DC Comics 2013
Written by Sholly Fisch
Illustrated by Dario Brizuela
Coloured by Franco Riesco
Lettered by Saida Temofonte
I grew up being a Scooby-Doo fan as well as a Super Friends fan, the hour long version was and still is among my favourite cartoons. So this issue we see one of the most unusual team-ups yet! It’s an all canine issue and it’s got more guest stars than the kennel on a holiday weekend!
First up helping Scooby and the Gang on a case is Wonder Dog! While I’m happy to see him i’m a little sad we didn’t see Marvin and Wendy. They are wrapping up their case as the issue opens and it’s Ace and Krytpo who come a’calling. Along with G’Nort the five canine heroes are going on a mission together, sans Shaggy and the others. Yes this time around it’s Scooby they want for his speciality in ghost hunting and are leaving all the humans behind. I think this is a first and hopefully not the last we see something like this happen.
It’s like the Legion of Super-Pets here but doggie style. As they traverse space and head to a planet of animals, primarily dogs, hence the request for Dog Heroes! As it turns out the reason they are there is because the current team says their SCPA (Space Canine Patrol Agents) is haunted! Okay it’s kooky and silly and completely wonderful as the dialogue here is perfectly done and there’s that moment when Krypto says “I’m an honorary member” and Ace is sarcastic with his “of course you are” reply. It’s really an homage to the Legion in my eyes but it has it’s origins in the All Star Squadron.
See the supposed ghosts haunting the place are the original members of the Legendary Canine Commandos! Yankee Poodle, Bulletdog, Nighthound, Robbie the Robot Dog and their leader Rex the Wonder Dog! How Yankee Poodle fits into this universe is beyond me but I love the nod to her and that she is the Zoo Crew character. Except for Rex who had his own series, which i’d love to own all of, and Yankee Poodle the rest are made up homage to the Golden Age characters of the past. If all that weren’t enough their greatest foe is Dogaton!
What happens, is the Headquarters truly haunted or is there something else at play? Find out as Scooby and the SCPA solve the case of the Haunted Headquarters. Alright so that’s cheesy but seriously if you’re a fan of the All-Star Squadron and the Justice League/Society crossovers then you need to pick this one up. While it’s fun for kids it’s the homage that’s for longtime fans of comics.
The artwork here is it’s usual fantastic stuff. The use of page layouts, angles, perspective and even backgrounds are done extremely well. The new canine members and the original Canine Commandos all have the right look, tone and feel to them that you instantly recognise.
This is a must have for all you old school comics fans so get one today you’ll love all the references!