“You don’t want to know what’s in here.” (translated from Scooby)
Scooby-Doo Team-Up #19
DC Comics (December, 2016; as posted in the comiXology version of the volume 4 trade)
“Scooby-Doo And The Conjurer’s Conundrum”
WRITER: Sholly Fisch
ARTIST: Dario Brizuella
COLORIST: Franco Riesco
LETTERER: Saida Temofonte
EDITOR: Brittany Holzherr
Of course the gang hanging out with Zatanna on Halloween is going to lead to trouble. With the Justice League on a mission Zatanna asks the gang to help find her missing father, Zatara. This takes our heroes to every mystical hero and villain of the DC Universe they could fit in, but it’s not until they use their detective skills that they realize who is responsible not only for Zatara’s kidnapping but the theft of the heroes’ icons of power. Together they free Zatara and deal with the evil collector.
What they got right: If you want a brief introduction to the mystical side of the DC universe (including characters like Ibis they got via acquisitions of their own) then this is the book. There are some fun moments and the various characters look neat in this art style, which makes me wonder what they would have looked like on an episode of Super Friends. There’s also a nice nod to Constantine, who I guess they couldn’t work into the story even though he shows up in Justice League Action years later.
What they got wrong: While we get to see the gang use their detective skills it’s really only a usable clue for the audience if they know what the Ruby Of Life is, and the motivation to kidnap Zatara because he doesn’t have a totem to add to his collection is a bid odd.
Recommendation: A fun romp through the magical side of the DC universe but not much of a detective story. Still worth a read.
