Comic Review 231 // Scooby-Doo Team-up, Volume 3

2022 brought many new and exciting changes into my life, things like my Youtube channel and cutting back on drinking along with scooby-doo. I did not realize how much I had missed the cartoons until watching some with my kids. Now I find myself drawn to comics, especially crossovers. And have found them to be a wholesome series. Time for volume 3 which shows the Flash on the cover so I assume we are in for some fast action.

Title: Scooby-Doo Team-Up, Volume 3

Author: Sholly Fisch

Illustrator: Darío Brizuela

Blurb: The gang's all here! Scooby-Doo and his friends are teaming up with the most unlikely superheroes to save the world, solve mysteries and eat some Scooby Snacks!

From the ocean's depths to the heart of Africa, Scooby and the gang must investigate the deadliest threats imaginable! That is, with a bit of help from DC's greatest superheroes. The team is ready to take action and get a little help from the Flash, Aquaman, Shazam and more!

An all-ages series that collects SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP #13-17.

Format: 128 pages, Paperback

Buy on Amazon with my handy little link.

Review

These titles hit pretty well with their wholesome adventures. Easy reading and very light, they are great to enjoy with the kids. As an adult reading them, I like that they sometimes make fun of themselves, which is a sign of a great writing team and editor.

Overall every story had its highlights and was funny. Aquaman beat the rest, playing up to Fred not being the sharpest tool in the shed. He constantly kept trying to take off character breathing masks while underwater, much to the comedy of the reader but frustration to the characters.

The weakest story sadly goes to Scooby and his Super Dog pals; though fun to see all these characters, the story just missed the mark for me. Definitely wouldn't upset a young reader but jarred with this old man!

Overall give it a go. You are never to enjoy a comic!

 

Comic Review 225 // Green Arrow: Stranded by Brendan Deneen

Continuing my kid's training in the worlds of DC and Marvel. This week we tried Green Arrow, which overall was successful but not knocking Batman or Spiderman away anytime soon. 

Title: Green Arrow: Stranded

Author: Brendan Deneen

Artist: Bell Hosalla

Buy on Amazon.ca

Blurb: Following a plane crash on a deserted island, 13-year-old Oliver Queen must learn the skills he needs to survive and to protect his injured father.

Ollie has always hated the idea of hunting, but his dad insisted they go on this trip with his business partner, Sebastian, and his son, Tyler. When Ollie fails to take a perfect shot, the teasing starts, and he wonders if his dad will ever be proud of him again.

But just when he thought their trip couldn't get any worse, their private jet is struck by lightning and Ollie awakens to find himself stranded on a deserted island, with no idea what to do or where the other passengers might be--including his dad. He has never felt less sure of who he is...or if he will be able to hang on until help arrives.

This fast-paced and suspenseful tale from writer Brendan Deneen and illustrator Bell Hosalla is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seat!

Format: 144 pages, Paperback

Review

So most of us know the Green Arrow origin story by now? So when I saw this was the telling of it, I was excited. Unfortunately, we have hit a revamping of the tale, which is not how I remember it. Turns out, after some research, the Green Arrow I know is from the Silver Age of Marvel, whilst this hints towards the Golden era with the plane crash.

The story begins with Oliver Queen and his father returning from Zimbabwe following a safari trip. Due to harsh storms, the private jet crashes on a deserted island. Here is where the biggest change happens for me, Oliver is not alone. Instead, there are other survivors. So it becomes more of a can I find help whilst surviving alone rather than a boy becoming a man under harsh conditions.

It is meant to explore the character and how these events will mould him, but I found it lacked depth and ultimately failed to hold my attention. The artwork is pretty, which definitely helped, but the story was a real mess. We get an Oliver Queen who seemingly should never become a hero, too afraid to kill a creature on one page but then kills a snake with no issue on another? Also, there is seemingly a lack of threat; at no point would you truly assume Oliver is in danger. The only real threat is going hungry.

Where is the coming-of-age tale, the survivalist, the self-taught marksman? Is this volume one of a series?

Overall give it a skip unless you can find it for free. Rather disappointed.