ZOINKS!: The Spooky Folklore Behind Scooby Doo

by Mark Norman

Genres: Nonfiction, Folklore

166 pages, Paperback

Published October 17, 2024

Reviews

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Scooby Doo fan since childhood, I will read just about anything that touches on the show from comics to chapter books so I was thrilled to come across this folklore non-fic that ties to the lore spotted throughout the series of Scooby Doo TV shows and movies.

Zoinks! Begins with introducing the author's connection to the show and the research done and then dives into first the origin of the Scooby Doo cartoons and its iterations over the decades, touch on the Gang characters before tackling the various folklore topics seen in the shows from stereotypes, the shows own myths, archtypes, connection with pop culture over the years, the Gothic genre the show sits in based on setting and plotting.

After all the background details are delved into, Mark Norman discusses the myths and legends presented in the shows themselves- ghosts, witches, monsters, monsters from around the world, sly easter egg references using names of side characters, villains, signs on building etc. Most are not left in their pure form, but blended with others (aka Space ghost) or transferred to new settings (like the witch, her zombie, and the Ozarks). There is always reference to a specific series and show for example.

I found the style of writing and the level of detail were just the right speed for me. It gave me a renewed love of the series and a better understanding of where it came from and how far it has come along with a plethora of folklore details to enrich my 'rewatch' experiences. Definitely a recommend to a Scooby Doo fan who wants to delve a little deeper into the show's background.

[Sharron Joy Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well researched fun read exploring the folklore and mythology behind the stories of Scooby Doo. It also charts the shows beginnings and is illustrated in colour throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed this and it made me pull out the dvd’s to watch them again!

[Timothy Grubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

The philosophy of those meddling kids…

ZOINKS!: The Spooky Folklore Behind Scooby Doo by Mark Norman is not just a book on the metaphysics of the scooby doo franchise but also the creative origins, cultural symbolism, and lasting popularity of the characters.

The opening chapters cover the genesis of scooby doo and the time period that it birthed. It even provides some interesting metaphors and urban legends about the main characters from the Five College Consortium to the stock characters of Commedia dell'arte.

Naturally with multiple interactions of the franchise to drawn from (a veritable Scooby Doo-Multiverse) the book casts a wide net with much of its discussions of supernatural and paranormal activity, providing info on the relevent episodes and how they were “debunked” by the Mystery Inc gang.

Oddly, the book refrains from covering “real” ghosts the team has encountered such as the 13 Ghosts of Scooby doo, Zombie Island, or a few others.

The book delves into the stock importance of ghosts, shape shifters, literary figures (specifically Hyde who is a real character in the Doo Universe if you recall), and others.

At the end is a very handy episode guide of all doo tv episodes, movies, and video games with notes on the “type” of creature they encounter (a highly exhaustive list that reminds you just how long Scooby Doo has been around).

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun little book for a massive Scooby fan. While fairly limited (big folklore subjects like vampires, werewolves, etc. were not addressed at all), what was included was well done (great chapters on ghosts, witches, urban legends, etc.). I also liked the discussion of other influences on the show and its imagery, like movies and TV shows.

[Andy Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Scooby-Doo aficionado of many years, it is impossible not to like this book. On the whole, I’m impressed with the author’s knowledge of both the classic Scooby-Doo canon and of the folklore of many familiar spooks, monsters, and creeps. (Although the author does make a couple factual errors, e.g. when referencing the Be Cool, Scooby-Doo episode “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Wraith,” he claims Colonel Lutz wrote a will dividing his fortune between everyone who saved his life, “including Scooby-Doo,” when in fact Scooby was the only one who saved the colonel’s life and the other heirs were greedy family members only.)

I learned a good deal about witches that I never knew, in particular the evolution of our modern conception of the warty woman in a pointed hat. And it was interesting to review the stories of ghosts, cryptids, and curses from other parts of the world. (This chapter could have been expanded, since Scooby’s most interesting and memorable adventures always take place in exotic locales.)

Perhaps the most glaring omission— the one category that seems inexplicably left out— is the folklore of sea creatures. There is a rich vein of maritime folklore and old sea legends, and many of Scooby’s cases draw from these, e.g. wrecked and sunken ships, sea snakes, demonic sharks, Loch Ness Monster variants, pirate ghosts, sea hags, mermen, underwater cities, buried gold, treasure maps, and messages in a bottle, etc. There’s enough nautical folklore in the real world and in the Scoobyverse for this topic to warrant its own chapter.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was delightful, incredibly readable, and a treasure trove of Scoobiana. One of the few cartoons I was allowed to watch as a kid, Scooby had a tender spot in my nostalgic closet. I greatly appreciated Norman's deep dive into his encyclopedic knowledge of world folklore to add depth, richness, and bring greater connection between (sometimes very silly) cartoon and the larger world of story and lore. A great book for Gen X nostalgia and folklorists alike. I sincerely hope Norman turns his affectionate eye, connective mind, scholarly research, and obvious delight in finding cultural connections to other pop culture icons.

[Roni Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a great behind the scenes of the multiple lores of scooby doo episodes & movies.
Though if you have not watched all of scooby doo Mystery incorporated, there are lots of spoilers of it throughout and especially at the end.
Overall, I didn't mind and loved binge reading this.

[B Mackey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I needed an excuse to rewatch Scooby-Doo this would be it, if only to search for all the themes with news perspective. Loved seeing things explained that I hadn’t ever considered