Having had the pleasure of reading the 1^st issue of ‘Scooby Apocalypse’, I was asked if I would like to review the second… One withering look and a ‘captain obvious’ joke later, I had the pleasure of discovering that this story is cloaked in as much mystery as its cartoon predecessor.

Warning: There may be possible spoilers ahead.

For those that don’t know, DC have taken on the Hanna-Barbera franchise and are revamping some of their much loved characters, to align with this modern era. Of course, this idea of messing with nostalgia and ‘ruining’ some classic characters doesn’t always go down well, so this move is undoubtedly a brave one from the DC publishers.

So far, at least from what I’ve read, these new incarnations have actually added new levels to the characters we grew up with and love, and this second issue of ‘Scooby Apocalypse’ is no different.

When we last left the gang, they were all meeting for the first time. Tensions were high, jibes exchanged but, most importantly, mystery was afoot! In this adaptation Velma is Doctor Dinkley and part of a group of doctors who are seemingly responsible for, what seems to be, a monster apocalypse.  Shaggy is a dog-handler, Scooby-Doo is his adopted, modified dog, Daphne a reporter of the weird and wonderful and Fred her trusty side-kick/ cameraman. So yes, a little removed from what we’re used to, but still close enough to recognise a number of similarities to the originals, such as some well timed ‘jinkies’ and ‘zoinks’.

There are a few notable differences, but a number of them are welcome. For one, Daphne was always the ‘damsel’ character in the series. She would get into trouble and the gang (mainly Fred) would rescue her. Without giving too much away I will say that this is turned slightly on its head, and Daphne proves, this time round, that she’s more than a pretty face.

In this issue, we get more of a glimpse of what the doctors have (presumably) unleashed on the world and see suspicion become more rooted in the minds of those that have been invited to this catastrophe. Writers Giffen and Lee have managed to maintain the intrigue created in the first issue and artist Porter has managed to keep the futuristic appeal in his vibrant images.

In all, ‘Scooby Apocalypse’ continues to offer an interesting and viable alternative to the classic cartoon. Yes, it is pretty far removed from the ‘camp’ capers that we’re used to, but times change, and these characters, thus far, have developed well with it.

Score 7.5/10

Scooby Apocalypse #2 is available to buy from today by clicking here or by visiting your local comic book retailer.