Old friends are always welcomed back … unless they are hiding something.
Creative Staff:
Writers: Keith Giffen & J.M. DeMatteis
Artist: Pat Olliffe
Inks: Scott Hanna
Colorist: Hi-Fi
Letterer: Travis Lanham
What They Say:
With their headquarters under siege and overrun with monsters, the Scooby gang has to split up and seek shelter in the city. But when they realize that other plague-survivors are still trapped in the mall, the gang must decide whether to mount a rescue operation – or abandon their friends.
Content: (please note that portions of a review may contain spoilers):
While following up on a suspicious noise one of the patrols heard in the waterways, Shaggy comes upon a surprising visitor – Scrappy Doo. The smart dog monstrosity who supposedly sacrificed to save the gang back in Washington is back, and all he wants is food and shelter in return for his help. Although both sides are wary and wonder of the others ulterior motive, the human still has to voice his opinion – what is the real reason he came back. Once they arrive above ground, it does not take long before Cliffy comes to embrace his canine friend, but these feelings are not reciprocated in kind, instead, he verbally lashes out, with the same hostile attitude he shows the others. But as the survivors start to give him a wide berth, Velma begrudgingly allows the defender to stay, if he follows all of their rules which some think may not be possible, but there is always the possibility.
However, as this reunion continues, a certain fiery redhead has her own internal torment to work out … and she undergoes her best therapy with a gun in hand. As Daphne surges forward in the vast wastelands with this savage safari, her anger knows no bounds, continuously slaughtering numerous abominations, with no end in sight until she grows tired. Even as she takes a well-deserved break, her conscious is still in conflict – the willingness to continue the battle, but also the guilt of knowing the only one she loved died after such a stupid mistake. And yet still Blake will not allow it to go down without a fight, always surging forward, allowing self-hatred and rage against the world to be her catalysts to continue, no matter what she must face and where it will lead her. There are promises she must fulfill, one to her father, to herself and one to Fred … but which one will come true first?
In Summary:
With so much anger barely contained within this issue, plus the return of Scrappy Doo, I am surprised writers Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis are able to get anything done, but instead, we are left with a transitional tale which seems more concerned about venting than moving the story forward. You can practically feel the tension trying to burst forth as the story begins, an abandoned ally comes back, and yet even with what should be a welcoming narrative, we are bombarded by so many tirades it is smothering. I am surprised Shaggy does not at least try to verbally defend himself, but he is so obsequious that it seems as if he is the canine and Scrappy the master – a unique role reversal which may allow him to understand his foe better. And though it is understandable to allow the smart dog to articulate his frustration, to do so equably brings a new meaning to the term pacifist, when most of us would have retaliated if not in fear being mauled by our opponent. This conflict is made all he more surprising when Velma agrees to welcome the tyrant into the fold, making this conflict a true example of a wolf being allowed to stay with the sheep. But at the same time, I would have liked to see how missing leader Daphne would handle this situation: two fiery tempers posed against each other, all to see who would prevail in this battle of wills. However, with her current emotional condition, she probably would have caved into Scrappy’s demands, too caught up in Survivors’ Guilt to put up any fight against a monster they consider a friend. In fact, in her current state, I wouldn’t be surprised if Blake surrendered, allowing her more chances to go hunting and calm her tortured mind, in any possible way, even if it means the inevitable.
Throughout this tension heavy narrative, we are unfortunately provided with too much of a somber presence, thanks to the melancholy excellence work of artist Pat Olliffe with inks by Scott Hanna. Although the surprising opening splash of Scrappy does spark our interest, what follows thereafter seems tame compared to the explosive goodness of monster slaying in previous issues. And while Hi-Fi’s toned down palette does supply some drama by extenuating the seriousness of the angst-ridden events, it is not until we reach Daphne’s act does the issue hint a return to the carnage-ridden excitement which we come to expect from the title. To see our favorite redhead slaughtering monsters by herself, the spectacular splash of gore and firepower, allow us to remember why this series is so pronounced in its emotional roller coaster moments. The progression of internal conflict is reflected in her actions, from over emphasized fury, leading to outright anger and troubled sadness … they combine wonderfully to present the confusion within our heroine as she tries to sort through her feelings. This insightful turning point is hopefully when we will see the Mystery Gang come back together, including the conflict makes them stronger and gives us what we miss most of all – visual enthusiasm for what makes the group the people who we have come to admire.
With yet another transitional story which seems to be lagging any real progress, this issue is bogged down by too self-pity to create any sympathy within the reader. Although it is understandable to allow the characters to use the audience as an emotional soundboard to vent frustrations, there is such a time as when too much is enough. To see Daphne before as a brooding hermit and now is withdrawn and needing some final settlement to end her grief, it turns everything which she presented in previous issues on its end and is depressing instead uplifting for the heroine she had become. While it understandable for someone to fall into despondency and give up on everything, for someone of her supposed strength, is it out of character, even if she did lose the love of her life. Hopefully, this melodrama will end and we will return to the caustic stubbornness which we have come to appreciate within this title.
Grade: B+
Age Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: DC Comics
Release Date: July 11, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
