I have a confession to make. I’m really not a big Scooby Doo fan.
Sure, I watched it all the time as a kid. I probably enjoyed it at the time, because back then we only got to watch cartoons at specific times. There weren’t dedicated networks to animation or anything!
I didn’t hate Scooby and the gang, I just found them kind of boring is all. The only ones I really liked were the ones with guest stars like Batman and Robin or the Globetrotters. Yeah, those were great.
No, I far preferred other Hanna-Barbera classics like the Herculoids, Space Ghost and even Frankenstein Jr. They just spoke to me more and frankly, were far more entertaining.
Anyways, why am I bringing this all up? Simple. Because DC Comics just announced that it is giving some of our favorite Hanna-Barbera characters a Millennial Makeover!
This spring, DC Comics is unleashing four new comic book series that modernize a number of Hanna-Barbera characters as seen through the eyes of some of today’s top comic book creators.
Take a look at what’s on tap:
SCOOBY APOCALYPSE – Featuring character designs by veteran artist Jim Lee and an origin story by Jim Lee and Keith Giffen (JUSTICE LEAGUE 3001), artist Howard Porter (SUPERMAN) will provide his own unique take on Freddie, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy and Scooby-Doo. “Those meddling kids” and their Mystery Machine are at the center of a well-meaning experiment gone wrong and they’ll need to bring all of their mystery solving skills to bear (along with plenty of Scooby Snacks), to find a cure for a world full of mutated creatures infected by a nanite virus that enhances their fears, terrors and baser instincts. This time, the horrors are real in this apocalyptic near-future badland!
Like I said, I never loved Scooby and the gang, so I’m certainly semi-interested in this update. The whole Post-Apocalyptic Cyber-Update to the gang doesn’t do much for me, though. I would’ve far preferred if they kept the gang exactly the same and dumped them in a horrific realistic zombie world, just like Archie’s done so well with series like Archie vs. Predator.
I do enjoy Jim Lee’s artwork and generally love Keith Giffen’s stories, so I’ll certainly keep an open mind on this one.
THE FLINTSTONES – Based on character designs by Amanda Conner (HARLEY QUINN, STARFIRE), writer Mark Russell (PREZ, GOD IS DISAPPOINTED IN YOU) provides his own unique perspective on everyone’s “modern stone age family.” Russell will use Bedrock’s most popular family to shine a light on humanity’s ancient customs and institutions in a funny origin story of human civilization. Fred is still the simple man, striving to be the king of his castle, Wilma is still the tolerant but not-indulging wife and Barney (with his wife Betty and infant son Bamm-Bamm) is still the original wingman, whose loyalty to Fred often outweighs his common sense.
I’d put the Flintstones in a similar class as Scooby for me. I watched them all the time and definitely liked it better than Scooby Doo, but not by much. I’m a huge fan of Amanda Conner’s work, but I’m not sure she’s the right fit here for this Stone Age Family. I also don’t see how these characters can hold up for more than a single issue. It works as a funny sitcom on TV, but in print a lot of the humor invariably falls flat.
WACKY RACELAND – Take The Ant Hill Mob, Penelope Pitstop and Dick Dastardly, mix in a healthy dose of “Mad Max” and you get this dark and gritty take on Hanna-Barbera’s “Wacky Races,” courtesy of writer Ken Pontac (REBOOT, HAPPY TREE FRIENDS) and artist Leonardo Manco (HELLBLAZER), with vehicle designs by Mark Sexton (MAD MAX: FURY ROAD). A time of hope and innocence with Utopia at the finish line has given way to planetary Armageddon and a desert wasteland full of radioactive lakes, nanotech dust storms, and cannibalistic mutants. Against this backdrop, the Wacky Racers and their sentient vehicles continue their contest, but now the competition is for survival, and there can only be one winner when the checkered flag falls.
Okay, anytime you mix a ridiculously cartoony villian like Dick Dastardly with a savage wasteland of a backdrop like Mad Max and you’ve piqued my interest. This one has the potential to be either just really way out there weird or insanely and surprisingly awesome. If nothing else, this will be worth the price of admission just for Leonardo Manco’s gorgeous artwork.
FUTURE QUEST – Writer Jeff Parker (AQUAMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED, BATMAN ’66) and artist Evan “Doc” Shaner (JUSTICE LEAGUE DARKSEID WAR: GREEN LANTERN) join forces to bring fans new tales of adventure’s most iconic teenager, Jonny Quest, along with his sidekick Hadji. This series combines Team QUEST (Hadji, Race Bannon, Dr. Benton Quest and Jezebel Jade) with some of the most well-known action and adventure heroes ever created by Hanna-Barbera, including SPACE GHOST, THE HERCULOIDS, BIRDMAN, MIGHTOR and FRANKENSTEIN Jr., among others.
Now this, THIS I can get behind 1000%! All my favorites teaming up with Jonny Quest! I always loved the look of Jonny Quest but never quite got into the storylines. This team-up style can certainly help me there! And the teaming up of Jeff Parker and Evan Shaner should ensure gorgeous storytelling mixed perfectly with downright fun action adventure. I’m seriously pumped for this one!
Take a look at a few more promos for Future Quest!
Look for the debut issues of all four titles this May!
Which Hanna-Barbera title are you most excited about?
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All images: DC Comics
I am excited about the Flintstones, brings back memories!
I loved Johnny Quest and Haji as I grew up. I’m not sure how I feel about the remaking of Scooby Doo and The Flintstones though. I don’ t like Fred Flintstone looking like a bum. The Scooby Doo characters look weird to me, lol Some things are best left alone 🙂
I bet my oldest son would like this. He has been watching the original Scooby Doo series. I’d love to show him this version.
I was always a huge fan of Scooby Doo growing up. The highlight of a trip to Daytona Beach when I was about eight or nine years old was winning the jackpot at an arcade on the boardwalk and redeeming my tickets for a giant Scooby Doo plush the size of me!
I am most excited about Super Quest. I am not so sure about the Scooby Zoo and Walking Dead, but I am probably in the minority and not into zombies
This just shows that we are living in an age of crossovers and shared universes, as well as zombies and superheroes. It doesn’t hurt to try something different with classic characters.
I have never been a big fan of Scooby Doo but I also watched it as a kid mostly because there wasn’t much else to pick from but it just wasn’t my favorite. I prefer the Flintstones more.
I love Scooby, Flintstones, and all the rest but not sure I like the redo…Neithers my son that loves Scooby too.
not sure how I feel about the new versions of the classic cartoons..i just loved flintstones and did watch Scooby Doo.
I loved the Flintstones when I was a kid.
I loved scooby doo and teh flintstones but when I got older I was a johnny quest fan.
Of these WACKY RACELAND is the only one that interests me, but I think it could actually work because it strays the least away from the source material.
Scooby vs. The Walking Dead…That is classic, well for us adults
I think you are being a bit harsh on Scooby Doo and his sidekicks. I think they are meant to be very light entertainment meant for obvious with Scooby Doo being a sort of scapegoat with his befuddled antics. All in all, this is meant for an audience very easy to please.
Most of these look okay. I think Wacky Race Land looks best. Just from these images, Scooby Doo doesn’t make sense. Shaggy and Scooby are always afraid and they don’t look near frightened enough of anything in this image.
These look crazy weird in a bad way! I don’t like any of them! If I had to pick one I would pick the Flintstones. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
I used to watch Scooby Doo and the Flintstones…but I really loved the Jetsons!! They were my favorite cartoon as a kid!
Would love to win
I loved Scooby Doo when I was little…it was my one of my favorite cartoons! I can’t wait to watch it with my son!
I kind of wish they wouldn’t change Scooby Doo. I liked the orginal. I understand everything has to change but wish some would stay orginal 🙂
Wow!! That pretty cool. I wasn’t aware of this.
future quest would be awesome
Scooby Doo how are you
These were and still are great cartoons, Saturday mornings were awesome growing up 🙂
This totally brings me back to my childhood! I still love Scooby!
So as a kid I did love Scooby and the Flintstones and most of the Hanna Barbera genre! This is crazy what they are doing to make them relevant again- whatever it takes I guess!
I grew up with Snoopy and the gang !!! You can’t beat originals
Oh wow…you have bought back my childhood LOL i would prefer that nothing change however at least THE FLINTSTONES aren’t making a drastic change.
Lol..my husband still likes watch Scooby Doo with my kids!
I love how all the great cartoons form my childhood are coming back for my little ones to watch
I’m not so sure how I feel about this. Scooby Doo Apocalypse? Really adds quite a different spin to it. I really enjoyed the original Scooby Doo series. My favorite was A pup named Scooby DOo.
I have never been a fan of Scooby Doo. My favorite cartoon was the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.
They look so different from what I remember in the cartoons watching as a child. Hmmm. I like them better the original way!
I liked Scooby Doo, but did find the mysteries pretty easy to solve. I also liked Super Friends, Josie and the Pussycats, and Scrappy Doo.
I liked Scooby Doo as a child. I watched it all the time.
I agree I’m not a big fan of Scooby either. I just watched it because that was all to watch.
I can’t say that I am into these red is as I was a huge fan of these Hanna Barbera cartoons, especially Scooby Doo,growing up.
Sounds really interesting! I love Scooby and The Walking Dead.
I liked reading your Scooby Doo Takes on the Walking Dead!
Wacky Racers Meets Mad Max! And More Hanna-Barbera Reimagining post.
I used to read a lot of Comics when i was a teenager but i haven’t read them in years.
I didn’t know these comics were coming out.
I am a fan of Scooby Doo but i don’t think i would read the SCOOBY APOCALYPSE comic.
I would like to see what stories are in THE FLINTSTONES comic because
i enjoyed watching that cartoon.
I was never a big fan of the old cartoon either but my husband sure is!! I will tell him about this as I am sure he will be looking forward to them 🙂
My son is a big fan of Scooby Doo. Has been since he was a kid.
I like the Scooby and the Walking Dead combination but not sure I like the picture. It’s a little to modern looking for the Scooby Doo I love.
Have always enjoyed scooby doo the cases where always fun to watch and fun to try to solve
My son loves Scooby Doo , I will have to tell him about SCOOBY APOCALYPSE 🙂
I like the Flintstones. Pretty simple story but some days that is what I want, simple. I used to watch it with my children. I do not watch it now but, of the ones you mentioned, it would be my option.
You must be the world’s best dad. I can’t even watch Scooby Doo, it’s so unfunny and noisy.
Interesting. I admit… I also am not a huge fan of Scooby. But Future Quest looks interesting. The Flintstones is worth checking out too.
I’m not a huge Scooby Doo fan either but I do love the Flintstones! I’d check out this version. 🙂