Former Scooby-Doo writer Diane Duane and The Sandman creator Neil Gaiman have commented on Velma being officially confirmed as queer in the franchise's latest animated outing.
In a Tumblr post, Duane responded to a fan that asked if "Velma being gay [was] a thing back" when she was a writer on Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo in 1979 or "if the Writing Staff of Yore were thinking about it at all," writing, "I… don’t think they were. Nor do I recall the concept ever coming up, even in casual conversation. (And it seems likely enough that it could have, as at least one of my story editors was gay.) …So I think we have to mark this issue as 'insufficient data.' Sorry not to be able to cast more light on this."
Gaiman then chimed in on the discussion, replying to Duane's comment and stating that the version of Velma from the 2010 animated series Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated was definitely portrayed as bisexual since "she had a crush on Shaggy at the start of the first season" but was hinted at being in a relationship with Marcie/Hot Dog Water by the end of Season 2. Gaiman added that not every incarnation of Mystery Incorporated is focused on the characters' romantic pursuits, explaining how "Be Cool, Scooby-Doo (2015-2018) exists in a new, comedic universe in which none of them are dating anyone and Velma is a super brain with a fear of water."
Velma Is Gay in the New Scooby-Doo Movie
Velma Dinkley was officially confirmed as a member of the LGBTQ community in Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo!, the 37th film in the franchise's line of animated direct-to-video Scooby-Doo films. Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo! includes several scenes featuring Velma pining for female character Coco Diablo, the head of the notorious costume crime syndicate responsible for making all of Mystery Incorporated's villains' costumes over the years.
"Mystery Inc. has cracked the case to top all cases!" reads the film's official synopsis. "They've tracked down Coco Diablo, the head of the notorious costume crime syndicate that colludes The Black Knight, Space Kook and the Ghost Diver. With Coco and her kitty in prison, Mystery Inc. thinks that they can finally enjoy a break. Wrong! Suddenly, menacing doppelgänger ghosts of the Scooby crew and favorite classic foes show up in Coolsville to threaten Halloween. Now it's up to the meddling kids – and their unlikely new partner Coco – to unmask the latest scoundrel and save Halloween! For Shaggy and Scooby-Doo, with trick-or-treating on the line – this time it's personal!"
Trick or Treat, Scooby-Doo features the familiar voice talents of Frank Welker as Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones, Grey DeLisle as Daphne Blake, Matthew Lillard as Shaggy Rogers and Kate Micucci as Velma Dinkley. The animated film is now available to own on Digital and DVD.
Source: Tumblr