Fan Spotlight 2024 #3: Juan

Our fan spotlight today is Juan, who just discovered the blog in the past year or so, but has already become a very active commenter on here and has contributed several fun facts on here. It's also worth noting that the image you see at the top of the post is something that Juan drew!

Check out Juan's fan spotlight below:

1. What is your name?
I’m Juan.
 
2. How did you get into Scooby-Doo?
When I was a kid, my father taped “Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders” on a VHS. I’d watch that movie on repeat and love it a whole lot, and was pleasantly surprised when I realized that there was so much more Scooby content than that and also more to come!
I don’t really know what it is about the franchise that I love. When I’m asked I don’t know how to put it, but it probably has to do with the characters and their fun dynamics. And the music!

3. What is your favorite Scooby-Doo episode and film? Why?
My favorite Scooby-Doo movie is “Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed”. That movie makes me smile, laugh and even cry sometimes. I know that it’s nowhere near a perfect movie, and many would call it a bad movie, but I love it. Always have, always will.

When it comes to purely animated movies, I’ll go with the safe, boring option and say “Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island”, can’t go wrong with that. But I’ll add that I’m a big fan of “Aloha, Scooby-Doo!”.

Now, my favorite episode. That’s tough. Especially since there’s a bunch of shows I haven’t gotten around to finishing yet. But I’m gonna say… “Foul Play in Funland”. The abandoned amusement park has super creepy vibes and I love that Charlie is technically the first “real” monster of the franchise.
 
4. What ways are you involved in the Scooby fandom online?
Just here really.

5. In your opinion, what is the best series or era of Scooby?
To me the best series is Where Are You, it’s amazing how much it holds up despite being the first. But my top 5 consists of that, “What’s New Scooby-Doo?”, “The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo”, “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated” and “The Scooby-Doo Show”. Regardless, I do enjoy all the shows except The New Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Show. Haven't gotten to Velma yet, so can't really judge it.

Now, the best era? That’s different. I think the best era for the franchise was in-between the early 2000s and early 2010s. The franchise rose in popularity and most of the content was consistent in quality. After, I wanna say, the KISS crossover DTV movie, the movies’ budget was clearly cut down, and other things like Kate replacing Mindy as Velma didn’t help maintain the same level of interest I once had. I still love Scooby, but in my personal opinion right now the franchise is pretty much a walking corpse as of now. Most movies and shows are either crossovers to promote other brands or nostalgia bait, and there was a time in which Scooby could stand on his own. I miss that.
 
6. What one Scooby-Doo series or film would you want a sequel to someday?
There are two answers to this one. I’d like a “sequel” of sorts to “Scooby-Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf” so the cliffhanger is finally addressed (And we may be close to it, since Werewolf Shaggy made a cameo in Return to Zombie Island as an unsolved caper). But ever since I was a kid, I always wanted a “Scooby-Doo! And the Loch Ness Monster 2”, I love Shannon Blake and the other characters in the film and also its vibes and atmosphere. Justice for Shannon! She needs to come back.
 
7. What direction would you like to see the franchise go in the future?
Hiatus. No content for a while. Sorry. Maybe harsh. But it needs a breather. And then yeah, sure, come back stronger. Also, they should hire more people that are invested in the franchise.
 
8. Who is your favorite member of the gang and why?
Daphne. Ever since I was a kid. Everyone always dismisses her and says she’s useless… but she’s so not! She’s awesome. I was lucky enough to grow up in the era in which they decided to make her “street smart” and have her use her “girly” attitudes to her advantage. I previously mentioned Aloha, and one of my favorite moments in that film is when Daphne pulls herself back up from a cliff with dental floss. I also love the moment in which she frees the gang from the cage in Scooby-Doo 2 with her make up. She is awesome.

And, while this attitude and side of her was definitely incorporated in more modern iterations, Daphne still had personality and a little bit of sass in the early cartoons, you just gotta watch the episodes!
 
9. What is your favorite villain? Why?
My favorite villains are probably Fred’s parents from SDMI. They even changed their faces to go ahead with their plan. That’s next level villainy right there. Now, my favorite *monster* is most likely Charlie the Haunted Robot.

10. In your opinion, who is the best recurring (non-gang) character in the franchise?
I don’t know if Flim-Flam counts as a recurring character since he was part of the gang and a main character in one of the shows, but if he doesn’t… then I’m gonna go ahead and say Shaggy's sister; Maggie/Sugie.

11. Do you have a Scooby-Doo collection? If so, what’s in it?
It’s little, but I have a bunch of clothing, toys and books. And the DVDs, of course. I hope to someday have most, if not all, Scooby-Doo content in physical media!
 
12. What do you think has made the franchise so popular that it’s still going strong after 50 years? 
Well. It’s a talking dog, y’know.
 
13. What is one fun fact about you in real life?
I have a pet turtle.

A big thank you to Juan for being today's fan spotlight! Even though the anniversary is over, we are still doing fan spotlights every Friday until the end of the month. Be sure to check back next Friday for another fan spotlight!