#IReadsYou Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #127

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (2010) #127

DC COMICS

STORY: Derek Fridolfs; Sholly Fisch

PENCILS: Walter Carzon; Scott Neely

INKS: Horacio Ottolini; Scott Neely

COLORS: Silvana Brys; Heroic Age

LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Dezi Sienty

EDITORS: Courtney Jordan; Alex Antone (reprint)

COVER: Derek Fridolfs with Silvana Brys

32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (June 2024)

Ages 8+

“Dog Tag”

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? #127 opens with “Dog Tag,” which is written by Derek Fridolfs and drawn by Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini.  The story finds Mystery Inc.:  Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma enjoying a night of “Laser Tag.”  However, what Shaggy calls the “Freaky Fright Stalker” is taking the fun out of the game.  Can the gang solve this mystery?

As usual, the second story, “Con Games,” is a reprint story.  It is written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Scott Neely.  [This story was originally published in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You #25 (cover date: November 2012).]  The story finds Mystery Inc. attending “MonsterCon.”  It's packed with authors, filmmakers, sci-fi fans, and cosplayers.  The con's organizer, Woody K. Wackerstein, is certainly happy about the turnout.  But when the “Phantom of the Con” makes his regularly scheduled appearance, the apparition threatens to put an end to the convention fun.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #127 has as its theme fandom and fan gatherings.  “Dog Tag” is set in a “Laser Tag” entertainment center, and although people have been playing it since the 1980s, “Laser Tag” remains popular.  The monster in the story visually references the alien, “Predator” that first appeared in the 1978 film, Predator, and also appeared as recently as the Hulu original film, the Emmy-nominated, Prey (2022).

I enjoy stories set in the world of science fiction and comic book conventions.  I still fondly remember author Sharyn McCrumb's 1988 satirical novel, Bimbos of the Death Sun, which is set at a science fiction convention.  This issue's second story is set set at a con, and features a number of pop culture references.  Woody K. Wakerstein, the organizer of “MonsterCon,” is a substitute for Forest J. Ackerman, an author and magazine editor.  Ackerman was also one of the founders of science fiction fandom.  Another substitute character is “Walt Palace,” who is based on director William Castle (1960s 13 Ghosts), who is known for his B-movie horror flicks for which he used gimmicks to promote.

The best thing about this issue is that it features the art of two of the best Scooby-Doo comic book artists, Walter Carzon and Scott Neely.  Each artist's illustrations also features gloriously shimmering bright coloring from Silvana Brys and Heroic Age, respectively.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #127 is a good issue, much better than the previous one, #126.  So grab your “Scooby Snacks” and read it, and maybe watch a Scooby-Doo movie, later.  And until next time, Scooby-Dooby-Doo!

B+

[This comic book includes a seven-page preview of the DC Comics original graphic novel, “Dear DC Super-Villains” by Michael Northrop, Gustavo Duarte, Cris Peter, and Wes Abbott.]

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

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#IReadsYou Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #120

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (2010) #120

DC COMICS

STORY: Derek Fridolfs; Sholly Fisch

ART: Valerio Chiola; Scott Neely

COLORS: Valerio Chiola; Jason Lewis

LETTERS: Saida Temofonte

EDITORS: Courtney Jordan; Alex Antone (reprint)

COVER: Derek Fridolfs with Valerio Chiola

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

Ages 8+

“Djinn-Kies!”

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? #120 opens with “Djinn-Kies!,” which is written by Derek Fridolfs and drawn by Valerio Chiola.  The story finds Mystery Inc.:  Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma attending the “Coolsville Antiques Auction.”  Velma has even brought a Van Dinkenstein family heirloom, a vase, for appraisal.  However, a thieving Djinn (a magical spirit from Arabian and Islamic mythology) keeps arriving in a cloud of smoke and stealing antiques.  Can the gang solve this mystery before everything valuable gets stolen?

The second story, “Give Me a Ring” 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? #30 (cover date: April 2013).]  The story finds Mystery Inc. called to New Orleans.

It seems that two of the world's great archaeologists, Lewis Clark and Stanley Livingston, have discovered the legendary “ancient ring” that belonged to the “voodoo queen,” Marie LeFaux.  Hundreds of years ago, Marie used the ring to turn people into zombies.  Lewis tells the gang that Stanley was turned into a zombie after he placed the ring on his finger.  Can the gang solve the mystery of the new zombie and the cursed ring?  Can Shaggy and Scooby survive the spicy Cajun food?

If Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #120 has a theme, it is that the two stories involve some of my favorite fantasy beings/creatures.  So the theme is “for Leroy's pleasure.”  The title “Djinn-Kies” is a play on Velma's favorite exclamation, “Jinkies!”  Besides that, the story features a delightful mix of an antique-stealing Djinn, family heirlooms, and a secret armoire.  It is also produced by Derek Fridolfs and Valerio Chiola, two of my favorite Scooby-Doo comic book creators.

As a Louisiana native, I like having “Give Me a Ring” set in a cartoon version of New Orleans.  Zombies, voodoo, Dixieland jazz, and a playful nod to spicy Louisiana food:  I think these would make the perfect elements for a Scooby-Doo straight-to-DVD movie.  Oh, and “Give Me a Ring” is produced by Sholly Fisch and Scott Neely, Scooby-Doo favorites of mine.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #120 is simply a fun read.  So grab your “Scooby Snacks” and read issue #120 and maybe watch a Scooby-Doo movie, later.  And until next time, Scooby-Dooby-Doo!

B

[This comic book includes a seven-page preview of the DC Comics original graphic novel, “Diana and Nubia: Princess of the Amazons” by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale and Victoria Ying.]

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"

https://www.dccomics.com/

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The text is copyright © 2022 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? #97

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? No. 97
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Sholly Fisch; Darryl Taylor Kravitz; Scott Peterson
PENCILS: Walter Carzon; Karen Matchete; Scott Neely
INKS: Horacio Ottolini; Karen Matchete; Scott Neely
COLORS: Silvana Brys; Heroic Age
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Randy Gentile; Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Harvey Richards; Michael Siglain
COVER: Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini with Sylvana Brys
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (April 2019)

Rated “E” for “Everyone”

“The Gang's All Here”

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?  A few months ago, I received the twelfth and final issue of that renewed subscription.  I recently renewed for a second time, but it may be two months before I receive the first issue of my third subscription.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #97 opens with “The Gang's All Here” (written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini).  Mystery Inc.:  Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma have stopped by the “Thirteenth National Bank” to withdraw some cash so that they can buy gas for the Mystery Machine.  While there, however, the ghosts of infamous bank robbers, Connie and Floyd and Ron Derringer rob the bank.  But why do ghosts want to rob a bank?

This issue has two reprint stories.  The first is “The Freeloading Ghost” (written by Daryl Taylor Kravitz and drawn by Karen Matchete). [It was originally published in Scooby-Doo #127 (cover dated February 2008) and was also reprinted recently in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #94 (cover dated October 2018).]  As the story opens, Mystery Inc. has just solved “The Mystery of the Crystal Key Ghosts.”  Part of the process of solving the case meant that those “annoying kids” and their dog had to exorcise the ghosts haunting the creepy mansion that was at the epicenter of the mystery.  Well, one of those ghosts is still around, and he wants a new home...

The second reprint story is “UFO-No!” (written by Scott Peterson and drawn by Scott Neely).  [It was originally published in Scooby-Doo #109 (August 2006).]  The story opens at night with the Mystery Machine traveling through some spooky woods.  Mystery Inc. is lost!  However, they follow a UFO to a stadium where singer “Pitty Swords” is in concert with “Jason Woodriver.”  Those meddling kids arrive just in time to solve a new mystery.  Why would a UFO steal Pitty's custom-made tiara?

“The Gang's All Here” is a weak story, although the art is nice.  I also have to admit that I like seeing the Mystery Inc. kids engaged in something domestic like going to the bank to withdraw some cash.  “UFO-No!” would make a good scenario for one of those direct-to-DVD Scooby-Doo movies, but it barely registers as a comic book story.

I have no idea why “The Freeloading Ghost” has been reprinted half a year after it was last reprinted.  This is actually the third time I have encountered that story.  It was also reprinted in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #45 (cover dated: July 2014).  I wonder if that story was ever revisited, as the story ends with a ghost promising that Scooby-Doo has not seen the last of him.

See you... when my next subscription begins.

C+
5 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? #94

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? No. 94
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Sholly Fisch; Darryl Taylor Kravitz; Terrance Griep
PENCILS: Randy Elliot; Karen Matchete; Scott Neely
INKS: Randy Elliot; Karen Matchete; Scott Neely
COLORS: Pamela Lovas; Heroic Age
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Randy Gentile; Swands
EDITOR: Harvey Richards
COVER: Randy Elliot with Pamela Lovas
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (October 2018)

Rated “E” for “Everyone”

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

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #94 opens with “Not Just Yeti” (written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Randy Elliot).  Mystery Inc.:  Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma have been called by the owner of “Benjy Kord's Rockin' Gym,” a climbing gym, to solve the mystery of a abominable snowman or “yeti” that his been plaguing his place of business.

No true yeti would hang around a place with faux rock-climbing walls, so who is the real culprit?  It is Hy Pique, owner of a rival climbing gym; Vertigo, a young lady who is one of Benjy's former customers; or is it Benjy's former employee, Tom Buldown?

This issue has two reprint stories.  The first is “The Freeloading Ghost” (written by Daryl Taylor Kravitz and drawn by Karen Matchete). [It was originally published in Scooby-Doo #127 (February 2008).]  As the story opens, Mystery Inc. has just solved “The Mystery of the Crystal Key Ghosts,” and part of the process of solving the case meant that those “annoying kids” and their dog had to exorcise the ghosts haunting the creepy mansion that was the epicenter of the mystery.  Well, one of those ghosts is still around, and he wants a new home...

The second reprint story is “At Least That Beast” (written by Terrance Griep and drawn by Scott Neely).  [It was originally published in Scooby-Doo #145 (cover dated:  August 2009).]  The Mystery Inc. kids are in the Congo to help a friend, John Arkizi.  It seems that the “Mokele-Mbembe,” the legendary dinosaur that lives in the swamps around nearby Lake Tele, is causing a ruckus.  The mastermind behind the dinosaur's behavior seems to be a witch doctor, Kwaheri, who is using the “Mokele-Mbembe” to vex a local mining operation.  But who is the real mastermind, and what is his true motivation?

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #94 is a really fun read.  It is probably the best issue of this current subscription run, and the reason is the two reprint stories.  The new story, “Not Just Yeti,” is a shamelessly weak piece of work on the part of the storytellers.  The reprint stories are quite good, especially “The Freeloading Ghost,” a story that has the potential to launch a new Scooby-Doo series or animated film.  I hope to get more Scooby-Doo comic books like issue #94.

A-
7.5 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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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? #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? #47

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? #47
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Sholly Fisch; Michael Kraiger
PENCILS: Dave Alvarez; Scott Neely
INKS: Dave Alvarez; Scott Neely
COLORS: Candace Schinzler-Bell, Paul Becton
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Rob Leigh
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 the latest issue of my Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? subscription.  I bought the subscription via a fundraiser held by my nephew’s school last year, which involved selling magazine subscriptions.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #47 opens with “Comic Convention Card Tricks” (written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Dave Alvarez).  Mystery Inc. is attending Mega-Pop Con (“The world’s largest gathering of pop culture!”).  Scooby-Doo and Shaggy are there for the comic books and the food, of course.  Daphne is looking to add to her collection of Fuzzies Dolls.  Fred wants to meet the star of his favorite science fiction television show, “Doc Whatzisname.”

Velma is at the convention to put her “keen strategic mind” to use in the “World Championship Tournament” of her favorite role-playing card game, “Monster Mania.”  But the gang’s fun is interrupted when monsters from Monster Mania come to life to plague the tournament.

“Night Marchers” (written by Michael Kraiger and drawn by Scott Neely) opens with Mystery Inc. in Hawaii so that Daphne can attend the “Conference on Polynesian Paranormal Phenomena.”  Of course, the gang can’t escape a mystery, especially after Shaggy and Scooby meet the ghostly procession known as the “Night Marchers.”

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #47 is unusual in that Velma is the spark in both the cases Mystery Inc. confronts.  The gang is at Mega-Pop Con and in Hawaii because of events in which Velma is participating.  Perhaps, this catches my attention because I am always curious about Velma beyond her place in Mystery Inc.  Who is she and what is her family like?  What are her hobbies?

Beside that, “Comic Convention Card Tricks” is a severely under-developed story.  Once again, it is one of those Scooby-Doo short stories that needed more space.  “Night Marchers,” which I’m assuming is the reprint story this issue (from Scooby-Doo #77), is a fun read, if for no other reason than its Hawaiian setting.

As a side note:  the setting of “Comic Convention Card Tricks” is Mega-Pop Con, which is obviously a stand-in for the legendary, annual San Diego Comic-Con International.  In conjunction with Comic-Con International 2014, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #47, in addition to the regular edition, comes with an exclusive Comic-Con variant cover edition.  Get yours if you can.

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? #44

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? #44
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Matthew K. Manning; Paul Kupperberg
PENCILS: Robert Pope; Roberto Barrios
INKS: Scott McRae; Horacio Ottolini
COLORS: Franco Riesco; Heroic Age
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Pat Brosseau
MISC. ART: Vincent Deporter
EDITOR: Kristy Quinn
COVER: Scott Neely with Heroic Age
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (June 2014)

Rated “E” for “Everyone”

I continue my journey through the current Scooby-Doo comic book series with the forty-fourth issue of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?  Why is this happening?  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? #44 opens with “Island of the Jabberwockies” (written by Matthew K. Manning and drawn by Robert Pope and Scott McRae).  The Mystery Inc. gang is traveling through what is apparently a series of interconnected islands.  The kids are headed to a beach on Fripp Island, but first, must pass through Hunting Island where they almost have an accident and definitely have a weird experience.

At the Fripp Island Hotel, they learn that vacationers are being pestered by deer and scared by the “Jabberwockies.”  Now, Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby-Doo are also being terrorized, but they’re not too scared to investigate.

In “The Phantom of the Opal!” (written by Paul Kupperberg and drawn by Roberto Barrios and Horacio Ottolini), the Mystery Inc. kids are guests on “The Tad Williams Show.”  The arrival of the Phantom of the Opal means that the guests have to become mystery solvers.  When it comes to the identity of the Phantom, the kids have plenty of suspects because the phantom is obviously an embittered living person.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #44 has as a theme conniving showbiz types.  “Island of the Jabberwockies” is a quickie type story, but it is pointed in making its point.  Writer Matthew K. Manning also uses much of the 10 pages of the narrative to showcase the lovable silliness we’ve come to expect of that crazy duo, Shaggy and Scooby.

“The Phantom of the Opal!” is apparently a reprint (from the previous series, Scooby-Doo #153), but it is the better story of the two.  The main reason is because writer Paul Kupperberg squeezes enough subplots and characters inside a short story to create a separate graphic novel (or even miniseries).  The guest characters are fairly well-developed, complete with motivation and conflicts.

Surprisingly, even with only 12 pages, Kupperberg succeeds in making the mystery of the Phantom of the Opal an intriguing one.  I really got into solving the mystery of the Phantom’s identity (and my first choice turned out to be right).  I hope Kupperberg writes new Scooby-Doo comics.

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? #41

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? #41
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Scott Gross, John Rozum, Keith Champagne
PENCILS: Scott Gross, Scott Neely
INKS: Scott Gross, Jorge Pacheco, Scott Neely
COLORS: Heroic Age
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte, Sal Cipriano, Randy Gentile,
COVER: Scott Gross
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (March 2014)

Rated “E” for Everyone

I currently subscribe to DC Comics’ most recent Scooby-Doo comic book series, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? (2010).  I bought the subscription through a fundraising drive by the school my nephew attends.  I just received the third issue of my subscription.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #41 opens with “Annunaki” (written and drawn by Scott Gross).  The story finds Mystery Inc. on the road and lost.  The gang ends up in the small Ohio town of Chillicothe.  There, they discover that an “ancient astronaut,” is terrorizing locals and keeping them away from the area’s pride and joy, local Indian mounds.  Faster than you can exclaim, “Jinkies!” Velma Dinkley has a plan.

In “Chupacabra-Cadabra” (written by Keith Champagne and drawn by Scott Neely), the gang takes a road trip to celebrate Shaggy Rogers’ birthday.  No-thanks to the legendary “El Chupacabra,” which has a penchant for kidnapping, Shaggy is about to have his worst birthday ever!

Once again, I experience the joy of reading a Scooby-Doo comic book.  Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #41 offers three good stories, although some of this material is not new.  Some of the comics here were previously published in Scooby-Doo (1997) #130 and #140.

Even at eight pages, “Chupacabra-Cadabra” is a complete and fully developed story.  However, “Annunaki,” at 10-pages in length, is the victim of a rushed ending.  The story is a good idea, but it should have been a full-length, single-issue story of at least 20 pages in length.  The last two pages are crunched together, when this last act needs at least six pages.  Talk about compression.

Overall, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #41 is a good issue.  And I’m ready for the next issue – as usual.

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? #39

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? #39
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Heather Nuhfer, John Rozum, Darryl Taylor Kravitz
PENCILS: Robert Pope
INKS: Scott McRae
COLORS: Heroic Age
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte, Mike Sellers, Sal Cipriano
COVER: Scott Neely
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (January 2014)

Rated “E” for Everyone

A few months ago, my sister, her husband, and their son (my nephew, of course) came for a visit.  My nephew told us that his school was doing one of those fundraising campaigns schools always seem to be doing.  Instead of candy bars or M&Ms, his school was selling magazine subscriptions, and my nephew had a catalog filled with what seemed like a few hundred magazine offerings, covering a wide range of topics.

To my surprise and delight, the subscription offerings included a few DC Comics titles.  I’m not sure why, but I chose a subscription to DC’s current incarnation of a Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #39 opens with the story, “Prize Pup.”  A sold-out movie means the Mystery Inc. gang ends up at the Conewango Kennel Club Dog Show just in time to solve the mystery of the “Hound of the Conewango.”  Now, Scooby-Doo might become a champion pooch or a victim!

Next, learn about such monsters of the “Plat-Eye,” the giant six-legged cow, and more in “Velma’s Monsters of the World.”  In “Ah… Rival,” the gang is off to London, England for a chance to be “Teen Detectives of the Year.”  The Sleuth Sisters Club is all that stands between our heroes and “the Golden Magnifying Glass Award,” and they mean to win by any means necessary.

The art by penciller Robert Pope and inker Scott McRae is excellent.  When it comes to drawing Scooby-Doo and Mystery Inc. in comics form, this art team deserves to be called perfect.  The coloring by Heroic Age is also quite good.

The stories are the problems in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #39, but not because they are bad or of poor quality.  Aside from “Velma’s Monsters of the World” (which is a gag story), “Prize Pup” and “Ah… Rival” need to be longer.  They are actually good scenarios.  In fact, they are good enough ideas that each could be adapted into a Scooby-Doo direct-to-DVD movie.

In the comic book, however, the two stories are just crammed into 10 pages or less, but they’re really made to be told as 20-page stories, at least.  They’re good stories.  They need to be – dare I say it – decompressed.

B-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.