The Future is Frightening in ‘Scooby Apocalypse’ #1 [Preview]

We now have a better look at DC's upcoming Scooby Apocalypse, the sci-fi Scooby Doo update, written by J.M. DeMatteis and Keith Giffen, with breakdowns by Giffen and pencils and inks by Howard Porter, thanks to a preview at TVGuide. The book is part of a larger relaunch of Hanna-Barbera properties by DC, which also includes Flintstones, Future Quest (a Jonny Quest/Space Ghost team-up book), and Wacky Raceland. Scooby Apocalypse #1 is available in stores and online on May 25.

The preview takes place before the titular apocalypse, set at the rather familiar "Blazing Man Festival" where Daphne and Fred are meeting an informant for their failing investigative TV show, while Shaggy and Scooby are just looking for pizza. Meanwhile, a scientist named Velma is spying on the latter two, because Scooby is apparently a test subject in her lab. That would probably explain why he (sort of) talks, and wears weird dog-goggles that translate his emotions into pictographic bubbles.

I'll be honest, I have concerns about this reboot, which was apparently already underway at the hands of Jim Lee and Dan DiDio before Giffen, DeMatteis, and Porter came on board. I actually think an update of these characters could be a great idea, but all of these takes seem off. To start with, Shaggy is well-groomed and wears nice-looking clothes that fit him. The idea that a stereotypical hipster is the modern equivalent of Shaggy's slovenly beatnik betrays a lack of engagement with either subculture. Anyone who looks like this new Shaggy does puts a lot of effort into his appearance. Beards don't just grow like that --- you have to groom them.

Meanwhile, Daphne is wearing a white T-shirt and baggy pants, nothing like the high femme fashionista she used to be. In fact, Fred, once the preppy of all preppies, is dressed exactly like her, to the degree that they seem to be wearing uniforms, which makes no sense for their jobs. And then Velma is wearing exactly what she always wore, which would be a cute update 20 years ago, but has come back around to looking dated again. All in all, this feels like a group of older men trying to modernize a teenage cast. Which makes sense, since that's exactly what it is.

Check out the pages below, courtesy of TV Guide: