Photo: DC Comics
No, we’re obviously not talking about Scrappy-Doo, as he gets a pretty mixed reaction among fans.
First and foremost, you should know this isn’t Scooby-Doo proper. In fact, it’s set in a dystopian future where the apocalypse has happened and monster hunting is more survival than choice. However, in the scope of all DC’s revamped, adult-themed Hanna-Barbera comic book titles, it’s certainly the most successful (although possibly not the most critically acclaimed). Nevertheless, the monumental 25th issue of the series brought certain doom for one of the franchise’s key five.
This is normally when we’d throw a SPOILER ALERT out there, but the solicitation didn’t exactly keep the news a secret:
After nearly fifty years of Scooby-Doo, the unthinkable occurs! This month death claims one of the most beloved figures in pop-culture history: Fred Jones! This stunning turn of events will have repercussions that you won’t want to miss!
Between a muscle-bound Fred, hipster Shaggy and cyborg Scoob, obviously going a little off the reservation in terms of the classic Saturday morning cartoon was to be expected. But hot damn, who would have thought this tool would actually receive an emotional sendoff?
Of course, you Fred fans (probably more like fan) out there can rest easy knowing that since this is a comic and has no real ties to the cartoon series, it likely won’t stick. Besides, it was revealed via The Sixth Sense style twist he was a ghost all issue. Ghosts always have a way of making their way back (or being undercover struggling business owners who would have gotten away with it if it weren’t for you meddling kids).
More Scooby shoutouts: Countries That Look Like Pop Culture References
Scooby Apocalypse #25 hit stands on Wednesday and was written by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis, with art by Ron Wagner and Andy Owens. Go check it out for all the gory details we wouldn’t dream of spoiling here.
