This is what sea horses look like in Atlantis. Not even kidding.
Scooby-Doo Team-Up #14
DC Comics (March, 2016; as features in the vol. 3 trade at comiXology)
“Wet ‘N’ Wild”
WRITER: Sholly Fisch
ARTIST: Dario Brizuela
COLORIST: Franco Riesco
LETTERER: Saida Temofonte
ASSISTANT EDITOR: David Piña
EDITOR: Kristy Quinn
Sea monsters led by Poseidon have been attacking and robbing cruise ships so the cruise line calls in Mystery, Inc…and Mystery, Inc calls in Aquaman to help. Of course it’s all fake, a plot by Black Manta to kidnap Aquaman’s son…which gets him in trouble because Mera is also there. Even this is a fake-out as all these plans were meant to draw the heroes away so Ocean Master can invade Atlantis. However, Aqualad, Tula, and the citizens hold them off long enough for the Aqua-Family to come in and defeat them.
What they got right: Oh, I’m still going to complain about the mystery angle because it’s a review in my style, but while reading this I was having too much fun to care. Nods to classic stories as well as the Filmation AND The Brave & The Bold‘s take on Aquaman–we get both Topo and Tusky–in an amalgamation of various incarnations (it’s nice to see someone do a positive take on Aquaman instead of making fun of him for perceived sins by Super Friends I don’t remember seeing in all the years I’ve loved the show), and a running gag where Fred wants to keep removing masks and has to be reminded they’re under water and the masks are helping them breathe. And yes, by now in this series it’s no surprise they can call on the Super Friends as back-up and getting Aquaman to back them up in the water was a brilliant move. It was just a blast to read.
What they got wrong: Still the mystery angle. At this point the fake costumes and holograms were going to be obvious but nothing really makes up for it mystery-wise. And this could be my lack of historical knowledge but I don’t remember Tula being called Aquagirl. Apparently Arthur also has an Aquadog on the surface. Why is this the first time I’ve heard of Salty?
Recommendation: This was just a lot of fun and a good celebration of various versions of Aquaman and his group. This is one to check out.
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