As mentioned previously, DC Comics is doing reboots of a number of Hanna-Barbera properties, and one of them is Scooby-Doo and Gang. Based on the cover art, I was a bit skeptical, more so of this one than any other in the set.
Howard Porter’s pencils and inks, are nice, but lack the feel of Scooby-Doo. None of the characters really look like the original gang. Unsurprising, I guess, as they are trying to do something that is, um, different. The story, well, jinkies, it is NOT the Scooby-Doo I grew up with and my daughter has learned to love. Not by a long shot. Velma is a bit of a mad scientist trying to save the world, unleashing nanites onto an unwitting population, that when triggered will turn humanity into docile slaves.
Scooby is in training as a military dog with enhanced intelligence, and is a failure in the program, and Shaggy is his trainer. Daphne and Fred run an obscure TV show exploring weird things.
And, of course, it’s the end of the world as we know it.
I had major concerns when I read the promo-blurb about this before the actual release. Sadly, it lived up to my expectations, and I don’t like it. These characters are so unlike in look and personality, and the story is, well, yeesh. Even my daughter didn’t like it. I am going to give the second issue a read, but I am not hopeful.
Oh, well, at least we have Future Quest to look forward to.
