Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Review: Scooby Doo, Where Are You? #81

By Philip Schweier
May 10, 2017 - 05:07

When I was watching Saturday morning cartoons in the early 1970s, one of my favorites was Sealab 2020. With extensive use of stock footage, it told stories of an underwater base, and the families that lived there. And I see more of that design sensibility here as the Scoobie gang dons scuba gear to investigate reports of a troll living beneath a new bridge.

Later in the issue, I love a good gangster story, as the spirit of Bugsy Swarm returns from the grave to prevent the demolition of his mansion. What secret does it hold, and who is responsible for the ghost’s appearance.

One thing I enjoy about these all-ages books – besides how elementary the plots are – are the cornball jokes and cultural sub-references younger readers will probably miss. Giving a ghostly gangster the speech patterns of Edward G. Robinson would slip by most kids (unless you’re like me and grew up on Looney Tunes such as Racketeer Rabbit). Mother of mercy.

In between the two tales, Velma tells us of a Japanese spirit known as a rokuro-kubi which appears to be a bit of benign apparition. Nevertheless, it’s one of those odd legends on e has to wonder if it’s genuine or not. Well it’s no more strange than the chupacabra.

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12