Scooby Apocalypse #35 Review

Writer: J.M. DeMatteis
Artist: Pat Olliffe, Tom Palmer, and Hi-Fi
Release Date: March 13, 2019
Cover Price: $3.99
Review by: Tony Walton


Well, it’s the penultimate issue, which means yes DC isn’t taking the “Walking Dead” approach and I am glad for it! This book has gone pretty far fetched, even from where it started. Defiantly doesn’t have the Scooby-Doo vibe as the shows/ movies which I am okay with. This is an adaption by DC comics, something usually with a dark tone, although they do have a kids Scooby-Doo book. Would make sense that they have another book but more adult/ older teen-geared. Not only have I been a Scooby fan from a young age, apparently the mall that they have been living in is only a five-minute drive away, so even more devasted that what happened at last issue. After the mall was just destroyed by the confrontation with Nanite King, who and how many of our human survivors, once again escaped death? Let’s dig in and see what we have here…


We open up this issue with our remaining survivors: Shaggy, Scooby, Scrappy, Velma, Daphne, Fred, Cliffy, and Daisy, as well as a handful of future casualties all under the mall in the sewers. There Velma finds out that the two assistants she had, Jack and Grace Kubelsky, were torn to shreds by the monsters. Once she was informed, you can sense the sorrow from the art and in her dialogue. Which could explain that when the gang finds other humans, and her two brothers, Rufus and Quentin, she gives Quentin a big hug.  Once everyone reaches outside, they all gaze at the destroyed mall that they once called home. Freddy gazes at what once was the Mystery Machine as it is under piles of mall rumble. He mentions out loud that he feels as if he lost a friend which triggers Daphne, which feels as if every issue we get something that triggers Daphne. Fred questions Daphne on why after everything he has done for her, she still won’t believe that he is still her Freddy, just ya know back from the dead. 

Quentin informs everyone that hope is on its way as a private jet comes for the aid, telling everyone that some survived the Sacramento Complex Compound. As they get on the aircraft, Scrappy questions Fred on where does he think he is going, Daphne overhears and tells him to let Fred through. Which is helping Daphne grow because after so many issues and after years of doing this, she basically is the same person since day one. 

Later we see the Nanite King holding up in a building with a horde of monsters. What looks like a one-way conversation with himself by making a duplicate of his head in the palm of his hands. As they discuss with themselves what they should do, they come to the conclusion that they must eradicate humans and the beasts by their side, are indeed humans so they kill all of their henchmen. Once again, they are by themselves as he flies away.

Back with the gang, Quentin has brought them to a new Complex this one more advanced than the previous one. Velma orders everyone around just like old times as she tells Quentin that she must look at the failed vaccines because she is the only one who can fix them and stop things from getting worse. Shaggy tries to get her to go and just get some rest before continuing, unfortunately, she screams at him to do something useful by checking on Daisy and Cliffy. While leaving the area Scooby tries to confront Shaggy but we get some indication that the feelings Shaggy had for Daisy might be coming back. Which I hope not because Shaggy has grown as a character and would be a set up if he cheats on Velma or dump her and his future child. Unfortunately, everyone leaves the room too soon as the Nanite King shows up and kidnaps Velma.

Back-Up Story

Writer: Heath Corson
Art: Gus Vazquez and Hi-fi

In this back-up issue, we get a silly issue in which Batman, Itty who apparently is just a plant, and Atom Ant in the Batmobile heading to the Batcave. Superman assigns Batman to test out these two new recruits. Atom Ant discovers “another” dead Robin. The test: Find out who killed Robin. Thankfully Itty comes in handy by sucking out the poison out of Damian’s body. Much to Batman’s displeasure, instead of solving who killed Robin, Itty and Atom Ant brought Robin back to life. We see Batman and Ant arguing if what they did would consider was passing, so to settle it, Atom Ant picks up the Giant Penny and tosses it down the Batcave. Unfortunately, the Batmobile was in the way as it scratches the side of it. Batman orders Atom Ant and Itty to get out as he looks to displeased at what has just occurred in the cave.

Bits and Pieces:

With one issue left, we see the pieces come together to end the series. Unfortunately, the art is not helping the issue. Some of the panels look good while the rest look like it was rushed and could have improved the story. The artwork can help make the reader feel what the writer wants them to feel. The dialogue in this issue is actually pretty good! The scene with Daisy confronting Cliffy had great dialogue but would have probably moved me if the art was a bit better!

6/10