 A brand new book explaining the folklore within the Scooby-Doo franchise is coming soon! Author Mark Norman, a well-known expert on folklore from the UK and the host of The Folklore Podcast, tackles the ambitious project of researching how Scooby-Doo's villains have used depictions of real-life folklore. Norman also included input from a number of the franchise's crew members in his research.
The book will be released on the franchise's 55th anniversary on September 13, 2024. The book can be pre-ordered here. This book seems like such a cool project, and I will definitely be picking up a copy! Check out the press release for the book below: Chinbeard Books and Oak Tree Books are pleased to reveal ‘Zoinks!: The Spooky Folklore Behind Scooby Doo’; a new book by author Mark Norman. A renowned folklore expert and host of the popular ‘Folklore Podcast’, Norman is known for exploring myths and traditions transferred through generations by folk stories. Published on Friday the 13th (scary!) of September — the 55th anniversary of the debut of the first episode of Scooby-Doo — ‘Zoinks!’ presents folklore through the lens of the classic capers of Scooby-Doo, one of the most recognised and best-loved cartoon characters in the world, sharing the chilling and mystifying origins of some of the show’s popular villains. “Scooby-Doo has drawn heavily on real-world myths, legends, and folklore from cultures around the world,” says author Mark Norman. “It’s also had a massive influence on popular culture and generated more than a few urban myths.” ‘Zoinks!: The Spooky Folklore Behind Scooby Doo’ is set to be released in limited edition hardback, available exclusively from AUK Direct. Those who pre-order will receive a pack of 10 exclusive illustrated ‘Zoinks!’ art cards — including the cover artwork by Robert Hammond (with the 9 inner illustrations presented in a Hanna-Barbera style by illustrator Rhi Wynter). Synopsis Mystery Incorporated – Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby-Doo – have been investigating supernatural events for over fifty years and, in that time, there has never been a serious study into the make-up of Scooby-Doo … until now. In this groundbreaking book, extensively researched and written with input from a number of the animated show’s writers and producers, folklorist and author Mark Norman – creator of the popular multi-million downloaded show The Folklore Podcast – investigates the actual folklore behind all of your favourite Scooby-Doo episodes. And even some featuring Scrappy too. How has the show drawn on real-world folklore in its representations of ghosts, witches, monsters and more? It's time to pull off the mask and reveal the truth behind the fiction. The author of many books on folklore, ‘Zoinks!’ is the first time Mark Norman has combined his knowledge with popular culture. “Despite having such a massive catalogue of material, there has never been a serious study into the make-up of Scooby-Doo,” says the author. That is until now. Barnaby Eaton-Jones, who commissioned the book, writes: "I run Chinbeard Books and there's more of an air of Shaggy about my look, though I've yet to attain a dog who talks to me and jumps into my arms at the slightest moment of terror. I couldn't resist Mark Norman's pitch for this book, which was like someone at University, hopped up on Scooby Snacks, saying 'Hey, man! Like, here's my idea for my final dissertation!" and getting it accepted.” He continues: “I've been a fan of Mystery Incorporated since I was young and fell in love with it all over again when 'Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!' came out in 2015. I've also been a fan of spotting the real-life folklore behind some of the stories and villains, and how the Scooby Gang riff off that. Mark Norman has provided a valuable - and amusing - resource, by linking the legendary to the legends that are Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby-Doo." ‘Zoinks!: The Spooky Folklore Behind Scooby Doo’ will be published on Friday the 13th of September and available exclusively from AUK Direct as a limited edition hardback (with an exclusive pack of 10 art cards per book).
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 On his Instagram page, Matthew Lillard finally confirmed what he was hinting at back in March. He stated in the video that this is a "new Scooby-Doo experience" where fans can immerse themselves in a mystery via a game. No release date or additional info was given, other than a link in Matthew's Instagram bio. Thanks to Mystery5 for the info!
 One of the early concept art posters for Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra Doo was designed by Eric Semones in 2008. Semones was involved with the franchise as far back as Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?, after he'd applied for a job with Hanna-Barbera in 1966 following the conclusion of his time in the Navy. When creating this poster for Abracadabra Doo, Semones attempted to capture the same atmosphere and brush texture that the original Where Are You series had. This info was found on Keyframemagazine.com, and I'd recommend reading the full article if you have the time, as there are a lot of super interesting facts about the franchise's background designers and artists.
Thanks to Juan for sharing this article and background painting with me!  I did not include "Don't Fool with a Phantom" as the TV station only appears for a brief scene. Just so the poll didn't have too many options, I also didn't include options that involved any sort of filming of a TV show that wasn't at a TV station (i.e. the TV show in Gourmet Ghost was being filmed at a cooking resort rather than a TV station, so it's not included).
Cyber Chase wins last week's poll in a landslide! Here are the full results: What is your favorite episode/film featuring a villain coming out of a video game? Cyber Chase - 59 E-Scream - 3 Protein Titans 2 - 3 Horror of the Haunted Hairpiece - 2
Each year at San Diego Comic Con (SDCC), new toys and action figures for various franchises are teased. At this year's SDCC, two new Scooby-Doo figures were announced. The figures include Shaggy wearing a frightened look on his face with a bookcase diorama, and The Creeper. The six-inch scaled figures are made by Jada Toys. Thanks to Juan for sharing pictures of the figures! The Fwoosh's site features additional pictures of the Shaggy figure, and the Creeper was found in an X post. Update 7/26: A Mummy figure was also announced on Friday by Jada Toys on YouTube. Update 7/29: Jada Toys has released a YouTube video, and shared that these figures are "wave one" and that future figures will be coming. The current plan is that a gang member and a couple of monsters will be released in each wave. Wave 1 will be released in Spring 2025.  Also at SDCC this year according to the SDCC unofficial blog, there is a collectible Scooby-Doo Pop Art Animation Cel selling for $24.99, featuring Shaggy, Scooby and the zombie from "Which Witch Is Which?"   A few episodes of Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated and Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! had the wrong titles listed by TV providers. These include:
Sorry this is a couple of days late. I just got back from traveling to visit some relatives out of state this weekend, and my Internet connection was really spotty, so I couldn't post this on Friday. Courtesy of GamesRadar+, we have the comic solicitations for October 2024. I hadn't noticed this, but previously, Scooby-Doo comics were always released on the first Tuesday of each month. Starting with Batman and Scooby-Doo Mysteries #7 back on July 3, DC Comics has switched the release date to the first Wednesday of each month, for both Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries series and Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!  SCOOBY-DOO WHERE ARE YOU! #130 (Image credit: DC) Written by SHOLLY FISCH Art and cover by VALERIO CHIOLA $2.99 US | 32 pages ON SALE 10/2/24 Scooby and the gang are old hands at pulling masks off phony monsters. But when a werewolf crashes the mayor’s fancy costume ball, blending in amongst several other partygoers, how can the gang tell which mask to pull off? They’d better figure out who’s who—and quickly—before the mayor’s party is ruined!  BATMAN AND SCOOBY-DOO MYSTERIES #10 (Image credit: DC) Written by AMANDA DEIBERT Art and cover by ERICH OWEN $2.99 US | 32 pages ON SALE 10/2/24 When the Mystery Machine gets a flat tire, Batman would love to help, but he’s busy solving a rash of antique car part thefts and a series of heists from local tech labs. Maybe the nice mechanic who just opened a shop down the street can fix up Scooby and the gang instead? And maybe they can figure out what’s up with the ghost car plaguing the outskirts of the city while they’re at it!  MULTIVERSUS: COLLISON DETECTION #2 (Image credit: DC) Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER Art by JON SOMMARIVA Cover by DAN MORA Variant cover by SERG ACUÑA 1:25 variant cover by JON SOMMARIVA $4.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock) ON SALE 10/2/24 The Invasion Begins! Relocated from their home dimensions by a mysteri-ous, sinister force, champions from across the multiverse have appeared on the Justice League’s Earth. Now, it’s up to Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman to figure out which champions are friends and which are foes—before chaos erupts across the entire globe!  MULTIVERSUS: COLLISION DETECTION #3 (Image credit: DC) Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER Art by JON SOMMARIVA Cover by DAN MORA Variant cover by JOEL OJEDA 1:25 variant cover by JON SOMMARIVA $4.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock) ON SALE 10/16/24 Mayhem In The City Of Tomorrow! Metropolis’s newest city-wide battle has everything: Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, a child with a gem on his shiny round tum-tum, a sprite-sized Dark Knight, and…the Head. (It’s that thing where Brainiac’s code gets overwritten by an inebriated scientist who couldn’t be bothered to hang around for the entire issue!)
MULTIVERSUS: COLLISION DETECTION #4
(Image credit: DC) Cover by DAN MORA Variant cover by RYAN BENJAMIN 1:25 variant cover by JON SOMMARIVA $4.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock) ON SALE 10/30/24 Start your engines! “The Clown Princess of Crime.” “The Maiden of Mischief.” “PhD.” Call Harley Quinn anything you want, but don’t you dare try to take away her cuddly-wuddly new best friend from another universe! Clear the crosswalks and fasten your seatbelts as Harls leads the Justice League and a skyful of multiversal champions through the streets of Gotham City on a physics-bending, law-breaking, rubber-burning race to the finish…that will leave one champion’s life hanging in the balance!  "Web of the Dreamweaver" is not included because even though Dungeons and Dragons has been adapted into a video game, it is presented as a role-playing tabletop game in this episode.
Here are the results for last week's poll: What is your favorite episode/film involving a stage magic show? Abracadabra Doo - 16 Riva Ras Regas - 10 Scared a Lot in Camelot - 8 Goblin King - 6 Tragic Magic - 5 The Sorcerer's a Menace - 3 Fright of Hand - 2 The Cursed Cabinet of Professor Madds Markson! - 2 A Good Medium Is Rare - 1 Backstage Scooby - 1  There were a couple of things people shared with me today that I thought were cool, but since they're just short little tidbits, I thought I might as well share them in one post rather than creating separate posts. Yesterday, the annual Home Run Derby was held in Arlington, TX. In the game, one of the players for the Baltimore Orioles, Gunnar Henderson, used a Scooby-Doo bat for the game. The bat used the Mystery Machine colors, orange, green and blue, and featured a picture of Scooby with the words "Ruh-Roh" on it. There's also a clip of him doing a Scooby impression that was posted online. Here is a picture from the game yesterday, and thank you to Greybishop for sharing this!  Baltimore Orioles #2, Gunnar Henderson, holding his Scooby bat Our second piece of news for the day is that Cartoon Network will be making an exciting schedule change next week according to CNSchedules on Twitter. After airing most of the episodes in an overnight slot for their TV debut, Cartoon Network will be adding Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! back to their schedule Mondays through Thursdays at 11:30am EST. Thanks to Jinkies for sharing this tweet!
 In "Aliens Among Us" from Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, the coordinates given for the grave in Gatorsburg are "34 11 15N, 118 20 46W." Typing the address into Google Earth shows that in real life, these coordinates geolocate to 3300 West Pacific Avenue in Burbank, California. This is the address of a Warner Brothers studio, which can be found on the studio's official website here. Series producer and head writer Mitch Watson also clarified in an interview from the Unmasked History of Scooby-Doo podcast that the coordinates are Sam Register's office, and that it was an intentional Easter egg they hoped fans would uncover (Thanks to Ed for the link).  |
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