by Joe Iconic, Reporter

The apocalypse continues as Scooby and the gang explore a mysterious facility that may hold the key to their survival. Little do they know that a particularly powerful puppy and his gang of mutated mutts are waiting in the shadows—and they’re ready to attack!

Scooby Apocalypse 2 is the comic Scooby fans need.  This series continues to strike a balance between respect for the characters we have loved for almost 50 years and providing a fresh, brilliant re-telling of the best cartoon series of many, many childhoods. The second issue continues to hit those moments that resonate with veteran fans of Scooby Doo, especially those purists that know that the earliest shows were the best.

In Scooby Apocalypse 2, our iconic mystery team getting to figure out each other and the peril they face.  For Scooby Doo uber-fans, the original cartoon series was simply the best for many reasons.  Certainly, the live action movies had wonderful casting and wonderful fun for this beloved property. This series reinvents the team of Mystery Inc, and this Scooby uber-fan is loving every well-crafted panel.

Norville (call me Shaggy!) is a surprise fan-favorite, who continues to shine in Scooby Apocalypse 2.  Shaggy was cast as a hipster versus a skater type, and that choice becomes brilliant as Shaggy’s trademark cowardice is converted to a deep, Jainism-level non-violence belief system.  Instead of being the team mooch, Shaggy is the moral compass. Seriously, please have Shaggy quote Buddha, man, and you’ll have me hooked.  Additionally, fans that like to believe Shaggy smokes marijuana are left slyly wondering if Shaggy and Scooby trips in the ventilation shafts were more than for a snack and nap. Intended or not, there is fan-service all over this series so far, and not just the Mystery Machine-meets-Batmobile.

Velma Dinkle has been upgraded to scientist extraordinaire, but, true to the original cartoon, remains the center of figuring out what is really happening.  I imagine the Sorting Hat would have placed this version of Velma in the House of Ravenclaw.  Scooby Apocalypse highlights the dangers of valuing intellect over morality.  I was a little disappointed her work colleagues aren’t vague references to the characters of The Big Bang Theory.  When she started talking about her colleague Eric playing chess with her at lunch, Sheldon Cooper kept coming to mind.

Daphne and Fred are the most problematic relationship in Scooby Apocalypse 2.  Daphne abuses Fred, and his submissiveness reaches “the more you suffer, the more you know she really cares” level.  The relationship dynamic has been role-reversed, and feels initially uncomfortable to those of us whose first crush was Daphne Blake.  However, this unhealthy relationship feels real.  Their imperfection has resonance, and I’m interested to see this relationship challenged as the series continues.

The most incredible re-imagining in Scooby Apocalypse, however, is the Monsters.  The paradigm from the cartoon is flipped: what if you unmask the humans, you find monsters?  This Scooby Gang is not just encountering generic co-workers.  The transformed co-workers use their former relationships with the gang to try to hurt them beyond a simple claw and fang rendering. Revisiting this fundamental betrayal of trust makes the monsters more human, and revealing the evil within as wholly human in origin.

Scooby Apocalypse 2 remains the surprise hit in this week’s pull list. What if the world ended not in a bang, but a Great Dane’s whimper?   If you are hip to new imaginings that remain true to the characters, and tell a great story, jump on board this series now, and hold on for a great ride.  Scooby Apocalypse has smart dialogue, is serious yet funny, has stunning art, and simply great fun.

Rating:

ComicsOnline gives Scooby Apocalypse 2  5 out of 5 Scooby Snacks!

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