“Get a Clue!”
Writer: Amanda Deibert
Artist: Dario Brizuela
Color Artist: Franco Riesco
Letterer: Saida Temofonte
Review by Lauren Fiske
There’s no sign of Mr. Green or Professor Plum in The Batman and Scooby-Doo Mysteries #3.6, but everyone’s favorite meddling kids do hunt for clues in this issue!
While Batman scarcely appears in the book, Mystery Inc. does a lot of classic sleuthing, led by Velma. Make sure to read our previous reviews of the series and the most recent issue to avoid spoilers!
Teenagers?
The Mystery Gang starts this issue off with an invitation to a competition for teams that solve mysteries. While this does sound like a good time, I’m reminded once again that, for being very brilliant kids, Mystery Inc. is still comprised of one dog and four teenagers.
Who’s ever heard of a mystery-solving competition? A scavenger hunt or an escape room, sure, but I’m not so sure about this one (an escape room could make for a great issue though!) However, the meddling kids are just that, and teens are usually fairly gullible.
The strangest thing for me, though, is that they get arrested and put into a jail cell as if they were adults. Poor Scooby gets stuck in there with them (although he seems fine with his harmonica) and Velma discusses needing to get their phone call. It’s all a bit without due process, no?
I know, it’s a comic book featuring Bruce Wayne (and other superheroes out there), so reality isn’t much of a concern, but I’ve always found it a bit odd as to which legal rules apply to Mystery Inc. throughout their canon. When they’re labeled as teenagers; are they 18 or 19 (treated as adults, but still teenagers)?
It’s a question that is only relevant in certain circumstances, especially as some iterations of Scooby-Doo do age the characters up or down, but it’s one that will always bother me and consistently has, throughout this series.
First Time
Another new villain’s the main culprit in The Batman and Scooby-Doo Mysteries #3.6, and of course, it’s the first time I’ve heard of them. I really do feel like the “mysteries” of this series are rather simple, but, sadly, my lack of knowledge of Batman villains has struck again! Otherwise, I’m sure this issue’s villain would have been clear to me from the start.
I’ve been genuinely thinking about looking for a Batman villain encyclopedia to increase my knowledge and be able to make more reasonable guesses for each chapter.
This issue’s also Amanda Deibert’s first time writing for the series this year. While I didn’t remember her previous outings at first, her last turn at the writer’s helm was in issue #2.7. She even hinted at this current issue on X (formerly Twitter) back in March, but it slipped my notice somehow!
I really enjoyed her writing in this issue, especially since she chose to highlight Velma once again. While this series isn’t a huge leader in the Scooby-Doo canon, seeing Velma get the credit she has deserved for years will never get old!
Conclusion
There’s not much more to say about The Batman and Scooby-Doo Mysteries #3.6. The issue’s simple but classic and we see little of Batman, but it’s a very decent story. The art was up to standard in every way, too. The panels of the gang in jail, while a little out of place, are wonderfully lit and I will never get over the panels of Scooby playing the harmonica.
Overall, I liked this issue. Even though I’ve asked for more complicated storytelling in the past with this series, it’s not really necessary. All you need for a good Batman and Scooby-Doo team-up is some light mystery and detective work. Perhaps much more is only superfluous, especially for a series intended for younger comic readers.
If this volume is the same as previous ones, then we’ve reached the halfway point. It’s going to be interesting to see what stories are created in the upcoming months and if the series will attempt to wrap up this year or keep going on. I think any review reader knows that I’ll always be hoping for more.
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment
