The time has come to make friends … but can Scrappy be trusted?
Creative Staff:
Writers: Keith Giffen & J.M. DeMatteis
Artists: Ron Wagner & Andy Owens
Colorist: Hi-Fi
Letterer: Travis Lanham
What They Say:
It’s life or death! Faced with the choice between the two, the warring groups led by Scrappy and Scooby must join forces in order to survive the menacing mega monster! Will they survive the fight? Or will they be absorbed into the belly of the beast forever?!
Content (please note that portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Scrappy has left the group to scout ahead in order to find out the true cause behind all of the maniacal mutant madness. However as he tracks down the maddening throb deep in his brain, the truest cause of the pain is only the beginning of his problems. While he convinced himself going after the mob was to avenge his pack, the resulting answer to his query only made this lunacy all the more insane as he saw the solution to the monsters’ endless trek across the wilderness. These menacing abominations had congregated for one purpose – they had been summoned by some unknown force. It was now up to this cunning canine to find out who or what was behind all of this … except now it seems he is no longer alone – those pesky humans and that stupid reject have arrived on the scene. With all of their bickering it is a wonder they haven’t been attacked earlier, but luckily none of the monsters have broken their trance and are still being controlled.
Now that they have been reunited, these meddling kids are startled by the stealthy approach of their former enemy, his callous voice breaking the cacophony of their incessant conversation. With all of their arguing, these humans cannot see this gargantuan monstrosity is beginning to form into one mass of inhumanity. But even as it tries to stand upon unsteady legs of multiple bodies, the uneasiness of several beings trying to cooperate as one it too much to bear, collapsing from its own weight. While Velma comments upon this new creation’s failings, an annoyed Scrappy takes the initiative and decides to attack the one controlling this nauseating behemoth, hidden deep within the head. Surprisingly the one he repeatedly calls a failure, Scooby-Doo, immediately pursues his canine companion into the fray. Can these two dogged pursuers do anything to halt this sickening menace or are they rushing into an uncertain doom?
In Summary:
I was thoroughly surprised by this climatic issue since it is a dramatic departure from the normally human-centric story, with writers Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMattis have sensibly shifted the narrative to Scappy. To be quite fair when I first read the side stories concerning this callous canine and his pack, and human pet Cliffy in tow, I did not think the character would go far since he was such a deviation from the original Hanna Barbera character; in the animation this nephew of Scooby-Doo was portrayed as a wise cracking, too smart for his own good tyke who always plunged head first into danger, the complete opposite of his uncle and now a retrograde of that simpler time. This portrayal of that child has now grown up into a fierce protector of his group, not someone who will concede to anyone or anything to take advantage of him or his wards … in other words, a survivor. Of course this representation is well suited for his post apocalyptic land, allowing him to take on the world without any reservations or assumptions that there will be any repercussions for his behavior.
But what even more surprising is the relationship he develops with something he calls a pet – a human boy who Scrappy initially accepted since this child reminded him of his younger, uncorrupted days. However what reinforces this story the most is his monologue, Scrappy trying to justify all of his actions and at the same time, recalling everything which lead up to this moment; but then in some kind of noble twist in the end, as he finally meets the creature controlling the hive mind, the callous one finally becomes someone he himself can be proud of, even as faces an uncertain fate. While the action was confined to someone who I might have never considered a hero, we now know even villains can have a conscience … and thus, something to live and fight for.
However what really makes the most impact on this issue is the amazing artwork of Ron Wagner and Andy Owens, bringing to life the adventure which will define Scrappy as someone to admire, even if he might have taken some shortcuts along the way. Although the illustrations are static and don’t show much progression between the panels, they are still powerful in the aspect by which they show our antagonist now becoming the protagonist and taking charge of the story. With each page you can almost feel the determination and structure of his changed attitude, at times the audience cannot but watch as he becomes the focus of attention within each picture – your eye follows him across, waiting for his next unusual action. Before we have always assumed he would only do what is best for his pack and pet Cliffy, but now that the former is gone and the latter is supposedly in safe care, he can concentrate on all which matters – the true monster before him.
It is fascinating how the progression of the story has changed from following Daphne into one by which we are lead by this dog who never cared for anyone. But what intensifies the perimeters of this story are the somber and at times nauseating color selection of Hi-Fi, allowing us to see this tale unfold in such a marvelous array of organic tones and shadows. While normally all of these darker shades would be depressing, the composition of each panel is contrasted by just enough brightness so as not to be overwhelming, light and dark balancing each other. This combination of illustration and palette unfolds the beauty of this nightmare, unraveling the madness into what will become a memorable moment within the title.
The time has finally come for the gang to face the truest monster within the series, even if any chance of victory is snatched away by our unexpected savior. As I have stated, I never would have imagined someone so gruff with his own pack and pet could become something to be admired, if only for a brief moment. Scrappy-Doo, a canine who never wanted to be anything but a dog, but due to the manipulations of the Complex, he will fulfill a chance to change the world. But can he truly become a hero or nothing more than a martyr upon the altar of time?
Grade: A
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: DC Comics
Release Date: August 09, 2017
MSRP: $3.99
