The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #5 review

When Batman summons Mystery Incorporated to a spooky old house they’ve been to previously, the gang are surprised to find he’s brought a friend along. The Caped Crusader is in a good mood, tickling Scooby-Doo and complimenting Fred’s driving…

The young detectives, though, are a tad wary, having encountered scientist Kirk Langstrom in his Man-Bat mode.

The players split into three groups to sweep the mansion – Kirk, Shaggy and Scooby look for Dr Jekyll’s lab while Daphne and Fred, and Batman and Velma check to see if they’re alone in the noise after hearing a weird scream. 

And Batman, it turns out, is even more impressed by Velma’s brain than he was Fred’s careful driving. 

Velma Dinkley, girl wonder. Now that I didn’t see coming. The Bespectacled Badass considers the idea as Mystery Inc and friends solve the latest gothic riddle, making for another entertaining, surprising issue of DC’s best Batman comic. 

Writer Matthew Cody gives us a terrific sequel to a Scooby TV episode, full of amusing moments and lines based in character and situation – every laugh is organic. I especially like Batman’s Adam West tone when complimenting Fred.

We also get some surprisingly effective pathos as Daphne and Fred discuss Kirk’s situation.  

There’s a bigger than usual amount of swashbuckling action, splendidly presented by Puste, a new name to me. Their sense of pacing is particularly effective in a sequence that sees Kirk gives in to his Man-Bat side while Scooby and Shaggy witter on. 

Carrie Strachan’s colours are lovely, the best example being that green-toned flashback, while Saida Temofonte gives us sharp and smart lettering, such as in this whispering scene. 

Puste and Starchan’s simple cover sells a decent gag, topping off another satisfying, fun comic, edited, as ever, by Kristy Quinn. Try it.