Comics

Scooby-Doo! Team-Up #10

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Scooby-Doo! Team-Up #10A museum putting on display of a cursed ruby in their Egypt exhibit brings both Mystery, Inc. and Johnny Quest‘s family to investigate. It doesn’t take long for things to pick up with the appearance of a mummy who steals the jewel.

In Scooby-Doo fashion the culprit is unmasked as a henchman of the evil Dr. Zin who has nefarious plans for the jewel which means a journey for all of the investigators to Monster Island (which thankfully is populated with man-made monsters, also keeping with Scooby tradition) in order to save the day.

To this point I’ve much preferred the issues of Scooby-Doo! Team-Up involving Scooby and the gang teaming up with various super-heroes than various Hanna-Barbara characters, but Scooby-Doo! Team-Up #10 is quite fun as the gang joins forces with the Quest family to solve a mystery. The mummy and the theft of the jewel create a natural crossover for the teams while providing some fun moments between various characters (including Scooby and Bandit discussing their crazy human counterparts). Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Doctor Fate #1

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Doctor Fate #1Although different versions of the character have popped up around the DCU it has been more than 20 years since any version of Doctor Fate was given his own series. Several characters over the years have donned the Helm of Fate, and Doctor Fate #1 continues that tradition by introducing Egyptian-American Khalid Nassour as the latest to be chosen.

The choice to make the new Doctor Fate an Egyptian-American actually plays well on the comic character’s bizarre past, although I’d certainly prefer the hero to look far more traditional in his full-on Doctor Fate mode. We’re introduced to Khalid here but see little of him as Fate leaving some question as to what the character will look like and act going forward.

The opening issue which introduces a talking cat along with hinting of plenty of old magic and mythology which suggests Doctor Fate may could struggle to find its own peculiar corner of the DCU. I’m curious to see if he flourishes or flounders. For fans.

[DC, $2.99]

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Black Canary #1

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Black Canary #1I had serious doubts about DC’s new Black Canary once I heard the concept of turning the hero into the lead singer of a traveling rock band running into problems at every stop (rather than, you know, let her be a super-hero). It’s kind of like Scooby-Doo without the necessary zaniness to sell the concept. Gail Simone’s transformative version of the character seems long forgotten at this point by DC Editorial.

Black Canary #1 puts Dinah and her self-titled band on the road showcasing violent episodes the group has had to deal with at every stop including the latest where monsters appear to attack a young girl the super-hero has taken under her wing.

Those expecting to see Black Canary kick ass will be disappointed as most of comic deals with the behind-the-scenes of a traveling band (which may be interesting but isn’t really why you pick up a comic titled Black Canary). I’m happy to see Dinah get her own title but at the same time I disappointed that it had to be this one. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

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Robin: Son of Batman #1

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Robin: Son of Batman #1Taking place outside of the events of various other Bat-books, Robin: Son of Batman #1 introduces a new storyline for Damian as well as his own sidekick in the monstrous Goliath whom he must rescue after his pet breaks out of his cage.

Robin: Son of Batman #1 is a mixed bag. Skeletons from Damian’s past resurfacing seem to be the major theme introduced in this first issue as Damian accepts responsibility to deal with the mysterious “Year of Blood” which is tied to his birthright as the grandson of Ra’s al Ghul. He’ll also have to deal with he daughter of Nobody who has a vendetta against the Bat-brat for what Damian did to her father.

It appears that Damian’s short-run with super-powers has come to an end (thankfully), forcing the character to return using his deadly skills and brains to deal with whatever situation might arise. I’m more sold on the Nobody arc, and the addition of Goliath, than the Year of Blood (which is vaguely hinted at), but I’m not sure that’s enough to keep me on board for more than a couple of issues. For fans.

[DC, $3.99]

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Secret Six #3

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Secret Six #3Four months after the release of the last issue the adventures of the new Secret Six continue with the recently thrown together team moving into the suburbs together. Needless to say they make quite an impression on their neighbors.

Although I’m still not completely sold on the make-up of the new team, writer Gail Simone has fun bouncing the various group members off each other under the same roof for the first time. While the comic doesn’t have much in the way of action it does reveal a traitor among the group as well as the true identity of Mockingbird this time around.

Sadly the issue does have its problems starting with the incredibly disappointing look at Catman in his new costume. The early scenes involving the bare-chested warrior (whose run in with the cop could have been toned down a bit) bring back the character Simone masterfully brought to the forefront of the DCU, but his new duds (making him look like a failed back-up dancer for a Michael Jackson tribute band) are the worst thing to happen to the character since Kevin Smith. For fans.

[DC, $2.99]

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