe Huntress will also get some focus this season!
Steph: Ooo. She’ll be in the D plot – Steph, Cass and Huntress go to Comic Con
Man, DC should pay me for my ideas.
Ian: dang right!
Steph: So, we have 3 plots: Mr. Freeze, Lucius Threat, and Alfred’s Birthday, and we’re only 3 episodes in! I know it’s early days, but how are you feeling about the season so far?
Ian: I’m honestly feeling better about it than the last season
the deliberate inclusion of a light hearted plot as an ongoing thread makes me feel like it’s much more WFA
Steph: I agree so much. And it starting off so goofy…with SELINA! I forgot to mention that my favorite girl showed up to rub some balm on Bruce’s egg face. Which I love

Ian: Yes! I really love the way CRC Payne writes Bruce and Selina!
Steph: Me, too! Teehee. I hope they get married, and not do me dirty like Tom King did…but I’ll talk to my therapist about that.
Ian: haha, well, I would be very much in favor of that!
Steph: To get our predictions in, what do you think Damian will get Alfred?

Ian: Hmmmmmm
hard one
I will predict he gets him a cruise vacation
Steph: I think it will either be a picture of the family, or a “Damian takes care of Alfred” day coupon.
I like yours
Ian: I like yours too 😄 We shall see what CRC Payne comes up with!

Stephanie Mounce

Stephanie had watched Batman movies and shows since she was a little girl, but didn’t read comics until 2017 when she discovered Batman’s proposal to Catwoman. She discovered the TBU Comics Podcast and devoured the episodes. When the call went out to find a temporary co-host to fill Stella’s shoes, Steph wasted no time in volunteering. The rest, they say, is history and Steph has been a co-host of the podcast since May 2018. She has since also become a writer of sales numbers and Batman merch articles for The Batman Universe. When she isn’t reading TBU comics, Steph is practicing her new career, voice acting. She also enjoys watching anime, playing games, or living her best life with her husband and two cats.