2013 Year in Review
2013 was a pretty decent year for Scooby. Despite the DTVs/specials being a hit and miss, that was all made up for with the final thirteen episodes of Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated. We also saw a release of a new comic featuring Batman & Robin along with a new puppet movie.
Mystery Incorporated
After many delays, we finally saw the final batch of Mystery Inc episodes last year. I found season two to mostly be a improvement over season one{with a couple misses here and there}. The thing I’ve always loved about SDMI is that it had a ongoing plot. There many series{especially cartoons} that never get a proper ending. Thankfully SDMI did. I know many of us would have liked to see it continue. But I think it really benefited from having a set end date. I also feel like they fixed many of the problems from the first season, specifically with Velma being a more likable character. Fred was still his clueless self but he was definitely less annoying.
And what a crazy finale that was. I think the thing I loved most about the finale is that they basically set up to be a prequel to the original series. I’m maybe not the biggest fan of the whole shifting timelines idea, but I guess they had to do something after they basically killed off every supporting character and completely devastated Crystal Cove. Overall, it was a awesome wrap-up to a otherwise great series.
Mask of the Blue Falcon
The movie side of things was a little less exciting. Even though I gave Mask of the Blue Falcon a 4/5{see my review here}, the more I think about it, the more I think it was a mixed bag. Even though I liked all the comic book and geeky references, I was hoping for an actual team-up with Dynomutt and Blue Falcon{especially after that awesome episode of SDMI}. Plus I hated the whole storyline with Shaggy and Scooby making fools out of themselves.
Scooby-Doo! Adventures: Mystery Map
In July we got a Walmart exclusive DTV that featured the gang as puppets. Honestly, I don’t really have anything to say anything about this, mainly because I haven’t seen it yet. But Scooby-Doom gave it a positive review
Stage Fright
Looking back at my review, I’m actually surprised I gave this such a high rating. I mean, Stage Fright was fun, and had some funny moments. But I think this is the movie that turned me off to any relationships in Scooby-Doo ever. They build up the Fred/Daphne relationship throughout only to throw it all away in the end credits. I also didn’t find the plot or any of the supporting characters that interesting.
Spooky Scarecrow/Mecha Mutt Menace
We got two new specials in September, Spooky Scarecrow and Mecha Mutt Menace. Spooky Scarecrow was the better of the two, though it’s plot wasn’t overly original. Mecha Mutt Menace had some good humorous moments, but overall it was a weak episode that barely manged to be slightly above average. The animation was also a bit off.
Scooby-Doo! Team Up
On July 2nd, Scooby-Doo Team Up was announced. A new comic that would feature Scooby & the gang teaming up with Batman and other characters from the DC Universe. Me and Scooby-Doom both gave Team Up #1 a positive review{here and here}. Though I wasn’t nearly a big of fan of the second issue.
2014 Predictions
So what’s to come in 2014? It is the 45th annaversery of Scooby-Doo after all. I don’t think we’ll see anything huge out of Warner Bros. But I think we’ll get some big announcements. In fact, I’m going to go out and say that not only will we get a release date for the new movie by the end of the year, but we’ll hear rumblings of a new series as well. I also think we’ll finally get some full seasons of Scrappy-Doo on DVD, plus a blu-ray release of Mystery Incorporated via Warner Archive.
2014 will be big for the site as well, with a new look and {hopefully}more content. I plan on giving the SDMI page a full overhaul and add a full episode guide along with a new DVD page. I would also like to see your thoughts and ideas on what you’d like to see on the site. Also chime in with your 2014 predictions as well!
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I would have like a season 3 for SDMI, like most of us. 🙁
It was a prequel series and immediately led into the events of the series. For me it ended where it needed too. I can see why people would want more though (It was a wild ride). But I think I'd rather have a new show with more comedy, after two seasons of drama I'm ready to move on to something different, something with some more classic gags (Which is the one thing that prevents me from saying SDMI was the best incarnation). Granted I hope the mysteries remain as action packed and well thought out as they were in SDMI.
Nah, I wouldn't exactly say I need a comedy show. I'm knda used to the darkensss of today's anime (SDMI, Legend of Korra etc.). I'd sure love to see goofball Scooby like in the original SDWAY show, but being heroic and braver did not do me or him any harm.