BATMAN & SCOOBY-DOO! MYSTERIES #6 DC COMICS
This whole review is one big SPOILER alert! But more importantly, it is proof that my generation had the best of all worlds! Just when you didn’t think that writer Sholly Fisch (which I stll believe is an anagram for something) could find a different set of Batman and Mystery Inc to interact with, he proves you wrong! Teaming up with artist Scott Jeralds (who not only has a long history with Scooby and the gang but was part of the creative crew behind the A Pup Named Scooby Doo cartoon from the late 1980’s (and the eighth incarnation of the popular character), this one is tailor made for fanboys born between the 1960’s and 1980’s (wait for it, I can prove it! Spoilers!)
Young Bruce Wayne dressed in a Robin-ish outfit shows up at master detective Harvey Harris to train with him before becoming Batman. His late arrival has allowed a Pup named Scooby Doo and his pals to get there first for training. Can these detectives in training learn to work together? Especilally with Fred deadset on blaming arch-nemisis and bully Red Herring! And young Bruce and Daphne argueing about how to treat a butler! This issue is an episode of the cartoon put on paper! And now I plan on backing up my earlier claims so hang on to your hats for SPOILERS!
First, we have the return of popular Z-list villain, the Condiment King who started out his career in Batman: the Animated Series! With several flashbacks to Batman’s origin myth that it was a bat flying through his open window that inspired him. And just who is master detective Harvey Harris? Ready for a deep dive? Good, Harvey Harris is the uncle of Wendy Harris. According to the series bible of the original Superfriends cartoon, Wendy Harris is indeed the Wendy of Wendy, Marvin, and Wonder Dog fame. According to the series bible, the reason Wendy was allowed to train with the Supefriends is due to Batman owing her uncle a favor for helping train him. However, this tidbit never appears in the series itself. More over, aside from a classic Mel Blanc bit from the Jack Benny radio show stiched into the torn lining of the monster’s coat, the tailors (the Gambi Brothers) should be immediately recognisable as the tailors to the Barry Allen Flash’s Rogues Gallery! Not enough for you? How about the group of crime bosses from Gotham City. Rupert Thorne, Carmine Falcone, Boss Maroni, and Rex “the Lion” Calabrese! Not sure about that last name? Why that’s Catwoman’s Dad! BAM, mind blown! And let’s not forget the name dropping of Henri Ducard! But it’s the last page that really hit me right between the eyes as Batman envisions an alterate reality where due to Shaggy and Scooby, he becomes Chicken Man instead of Batman! Why is this important or worth mentioning? Well, in Batman #256 (one of DC’s 100 Page Super Spectaculars) there was a 2 page bonus called “If Bruce Wayne had NOT become the Batman” which the creative team here is definately honoring. Don’t believe me check out below but not before knowing this one is definately getting a 10 out of 10 Grahams.
