Greg Bishansky writes...

"Gargoyles, Clan Building Chapter Eleven: Tyrants"

We're near the end of the road. Brooklyn, Mary and Finella approach the ruins of Castle Wyvern. Brooklyn determined to somehow get the Phoenix Gate so he can help Mary and Finella protect the Grimorum Arcanorum from King Constantine. I neglected to point out in my previous review that Mary and Finella's horse is named 'Magus.' Cute.

Meanwhile, at Edinburgh Castle... Constantine stands in front of a mirror as he shaves his head bald. For those of you history buffs out there who noted that historically, Constantine III was known as "Constantine the Bald," well, here we are. The sequence itself is creepy, as is Constantine's interest in Gillecomgain... but I just finished reading a book on Alexander the Great, so maybe I'm just projecting. But there seems to be a borderline paternal/sexual interest in the boy coming from Constantine. Even Gilly's father, Mael Brigti seems creeped out by it. Brother Valmont doesn't care... and it's obvious to me that he holds no real loyalty to Constantine, obviously he's someone to watch.

We cut back to Castle Wyvern where Brooklyn finds the whole situation as freaky as I find Constantine's seeming man/boy interest in Gillecomgain. Of course, I am amused at how he can't keep his beak shut... Mary's reaction to Tom being "married" is priceless. As for Brook, sadly, Goliath's half of the Phoenix Gate is unavailable to him. And hooray for the first canon mention of the modesty spell.

Speaking of canon mentions... the Wind Ceremony... Demona's clan wants to hold one for their shattered comrades. But Demona herself has no interest, as usual, she wants revenge on those who did it. Obviously, she is one of the tyrants referenced in the title.

Mary and Finella arrive with Brooklyn at the Grim's camp. BTW, I love that Kenneth III is called 'the Grim' when he is anything but. His cousin, Maol Chalvim on the other hand. Well, understandably, he doesn't trust Finella. But, as Kenneth pointed out, they need all the help they can get.

And being that they need all the help they can get, Brooklyn seeks out the one person he hates more than any in the world. Demona.

"Chill, Brook. Get a grip. Remember, this is Demona Classic. Tenth century and... ... and still the traitor who caused the Wyvern Massacre!!"

Loved that line. Also loved Brooklyn needling her about surviving the massacre and the sleep spell. I've got to say, this adds a whole new layer to their interaction in "Temptation."

So, the Grim's armies are amassing, and outnumbered. Brooklyn may or may not have gotten Demona to agree to help. Considering her hatred for humans, well, good luck, Brook.

Meanwhile, at Rathveramoen, a messenger from the Grim's army arrives to deliver a message to Constantine that the two armies will do battle at sunset, and what happens next? While Constantine's face is obscured by another mirror, he says...

"What an excellent message. What an excellent messenger. Kill him."

Whoa... um.... Constantine, meet me at Camera Three.

::Turns to Camera Three::

Look your royal baldness, there are some things you just don't do. You don't put anchovies on a pizza, you don't re-make Alfred Hitchcock movies, and you don't kill messengers. I mean, come on, messengers have tedious jobs anyway. They are so hard to come by anyway. I mean, what's the point? You're just being a jerk! And why are you hiding behind that mirror anyway....

Oh... um... that's some pretty interesting war paint you've got going there. Actually, you look pretty scary your baldness... um, I'm sorry, I mean, your highness.

Um, do you want that anchovy pizza after all? I hear Michael Bay is re-making "The Birds". I can get you tickets to the premiere at Mann's Chinese Theatre. And hey, I'm sure that messenger sold poison milk to school children... heh heh heh.... please don't kill me.

::Turns away from Camera Three::

Yes, Constantine has painted his hairless head black, and painted the scars of Gillecomgain on the front and back, along with a creepy pair of eyes on the back of his skull. That's really creepy. More to the point, the big revelation of the issue. Constantine was the first Hunter! Gillecomgain's scars inspired Constantine's look. That makes their relationship even creepier.

And, as promised, at sunset, the two armies meet. And Brooklyn arrives with Demona and her new clan. Smooth sailing from here on out, right?

Nope... Brother Valmont uses magical arrows to kill Mary and Finella's guards, and seized the Grimorum, and promises to kill Constantine and bring Scotland to it's knees. At that moment, Demona tells her second in command that once Constantine is dead, she will destroy the Grim's armies as well, and use the Grimorum to bring Scotland to it's knees.

Now that's the Demona I know and love!

Loved David Hutchinson's pencils, loved Robby's colors. Great looking issue.

"Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night."

To be concluded...

radioactivespiderman writes...

1. Will we see B list villains like Tarantula and Jack O Lantern? What about newer villains like Morlun or newer allies like Ezekiel?

2. Will you use Rocket Racer and Morbius as students and have them become villains later?

3. I heard you can't use Beetle why not?

4. Will Morris Bench become Hydro-Man and I doubt this but will Hobie Brown become Prowler?

5, Who is your favorite Spidey villain?

Noah Wotring writes...

I'm very nervous about the renewal of the show. I want a season 3! Any words of comfort?

Harlan Phoenix writes...

"Harlan Phoenix writes...

So, what's Midtown High student Greg Weisman like?
Greg responds...

I know you're kidding, but I'm not quite getting the joke."

Ah, that's fine. I was making a little gag about the minor cameo you had with your name on the Midsummer Night's Dream cast list in season 2 of Spidey. I thought it would've made a fun candidate for a Smart Ass Response.

Timothy Fackler writes...

Hello Greg, and whoever Todd is.

I’m not really sure if this qualifies as a question, and I think it fits the guidelines…
Then again if it doesn’t I won’t get an answer anyways, but that’s not the point.
(Sorry, I’m nervous.)

I’m not sure if I’m too late or not, I don’t think I am.
I found out Lex is indeed a homosexual, but I don’t think his mate has been released yet.
I was wondering if I could in fact be with him, or at least go on a date maybe?
I Always had a bit of a crush on him, and I know Gargoyles and humans have been mates before.

A bit about myself:
I’m 20, which I think is close to Lex’s age if I remember.
I’m kinda nerdy, if you couldn’t tell by me asking to date a Gargoyle.
I’m in college for English and Psychology.
My interests are anime, comics, manga, hanging with friends, coffee, shopping, and obviously boys.
I’m tall, about 6 ft. and a little over 200 lbs. I guess I could send a picture if you want?
I don’t know if it really matters but I’m a versatile top >.<
Thank you for your time, and I hope I get to be with Lex soon.
I suppose you could email if your interested?

Martin writes...

Greg, I was looking at list of Spidey's villains and realized that there are 5 big villains left that you will/should introduce: Hobgoblin & Scorpion (both confirmed), Hydro-Man, Jackal & Carnage. I just hope you dont do like the 90s cartoon and have 3 awesome seasons and terrible 4th season (their season 4 was awful). there are good B and C list villains that deserve to be seen on your show - Spencer & Alistair Smythe, Swarm, Boomerang, Carrion, Jack O'Lantern, Sin-Eater, Spot. Not really a question, just thought I'd share this with you.

Anonymous writes...

hi i just want to say that you are doing an awesome job on the spectacular spiderman series! this is properly beast version of spiderman ( Evin the 90s series) that i have ever scene! what i like the most about this that the characters are both close to the original characters and have new feel to them. but their one character that I'm curious of what you are going to do with and that gwen Stacy. most us that she hast a vary tragic history ( Evin the 90s show didn't show her until the last episode) so my Question is what are you going to do to her?

Bazell writes...

For that matter, what was Owen/Puck doing when Demona summoned him? Doing a task for Xanatos? Making a sandwich?

sasuke writes...

can spider man punch more often?

Matteo Garofalo writes...

1. I am a huge fan of the show and I think that you have created the first truly perfect animated television series (it's not a question, but it's true).
2. I am also a fan of the J. Michael Straczynski run on ASM, will we see some of his villains (like Morlun, Shathra, est.) in any upcoming seasons?
3. Can you add in the Spider-Mobile, for one episode, just for the fun of it?
4. Will we be seeing Iron Patriot any time soon (I'm also a big Norman Osborn fan)?