As you can imagine from the header, the latest round of DC-Looney Tunes 1-shot specials landed in stores today. If you haven't gotten your copies yet, what are you waiting for?
The Joker crosses swords with Daffy Duck. Actually, at first, Daffy is hired on as a henchman after accidentally locating the Clown Prince of Crime's HQ du jour. Considering this came from the same team that put Speed Buggy with The Flash earlier this year (Scott Lobdell, Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund), this didn't have enough of the manic energy one would've expected from this pairing. Of course, the Batman makes an obligatory appearance, since his biggest enemy is involved. The backup, written by Joey Cavalieri, comes closer to the spirit intended, but why is Catwoman in Arkham in that story? That's a screw-up if there ever was one.
Rating: B-.
Joker's ex, Harley Quinn, I will maintain, would've been a perfect match for Daffy. However, she's paired with Gossamer, the giant monster who tangled with Bugs Bunny in shorts such as "Water, Water, Every Hare", and as such, is a mute, unlike his later iteration from The Looney Tunes Show. The man-child version would've been a better fit for Harl. Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti's script has Harley in a bikini for most of the story (and you know that would've excited Daffy or anyone else). If Gossamer was allowed to talk, how would he react? Joker & Batman show up here, too, as there is no continuity between these 1-offs.
The backup, by Sholly Fisch (Scooby-Doo Team-Up) and regular Looney Tunes artist Dave Alvarez, sees a different POV, and Harl mistakes the scientist for Dr. Hugo Strange. Cute. The fanboys will buy it in multiples and copy all the bikini shots of Harley.
Rating: A+.
Catwoman meets Tweety & Sylvester, but this is a wacky story all by itself, courtesy of writer Gail Simone. See, the Weird Sisters (Mildred, Mordred, & Cynthia) from The Witching Hour have made a bet with Witch Hazel involving cats & birds, even humans with feline or avian themes. Hence, a ton of cameos to support Catwoman and Black Canary. Add Klarion, the Witchboy, an old foe of Etrigan, The Demon, and this is totally cray-cray.
Rating: A+.
Speaking of Scooby-Doo Team-Up, the latest issue brings closure to The Perils of Penelope Pitstop, which, like Scooby-Doo, marks its 50th anniversary next year. We figure out the anachronistic time line between Perils and Wacky Races, and, well, ain't gonna spoil it for you, since Fisch's script is so predictable, Penelope finally learns the truth about the Hooded Claw.
The editors like predictable and generic plotting, otherwise, Fisch would've been off the book a while ago, and a better writer, like, for example, Jeff Parker (Batman '66, Future Quest) could craft better stories. I can suggest one involving a certain pair of aliens and a rubber tailed monkey, and......!
Rating: B--.
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