Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writers: Sholly Fisch and Scott Peterson; Darryl Taylor Kravitz
Pencils: Walter Carzon; Scott Neely; Karen Matchette
Inks: Horacio Ottolini
Colors: Silvana Brys; Heroic Age
Letters: Saida Temofonte; Travis Lanham; Randy Gentile
Summary
Sholly Fisch’s “The Gangs All Here” has Scooby and the Gang in the wrong place at the wrong time as they are taken hostage by three “ghosts of criminals past”. These would-be bank robbers of old would have gotten away with it if not for those pesky kids!
Darryl Kravitz’s “The Freeloading Ghost” is a repeat story from a few issues ago in which a ghost inhabits the Mystery Machine, but crosses the line when it eats Scooby’s Scooby Snacks. An eviction notice is immediately given!
And finally, Scott Peterson’s “UFO – No!” has the Gang in search of a missing Tiara for a pop star who has to have it in order to perform at the big concert. All’s well that ends well with the discovery of the missing headdress. But who’s that alien?
Positives
This issue follows the same formula as the Saturday Morning cartoon of years gone by. Each of the stories are well written in that vein and each author does a great job with “I would have gotten away with it if it wasn’t for you meddling kids!” Fred even gets a slight wardrobe update with a new striped shirt and no ascot.
All-in-all, it’s good to see current story lines that kids can identify with.
Negatives
“The Freeloading Ghost” is a repeat story from a few issues back. Issue #96 had two really well written stories and the issue felt very complete! The reintroduction of three stories, with one being a repeat, fell short. When you buy a comic, you want the stories to be new. If you want a repeat, then simply thumb through a back issue box.
This issue didn’t have any “guest stars”. Maybe the singer is an homage to Brittney Spears, but it would be cool to have that as a regular feature in this book!
Verdict
As always, Scooby is a great buy for the nostalgic reader as well as the parent looking to introduce their kids to the Hanna-Barbera simpler times of a good Saturday morning mystery! And the countdown is on for issue #100. Let’s hope a lot of guest stars are in that one!
