#IReadsYou Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #108

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (2010) No. 108
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Sholly Fisch, Alex Simmons
PENCILS: Walter Carzon; Leo Batic
INKS: Horacio Ottolini
COLORS: Silvana Brys; Paul Becton and Sno Cone
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Rob Leigh
EDITORS: Courtney Jordan; Joan Hilty (reprint)
COVER: Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini with Silvana Brys
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (April 2021)

Ages 8+

“The Devil (Dog) You Say?”

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 tenth issue of my third subscription run that I have received.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #108 opens with “The Devil (Dog) You Say?,” which is written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini.  Mystery Inc.:  Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma have been called to a “house on the moors.”  The caller is one William Gottrich III, and his home is under siege by the monstrous “Devil Dog.”

Gottrich has already called on three other individuals for help.  There is Tom Katt of Animal Control, whom the dog has trapped in the house since the previous day.  Next, is Professor Rosetta Stone, the county historian, who believes the Devil Dog is really the legendary “Hound of the Moors,” that brings doom to anyone that sets foot on the moors.  Finally, there is Madame Persona Nongrata, a noted psychic who believes that the dog is a messenger from the “demonic underworld” sent to drag its victims back to its “fiery realm.”

So what can Mystery Inc. do?  Well, it seems that this is a case that only Scooby and Shaggy can solve!

The second story, “Prisoner of the Ghost in the Iron Mask,” is, as usual, a reprint story and is written by Alex Simmons and drawn by Leo Batic and Horatio Ottolini.  [This story was originally published as the back-up story in Scooby-Doo #79 (cover date: February 2004).]   Mystery Inc. is in the country of “Morovania,” smuggled there by Princess Adora.  The princess needs to the gang to solve the mystery of the “Ghost in the Iron Mask,” which has been chasing off any man who might marry Adora.  The ghost has been haunting Adora's family, on and off, for generations, but hopefully it won't take Scooby and company that long to solve this ghostly mystery.

Ever since I first saw the 1939 film, The Hound of the Baskervilles (starring Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes), I have been fascinated by the film's story, which was based on the 1902 Sherlock Holmes novel, The Hound of the Baskervilles (written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle).  I often find myself enjoying other adaptations of the novel, including humorous adaptations or spins on the story, like “The Devil (Dog) You Say?”  Of course, I enjoyed the story and the art by the team of Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini.  Actually, I pretty much like any Scooby-Doo story they draw.  I also like that writer Sholly Fisch gave all four guest/supporting characters enough personality and background to make them interesting or, at least, good comic relief.

“Prisoner of the Ghost in the Iron Mask,” this issue's reprint story, is notable mainly because of the slightly offbeat way pencil artist Leo Batic draws the Mystery Inc. characters.  Batic's interpretation of Shaggy, with an expressive rubbery face and wiry, bendable body, stands out.

So, I recommend Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #108 to fans of Scooby-Doo stories set in haunted mansions and castles.  And until next time, Scooby-Dooby-Doo!

B
6 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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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? #48

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? #48
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Scott Neely, John Rozum
PENCILS: Scott Neely, Leo Batic
INKS: Scott Neely, Horacio Ottolini
COLORS: Candace Schinzler-Bell, Heroic Age
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Nick J. Napolitano
EDITOR: Aniz Ansari
COVER: Scott Neely and Candace Schinzler-Bell
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (September 2014)

Rated “E” for “Everyone”

I recently received another issue in my Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? subscription.  As regular readers of this blog know, I bought the subscription via a fundraiser held by my nephew’s school last year, which involved selling magazine subscriptions.  [It's time to renew my Scooby subscription, by the way.]

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #48 opens with “Tiki Taboo Trouble” (written and drawn by Scott Neely).  Scooby-Doo and Shaggy are cleaning out the garage to find items they can sell at a neighborhood garage sale.  The garage looks like something from a television show about hoarders.  They find lots of stuff, including the Mystery Inc. Archives.  They even find a tiki from one of their mysteries, “The Case of the Night Marchers.”  Shaggy not only decides to keep the small wooden idol, but he also puts it on a chain around his neck.  Is he asking for trouble and bad luck?

“A Wolf in Creep’s Clothing” (written by John Rozum and drawn by Leo Batic and Horacio Ottolini) finds the gang at a monster convention, “Monster Mix 2004.”  This is the one place where Shaggy and Scooby can feel safe around monsters, because these monsters are only fans in costumes.  However, the ghost of Patricia Millicent, the late, famed movie monster costume designer, is terrorizing the contestants of the convention’s costume contest.  And Shag and Scoob have to solve this mystery on their own, as Fred, Daphne, and Velma are trapped on a convention panel.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #48 is the first Scooby-Doo comic book that I have read in which the story depicts domestic harmony for Mystery Inc.  Cleaning up the clutter, garage sales, and running errands:  for a Scooby-Doo fanboy like me, this “home front” story is a nice change of pace.

Meanwhile, “A Wolf in Creep’s Clothing.” this issue's reprint story (originally published in Scooby-Doo #92), has already been recently reprinted in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #46.  That must be an editorial glitch, but it is a good story.

B-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

I Reads You Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #46

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? #46
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Scott Gross, John Rozum
PENCILS: Fabio Laguna, Leo Batic
INKS: Fabio Laguna, Horacio Ottolini
COLORS: Candace Schinzler-Bell, Heroic Age
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte, Nick J. Napolitano
EDITOR: Aniz Ansari
COVER: Scott Gross
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2014)

Rated “E” for “Everyone”

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #46 is the most recent issue that I have received through my subscription to the title.  Join me as I continue my journey through the current Scooby-Doo comic book series with a review of the forty-sixth issue.  Why is this happening, those of you who are new might ask?  I bought a subscription to Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? via a fundraiser held by my nephew’s school last year, which involved selling magazine subscriptions.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #46 opens with “Awesomelantis Rises” (written by Scott Gross and drawn by Fábio Laguna).  After Shaggy and Scooby, through their usual antics, dig up a mysterious artifact, The Mystery Inc. gang visits a local university.  In the Marine Archeology Department, Professor Varzi tells them that he believes the artifact to be a relic of the long-lost city of Atlantis.  When a group of creatures calling themselves “Atlanteans” show up, the gang has another mystery to solve.

“A Wolf in Creep’s Clothing” (written by John Rozum and drawn by Leo Batic and Horacio Ottolini) finds the gang at a monster convention, “Monster Mix 2004.”  This is the one place where Shaggy and Scooby can feel safe around monsters, because these monsters are only fans in costumes.  However, the ghost of Patricia Millicent, the late, famed movie monster costume designer, is terrorizing the contestants of the convention’s costume contest.  And Shag and Scoob have to solve this mystery on their own, as Fred, Daphne, Velma are trapped on a convention panel.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #46 offers two delightful tongue-in-cheek stories.  Both trade in classic Scooby-Doo scenarios, while gently poking fun at how Mystery Inc. solves cases.  “Awesomelantis Rises” is a mystery so obviously not about the supernatural, but the art by Fábio Laguna is a treat.  It is also funny to see what is essentially a children’s comic book making a pointed attack on commercial exploitation of history and on frivolous commercial real estate development.

“A Wolf in Creep’s Clothing” is a reprint from Scooby-Doo #92 (the Scooby-Doo series prior to this one).  I like Scooby-Doo stories that take place at conventions and at other behind-the-scenes locales like a movie lot, a circus, or a theatre where stage plays are performed.  Writer John Rozum spoofs figures that are well-known in monster films, television, and fiction, such as Hellboy’s Mike Mignola (as Mike Magnolia) and Stephen King (as Steve Kingman).  This story left me wanting more Scooby-Doo, and Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #46, as a whole, makes me want to re-subscribe.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

I Reads You Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where are You? #42

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? #42
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Heather Nuhfer, Terrance Griep
PENCILS: Eduardo Garcia, Leo Batic
INKS: Eduardo Garcia, Horacio Ottolini
COLORS: Heroic Age
LETTERS: Deron Bennett, Travis Lanham
COVER: Eduardo Garcia
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (April 2014)

Rated “E” for Everyone

I have a subscription to DC Comics’ most recent Scooby-Doo comic book series, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? (which launched in 2010).  I bought the subscription through a fundraising drive for the school which my nephew attends, and I recently received the fourth issue of my subscription.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #42 opens with “Viral Villain” (written by Heather Nuhfer and drawn by Eduardo Garcia).  The story finds Mystery Inc. on a short break to relax from all the mysteries they have been working.  Shaggy and Scooby, however, are bored, so they visit a local video game story, looking for something with which to entertain themselves.  They find a copy of the hot new game, Celestial Edge, but the store owner warns them that the game has been making some of the people who have played it act crazy.  That may explain why Shag and Scoob are seeing the game’s villain, Lord Vicious, walking around in the real world.

In “Sleeper’s Peepers” (written by Terrance Griep and drawn by Leo Batic), the gang visits the lake that is the site of a wakeboarding tournament.  They are helping Tad Laurent, the top-rated wake-boarder, get ready for the tournament.  However, the “Scaled Sleeper,” a monster that looks like the creature from the Black Lagoon, wants an end to the tournament so that he can keep sleeping.  Of course, the Mystery Inc. gang sees his threat as the start of a new mystery to be solved.

Once again, an issue of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? offers two stories that would work better as one issue-length story.  Ten and 12 pages, respectively, don’t do justice to the stories, especially the 10-page, “Viral Villain.”

I must admit that that I am impressed with the artist of “Viral Villian,” Eduardo Garcia.  You could mistake him for an animator drawing cel art for an actual Scooby-Doo cartoon.  He is a true Scooby-Doo artist, and his illustrations, combined with Heroic Age’s coloring, make “Viral Villain,” seem like true-blue Doo.

B-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.