Written by Sholly Fisch
Art by Dario Briezula; Walter Carzon; Horacio Ottolini; Scott Jeralds; Franco Riesco; Silvana Brys; & Saida Temofonte
Compilation Cover Art & Original Cover Art by Dario Brizuela & Franco Riesco
SUMMARY:
Released by DC Comics in 2019, this 152-page compilation reprints Scooby-Doo! Team-Up # 37-43 from 2018. The seven adventures are:
- “Nasty Tricks.” The Mystery Inc. gang are called to Midvale to help Supergirl, who is being haunted by ghosts from her native Argo City. It’s up to Scooby and Streaky the Super-Cat to help unmask the truth.
- “It Was a Dark and Gritty Knight.” In homage to their prior animated TV team-ups, Mystery Inc. returns to Big City to aid Dyno-Mutt probe why Blue Falcon has suddenly become so intense. Of course, all isn’t what it appears. There’s several Batman wink-wink gags, as this story is dedicated to Adam West’s memory.
- “Victory Through Scare Power.” In present-day Washington, D.C., the accidental opening of Pandora’s Box unleashes a horde of ghostly winged demons. Doctor Fate then brings Mystery Inc. to 1942’s Justice Society of America (Alan Scott’s Green Lantern; Jay Garrick’s Flash; Wildcat; Ma Hunkel’s Red Tornado; Doctor Mid-Nite I; Johnny Thunder; Sandman I; the first Atom; Queen Hippolyta/Wonder Woman; and the original Black Canary). In classic JSA fashion, everyone divides into squads to battle Vandal Savage’s Nazi and demonic forces before reuniting for the big showdown.
- How’s Bayou?” In the Swamp Thing’s bayou, Mystery Inc. faces the nefarious Voodoo Queen and her zombie slaves. Abby Arcane and Solomon Grundy also make appearances.
- “Perils Before Swine.” Representing TV’s Wacky Races, the Ant Hill Mob needs Mystery Inc. to help protect Penelope Pitstop from the scheming Hooded Claw’s forces.
- “Gorilla Warfare.” Mystery Inc. finds that there’s plenty of monkey business afoot in Pleasantville – villainous guest stars include Gorilla Grodd; Monsieur Mallah; a Nazi vampire gorilla; & the Ultra-Humanite. Turnaround is fair play in the form of Sam Simeon; Detective Chimp; Titano the Super-Ape; Congo Bill & Congorilla; and maybe even Beppo the Super-Monkey.
- “Doomed!” Set after the ‘High-Rise Horror’ case, Mystery Inc. meets the classic Doom Patrol (Robotman, Elasti-Girl, Negative Man, & The Chief), along with some weird new recruits: the Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man, Flex Mentallo, Crazy Jane, & Danny the Street. Even with this much firepower, will it be enough against the original Brotherhood of Evil?
Continuity Notes: As implied in these stories, Scooby’s gang already met Supergirl, Diana/Wonder Woman (twice), Elasti-Girl’s adopted son — Beast Boy, & the Legion of Doom’s Solomon Grundy in Volume 1. They also met the present-day Black Canary in Volume 6.
To address a ‘connection’ between Blue Falcon and Batman, there’s an unrelated DC/Hanna-Barbera team-up pairing the Super-Sons (Damian Wayne & Jonathan Kent) with Dyno-Mutt. It’s revealed that story’s Blue Falcon belongs to Batman Inc.; not to mention, he’s a childhood prep school pal of Bruce Wayne. This one-shot is available in the DC/Hanna-Barbera team-ups’ second volume, along with, i.e., a 1970’s Black Lightning caper with Hong Kong Phooey.
REVIEW:
After six prior volumes, the Scooby team-up magic isn’t nearly as dazzling – i.e. some of Shaggy and Fred’s clichéd dialogue bits are tiresome. Still, these stories should hold up okay with the elementary school crowd. Both Sholly Fisch’s kid-friendly plotting and the art squad’s visuals are consistently on their game, but there ought to be two parental caveats.
First, “Victory Through Scare Power” and, to a lesser degree, “Gorilla Warfare” reference the Nazis, which is out-of-place for Scooby-Doo storytelling. Secondly, Fisch has Dyno-Mutt briefly comparing his duo with Blue Falcon to other legendary ‘pairs.’ Harmlessly, he mentions peanut butter and jelly, … rhythm and blues, … and then, of all things, ‘Sacco and Vanzetti.’ Meant as a historical quip for adults, it’s a tasteless attempt at humor far above the intended audience’s pay grade. Considering the various DC kiddie titles he has written, Fisch ought to have known better.
Scooby-Doo! Team-Up, Volume 7: Doomed!, based on its overall content, continues a terrific series concept. Once again, DC’s production values are commendable – they’re not skimping. Parents, however, may find the earlier volumes (especially Volume 1) are more enjoyable reads for their kids.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Full-page reproductions of the covers are included.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
