Wednesday, June 22, 2022

#IReadsYou Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #115

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (2010) #115
DC COMICS

STORY: Derek Fridolfs; 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: Derek Fridolfs with Silvana Brys
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (June 2022)

Ages 8+

“Ready Player Run!”


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? #115 opens with “Ready Player Run!,” 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 at the headquarters of “Playtel,” the board game company.  Fred answered an ad so that the whole gang could “playtest” Playtel's latest game.

But Playtel has a surprise for all the testers.  They want to give players a new experience, and that means transporting players into virtual reality versions of their games via VR goggles.  But there is a glitch … err … gremlin in the VR system.  The “Grim Gamer” is out to win at all costs, and Mystery Inc. has a new mystery to solve.

The second story, “Endgame” is, as usual, 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? #10 (cover date: August 2011).]  Mystery Inc. is attending the “World Video Game Championships,” which is sponsored by the video game company, Gamestation.

Competitors include the Tendo Brothers, Mario and Luigi, and the legendary player, Zelda.  But a ghostly figure, “The Pinball Wizard,” is demanding that this championship tournament be shut down.  Now, Gamestation's Laurie Kraft is desperate to save the tournament, so Mystery Inc. has another mystery to solve.

Right from the start, one reason for me to like “Ready Player Run!” is that it comes from Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini, one of my favorite Scooby-Doo comic book art teams.  Combined with Sivana Brys' lovely colors, “Ready Player Run!” looks gorgeous.  Writer Derek Fridolfs, another Scooby-Doo comics favorite, offers a cleverly constructed story right out of the kind of real-world corporate espionage that must be rampant in the video game industry.  I like this story, and I think it would make a good plot for one of those direct-to-DVD Scooby-Doo movies.

“Endgame” is written by another of my favorite Scooby-Doo comic book writers, Sholly Fisch, and is drawn by another of my favorite Mystery Inc. art dream teams, Robert Pope and Scott McRae.  The plot and the villain are good, but not great.  However, the story has a crazy last act – Shaggy and Scooby in a dance-off!  Yes, it's as fun as it sounds.

So, I recommend Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #115 to all Scooby-Doo fans because it is one of the best issues of the series in the last year or so.  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, “Primer” by Jennifer Muro, Thomas Krajewski, and Gretel Lusky.]

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


https://www.dccomics.com/
https://twitter.com/DCComics
https://www.facebook.com/dccomics
https://www.youtube.com/user/DCEntertainmentTV
https://www.pinterest.com/dccomics/
https://www.periscope.tv/DCComics/1ZkKzezXwZdxv


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

---------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the affiliate link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the affiliate link below AND buy something(s).


Tuesday, June 21, 2022

#IReadsYou Review: BETTY & VERONICA Double Digest #304

BETTY & VERONICA (JUMBO COMICS) DOUBLE DIGEST #304
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Tania Del Rio; Angelo DeCesare; Frank Doyle; George Gladir; Dick Malmgren; Dan Parent; Mike Pellowski; Barbara Slate; Hal Smith; Dexter Taylor; Kathleen Webb
PENCILS: Bill Golliher; Dan DeCarlo; Gus Lemoine; Stan Goldberg; Tim Kennedy; Bill Kresse; Rudy Lapick; Dan Parent; Fernando Ruiz; Jeff Shultz; Chic Stone; Dexter Taylor; Bill Vigoda
INKS: Jim Amash; Jon D'Agostino; Jim DeCarlo; Vince DeCarlo; Mike Esposito; Bill Kresse; John Lowe; Al Milgrom; Henry Scarpelli; Chic Stone
COLORS: Glenn Whitmore; Barry Grossman
LETTERS: Jack Morelli; Vince DeCarlo; Bill Kresse; Dexter Taylor; Bill Yoshida
COVER: Dan Parent with Francis Bonnet
EIC: Mike Pellerito
ISSN: 10440321; (July 2022)
192pp, Color, $8.99 U.S. (June 1, 2022 – direct market)

Rating: All-Ages

New stories: “Smells Like Teen Spirits!”


Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest is part of “The Archie Digest Library” series.  Debuting in the spring of 1987, Betty & Veronica Double Digest is a mini-trade paperback-like series that features stories reprinted from across the publishing history of Archie Comics.  The stories focus on two of Archie Comics' main characters, Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge, best friends and also rivals in their love for Archie Andrews.  Sometimes, however, these digests open with an original story.

Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #304, the latest edition, contains one brand new story, “Smells Like Teen Spirits!”  It is written by Tania Del Rio; drawn by Bill Golliher (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by Jack Morelli.  It stars Sabrina Spellman with Betty and Veronica.  A teenage witch, Sabrina was created by writer George Gladir and artist Dan DeCarlo, and first appeared in Archie's Madhouse #22 (cover-dated: October 1962).  2022 is the sixtieth anniversary of the character, and Archie Comics is honoring the character with the “60 Years of Magic” celebration.

Sabrina in “Smells Like Teen Spirits!”:

The story opens at Riverdale Beach, and Sabrina is looking for a particular new pop-up shop among the beach's boardwalk shops.  Sabina hopes the new shop, “Perfume Pop-Up,” also sells empty perfume bottles.  She needs a thick new one to contain a troublesome potion she made that is about to break out of the flimsy old perfume bottle in which it is currently contained.

Unfortunately, all it takes is a moment for Betty and Veronica to expose themselves to the potion.  Now, unfortunate and unexpected things are happening to them, and Sabrina has to fix this awful situation without Betty and Veronica noticing.

THE LOWDOWN:  Although Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #304 is a Betty & Veronica title, it is also a celebration of Sabrina the Teenage Witch.  In addition to the new story, “Smell Like Teen Spirits!,” which is the story that opens this issue, the next six stories feature Sabrina as the star or co-star.

The rest of the Sabrina stories include classic old-school Sabrina characters like her Aunt Hilda and Della, the Head Witch, with Archie and the gang joining the fun.  Another delight, two of the stories are drawn by Sabrina's co-creator, the late Dan DeCarlo.

As usual, I must warn you, dear readers.  I will always recommend classic-style Archie Comics titles.  And this 304th edition of Betty & Veronica Double Digest is doubly recommended because we get Betty & Veronica and the Archie Gang and Sabrina Spellman.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #304.

A-
★★★½ out of 4 stars

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



https://archiecomics.com/
https://twitter.com/archiecomics
https://www.instagram.com/archiecomics/
https://www.facebook.com/ArchieComicsOfficial?ref=tn_tnmn
https://www.youtube.com/user/ArchieComicsOfficial
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8914136-archie-comics


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

---------------------


Monday, June 20, 2022

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for June 22, 2022

BOOM! STUDIOS

APR220633 ALL NEW FIREFLY #5 CVR A FINDEN $4.99
APR220634 ALL NEW FIREFLY #5 CVR B YOUNG $4.99
APR220730 KILLER AFFAIRS OF STATE #5 (OF 6) CVR A JACAMON (MR) $4.99
APR220695 MAGIC HIDDEN PLANESWALKER #3 (OF 4) CVR A DARBOE $4.99
APR220696 MAGIC HIDDEN PLANESWALKER #3 (OF 4) CVR B GIST $4.99
APR220697 MAGIC HIDDEN PLANESWALKER #3 (OF 4) CVR C CONNECTING VAR $4.99
APR220700 MAGIC HIDDEN PLANESWALKER #3 (OF 4) CVR F FOC REVEAL VAR $4.99
FEB220760 MIGHTY MORPHIN TP VOL 04 $16.99
APR220674 SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #24 CVR A DELL EDERA $3.99
APR220675 SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #24 CVR B DIE CUT MASK VAR $4.99
APR220676 SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #24 CVR C DIE CUT BLOODY V $4.99
APR220708 WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEYRE DEAD #11 CVR A DI MEO $3.99
APR220709 WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEYRE DEAD #11 CVR B INFANTE $3.99

-------------------


Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 22, 2022

DARK HORSE COMICS

FEB220361 AIRLESS YEAR TP $14.99
APR220340 COLLECTOR UNIT 731 #3 (OF 4) $3.99
APR220277 LONESOME HUNTERS #1 (OF 4) $3.99
FEB220351 NO ONE LEFT TO FIGHT II TP $19.99
APR220290 SHAOLIN COWBOY CRUEL TO BE KIN #2 (OF 7) CVR A DARROW (MR) $4.99
APR220291 SHAOLIN COWBOY CRUEL TO BE KIN #2 (OF 7) CVR B QUITELY (MR) $4.99
APR220292 SHAOLIN COWBOY CRUEL TO BE KIN #2 (OF 7) CVR C PISKOR (MR) $4.99
FEB220294 SNOW ANGELS TP VOL 02 $19.99

----------------


Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for June 22, 2022

DYNAMITE

FEB220582 BOYS OVERSIZED OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 (MR) $99.99
FEB220583 BOYS OVERSIZED OMNIBUS SGN ED HC VOL 01 (MR) $199.99
APR220473 ELVIRA IN HORRORLAND #2 CVR A ACOSTA $3.99
APR220474 ELVIRA IN HORRORLAND #2 CVR B ROYLE $3.99
APR220475 ELVIRA IN HORRORLAND #2 CVR C CALIFANO $3.99
APR220476 ELVIRA IN HORRORLAND #2 CVR D PHOTO $3.99
APR220527 JOHN CARTER OF MARS #3 CVR A ACOSTA $3.99
APR220528 JOHN CARTER OF MARS #3 CVR B LINSNER $3.99
APR220529 JOHN CARTER OF MARS #3 CVR C CASE $3.99
APR220530 JOHN CARTER OF MARS #3 CVR D KAMBADAIS $3.99
APR220531 JOHN CARTER OF MARS #3 CVR E COSPLAY $3.99
APR220420 SAMURAI SONJA #1 CVR A PARRILLO $3.99
APR220421 SAMURAI SONJA #1 CVR B LEIRIX $3.99
APR220422 SAMURAI SONJA #1 CVR C HENRY $3.99
APR220423 SAMURAI SONJA #1 CVR D GANUCHEAU $3.99
APR220424 SAMURAI SONJA #1 CVR E COSPLAY $3.99
APR220425 SAMURAI SONJA #1 CVR F BLANK AUTHENTIX $3.99
APR228131 SAMURAI SONJA #1 CVR Q FOC BOYS HOMAGE MCCREA ORIGINAL $3.99
APR228132 SAMURAI SONJA #1 CVR R FOC PARRILLO ULTRAVIOLET $3.99
APR228133 SAMURAI SONJA #1 CVR S FOC LEIRIX ULTRAVIOLET $3.99
APR228139 SAMURAI SONJA #1 CVR Y FOC RED BLANK AUTHENTIX $3.99
APR220605 SHEENA QUEEN JUNGLE #7 CVR A PARRILLO $3.99
APR220606 SHEENA QUEEN JUNGLE #7 CVR B SUYDAM $3.99
APR220607 SHEENA QUEEN JUNGLE #7 CVR C LINSNER $3.99
APR220608 SHEENA QUEEN JUNGLE #7 CVR D BESCH $3.99
APR220609 SHEENA QUEEN JUNGLE #7 CVR E COSPLAY $3.99
APR228147 SHEENA QUEEN JUNGLE #7 CVR N FOC PARRILLO ULTRAVIOLET $3.99

-------------------


IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for June 22, 2022

IDW PUBLISHING

APR221549 CANTO TP VOL 03 LIONHEARTED $19.99
APR221604 JOHNNY BOO HC VOL 13 OHNNY BOO GOES TO SCHOOL $9.99
APR221568 MY LITTLE PONY #2 CVR A MEBBERSON $3.99
APR221569 MY LITTLE PONY #2 CVR B JUSTASUTA $3.99
APR221591 TRANSFORMERS BEAST WARS #17 (OF 17) CVR A YURCABA $3.99
APR221592 TRANSFORMERS BEAST WARS #17 (OF 17) CVR B ANDREA BELL $3.99
APR221602 USAGI YOJIMBO LONE GOAT & KID #6 (OF 6) $3.99

---------------


Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 22, 2022

IMAGE COMICS

APR220175 ARROWSMITH #6 (OF 6) CVR A PACHECO FONTERIZ VILLARRUBIA (MR) $3.99
APR220176 ARROWSMITH #6 (OF 6) CVR B NEKRO (MR) $3.99
APR220177 ARROWSMITH #6 (OF 6) CVR C GUARNIDO (MR) $3.99
APR220178 ARROWSMITH #6 (OF 6) CVR D SHALVEY (MR) $3.99
APR220066 BEWARE THE EYE OF ODIN #1 (OF 4) $4.99
APR220179 BLOOD STAINED TEETH #3 CVR A WARD (MR) $3.99
APR220180 BLOOD STAINED TEETH #3 CVR B MOORE (MR) $3.99
FEB220201 DEADLY CLASS #53 CVR A CRAIG (MR) $3.99
FEB220202 DEADLY CLASS #53 CVR B MAHFOOD (MR) $3.99
APR220140 GRRL SCOUTS STONE GHOST TP (MR) $19.99
APR220193 GUNSLINGER SPAWN #9 CVR A REVOLVER $2.99
APR220194 GUNSLINGER SPAWN #9 CVR B BOOTH $2.99
APR220195 HELLCOP #8 CVR A HABERLIN & VAN DYKE (MR) $3.99
APR220196 HELLCOP #8 CVR B HABERLIN & VAN DYKE (MR) $3.99
APR220197 HELLCOP #8 CVR C DREW & HABERLIN (MR) $3.99
APR220198 HOME SICK PILOTS #15 CVR A WIJNGAARD (MR) $3.99
APR220199 HOME SICK PILOTS #15 CVR B WALSH (MR) $3.99
APR220200 I HATE THIS PLACE #2 CVR A TOPILIN & LOUGHRIDGE (MR) $3.99
APR220201 I HATE THIS PLACE #2 CVR B EXPLICIT VAR (MR) $3.99
APR220221 NEWBURN #8 (MR) $3.99
MAR220244 NOCTERRA #11 CVR A DANIEL & MAIOLO (MR) $3.99
MAR220245 NOCTERRA #11 CVR B PANOSIAN (MR) $3.99
MAR220246 NOCTERRA #11 CVR C DANIEL & MAIOLO (MR) $3.99
APR220225 RADIANT RED #4 (OF 5) CVR A LAFUENTE & MUERTO $3.99
APR220228 ROGUE SUN #5 CVR A ABEL $3.99
APR220235 SILVER COIN #11 CVR A WALSH (MR) $3.99
APR220236 SILVER COIN #11 CVR B SIMMONDS (MR) $3.99
APR220109 SPAWN #1 30TH ANNV BLANK SKETCH CVR $2.99
APR220274 ZVRC ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS CLASSIC #4 (OF 4) CVR A WOOD (MR) $5.99
APR220275 ZVRC ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS CLASSIC #4 (OF 4) CVR B WOOD (MR) $5.99

------------------