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Sunday, June 4, 2023

Comics Review: "THE BATMAN & SCOOBY-DOO MYSTERIES #6" - Mystery Inc. Abandons Batman?!

THE BATMAN & SCOOBY-DOO MYSTERIES (2022) #6
DC COMICS

STORY: Ivan Cohen
ART: Erich Owen
COLORS: Erich Owen
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte
EDITOR: Kristy Quinn
COVER: Erich Owen
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (May 2023)

Ages 8+

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger

“Xanadu and Don'ts”

The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries was a 12-issue comic book limited series that DC Comics published in 2021 and 2022.  The series brought the characters from both the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? and Batman comic book series together.  Over the past five decades, Mystery Inc.Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma, have joined Batman and (often) Robin to solve mysteries in various animated television series and comic books.

The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries sold well enough that DC Comics began a second series in October 2022.  The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #6 (“Xanadu and Don'ts”) is written by Ivan Cohen; drawn by Erich Owen; colored by Owen; and lettered by Saida Temofonte.

The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #6 (“Xanadu and Don'ts”) opens in Gotham City just as a gang of bank robbers escapes with their loot.  The pedestrian traffic keeps Batman from being able to nab the thieves, but there is something even more troubling.  When the Mystery Machine passes by, Batman asks Mystery Inc. for an assist.  Velma's response is, “Sorry, Batman…” and …”You're on your own!”

What's going on?  What does this have to do with Madame Xanadu and her prophecies of doom?  And which Batman villain is behind a rash of punctuation-themed robberies?

THE LOWDOWN:  As a child, the most important characters in my life were Batman and Robin and Scooby-Doo and company.  I am still excited about the worlds of Batman and Scooby-Doo coming together.  Obviously, The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries is one of those comic book series that is perfectly made for me.

The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #6 really plays up the series' central conceit, and that is that Batman needs Mystery Inc.'s help in fighting villains and in solving mysteries.  The shock of Velma's refusal to help gives this story an edginess and a sense of conflict and tension that lasts throughout this clever tale.  Plus, an appearance by Madame Xanadu is an extra treat.

I like Erich Owen's art.  It has a 3D quality that recalls old Hanna-Barbera and Scooby-Doo cartoons in that the backgrounds seem separate from the characters that are in the foreground of the compositions.  Owens even offers a cool design for Batman's motorcycle (Batcycle?).  All in all, The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #6 is a really good read.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of the union of the worlds of Batman and Scooby-Doo will want The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries.

[This comic book includes a seven-page preview of the DC Comics original graphic novel, “Teen Titans Go! DC Super Hero Girls: Exchange Students!” by Amy Wolfram and Agnes Garbowska.]

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Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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