Wayne Family Adventures #137

[icon_uk]

Honestly, for a series which spent it's first two seasons being fun, soapy, silly, slices of life in the Batfamily, Wayne Family Adventure's third season has been impressively different, whilst retaining it's own unique worldview...

And this week is no exception




It's been a single arc about a coordinated attack by the Joker on the Batfamily (starting with Duke's Signal, the newest hero), but instead of looking at it from the Joker's POV (in fact he's been almost completely absent for most of the story), it looks at how it impacts the family dynamics, as Bruce goes into "I work alone and you are all grounded" full isolation mode, and his kids and family basically going "Psh! Yeah, sure old man" and fight back, leading to Bruce's frustrations amping up and up because he's a control freak and his family are largely highly trained chaos engines in capes.

There have been some nice little vignettes along the way, exploring issues which the mainstream comics have never really addressed, like Jason's PTSD when it comes to the Joker, and which he deals with with the help of the Outlaws, or Bruce having a bad reaction to being near Harley, because he knows she's changed, but she stll reminds him of the Joker, and he acknowledges that that is HIS issue, not hers. And Barbara and Bruce having a confrontation which is amongst the best I've ever seen, and probably deserves it's own post.

Anyway, as always happens in any continuity, his family eventually confront Bruce with some tough love (They pull out the big guns and call Selina in to talk Bruce through his emotional constipation), the last couple of issues (episodes) deals with that final family session and ends with a rather touchng moment as Dick checks to make sure that Bruce is okay with the new entente cordial that's been established

Bruce also asks a question which is both A) true and B) true, but perhaps only within the relative skills sets of the Batclan



And we then get this touching exchange










Followed by....









Yeah, this is definitely the original Robin! :)

Comments

[iamrman]

Dick is such a troll. I love it!

[huntleyhaverstock]

Seconding the recommendation for this comic. It's been great from the jump, but a recent chapter in which Bruce admits his fears to Selina is as good as I've ever seen the character written. It's like all the absolute best aspects of fan fiction and the actual comics, united in one narrative.

[metadronos]

From its original run in the nineties onward, many have considered Batman: The Animated Series to be the definitive Batman serial. I've been among them. But ever since I got into Wayne Family Adventures, I've had cause to reconsider.

I'm genuinely impressed that DC gave the green light to an ongoing work which doesn't portray Batman, yet again, as a micromanaging, "my way or the highway," self-isolating, "why would anyone want this jerk as a mentor?" antihero. Instead, this Bruce is a genuine father figure who sometimes messes up but is fundamentally a compassionate man who loves and appreciates his Batfamily. And they love him back!

It's also refreshing to see a Batman ongoing in which Tim, Damian and Jason, despite their significantly contrasting personalities, consider themselves brothers and care for each other.

[shadowpsykie]

its my comfort comic,.. i really glad i have it right now.

[superfangirl1]

Alfred is in the room snickering and smirking. Saying in a whispering voice. Good one master Dick.

[remial]

don't forget, before tagging Selina in, they softened Bruce up by having Jason work on him.

(which is ALSO a really good exchange, because if ANYONE can understand how Bruce is feeling about the Joker, it is Jason.)

[lbd_nytetrayn]

Alright, color me interested.

How far back do I need to go for the current arc?

[icon_uk]

Season 3 starts here

[scorntx]

Bruce really should've seen that bait and switch coming.
World's greatest detective doesn't know how his kid's gonna razz him.

[bradygirl_12]

Ha, ha, typical Dickie! 😆

[mordalo]

I will agree. This is currently the best, the definitive Batman.