Chip writes...

Man this was so worth it.

I swear every issue that comes out just gets better and better.

Yama's characterization was fantastic, and the scene with him and Sora was absolutely beautiful. Powerful and emotional.

I've been to two gatherings and I still have yet to see the gargoyles: bad guys Leica Reel. I still hear Bruce Locke as Yama in my head and I hear Jim Cummings as both Dingo AND Matrix. (Yeah I know he's Jeff Bennett but I've not heard it)Nevertheless I expected Matrix to turn into a sphere and protect them...what I hadn't expected was his ability to FLY! I had figured he'd morph into a boat or something.

Fang/Fred Sykes was great. Oddly enough I was watching "According to Jim" the other night (which I always jokingly call "According to Fang") and Jim said that exact line: "I'm outta here, suckers". I heard it crystal clear in my head.

When Robyn first spoke to Yama I figured he was supposed of go chasing after Fang or something, but I was wrong. Instead the RS fights the robots from Seasame Street. (1,2,3,4,5,6, Seven...Seven deadly robots Mwahahaha)

Yama always reminded me of my dad. I kinda see him as my dad if had been born in the Gagoyles Universe as a Garg. My dad (who incidently had a birthday the day this came out)is obsessed with Japanese culture and especially Samurai so this was strangely fitting. Plus my dad collects Japanese weapons and Yama is armed to the teeth. (I count two katana's, a taichi, four ninja stars, two daggers, and Nunchukku)

Matrix is weird, that's all I have to say on that.

Robyn/Hunter is interesting. I get the feeling that she kind of admires gargoyles/tengu now, but she's still quite prejudiced. The stick was unnessesary, the carrot would have worked.

Dingo feels for Yama, and heck I think he genuinely likes the tengu/gargoyle. Speaking of which, I think that Dingo and Robyn are already attracted to each other. I think that that caught her off guard and so she does little things to get under his skin.

And so Sevarius comes to bust Fang out...again. What is this, the third time someone broke into the Labyrinth? Fourth...I forgot about Awakenings. Security in the Labyrinth SUCKS!

Thug: Somebody broke into the Labyrinth again.
Al: Must be Wednesday.

And the cameo's dotted about were the sprinkles on top. Vinnie, Karine's avatar Kanthara (as a human), Brendan, Margo, Shari, Claw, Benny, Greg B, Mara, and I think I'm missing someone but oh well.

Bad Guys RULES

Matt writes...

My Review For Bad Guys #2, "The Lost"...

Well, let me just say. It was worth the wait. And I don't just mean the wait since "Strangers" I mean the wait since I found out at Ask Greg about Yama and Sora and the Redemption Squad. For some reason, I've always thought that the Yama/Sora relationship would be fascinating to watch, and "The Lost" didn't let me down on that note. Ugh, it tugs at my heart to watch them in this issue. They both know what must be done, and yet they are both so conflicted. Without saying the word, I see love between them. I love that Sora is willing to be banished with Yama, and I love that Yama won't let her. Who knows how long they will be apart, but I love thinking that down the road they will always be on the others mind and in the others heart.

"The Lost" is really exciting. As always there is so much going on it is hard not to just point out how I loved every little detail in my review, but I'll attempt to focus on the basics. The action is outstanding. Karine really has a knack for drawing action and Greg has a knack for writing it. It is amazing to me that the comics seem to be as dynamic and fast-paced as any TV episode of the series, if not more so in some cases. Hunter's acrobatics are exciting to watch, Matrix is, as always, very fun in his various forms and fluidity, Dingo's everyman attitude is great and Yama is just so darn cool with his nobility and warrior spirit. This is really shaping up to be a very fun bunch as a main cast.

Lots of cool little bits in this one, as well. The inner monologue stuff was very interesting, I especially enjoyed Dingo's thoughts on fighting gargoyles. The tension between Hunter and Yama is neat too. A former gargoyle hunter and a gargoyle as teammates. Makes me wonder if Hunter has ever actually killed another gargoyle. Matrix is all over the place with this one. His abilities are outright astounding. He can separate himself into numerous, fully functional entities, he can form his arm into a gun, he can float/fly/hover... With all that it is hilarious when Hunter remarks to Dingo that, "I recruited you to get to Matrix." No kidding, he/she/it may seem naive and simple at times, but he is very powerful.

Finally, the New York sequence. Fun to see a cameo by Margot, Brendan, Al, Claw and Shari (not to mention Greg B and others, guess it pays to have friends in high places), but the really fun stuff here is Sevarius. His infiltration of the Labyrinth leads to all sorts of questions. Questions I'm sure won't be answered for a few months at least. But we do get one answer to an old question, Fang's human name. Fred Sykes. And what is Sevarius's interest in Mr. Sykes? I guess thats a story for another day.

So, all in all, a fantastic issue. No errors or problems of any sort that I can see and the story and art and cover are all fantastic. Great job to everyone, I look forward to "Estranged" with great antici........ pation.

KingCobra_582 writes...

BAD GUYS #2.

Warning for anyone who's not Greg W., is not involved with making the comic, and/or hasn't read it yet. HERE LURK SPOILERS.

Cool comic, IMO. Feeling too lazy to write out a full length review, so I'll just comment on everything I liked about it and hope it counts.

Nice opening segment. Definite parallels to the BG leica reel. At least, for those who've seen it.

Yama. There's a reason he's one of my favorite minor characters in Gargoyles, and that is because how serious he is. He's focused, driven on honor. Obsessed with honor, in fact. Good characterization on Yama's part, and I always felt he could carry a story. Which he definitely does here. Kudos.

And DAMN, the guy really loves his weapons!

Nice little bits with Dingo as well. Is that a Nightstone mug he's drinking? And his reaction to returning to Manhattan. LMAO. Priceless.

Matrix can turn his own arm into a gun. How badass. Is there ANYTHING the guy can't do?!

And, on that note, for some reason, I think Yama looks wicked, practically ramming his blade in Robin's throat like that. What did she say to tick him off that bad? Talked smack about his clan, apparently.

Nice little cameos towards the end. Nice seeing Margot (though she does annoy me) and Brendan in there. Shari too.

And speaking of cameos. Didn't see Sevarius showing up until it actually happened. Nice. And to get Fang's real name (No, I won't reveal it here) also. Nice plot twist.

Good story. I'm definitely (of course) looking forward to #3.

End my (lazily mild) attempt at a review.

Blaise writes...

BAD GUYS #2: THE LOST

I somehow knew the format would begin by advancing the "leica reel scenario" before going back to the main story. It's nice, and ends on quite a cliff-hanger for Yama (while also showcasing what a jerk Fang is--"I'm outta here, suckers!")

But on to the main story:

Well, it seems Vinnie's in Japan, which puts this AFTER Vinnie's cameo in "Gargoyles" #8. Most likely, sometime in November then (placing the "leica reel sequence" sometime in January, at least). I LOVE the designs of some of the Japanese pedestrians.

Anyway, we then flash even further back to Yama's banishment. I love the interplay between Kai, Sora and Yama. It intrigues me how Sora was the one who suggested Yama be his own judge--and how Kai objected because the choice was "too harsh." Not that they have to outright say it; Yama figures out that he's his own judge just by Sora and Kai's statements.
Kai then leaves the two alone. I just have to say, I love how stoic Kai acts throughout this sequence.
You can see the pain on both Yama and Sora's faces as they part.
"Ask me to go with you"...damn. Poor girl.
Somewhat Random Thought: I can't help but find myself wondering how much their age difference plays a factor in their relationship.

Back in the "present" flashback, Yama unfurls his wings...and reveals a frickin' armory! How many blades does that guy need?

The Matrix in Surround Sound! Man, that AI is dang useful.

I like how Dingo isn't thrilled with hunting a gargoyle. Nevertheless, he nets Yama, who counters with swords and then cuts right through the Matrix-hammock and hits the ground. Of course, Hunter pulls off some pretty impressive acrobatics of her own.

And Yama is surrounded and gets "the pitch." I'm glad Yama got to surprise Hunter by speaking English ("Better than you speak Japanese.") Yama and Dingo ragging on her accent was fun, too.

Matrix just had to get that "We serve Law and Order" in there, didn't it?

Robyn reveals some of her growth. Particularly in the way she describes having "wasted (her) life hunting gargoyles" and that her "studies of the species were tainted by old prejudices." She seems to have learned enough to know about banishment, however (and I wonder where exactly she learned about that).
Did anybody else notice her Demona reference?

It's strange, but Hunter's face (even in the mask) seems a lot...well, "softer" I guess, then I've ever seen it. I mean, is it just me, or is she a heck of a lot nicer with Yama than she was with Dingo? She even pats him on the shoulder--much more chummy than I would have expected either of them to be.

Yama's actually favorable to the idea of joining the group and doing good already (which, as Dingo thinks, is the "Carrot"). But then, Hunter trots out "the Stick." "Fifteen seconds later..." Hunter's on the ground with a sword pointed at her throat (in addition to Yama's hand around it) and Yama's got THREE guns pointed at him (Dingo's, Hunter's, and Matrix's new gun made out of his arm). I laughed out loud at that.

Yama's angry expression fades to one of consternation over being coerced into this. Despite the gun, Dingo actually comisserates with Yama a bit. Even more surprising, Hunter proves (once again) a bit more receptive to Yama and his dilemma than she was towards Dingo. She even seems to know enough about Bushido to offer a solution--but Yama doesn't let the "gargoyle-hunter" off the hook so easily (Matrix, like the naive AI it is, fails to see the problem).

Who wants to bet that the coffee cup Dingo's drinking from is one of "Nightstone's"?
I like Dingo's spit-take, and referring to Hunter's "evil little mind" as well as his "put-upon" expression in the next panel.

I thought I recognized a couple of the "extras"--go Greg B. and Mara!
And somehow, I knew who "Fred" really was in the first panel--something about the nose and eyes. What interests me is how familiar the residents of the Labyrinth act towards him. He clearly must have been doing this for a while and building up trust.
Shari seems to know who he really is (but does he know that she knows? And if so, does she know that he knows that she knows? And if so...I'll just stop now).

Let me just say, poor Thug.

And then the Big Reveal. Not just Sevarius himself, but Fang's real name: Fred Sykes. My first thought was also about Bill Sikes from "Oliver Twist" (in fact, Tim Curry played him in one made-for-TV version a while back). My second thought was that Sevarius's homeless persona had the same first name as Fang. My third thought was, "Boy, Sevarius really is a ham."
And that is one shocked look on Fang's face at the end.

Oh, and one last thing...I'M IN THE LETTERS SECTION! Wow, man, I never expected that in a million years. That is so frickin' COOL! (ahem) It was rather gratifying. Thank you, Greg.

So, bring on the next installment!

Todd Jensen writes...

Got "Bad Guys" #2 today. Here are a few comments on it.

Strong characterization for the members of the Redemption Squad, especially Yama. I liked how he was handled in it, especially the banishment scene and the remark that he had a "rigid and unforgiving" judge - himself. And his stiffly dignified response to Robyn's offer (as well as his wrath when she threatened his clan).

But the other members also had some great moments. Matrix's multiple heads all popping up to make their report to Dingo (just when you thought Matrix couldn't get any more bizarre....). Dingo commenting on how grating Robyn's brogue was (says the guy with the Australian accent). His way of introducing Matrix. His alarm when he learns that they're returning to New York, and Robyn's cool response.

The revelation that the bearded man entering the Labyrinth was Sevarius surprised me - but to add to that, we finally learn what Fang's real name is. (I immediately thought of Bill Sikes from "Oliver Twist" once I read that scene, but I don't know if you really did have Dickens in mind or if it's just a coincidence.) And who but Sevarius would deliver that "time to meet your maker" line to a Mutate?

I also enjoyed the various cameos: Vinnie (as misfortune-prone as ever), Brendan and Margot, Al, Claw, Shari.

Looking forward to #3 (especially since the other two Canmores will be guest-starring in it). Thanks for this issue, Greg!

Anthony Tini writes...

Greg,

Based on the information you shared with us on Monday, February 11, 2008, I compiled the list below for my website. Would you say the list below is accurate on the potential release dates for the future comics of Gargoyles? If not, what dates should I change? Thank you.

March 2008
Gargoyles #8

April 2008
Bad Guys #2

May 2008
Gargoyles #9

June 2008
Bad Guys #3

July 2008
Gargoyles #10

August 2008
Bad Guys #4

September 2008
Gargoyles #11

October 2008
Bad Guys #5

November 2008
Gargoyles #12

December 2008
Bad Guys #6

Ryan writes...

Where is my copy of Clan Building Volume 1? Amazon.com hasn't shipped it yet, and my comic book store only has one left in stock, so I am in indecision as to whether to wait for amazon or possibly take away a copy that someone else could pick up... or ending up with two copies (guess I could make it a great gift if I can afford it).

And now for two questions:
1) You tend to be able to announce on here when an issue or trade is coming out a day or two before hand - do you have any word on a release date yet for Bad Guys 2 or Gargoyles 8?

2) Having read the archives here for years, I know you have plenty of stories and plans. I'm curious about specific plots for specific issues. Assuming there are no liscencing renewal problems, how many issues have you plotted (as in, issue 8 looks to be called 'The Gate' so you probably have at least that far plotted out. Do you have basic details worked out through 12, the end of clan building, or further)?

It is great to see Gargoyles stories back in the world. You and the team are doing an amazing job. Thank you!