I Reads You Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #88

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? No. 88
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Derek Fridolfs; John Rozum
PENCILS: Randy Elliot; Fabio Laguna
INKS: Randy Elliot; Fabio Laguna
COLORS: Sylvana Brys; Heroic Age
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; John J. Hill
COVER: Derek Fridolfs with Pamela Lovas
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (February 2018)

Rated “E” for “Everyone”

I am still enjoying the fruits of the renewal of my subscription to the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series.  I recently received the third issue of that renewed subscription.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #88 opens with “Used Scars” (written by Derek Fridolfs and drawn by Randy Elliot).  All that mileage!  Maybe, it is time for Mystery Incorporated to replace the Mystery Machine.  The need for something affordable takes Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma to “Earnest Eddie's Used Car Emporium.”  The gang does indeed find low prices, but our heroes also find rundown vehicles and a monster called “the Slimmer Man.”

The second story is “Fright Ride” (written by John Rozum and drawn by Fabio Laguna), a story originally published in Scooby-Doo #151 (cover dated: February 2010).  Ryan is a reporter for the New Kirk City Daily News, but he is stuck covering items that belong in the local society page.  He believes he needs to find the kind of story that will break him into serious journalism.

Ryan thinks that he may have that potential breakthrough story in Mystery Inc.  He decides to ride along with Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby-Doo as these mystery-solvers search for a new supernatural case to tackle.  When a weird painting keeps appearing and disappearing at “Andrew's Art Gallery,” Ryan thinks that he is finally in on some action, but Mystery Inc. seems to have run into a case that it cannot solve.

There is something neat and whacky about “The Slimmer Man,” the villain in “Used Scars.”  I think this character would really shine in animation, where animators can make him wriggle, shimmy-shake, and twerk.  He certainly works as a comic book boogeyman, even in story that is underdeveloped in terms of narrative, which I like anyway.

“Fright Ride” is quite enjoyable, and I would say that it is one of my favorite Scooby-Doo comic book stories.  Writer John Rozum fills the story with delightful twists and turns.  All those narrative sleights of hand make for a surprise ending, of sorts.  Karma can be a witch.

It has happened again.  Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #88 makes me ready for the next issue.

A-
7.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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