- Title: The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #9
- Comic Vine: link
- Writer: Matthew Cody
- Artist: Scott Jeralds
Taking place in Crystal Cove rather than Gotham City, Batman, Batgirl, and Commissioner Gordon are all on hand to see Mystery, Inc. be awarded the key to the city (and another gift which is saved for the last panel). However, when a group of hypnotized townspeople, all dressed as clowns, disrupt the scene, the celebration turns with Mystery, Inc. eventually being arrested, Batman chasing the wrong villain, and leaving Batgirl and Scooby-Doo to save the day and prevent the gang from being sentenced to prison (albeit by a villain with no real legal powers).
The use of classic Scooby-Doo villain Ghost Clown works well for the story while letting Batman and readers jump to false conclusions that the Joker is responsible for ruining the Scooby Gang’s big day. It’s also fun to see a callback to an early Scooby villain. Thankfully, Batgirl keeps her wits and removes the hypnotism from Batman and her father allowing good to triumph once more.
[DC, $2.99]