Review: Batman: Wayne Family Adventures Episodes 171-173

The 4th season of Batman: Wayne Family Adventures is just getting started, and so are Steph and Ian. How is the season fairing so far? They sat down on Discord recently to chat about it.

Steph: OH man, October is all done and we have 3 more episodes of Batman: Wayne Family Adventures to enjoy! I mean, review!
Ian: Both enjoy AND review! Here we go!
Steph: Episode 171 Opening Salve was almost all the Lucius plot, with Batwing and Batwoman being set up to look like they attacked a bystander instead of a suspicious person tailing Lucius.
One reason I liked this, is that it appears to me that this is the main plot for a while, and that the Freeze thing, while still there, won’t be a main story. There was also a HUGE amount of Dick/Babs flirting.

I’m so glad the “Nothing Butt Nightwing” universe is completely separate from this and that Dick and Babs are together and healthy.
Ian: The Dick and Babs flirting thing was interesting to me
They didn’t focus that much on romance outside of Bruce and Selina in the last three seasons, I feel like (with the unfortunate exception of that terrible Bernard episode)
(Nothing Butt Nightwing is apparently in the same universe as some of the other DC Go series, though)
Steph: Barf. That series made me uncomfy.
Ian: I am also sadly not a fan
but the Harley Quinn Love Island story is surprisingly enjoyable (I shouldn’t be surprised, as it’s CRC Payne)
Steph: I only read a few episodes, but I did like it better.
But, back to WFA, episode 172 Extra! Extra! picks right up after this, and we find out that the press is linking some favoritism between the Batfamily and Lucius Fox…which isn’t completely wrong.

Ian: I am very curious about this focus on the secret identities
as WFA is, in some ways, a throwback to the Gold and Silver Age type sillier storytelling
and those were often dominated by secret identity plots
Steph: I agree! They take it more seriously in WFA than in modern comics.
It appears that we will be getting more “Bruce Wayne – head of Wayne Enterprises” in this season that previously.
There was a lot more “philosophy” about what it means to be such public figures as Vigilantes AND humans, and how the public can’t help but draw connections.

Ian: I really liked the relationship between Lucius and Bruce here
gives me good Batman Begins vibes
Steph: Oh, me too! I was hearing Morgan Freeman in my head.
I forgot if we knew in the previous seasons if Lucius knew Bruce was Batman – I know he worked with Luke as Batwing, but I can’t remember if he knew everyone else.
Ian: I always just assume he does. He’s too smart not to!
Steph: Not too much happens in this episode, but there are very interesting conversations happening between Bruce, Kate, and Luke about the news, and Lucius and Bruce about their relationship with Batman. I actually think it was brave to make an episode like this, because it could have been really boring.
But it raised a lot of questions we should have as Batman fans, in my mind.
Ian: I am interested that Batwoman seems so headstrong here – not necessarily the characterization I personally connect with her
Steph: I don’t know her as well, but it does seem like she’ll do what she thinks is right, but I’m not sure she made the right choice here. I wonder if she panicked. In episode 173 Off the Record, we learn she might have come on a bit strong to Vicky Vale.
And again, Vicky, who wrote the article, isn’t necessarily wrong about the conclusions she drew, even with Kate refuting them.

Ian: yep
Vicki doesn’t really have a motivation given yet aside from pursuing the truth
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Batfamily doesn’t have to bring her “on side” in some way this season
Unless they try to pull a very elaborate hoax to prove they are not the Batfamily
Steph: It’s one of those issues where the Batfamily might actually be in the “wrong” and have to change the way they do things. Or at least be more careful. It can be painful to be called out on things.
I hope no one is actually after Lucius. I mean, sure, Wayne Enterprises maybe, but leave Lucius alone.
Ian: I do get a sense that this may be a similar plot to Hush or Bruce Wayne: Murderer, where the plot is orchestrated to try to force Bruce to reveal his identity.
Steph: oooh. Perhaps.
Is this Vicky’s first appearance?
I don’t remember her from before.
Ian: I don’t remember her in WFA before
so I think this is her Debut as we say!
Steph: Huzzah! So many favorites.
I have to say, I did not see this type of story coming, and I’m glad that all 3 plots seem to be very different. We have a more cerebral/philosophical one, a mysteriously disappearing villain, and a birthday present conundrum. I’m so pleased so far. And the art, as always, is amazing.
Ian: Indeed – the art team for season 3 and 4 seems to be the same, and very consistent. That’s what I really appreciate about these webtoon productions – they’ve worked pretty hard to shoot for art consistency across the different teams and on the brutally demanding timeline of a webtoon
Steph: OH, I forgot the scene where Damian tries to stop Tim from spiraling and enlisting his help for finding a present the only way I can imaging Damian would help Tim…by throwing pens at him.
This was…pure magic.

Ian: It was really nicely done
it’s still got that edge because Damian is still Damian
but he’s doing it largely to HELP Tim, showing the development from their earlier confrontation in season 1 or 2 has stuck
(Also love that Steph and Cass are still in their Batgirls uniforms!)
Steph:…I think he mostly wanted to get Tim off the computer.
I know Steph hasn’t had a TON to do, but how do you see her being incorporated with the 3 plots so far, or what do you see her doing this year?
Ian: well, I read it as him stopping the spiraling
I think Steph’s time will come! She was nearly the last character to get a focus in season 3, but when it came, it was beautiful, so I have faith in the team!
Steph: I can’t wait…also for the Bat/Cat wedding I have planned out in my head.
Ian: I’ll throw rice!
Steph: ❤️ See you for the next batch Ian!!
Ian: See you! Hooray!

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.