‘Scooby-Doo’ Tattoos Worth Investigating

Few television shows are as universally beloved as “Scooby-Doo.” When the animated series premiered on CBS in 1969, many were captivated by the group of meddling kids and their talking Great Dane with a speech impediment. Viewers got wrapped up in watching the crew solve local mysteries and unmask old dude after old dude dressed up as supernatural creatures for one odd reason or another, mainly for capitalist gains and fraud. In no time, the show became a Saturday morning staple.

Hanna-Barbera originally produced the show as a nonviolent alternative to the popular superhero cartoons many parents were opposed to. The appeal to both adults and children has been beneficial to “Scooby-Doo’s” 50-year longevity. The series’s timeless elements have kept the show from feeling outdated while still playing with its late ‘60s and early ‘70s sense and appeal. What can we say? Solving mysteries never goes out of fashion, unlike Fred’s ascot.

Throughout the years, “Scooby-Doo” has become a multimedia juggernaut, with multiple animated spin-offs, a crossover episode with “Supernatural,” amusement park rides, toys, real-life Scooby-Snacks, and, of course, the beloved Mystery Machine roaming around various city streets. Which, to be completely honest, it still fills me with childlike joy to see those bad boys in real life. You can barely go anywhere without seeing some markings of Scooby-Doo around.

In 2002, the series was brought to life in its first live-action adaptation starring Sarah Michelle Geller as Daphne and Matthew Lillard as Shaggy. While reviews for the film at its release were critical, it has since been looked upon more favorably over time, and the franchise’s commercial success led to a sequel two years later. “Scooby-Doo” has thrived on home-video, with many animated direct-to-video films becoming cult classics for ‘90s kids, like “Scooby-Doo and the Witch’s Ghost.” Let’s face it, the Hex Girls are still the best fictional band ever and you cannot change my mind.

While today’s “Scooby-Doo” dabbles more in the supernatural than in petty criminals with poor disguises, it is still as popular as ever with new episodes of “Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?,” a spiritual successor to “The New Scooby-Doo Movies,” currently airing. To celebrate this legendary and timeless series, we are looking at the best tattoos inspired by the series and its groovy characters.