Over the years, legendary DC heroBatmanhas gathered a huge array of sidekicks, partners, and allies around him, collectively known as the “Bat-Family” – but fans of these characters might be surprised to hearthebest stories about the Gotham heroesaren’t being told in DC Comics, but instead on Webtoon.
Batman: Wayne Family Adventures– written by CRC Payne and illustrated by Starbit – is a “Slice-of-Life comic published on Webtoon as part of a collaboration between the webcomic app and DC Comics. Currently, the series is number one in the Slice of Life genre on Webtoon.
What is particularly notable aboutWayne Family Adventuresis that it doesn’t need to depend on action to keep the story moving. This means that even though it’s a comedy, the characters have a lot of open, healthy conversations that turn dramatic.
The Bat-Family Work Out Their Issues In Their Hit Webtoon Series
Wayne Family Adventures– Written By CRC Payne; Art By Starbit
Batman: Wayne Family Adventurespresents a more happy, stable Bat-Family than most DC Comics can afford to, given the need for constant high-stakes drama to perpetuate the comic book action they are usually involved in. In the series,almost anyone who’s ever worn the Robin or Batgirl mantle lives in Wayne Manor. This allows for the opportunity for unique interpersonal character dynamics to arise, which might not develop under the characters' traditional circumstances. This goes a long way toward makingWayne Family Adventuresa must-read for fans of the “Bat-Family” concept in particular.
Wayne Family Adventureslooks at the humorous side of being part of a huge family of superheroes.
Starting with the arrival of Duke Thomas, aka the Signal, a young metahuman who Bruce Wayne has taken under his Batwing,Wayne Family Adventureslooks at the humorous side of being part of a huge family of superheroes. Duke has access to the Batcave, but not the kitchen (Alfred runs a tight ship). A room full of people who strike fear into the hearts of criminals start a food fight over the last cookie. Oracle grabs coffee with her father, Commissioner Gordon, and gently twists the truth of what she does at her “job” while making small talk.
Wayne Family Adventures Provides A New Angle On Batman Storytelling
Less Action, More Family Drama
Wayne Family Adventuresis an exciting divergence from a lot of thedarkness of the mainBatmancomics, but it’s not all fun and games. In the most recent episode, both Nightwing and Jim Gordon have been severely hurt by the Joker. In a tense conversation, Bruce tells Barbara to quit being Oracle, while she reminds him she’s an adult. What makes this different from other books is that both are being very open about their thoughts and feelings. It doesn’t end on agreement, but the fact thatBruce came to her ratherthan just shutting down her systems speaks volumes.
“We’re a Family”: The Bat-Family’s New Status Quo Makes Comedic ‘Wayne Family Adventures’ Canon
Batman finally puts aside the “tortured loner” trope, instead looking to the brightest, most positive version of the Bat-Family as inspiration.
This isa much healthier Bat-Familywho work together, and are aware of each other’s wants and needs. When Bruce gets injured and is put on bedrest, the story is not about the kids picking up the slack in Gotham, but reversing the child/parent relationship: Bruce doesn’t want to follow doctor’s orders, and his young team is on guard duty to keep him home. The humor leans on these decades-old characters, in a tone often used by fan creators. By being an official DC Comics release, however, it shows the publisher is aware of this aspect that the fans love and want forBatman’sfamily.
Batman: Wayne Family Adventuresis available now onWebtoon.
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
