The creatures of myth are on the loose and Mystery Incorporated are in the thick of it. Given that they're visiting Paradise Island, it's not so unexpected; what is weird is that the monsters are appearing, attacking ... then vanishing as if they'd never been.
The opening instalment of this two-part "digital second' story ended with a Cyclops about to turn the gang, Wonder Woman and her Amazon sisters into pancakes. The conclusion opens with the giant heading for a fall before the mystery deepens. In short order the villain of the piece - a Golden Age baddie rarely seen since - is revealed and order is restored, but not before we've had plenty of great gags and good-natured action.
Traditionalist Wonder Woman fans such as myself will be delighted by the revelation of the puppet master, as well as the nod to Diana's best pal and the inclusion of Kangas, not least old favourite Jumpa.
The Hippolyta here isn't the decidedly dodgy figure of New 52 continuity, it's the wise Silver and Bronze Age version (OK, Diana's mom wasn't perfect, but she didn't lead a nation of murderapists). Diana's sister Nubia is on hand too, but it's Wonder Woman who really shines, leading the fightback against the dastardly foe.
The members of Mystery Inc, likewise, are on fine form, with Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and, of course, Scooby all contributing to the solution of the mystery.
Writer Sholly Fisch weaves an amusing plot around one of the best-known bits of Wonder Woman lore, Aphrodite's law that no man should set foot on Paradise Island. Given his knowledge of Diana's history, and obvious knack for using it as a jumping-off point for a fast-moving, fun tale, let's hope Fisch is tapped to contribute a few stories to the upcoming Sensation Comics digital first title.
Daria Brizuela is a terrific draftsman, producing page after page of spot-on Scooby-Doo art and fitting Diana into that world with ease. Franco Riesco's sunshine colours make the pages glow, while Saido Temofonte's unobtrusive letters mean it's easy to forget we're not watching a first-rate TV cartoon.
If you're yet to try Scooby-Doo Team-Up, this instalment and last makes for a great taster, showing the deceptive ease with which a top creative team can produce a smart, fast-moving, funny TV spin-off.
Rabulous!
I never realised until I read this that WW was supposed to be Latino - she's always been portrayed as very caucasian in the various media. I also liked that she was essentially the Superfriends version of the character, giving the whole thing a very 70s Hanna Barbera vibe.
ReplyDeleteLatino? I'll have to read it again!
DeleteGreat series, great issue, great review. Fisch is really talented, he consistently writes comics that my kid enjoys at one level and that any adult who has been reading comics and/or watching super-hero television shows would enjoy. The clever nods to DC history worked into interesting stories are delightful. Thanks for the review Martin!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, I do wish Fisch wrote more comics.
DeleteYou've sold me. Having loathed Scooby-Doo since childhood, I've not given the title a second thought. Obviously I've made a mistake. I used to love the Super-Friends in the comics, and never had a fannish problem with believing that they and the JLA existed on the same planet. From what you've said, this looks like a book that Edward Nelson Bridwell would have enjoyed, which means I suspect I will too :)
ReplyDeleteHave read the comic and really, really enjoyed it! Such a relief to Wonder Woman cut free from all the Sturm und Drang-Drang-Drang. Thanks for the recomendation Martin!
ReplyDeleteHi Colin, I bet ENB would indeed have loved this comic - and given us round-cornered panels.
ReplyDeleteI love this book... I'll even stick with it as the gang skips a month of teaming with superheroes and uses a time machine to meet the Flinstones, as they will in November, according to solicits. This book is so much fun!
ReplyDeleteOh please let Pearl Slaghoople be in there!
ReplyDelete