Writer: Sholly Fisch
Art: Dario Brizuela and Franco Riesco (colors)
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 11th, 2022
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #1 Review.
THE DISPATCH
The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #1 is the first in the second volume of this series, after the first successful run which started last year. This issue sees Scooby and the gang help Batman and the Batmen of all nations against Ra’s Al Ghul. For those who have been keeping up with this series since the first volume, you may notice some frustrating continuity errors. For instance, Velma mentions meeting the Batmen of all nations, which the editor acknowledges they met in issue 12 of volume 1, yet Shaggy seems to have no memory of meeting Ra’s Al Ghul, despite encountering him in both issue 5 and issue 12 of the first volume.
Regardless of these continuity goofs, it is still an enjoyable issue with a fun storyline. It even features Ra’s having a sword fight with an unexpected member of Mystery Incorporated! Another thing that may frustrate long-time comic fans is that Ra’s Al Ghul is mentioned to be immortal in this comic as if he has natural immortality akin to someone like Vandal Savage. There is no mention of Lazarus Pits here. If you ignore these things though and just appreciate it for the fun story that it is, it can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. Along with Ra’s Al Ghul, there are also villains included who have motives of typical Scooby-Doo villains.
ART
The art of The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #1 is fairly typical for this series. Dario Brizuela has done the art for some issues in the first volume and continues to do a good job here. Some readers may notice how Brizuela seems to fluctuate Alfred’s hair throughout this series, from balding to a full head of hair, as it varied in the first volume. It could suggest this version of Alfred wears a toupee. The geographically astute readers will find it humorous that this issue includes the real-world location of Batman, Turkey, complete with an entrance sign that closely resembles the real thing.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Although there are some continuity errors in The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #1, it still gives readers a fun and compelling story featuring a spotlight on more obscure characters like the Batmen of all nations. Bat fans will even notice a reference to the more modern “Batman Incorporated” at the end. Batman and Scooby-Doo are two iconic characters that have teamed up several times. There never seems to be a shortage of crossover stories that can be written about them. What stories are you hoping to see in this series?
7.9/10