Is it possible to sum up how wonderful the WEBTOON comic Batman: Wayne Family Adventures is in one installment of Weekend Escape? I’ll do you one better and tell you in less than ten words why you should read this slice-of-life comic series:

Batman gives the entire Bat-Family a hug.

If, like me, you’ve been waiting actual years to see that happen, just stop reading here and head over to WEBTOON now to start your weekend reading marathon! But if you’d like some more details about this unique series, get ready to see Batman’s found family like never before. We’re off to Wayne Manor!
 

The Premise:

Wayne Family Adventures is an episodic comic collection that features Bruce Wayne’s kids. Yes, all of them—everyone he’s adopted, fostered, mentored and fathered over the years. (Even Jason.) They’re all under the Wayne Manor roof and generally enjoy giving Alfred Pennyworth and Bruce Wayne a hard time. But for all the mischief, there’s an undercurrent of love that runs through every story.

These Batman adventures aren’t the crimefighting kind. In a refreshing change of pace, we see the Bat-Fam deal with everyday challenges, from a painful breakup to attempting to bake a pie for Thanksgiving. The halls of Wayne Manor are filled with life and laughter again.
 

Let’s Talk Talent:

Writer CRC Payne and inker Rhett “Starbite” Bloom are new to the world of superhero comics. But while Wayne Family Adventures—which kicked off in September 2021—is their first official DC series, they work tirelessly to get new episodes out weekly on WEBTOON. As of this writing, over 100 installments of the comic are available.

Payne captures the dynamic of a large family, from minor quibbles to their steadfast support for each other. She frames the comic from Duke Thomas’ point of view as the new kid in the family, making the reader feel like they’ve recently joined the Wayne household as well. Starbite’s art is both charming and highly expressive. They take advantage of the vertical reading experience of WEBTOON and it makes the move seamlessly to the printed edition.
 

A Few Reasons to Read:

• The Bat-Family. As I mentioned, they’re all here: Duke Thomas, Barbara Gordon, Stephanie Brown, Cassandra Cain, Tim Drake, Jason Todd, Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne fill out the book’s cast alongside Bruce and Alfred. Kate Kane even stops by occasionally. Payne and StarBite pay homage to their long histories but also make them feel like their own takes on the iconic characters. Do their wildly different personalities clash? Absolutely. Is that part of the fun of the book? Absolutely.
   
• See another side of Bruce Wayne. “Tired dad” Batman is here! Of course, Bruce Wayne isn’t a perfect father—he’s still Bruce Wayne, after all. He misses dance recitals and runs late to Damian’s birthday party. But seeing him try his best to even attempt to do those things makes this an endearing and rewarding read for long-time Batman fans. For everything Bruce Wayne has been through, it’s simply nice to see him content.

• Alfred’s happy, too. He might be the master of the long-suffering sigh, but in Wayne Family Adventures, you get the feeling that Alfred Pennyworth appreciates having a family in Wayne Manor again. Sure, it means a constant state of disarray—and they did not just make a mess of his kitchen!—but those are signs of a lively household. Best of all, Alfred himself is a member of the Wayne family and recognized as a dad. As he should be.
   
• Welcome home. For all the fighting over the front seat in the Batmobile and other joys of living with siblings, this book is really about the found family that Bruce Wayne has formed over the years. Each of his kids feel like they have a home at Wayne Manor, no matter where they came from or how they got there. The Bat-Family gets the spotlight here as a family.
   

Why It’s Worth Your Time:

It doesn’t get much cozier than Batman: Wayne Family Adventures, especially when paired with steaming hot drinks and fluffy blankets as autumn approaches. These slice-of-life stories are one big love letter to Batman and give him the fulfilling life he probably never expected he would have. Payne and StarBite have crafted a series that’s warm and heartfelt—a much-needed break from the grim Gotham nights that each of these iconic characters deserve. And so do you!
 

Batman: Wayne Family Adventures Vol. 1 by CRC Payne and Starbite is now available in bookstores, comic shops, libraries and digital retailers. The series can also be read in full on WEBTOON.

Kelly Knox writes about all-ages comics and animation for DC.com and her writing can also be seen on IGN, Nerdist and more. Follow her on Twitter at @kelly_knox to talk superheroes, comics and pop culture.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Kelly Knox and do not necessarily reflect those of DC Entertainment or Warner Bros., nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.