‘Scooby-Doo’ And ‘The Flintstones’ Getting A Wild Reboot Thanks To DC Comics
It seems our culture is becoming increasingly more nostalgic with the many reboots and revivals of past television and film, but DC Entertainment is hoping to build on that yearning to relive our past with a re-imagining of some of our favorite comic books. In conjunction with Hanna-Barbera, DC Comics will essentially be rebooting for series The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo, Johnny Quest, and Space Ghost. While this seems like an exciting idea, fans might choose to reserve judgement until they get a glimpse of their favorite characters. They won’t be the same old heroes, whose adventures many fans followed. Instead, these will be modernized versions that will mirror the changes our world has taken.
Scooby-Doo, What In The Heck Happened To You?
While each revamped series will certainly take some getting used to, the newly updated version of the Scooby gang is the one that has really been bugging people out with their ray guns and wild get-ups. Even among this wacky bunch, Shaggy stands out the most, going from doper to hipster is just too much to take all at once. One has to wonder how this will affect his eating habits. Will poor old Scooby be left to pig out all by himself?
Speaking of Scooby-Doo, we do see something familiar in him, behind that futuristic collar and emoji-producing monocle, but little else is recognizable in this re-imagined version. Fred has hit the gym in a big way and Velma looks rather villainous herself with the new shape of her glasses. Even Daphne seems to mean business.
The title of the new series, Scooby Apocalypse, gives a clue to the plot, which has the gang dealing with real monsters, after an experiment goes awry. No word on who exactly fouled up that experiment, but it seems likely that Scooby and Shaggy may have fouled up one of Velma’s experiments, as has often been the case in the past.
Scooby Apocalypse will be co-written by Keith Giffen and DC Entertainment co-publisher Jim Lee, with art by Howard Porter.
More Changes Are Coming To Hanna-Barbera, Starting With The Flintstones
Writer Mark Russell and graphic artist Amanda Conner are bringing an entirely new slant to The Flintstones, though not nearly as outrageous as those Scooby-Doo transformations. The most noticeable thing about the new look for The Flintstones is the lazy, unkempt appearances of Fred and his neighbor, Barney Rubble, leaving them looking like they’re nursing a three alarm hangover in the one image released to the public. The wives are much more shapely and, while Betty still wears blue and Wilma still wears white, both dresses are sexier with a higher hemline. In fact, a windy day in Bedrock might leave both women exposed and vulnerable.
Much like the original cartoon, The Flintstones will use the stone age to give a satirical look at life, as it uses parody to comment on modern society.
Also on the list of revamped comics is Future Quest, to be written by Jeff Parker and illustrated by Evan “Doc” Shaner. This series will bring elements of three different worlds together in a shared existence. It seems Hanna-Barbera and DC Entertainment feel Jonny Quest, Space Ghost, and Birdman are similar enough in look and feel that they could be easily melded into one saga.
“I can’t think of anyone that doesn’t look back at these characters with anything but fond memories,” DC Entertainment co-publisher Dan Didio said. “With this initial lineup of titles and talent, we’re excited for fans to experience the reimagining of these Saturday morning classics with a more modern and contemporary look and feel.”
Each of the four new series will launch in May.
[Featured image by Hanna-Barbera/DC Entertainment]
