Frankly? Freaky! is the second and final story in Scooby-Doo #159, by DC Comics, as well as the final story published in the series. It was preceded by Attack of the 50-Foot Shaggy!
Premise[]
A chainsaw-wielding monster comes to life at a horror movie convention.
Synopsis[]
Mystery Inc. visits Spooky-Con International, meeting Liam Jackson and Natalie White, actors in the Freaky Frankie movies. However, the villain, Freaky Frankie, appears at the convention and attacks the guests, including Mystery Inc., and cleanly saws a table in half with a chainsaw before disappearing, warning them to never make a movie about him again. Jackson and White explain the Freaky Frankie films are based on a real story, making the monster the ghost of Freaky Frankie as his actor is not in town.
Searching the crime scene, they find a backpack with clothes and Cuban cigars in it. They find a trail of motor oil from the chainsaw and follow it through a service hatch to a closet, finding the projectionist, Bruce, locked in there by the monster. They then anticipate the monster's next attack at the film premiere. As Freaky Frankie interrupts the premiere, Mystery Inc. ambushes him, with Fred tackling him to the ground.
Freaky Frankie is revealed to be Austin Prowse, the original actor playing Freaky Frankie who was fired for his smoking habits and aggressive behaviour. Because he was given no royalties for his past films, he created the disguise and planned the attacks as revenge against the film franchise. As authorities escort him away, Mystery Inc. attends the premiere of the new Freaky Frankie film.
Characters[]
Main characters:
Supporting characters:
- Liam Jackson (only appearance)
- Natalie White (only appearance)
Villains:
- Freaky Frankie (only appearance)(Austin Prowse's disguise)
- Austin Prowse (only appearance)
Other characters:
- Miscellaneous convention goers (only appearance)(miscellaneous speaking)
- Bruce (only appearance)
- Police officers (only appearance)
Locations[]
Objects[]
- Table
- Chainsaw
Vehicles[]
- None
Suspects[]
- None
Culprits[]
| Culprit | Motive/reason |
|---|---|
| Austin Prowse as Freaky Frankie | Revenge for being replaced as Freaky Frankie. |
Notes/trivia[]
- This case is special in that the culprit is not introduced before being unmasked.
- One of the clues collected is a box of cigars, marking a rare appearance of tobacco in a Scooby-Doo comic.
Miscellaneous[]
- Disguises: None.
- Traps: Mystery Inc. anticipates the monster's attack and Fred tackles him.
- Clues: A cleanly-sawn table, Cuban cigars, and a motor oil trail.
Cultural references[]
- Austin Prowse is an anagram of Austin Powers, a satirical spy film franchise created by Mike Myers.
- Freaky Frankie seems to be based on Leatherface, the villain in the Texas Chain Saw Massacre films. Like Freaky Frankie, Leatherface was partially inspired by a real criminal, that of murderer Ed Gein.
- This comic's first panel depicts several recognizable monsters in pop culture, including:
- Dracula from the titular novel by Bram Stoker.
- A slasher resembling Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th films.
- Freddy Krueger from the A Nightmare on Elm Street films.
Reprints[]
- Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #32 (April 2013).
Coloring mistakes[]
- None known.
Inconsistencies/continuity errors and/or goofs/oddities[]
- None known.