APOCALYPSE

Who doesn’t love a post-apocalyptic world? Seemingly no one. It is a pervasive genre, even winding its way into anime. We, as in humanity, seem to have a bit of an obsession with our own demise. Perhaps because we fear it so much, but mostly because in a world that is dying, so, too, die the rules which bind us. I know. It’s deep, right? Regardless, storytellers in anime love a post-apocalyptic setting because it allows them to explore the human psyche when stressed in a world that is terrifying, obsessive, or too advanced for its own good. 20. Chrome Shelled Regios Mostly, Chrome Shelled Regios is an anime that gets way too caught up in giving everything very stupid “anime” names, like how the monsters are called Filth Monsters and those who fight them are called Heavens-Blade wielders or how every character looks like their name was picked by throwing Scrabble tiles. Yet, if you can look past stupid names, Chrome Shelled Regios creates a pretty intriguing dead world w

It’s life or death! Faced with the choice between the two, the warring groups led by Scrappy and Scooby must join forces in order to survive the menacing mega monster! Will they survive the fight? Or will they be absorbed into the belly of the beast forever?! Then, in a special bonus story…international mammal of mystery, Secret Squirrel, is back in action!

Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis and Howard Porter’s “Scooby Apocalypse” #1 is neither the abomination the internet feared nor the super-cool reimagining the creative team is aiming for; instead, it falls somewhere in the middle. The redesigns and updated origins are a mixed bag. Some are quite fun: Velma’s exaggerated glasses and shortness made me smile, Porter and colorist Hi-Fi give the setting a cool vibe and I didn’t mind Shaggy’s hipster slacker redesign. Other elements — such as Scooby’s sometimes disturbing facial expressions and the doom-and-gloom plot — contribute to an odd, not-quite-humorous-not-quite-serious tone. As a result, “Scooby Apocalypse” #1 is definitely interesting, but it didn’t have a sure enough voice to win me over. As the issue opens, the gang isn’t a team yet: Velma is involved in a global super-science conspiracy, Shaggy is working as Scooby’s handler in a secret government program and Fred and Daphne are filming episodes of a low-ratings mystery show. Ther

We finally catch up to the migrating monsters—and their destination is even more horrifying than anyone imagined! But before the gang can act, Scrappy-Doo and his pack of smart mutts show up with a heck of a grudge against Scooby. It’s two threats for the price of one! And, in the backup story, Scrappy strikes again—and someone pays the ultimate price!

Velma’s brother turns sibling rivalry up to extremes in his quest to rule the monsters…but the creatures are more interested in attacking his skyscraper than in being his loyal subjects. Can Velma, Scooby and the gang stop him from carrying out his plans to mutate the creatures even more? Plus, in the backup story: Brainy super-dog Scrappy-Doo and his pet human kid are hot on the trail of a puzzle. Monsters are migrating, but to where?