#IReadsYou Review: THE BATMAN & SCOOBY-DOO MYSTERIES (Volume 2) #2

THE BATMAN & SCOOBY-DOO MYSTERIES (2022) #2

DC COMICS

STORY: Ivan Cohen

ART: Dario Brizuela

COLORS: Franco Riesco with Carrie Strachan

LETTERS: Saida Temofonte

EDITOR: Kristy Quinn

COVER: Dario Brizuela with Franco Riesco

32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (January 2023)

Ages 8+

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger

“Rash Decisions”

The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries was a 12-issue comic book limited series that DC Comics published in 2021 and 2022.  The series brought the characters from both the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? and Batman comic book series together.  Over the past five decades, Scooby-Doo and friends have joined Batman and (often) Robin to solve mysteries in various animated television series and comic books.

The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries sold well enough that DC Comics began a second series in October 2022.  I did not subscribe to the first series, but I did subscribe to the new one.  I will try to review each issue for you, dear readers, although some kind of glitch has kept me from receiving the first issue, so...

The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #2 (“Rash Decisions”) is written by Ivan Cohen; drawn by Dario Brizuela; colored Franco Riesco; and lettered by Saida Temofonte.  This issue guest-stars Batgirl/Barbara Gordon and Poison Ivy.

The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #2 opens in front of the Gotham Police Department.  Mystery Inc.:  Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma is meeting with Police Commissioner Jim Gordon.  When Batman finally arrives, the group heads to the police charity ball.  Just as the event is beginning, the commemorative corsages arrive and start spewing a green mist that causes an allergic reaction.  Soon, all the police officers present are beset by an itchy rash.

Even Barbara Gordon is affected, so Batman asks Daphne to take her home.  Soon, Daphne finds herself inside “the Clock Tower,” from where Barbara keeps her eyes and ears on Gotham City.  It is also the occasional home of Batgirl.  And considering her condition, Barbara asks Daphne to assume her identity as “Batgirl!”  Will this bit of high-stakes cosplay turn out to be a rash decision? 

THE LOWDOWN:  As a child, the most important characters in my life were Batman and Robin and Scooby-Doo and company (and also Josie and the Pussycats).  Two of my all-time favorite animated television episodes are the team-ups of Batman and Scooby-Doo in two Season One episodes of “The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries” (1972-73).  They are “The Dynamic Scooby-Doo Affair” (Episode 2, September 16, 1972) and “The Caped Crusaders Affairs” (Episode 15, December 16, 1972).

To this day, I am always excited about the worlds of Batman and Scooby-Doo coming together.  Obviously, The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries is one of those comic book series that is perfectly made for me.

The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #2 has a villain, a mean-spirited Poison Ivy who does not mind making people sick.  However, the real story of “Rash Decisions” is Mystery Inc.'s Daphne Blake.  Writer Ivan Cohen offers a pleasantly surprising plot – Daphne playing Batgirl, and it works.  Barbara and Daphne make a great team, and I would enjoy them reunited in a future comic book.

As usual, Dario Brizuela's illustrations and Franco Riesco's colors are animation-inspired, with Brizuela summoning the ghosts of old Hanna-Barbera cartoons.  Everything about the story, art, and graphics, including Saida Temofonte's lettering, creates the vibe of classic kids' comic books that were based on television cartoon characters.  I can't wait to read the next issue.

Holy comics review, Batman!  Hopefully, this is the first of many reviews of The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries.  I enjoyed this issue, so until next time, Scooby-Dooby-Doo!

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of the union of the worlds of Batman and Scooby-Doo will want The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries.

[This comic book includes a 7-page preview of the original graphic novel, “Teen Titans Go! Undead?!,” by Michael Northrop and Erich Owens,]

A-

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

You can buy THE BATMAN SCOOBY-DOO MYSTERIES 3" trade paperback collection at Amazon.

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#IReadsYou Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #124

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (2010) #124

DC COMICS

STORY: Ivan Cohen; Sholly Fisch

PENCILS: Walter Carzon; Robert Pope

INKS: Horacio Ottolini; Scott McRae

COLORS: Silvana Brys; Heroic Age

LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Dezi Sienty

EDITORS: Courtney Jordan; Kwanza Johnson (reprint)

COVER: Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini with Silvana Brys

32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (December 2023)

Ages 8+

“Driven to Crime”

Welcome, dear readers, to my continuing journey through the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series, which began publication in 2010.  I continue to renew my subscription so that I can continue to review this series for you, dear readers.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #124 opens with “Driven to Crime,” which is written by Ivan Cohen and drawn by Walter Carzon (pencils) and Horacio Ottolini (inks).  The story finds Mystery Inc.:  Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma visiting the set of the television series, “Riding Around with Celebrities in My Town.”

The host, Len, informs the gang that he is planning a spin-off series, “Flying Around with Celebrities Above Town.”  However, a gruesome ghost that calls itself “the Aviator” is totally against anyone flying around his unfriendly skies.  Now, it's up to Scooby and company to ground this wraith.

As usual, the second story, “Just Plane Spooked,” is a reprint story and is written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Robert Pope and Scott McRae.  [This story was originally published in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #18 (cover date: April 2012).]  The story finds Mystery Inc. visiting the owner of the airline company, “Receding Airlines.”  It seems that his airline's flights are being haunted by the ghost of “Cordelia Fairheart,” a famous female aviator (“aviatrix”) who disappeared with her plane over the ocean over eighty years ago.  Now, in order to solve this mystery, Shaggy and company will have to do something that absolutely scares him – take a flight!

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #124 has as a theme aviator ghosts.  The new story, “Driven to Crime,” which is drawn by one of my favorite Scooby-Doo comic book art teams, Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini, is surprisingly different.  The best part of it is its unusual ending, which is more about restorative justice than criminal justice.

The reprint story, “Just Plane Spooked,” is produced by another of my favorite Scooby-Doo creative teams, that of writer Sholly Fisch and artists Robert Pope and Scott McRae.  Although the ending is typical, the story still stands out because the storytellers sell the idea that flying in an airplane practically drives Shaggy bonkers, and that turns out to be funnier than I expected.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #124 is a fun read, and is, like issue #123, an exceptional issue.  So grab your “Scooby Snacks” and read it, and maybe watch a Scooby-Doo movie, later.  And until next time, Scooby-Dooby-Doo!

B+

★★★½ out of 4 stars

[This comic book includes a seven-page preview of the DC Comics original graphic novel, “Young Alfred: Pain in the Butler” by Michael Northrop and Sam Lotfi.]

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

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#IReadsYou Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #118

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (2010) #118

DC COMICS

STORY: Ivan Cohen; Sholly Fisch

PENCILS: Walter Corzan; Scott Neely

INKS: Horacio Ottolini; Scott Neely

COLORS: Silvana Brys; Jason Lewis

LETTERS: Saida Temofonte

EDITORS: Courtney Jordan; Alex Antone (reprint)

COVER: Walter Corzan and Silvana Brys

32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (December 2022)

Ages 8+

“And the Winner Isn't...”

Welcome, dear readers, to my continuing journey through the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series, which began publication in 2010.  I continue to renew my subscription so that I can continue to review this series for you, dear readers.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #118 opens with “And the Winner Isn't...,” which is written by Ivan Cohen and drawn by Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini.  The story finds Mystery Inc.:  Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma … making a silent film?!  Actually, the gang is helping film a promotional short for the upcoming “Movie Awards.”  However, a ghost, calling itself the “Silent Phantom” is determined to ruin the show.

The second story, “Dial 'E' for Eeeeeeeeek!” is, as usual, a reprint story and is written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Scott Neely.  [This story was originally published in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #32 (cover date: June 2013).]  The story finds Mystery Inc. invited to the studios of notorious film director, Alfred Hatchplot.

He is known for his scary movies that make audience jumpy, but now, he claims that something is making him jumpy.  It seems that Hatchplot is being haunted by the menaces from his filmograpy, including the dark birds from his film, “The Annoying Birds.”  Can Scooby and the gang solve this case before these menaces start targeting them?

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #118 is a nice movie-themed issue.  The opening story “And the Winner Isn't...” is produced by one of my favorite Scooby-Doo comic book creative teams, but it is actually not a winner.  However, it does have an unusual ending regarding the villain, one that I don't recall ever seeing in a Scooby-Doo comic book, TV series, or film.

“Dial 'E' for Eeeeeeeeek!” is a nice spoof of Alfred Hitchcock and his films.  Alfred Hatchplot is a rather tame take on Hitchcock, who supposedly could be quiet a tyrant on his film sets.  The shower scene in Psycho, which is arguably Hitchcock's most famous film, gets a nice send-up as a movie entitled “Whacko.”  Shaggy and Scooby even take a spin around Psycho's infamous shower scene with a bathtub scene of their own.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #118 is an improvement over issue #117, which would have been a disaster if the reprint story had not saved the new story.  So grab your popcorn and “Scooby Snacks” and read issue #118 or maybe watch a Scooby-Doo movie.  And until next time, Scooby-Dooby-Doo!

B

[This comic book includes a seven-page preview of the DC Comics original graphic novel, “Green Lantern: Alliance” by Minh Lê and Andie Tong.]

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

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#IReadsYou Review: THE BATMAN & SCOOBY-DOO MYSTERIES Extravaganza #1

THE BATMAN & SCOOBY-DOO MYSTERIES EXTRAVAGANZA #1
DC COMICS

STORY: Ivan Cohen; Sholly Fisch
ART: Dario Brizuela; Randy Elliot
COLORS: Franco Riesco; Silvana Brys
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte
EDITORS: Michael McCalister
COVER: Dario Brizuela with Franco Riesco
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (August 2021)

Ages 8+

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger

“Glove Story” and “Going Bats”

The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries was a 12-issue comic book maxi-series that DC Comics published began publishing in 2021 and concluded this year (cover dated:  June 2021 to May 2022).  The series brought the characters from both the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? and Batman comic book series together.  Over the past five decades, Mystery Inc.:  Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma have joined Batman and (often) Robin to solve mysteries across various entertainment mediums.

The first few issues of The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries sold well enough that DC Comics published The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries Extravaganza #1.  This one-shot comic book reprinted The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries issues #1 and #2 (cover dated June and July 2021) under one cover as a double-sized issue.

The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries Extravaganza #1 begins with The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #1 and the tale entitled “Glove Story.”  It is written by Ivan Cohen and drawn by Dario Brizuela.  “Glove Story” opens inside the “Gotham City Museum of Culture.”  Batman has called Mystery Inc. to help him with a mystery that even he cannot solve.  It seems that an exhibit featuring Batman's different costumes over the years has been robbed.  What's missing, you ask?  The gloves on one of the costumes are not the original ones.  So how can Scooby and the gang help Batman?  Well, it is a question of time in a story that guest stars Robin and Alfred Pennyworth.

Next up is The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #2 and the story, “Going Bats.”  It is written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Randy Elliot.  “Going Bats” opens with Mystery Inc. helping Batman and Robin capture The Joker in order to stop his latest plot.  As a reward, Batman takes Scooby, Shaggy, and the gang to visit the trophy room in the Batcave.  The visit is ruined when a ghost shows up in the Batcave and starts agitating the bats that live there.  Can Mystery Inc. and Batman and Robin solve this mystery before all the secrets of Batman and the Batcave are exposed.

THE LOWDOWN:  As a child, the most important characters in my life were Batman and Robin and Scooby-Doo and company (and Josie and the Pussycats).  Two of my all-time favorite animated television episodes are the team-ups of Batman and Scooby-Doo in two Season One episodes of “The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries” (1972-73).  They are “The Dynamic Scooby-Doo Affair” (Episode 2, September 16, 1972) and “The Caped Crusaders Affairs” (Episode 15, December 16, 1972).  So I'm always excited about such a union, except that I never got around to reading any issues of The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries until now via The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries Extravaganza #1.

“Glove Story” is a nonsensical tale of time travel, but it is drawn by one of my favorite Scooby-Doo comic book artists, Dario Brizuela.  “Going Bats” is the better of the two stories.  It is written by one of my favorite Scooby-Doo comic book writers, Sholly Fisch, and drawn by one of my other favorite Scooby-Doo comic book artists, Randy Elliot.  It is also a very clever Joker tale, which I won't detail, for you, dear readers, in order to avoid spoilers.  I can say that it is the reason that I am giving this issue the grade I am.

Colorists Franco Riesco (“Glove Story”) and Silvana Brys (“Going Bats”) dress these stories in beautiful hues; they helped to make The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries one of the prettiest DC Comics of 2021.  And it would not be a Scooby-Doo comic book without the lovely lettering of the great Saida Temofonte.

The first issue of a second The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries series recently hit comic book shops.  Fear not, dear readers, I have gone the subscription route this time, so I'll start posting reviews as soon as the issues start arriving.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of the union of the worlds of Batman and Scooby-Doo will want The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries Extravaganza #1.

B+
★★★½ out of 4 stars

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


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#IReadsYou Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #117

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (2010) #117
DC COMICS

STORY: Ivan Cohen; Sholly Fisch
PENCILS: Valerio Chiola; Dario Brizuela
INKS: Valerio Chiola; Dario Brizuela
COLORS: Valerio Chiola; Franco Riesco
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte
EDITORS: Courtney Jordan; Kristy Quinn (reprint)
COVER: Valerio Chiola
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (October 2022)

Ages 8+

“Beast of Eatin'”

Welcome, dear readers, to my continuing journey through the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series, which began publication in 2010.  I continue to renew my subscription so that I can continue to review this series for you, dear readers.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #117 opens with “Beast of Eatin',” which is written by Ivan Cohen and drawn by Valerio Chiola.  The story finds Mystery Inc.:  Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma on morning television.  Scooby and Shaggy have joined Juliana Perez to launch her new TV segment, “International Eats.”  However, a Sasquatch is stealing all the food for the show.  Can the gang solve the mystery before Shaggy and Scooby starve?

The second story, “Snack Attack” is, as usual, a reprint story and is written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Dario Brizuela.  [This story was originally published in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #37 (cover date: November 2013).]  The story finds Mystery Inc. in the middle of a terrible situation.  They have visited five grocery stores, and none of them has any “Scooby Snacks.”  They have just visited a sixth store, and the situation is the same – no Scooby Snacks.

The gang decides that it is time to visit “Deauboy Bakeries,” the factory that produces Scooby Snacks.  There, the owner, Mr. Deauboy, informs them that he hasn't produced any Scooby Snacks in a month and that he has shut down the factory.  The villain behind this is even more shocking.  It a monstrous version of the Scooby Snacks mascot, “Skippy Snackerdoodle.”  Can Mystery Inc. bring this monster hound to heel?  Can they save Scooby Snacks for Scooby's … and Shaggy's sake?

“Beast of Eatin'” is a convoluted story, something about former spies and betrayed feelings.  At times, the story really isn't coherent, and Valerio Chiola's art and graphical storytelling can't really crack the contrived nut of this story.

Luckily, the reprint story, “Snack Attack,” is pretty straight-forward.  If you've every wondered about Scooby Snacks, what they are and where they come from, Sholly Fisch, one of the best Scooby-Doo comic book writers, offers his behind-the-scenes look at Scooby's favorite go-to-snack.  The story is drawn by one of my favorite Scooby-Doo comic book artists, Dario Brizuela.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #117 follows two really good issues, #115 and #116, and only the reprint story keeps #117 from being a disaster.  Because of the “Scooby Snacks” story, I will recommend #117 to collectors of Scooby-Doo comic books.  And until next time, Scooby-Dooby-Doo!

B-

★★½ out of 4 stars

[This comic book includes a seven-page preview of the original graphic novel, “DC League of Super-Pets: The Great Mxy-Up” by Heath Corson and Bobby Timony.]

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


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#IReadsYou Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #113

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (2010) #113
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Ivan Cohen; Terrence Griep Jr.
PENCILS: Valerio Chiola; Anthony Williams
INKS: Valerio Chiola; Jeff Albrecht
COLORS: Valerio Chiola; Paul Becton
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Jenna Garcia
EDITORS: Courtney Jordan; Joan Hilty (reprint)
COVER: Derek Fridolfs with Jeremy Lawson
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (February 2022)

Ages 8+

“Unboxing Day”

Welcome, dear readers, to my continuing journey through the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series, which began publication in 2010.  I continue to renew my subscription so that I can continue to review this series for you, dear readers.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #113 opens with “Unboxing Day,” which is written by Ivan Cohen and drawn by Valerio Chiola.  The story finds Mystery Inc.:  Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma in Cooper's Woods.  They are there to help their friend, DIY television star, “Builder Billy,” and his sister, Betty.  It seems a ghostly dryad, a forest spirit from Greek mythology, is vexing Billy's attempt to build a box fort treehouse.  Can Mystery Inc. solve the mystery of the dryad in time to help Billy and Betty build the treehouse?

The second story, “Elf King Swing” is, as usual, a reprint story and is written by Terrence Greip Jr. and drawn by Anthony Williams and Jeff Albrecht.  [This story was originally published in Scooby-Doo #49 (cover date: August 2001).]  Mystery Inc. is in Germany to help an old chum, Baron von Gerhard a.k.a. “Willie.”  His legacy:  a barony, a dense forest, and Munehof, his family's ancestral home, are being threatened by “The Elf King.”  It is a figure right out of Germany's literary history, and he wants to claim Willie and Mystery Inc. as his own.  Can our heroes solve the mystery of the Elf King and save the von Gerhard legacy.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? issues #111 and #112 were two of the best issues of this series that I'd read in some time.  Issue #113 is not so hot.  The new story, “Unboxing Day,” does have an interesting angle in the treehouse building, but the dryad does not cut it as a villain, as far as I'm concerned.

The reprint story, “Elf King Swing” does not interest me at all, so it is best that I say nothing.  However, I do want to note that it references “Erlkonig,” the famous poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, concerning a supernatural being that stalks a young boy who is on horseback with his father.

So, I will only recommend Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #113 to people who collect Scooby-Doo comic books.  And until next time, Scooby-Dooby-Doo!

C

4 out of 10

[This comic book includes a six-page preview of the original graphic novel, “Superman of Smallville,” by Art Baltazar and Franco.]

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


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#IReadsYou Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #103

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? No. 103 (2010)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Ivan Cohen; Robbie Busch; Sholly Fisch; John Rozum
PENCILS: Walter Carzon; Scott Jeralds; Scott Neely; Leo Batic
INKS: Horacio Ottolini; Jeff Albrecht; Scott Neely
COLORS: Silvana Brys; Heroic Age
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Mike Sellers; Swands
EDITORS: Jim Chadwick; Jeanine Schaefer (reprint); Harvey Richards (reprint)
COVER: Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini with Silvana Brys
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (April 2020)

Rated “E” for “Everyone”

“The Black Knight Returns”

Welcome, dear readers, to my continuing journey through the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series, which began publication in 2010.  I renewed my subscription (for a second time), and this is the fifth issue (at least) that I have received from that renewal.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #103 opens with “The Black Knight Returns,” which is written by Ivan Cohen and drawn by Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini.  Mystery Inc.:  Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma are V.I.P. guests on a movie set.  There is going to be a reboot of Scooby-Doo's favorite film franchise, “Star: Dog Ranger.”

The original “Star” was a human in a dog costume, but in the modern take on the franchise, “Star” will be a composite of an on-set animatronic dog, Andy Circuit, and post-production computer effects.  The “Star” reboot production may be haunted, however, as “The Black Knight,” a ghostly invader, frequently rides onto the set, declaring that the movie will never be completed.  Can Mystery Inc. unravel the mystery of this seemingly cursed reboot?

The second story, “Abe Misbehavin',” is, as usual, a reprint and is written by Robbie Busch and drawn by Scott Jeralds and Jeff Albrecht.  [This story was originally published in Scooby-Doo #120 (cover date: July 2007).]  The “Ghostly Gorilla,” a glowing white and blue apparition, is haunting a movie set.  Can Mystery Inc. solve this case, or is there more to this case than meets the eye?

There are two one-page stories.  First is “Learn to Draw with the M.I. Gang – Learn to Draw: Fred,” which is written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Scott Neely.  [This feature was originally published in Scooby-Doo #123 (cover date: October 2007).]  Shaggy and Scooby learn to draw Fred, with scary results.

Next is “Velma's Monsters of the World: Pricolici,” which is written by John Rozum and drawn by Leo Batic and Horacio Ottolini.  [This feature was originally published in Scooby-Doo #158 (cover date: September 2010).]  Readers, sit back as Velma regales you with the story of the Romanian werewolf known as the “Pricolici”.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #103 stands out a little from most of the recent run of issues in this series.  “The Black Knight Returns” will remind readers of a frequent theme of Scooby-Doo cartoons, the old resenting the new.  “Abe Misbehavin'” has a rather unique twist that I did not see coming.  I also found myself intrigued by the Pricolici in this installment of “Velma's Monsters of the World.”  In the real world, the Pricolici is a creature from Romanian folklore that is a werewolf fused with either a vampire or a dhampir (half-human and half-vampire), depending on the source material.

I recommend Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #103 to fans of Scooby-Doo comic books.  So, until next time, Scooby-Dooby-Doo!

B
6 out of 10

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

[This comic book includes a preview of the original graphic novel, Batman: Overdrive, by Shea Fontana and Marcelo DiChiara.]



The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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I Reads You Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You #96

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? No. 96
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Ivan Cohen; Brett Lewis
PENCILS: Walter Carzon; Anthony Williams
INKS: Horacio Ottolini; Dan Davis
COLORS: Silvana Brys; Paul Becton
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Ryan Cline
EDITOR: Harvey Richards; Joan Hilty
COVER: Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini with Sylvana Brys
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (February 2019)

Rated “E” for “Everyone”

“Boardwalk Vampire”

I am continuing my journey through the renewal of my subscription to the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series.  Join me, will you?  I recently received the eleventh issue of that renewed subscription.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #96 opens with “Boardwalk Vampire” (written by Ivan Cohen and drawn by Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini).  Mystery Inc.:  Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma are visiting the popular theme park, “The Boardwalk,” via invitation.  The gang is attending the “75th Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest,” when the “Boardwalk Vampire” strikes.  Now, Amy Judd, head of “The Boardwalk Preservation Society” and the person who invited our heroes, reveals that this vampire is the reason she invited them.  There is a new mystery afoot, but Mystery Inc. is running out of time to solve it.

The second story is “Good Ghost Haunting” (written by Brett Lewis and drawn by Anthony Williams and Dan Davis).  It was originally published in Scooby-Doo #42 (January 2001), and it was recently reprinted in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #89 (cover dated: March 2018).  This is what I wrote about it in my review of that issue:

The story finds Mystery Inc. at Plymouth Institute of Technology for its annual technology fair, where students compete for scholarships and research grants.  Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby-Doo are attending the fair, hoping to find new technologies to help them in their crime fighting.  The problem is that the ghostly “Salem Witch Hunter” is stealing at the fair, and so it is another ghostly mystery for the gang to solve.

“Good Ghost Hunting” also deals with the “rightful owners” theme.  The crooks' method of operation is clever, although many readers will solve the mystery of that ghost pretty quickly.

“Boardwalk Vampire” is a nice story because, even at only 10 pages in length, it offers multiple sub-plots and elements; it even has backstory concerning two of the guest characters.  One of the ways I judge the quality of these Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? tales, which are really short stories, is if they would make a good plot for one of those direct-to-DVD Scooby-Doo movies.  “Boardwalk Vampire” does.  I really enjoyed this story, and I also liked the cover illustration that went along with it.

See you next issue!

B
6 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #92

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? No. 92
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Ivan Cohen; Scott Peterson; Frank Strom
PENCILS: Walter Carzon; Tim Levins; Scott Neely
INKS: Horacio Ottolini; Dan Davis; Scott Neely
COLORS: Silvana Brys; Heroic Age
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Mike Sellers; John J. Hill
EDITOR: Harvey Richards; Michael Siglain
COVER: Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini with Silvana Brys
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (June 2018)

Rated “E” for “Everyone”

Let's continue through the renewal of my subscription to the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series.  I recently received the seventh issue of that renewed subscription.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #92 opens with “Too Many Sleuths” (written by Ivan Cohen and drawn by Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini).  Mystery Inc.:  Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma are “Special Guests” at “Sleuth Con International.”  When a collection of rubber masks based on Mystery Inc.'s earliest cases turn up missing, Mystery Inc. is on the case.  But what will our young sleuths do when they learn that Edgar Allen Poe may be the culprit.

The second story is “Ravenous” (written by Scott Peterson and drawn by Tim Levins and Dan Davis).  [This story was originally published in Scooby-Doo #117 (cover dated: April 2007).]  Staying in the vein of Mr. Poe, Shaggy is home alone reading comic books while the rest of the gang is away.  When a raven suddenly swoops into the house, Shaggy thinks that it is an omen.

The third story is “In the Spirit” (written by Frank Strom and drawn by Scott Neely).  [This story was originally published in Scooby-Doo #151 (cover dated: February 2010).]  Mystery Inc. arrives on the Pacific island of Tiki Tongo.  This tropical paradise is the site of the “2009 International Surf Open,” but there is trouble in paradise.  An aggressive ghost, “the Great Warrior Chief,” wants everyone off the island.  Thus, when Mystery Inc. decides to solve this mystery, the ghost turns even more aggressive.

“Too Many Sleuths” offers an appearance by a character, “Old Man Carruthers,” a spin on the generic “Old Man so-and-so” character that usually played a crucial role in an episode of the original Scooby-Doo animated series, “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!”  I think the identity of the “villains” in “Too Many Sleuths” are obvious.  “Ravenous,” a reprint story, is really good.  Maybe, it is an Edgar Allen Poe thing for me, as I am a fan, but I thought this was a nice short, short story.  As for “In the Spirit,” I like any Scooby-Doo story set on a tropical island, and I think this one has enough interesting elements to be worthy of being adapted for animation.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #92 is one of my favorite recent issues.  As always, I recommend this title to Scooby-Doo fans, while I wait for the next issue to pop into my mail box.

B+
7 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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I Reads You Review: SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU #86

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? No. 86
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Ivan Cohen; Paul Kupperberg
PENCILS: Randy Elliot; Fabio Laguna
COLORS: Sylvana Brys; Heroic Age
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Robin Levin; Harvey Richards
COVER: Scott Gross
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (December 2017)

Rated “E” for “Everyone”

Several years ago, I had a subscription to the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series.  I let it expire after a year, but I had been putting off renewing it, which I did a few months ago.  I recently received the first issue of that new subscription.  Let me share some news about my first subscription issue with you.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #86 opens with “Medical Mystery Tour” (written by Ivan Cohen and drawn by Randy Elliot).  Mystery Incorporated has just solved a case and disaster strikes!  When Velma Dinkley is forced to stay awake in a hospital bed for 24 hours, Scooby-Doo and the rest of Mystery Inc., do their best to keep their resident super-brain occupied.  Are there schemes, however, keeping them from seeing the truth?

The second story is “It's a Mystery!” (written by Paul Kupperberg and drawn by Fabio Laguna).  It was originally published in Scooby-Doo #155, a 2010 issue of the Scooby-Doo comic book series that began in 1997.  This is another Velma story.  It is her birthday, and her Mystery Inc. pals have created a fake mystery based on the work of Velma's favorite mystery novelist, Cal Melvin Cullins, for her to solve.  But fate and bad timing throws Velma into a case that is real and is closer to home than the Mystery Inc. gang realizes.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #86 is a pointed reminder for me that I should have renewed by subscription to this series back in 2014.  I missed three years of a comic book that I really liked.  At the end of my review of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #50, I asked, “Should I continue past Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #50?  I am having a good time...”  I didn't continue.

Both of these stories are quite good, and similarly are about misdirection.  Although most readers will probably figure out what's going on midway through both stories, they are fun because they depict the closeness of the characters.  Mystery Incorporated is a family, and the cartoon series that have broken up the family into a smaller unit, such as “The New Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Show” (1983) and “Shaggy & Scooby Get a Clue! (2006).  These two series are not the same as the series which feature the entire original cast – and are not as good as the ones with the full cast, as far as I'm concerned.

I like that the two stories that make up Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #86.  They put the family in “Scooby gang.”  Also, Scott Gross' cover art for this issue is one of the most imaginative visuals and striking designs that I have ever seen on a Scooby-Doo comic book cover.

A-
7.5 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

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I Reads You Review: YOUNG JUSTICE #18

YOUNG JUSTICE #18
DC COMICS

WRITER: Greg Weisman
ART: Christopher Jones
COLORS: Zac Atkinson
LETTERS: Dezi Sienty
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Rated “E” for “Everyone”

Young Justice is the ongoing, spin-off comic book series of “Young Justice” an animated superhero television series currently airing on Cartoon Network. “Young Justice” the television series focuses on the lives and adventures of the sidekicks and protégés of some of DC Comics’ biggest superheroes, which includes such young heroes as Artemis (Green Arrow), Robin, and Aqualad, among others.

Young Justice #18 (“Monkey Business”) begins with a wrap up of the team’s recent (mis) adventures. That includes a case involving Red Tornado and also a mission in India with Captain Marvel acting as den-mother. Now, Batman sends Aqualad, Robin, Superboy (and his pet Wolf), Artemis, Kid Flash, and Miss Martian into darkest (imaginary) Africa – the nation of Bwunda.

There, in the Bwundan jungles, they will find the Brain and Monsieur Mallah’s latest Kobra-Venom operation. Although Young Justice recently shutdown the Brain’s last such operation, the villain has an ally this time around, Ultra-Humanite, and he’s calling on Grodd to deal with the children.

My reviews of Young Justice, issue numbers 16 and 17, praised the art by Christopher Jones. Jones is a classic comic book artist in that he understands the visual and graphical storytelling that brings superhero comic books to life. His page layouts and style capture the eye, and his compositions sell the drama and action of the story. After Jim Lee on Justice League, Christopher Jones is the best artist on a Justice League title.

Sans co-writer Kevin Hopps, Greg Weisman offers a story that is darker than the previous story arc. In “Monkey Business,” Weisman places the young heroes in what clearly reads like a convincing perilous situation. More so than in the previous issues, I want to come back for the second part of this.

Young Justice #18 has a 4-page preview of Green Lantern: The Animated Series #7 (the comic book adaptation of the similarly named Cartoon Network animated series).

WRITER: Ivan Cohen
ARTIST: Luciano Vecchio
COLORS: Gabe El Taeb
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte

The story features my favorite Green Lantern villain, the Tattooed Man, and I enjoyed reading the preview. I will try to find a copy of this issue.

A-