Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo - The Scarab Lives!
Season 1, Episode 1
Premiered September 22, 1979
Quickly
Mystery Incorporated investigates a comic book hero gone real life criminal.
Thoughts
I don't remember hating Scrappy when I was little. I also have no problem with his appearance in Scooby-Doo's live action film. I saw that movie in the theater. Maybe it's just the age thing. There was never a Scooby-Doo before Scrappy for me. Some episodes he was there and some episodes he wasn't there.
This cartoon has the classic, darker aesthetic.
Scrappy Rating
3 out 5 Scooby Snacks
The writing on Scrappy needed some improvement. He used two "splats" and one "I'm just a puppy" in this episode. He's actually a useful member of the team. He prompts the team to investigate the case. He accidentally finds the comic book collection that leads them to an essential clue. He also helps capture the Blue Scarab at the end.
Way Too Much Detail
The Blue Scarab lands on the roof of his creator's building. He rappels inside. He tells Sloan, the creator, to stop drawing comics.
Shaggy, Scrappy and Scooby are at the malt shop counter. Shaggy reads from the Blue Scarab comic. Velma, Daphne and Fred sit in a separate booth. It seems like this is a choice to spare the animators having to draw all six characters in every shot. Also a cost saving measure. Velma reads an article on the opening scene. Scrappy grabs Scooby and runs to meet the Blue Scarab. They reluctantly visit Sloane and that reluctance is the first sign the writers on this series didn't really get it. Fred, Daphne and Velma want to go investigate. They don't need the puppy to convince them.
The Blue Scarab left the sign of the scarab. This is the most nonsensical image in this cartoon. It's supposed to be a warning mark on the wall. But they did it too good. It's got highlights and shadows and looks more dimensional than most of the cartoon. It would have made more sense to imitate a stencil.
Scrappy walks around Sloan's place making a mess and talking about how he will "splat" the Blue Scarab.
*In the pile of comic books, there's a Yogi bear cover.
Mr Hardy, the Publisher, explains his dilemma to Daphne, Velma and Fred. He needs the Blue Scarab or his business is in trouble. Floyd Hotchkiss, a rival artist, encourages Mr Hardy to fire Sloane.
Shaggy, Scooby and Scrappy stay with Sloane. The Blue Scarab returns to threaten Sloane and proclaim his intent to turn to crime. Scrappy tackles Howard Gruber, Sloane's assistant. Howard quits.
Using the next issue of the Blue Scarab, Shaggy deduces the Blue Scarab will rob a jewelry store. He robs a bank the same night. The gang goes to the museum to head him off. The Blue Scarab tries to murder Scrappy with a statue.
Scrappy breaks the 4th wall to announce his Scrappy trap. Without much of a plan, the gang gets in an elevator to head off the Blue Scarab. Fred's mystified by the Blue Scarab's absence. No, Fred, he doesn't need to be up there somewhere. If you can go up, he can come down.
The Blue Scarab drops a tarp over Scooby from behind. Apparently, he's robs jewelry stores and plays pranks.
Why would people cancel their subscription to a comic with so much drama? I would imagine there would be a run on the comic.
Velma has a brainwave. The gang goes to the publisher to find the Blue Scarab. He tries to murder Scooby, Shaggy and Scrappy. It's Scrappy's fault. He was playing on machinery. But his guardians should have been watching him better.
Shaggy and Scooby accidentally trap the Blue Scarab.
The Blue Scarab painting turned out to be a clue to the identity of the Blue Scarab. It's still a character trait of the comic book Blue Scarab and it doesn't make sense for an elaborately painted wall mural to be his calling card.
What's the Word?
Meddling fools - A variation on meddling kids
Splat - Scrappy's threat of violence
Rogue's Gallery
The Blue Scarab
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