Peter Sunnergren writes...

Hi Greg, thank's for the answers to my previous question about prodcuing/writing a comic!

A few more questions have come in to my mind.

1: What kind of format do you use when you write a script for a comic? I have been considering a treatment form such as;

-// Open up on John sitting at the desk in his office. He is on the phone. His expression suggests that he he is stressed and afraid. He says "What? How long?". John drops the phone and looks at a clock on the wall, which shows 12:56. He bolts for the door and exists //-

In that example (which is totally random by the way, it has nothing to do with my, or anyone else's work) I would just describe things; what they are, how they look and what happens, but not how it is presented in framing and paneling, leaving that for the artists.
I have also considered writing as a film script (similar to the treatment form but with different formatting for actions, names and spoken dialogue.) Another possibility I can imagine would be a storyboard. Like a "doodled" version of the page showing what I would like the framing/paneling/positioning to look like.

What are your thoughts on these different approaches?

2: On average, how much time passes on between you starting to write a comic and it goes off for printing?

Thanks! I'm off to the post office to pick up the latest issue of Gargoyles (curses England for having tiny mail slots that comics won't fit through)

Jeff writes...

Hey Greg!
Huge Spider-Man fan here! The episodes keep getting better and better. Any clues as to when the Big MJ reveal will be? In April? I am dying to get this series on DVD! The Sandman episode remains my favorite(so far) but I think I change my mind every Saturday. It had the right amount of crazy battle scenes and down to earth drama. Im not sure if you know this but will the series run through the summer or will they split up the season? In any event, I will be an avid watcher. One more SM question, Any plans for Pete to reveal his identity to anyone? I doubt you'll answer that, but I think it is what makes Ultimate Spider-man so fresh. (Not that I should compare the two, they are seperate but equal as far as Im concerned.) It would be so much easier for Pete to say "dont hate me Gwen/Liz/Harry/Connors/Brock...Im Spider-Man!" Which is the tragic situation and does make it interesting, I cant wait to see where the show goes and Im counting down til next week(6 days!)
I also read your comics, they are great stuff. I missed the cartoon because I havent had Toon Disney until recently(And they show Gargoyles at crazy times) but I am familiar with the story. However, I have never felt confused reading the comics, the characters have been captivating, regardless of their history. Keep up the great work!

Ricky writes...

Hi Greg,

I'm curious about the new character's designs.

Let me start by saying I love them, they look great. Constance is obviously tough as nails and it's great to see a full-figured gargoyle. The way she ripped the arms off the Steel Clan Robot was brilliantly drawn. Staghart is obviously a bit goofy, as Hedgecock's art shows in a few panels, from his self-created nickname that no one uses to the adorable expressions he makes. I think Coco and Amp were introduced in a way that already makes them so lovable, especially after their response to Lex's question about being mates. (Sidebar: I hope what we're all sensing between Amp and Lex is the real deal, I loved seeing their interactions and can't wait for more in #9)

So, on to the questions:

1) We know that Greg Guler was the character designer for the tv series, and you had said that David Hedgecock did the original designs for the new characters so far in the comic. Does David do the designs alone, or does Greg Guler have any input?

2) In the future, if a guest artist is doing the artwork for an issue with new characters, will they do the character designs, or is this something that David Hedgecock does now, since he's the regular penciller?

3) The cover for #8 is beautiful, and in my opinion one of the best so far, in terms of being dynamic and exciting, but is there any specific reason that Greg Guler didn't do the cover for #8 and won't be doing the cover for #10?

4) Last one: Will the covers on the main title always only feature the main characters (Goliath, Elisa, Hudson, etc.), or will there eventually be covers that picture new characters or guest characters as well?

Gargoyles #8 was incredible, as they all have been, and I know its only going to get better.
Keep up the great work! Thanks for your time!

Phillip Newman writes...

Is the current Gargoyles comic book series selling well enough? Will it extend beyond the 12 issues you have planned? In terms of how long you have written Gargoyles beyond "Hunter's Moon," in episodes, how much? 60 more after "Hunter's Moon?" 100 more?

Jarrod writes...

Hi Greg,

I love Spider man! congrats!

But i was combing the archives and I cant seem to figure out why the comics stopped... Is there a legal problem? I was just wondering whats going on? i know you are very busy, but Id love to know.

Thank you much!!!

J

Ricky writes...

Hey Greg,

I was just wondering who decides if and when cover images get released before the issues come out? I'm guessing they're released to entice readers, so I was wondering why we haven't seen more cover images that are finished. Obviously since Gargoyles #8 is expected to be released soon, the cover is finished, but we haven't seen it yet. You also told us, at the beginning of Feb., that #9 was finished and inked, but had to be colored, is it finished? Also, we've seen some unfinished Bad Guys covers but not the finished versions, except for #4.

I'm not trying to rush you or anything, and if it sounds like I'm being annoying, I am truly sorry, that is absolutely not my intention. It's just that I live for those little peeks at the covers to hold me over until the issues come out.

Most likely, this all has nothing to do with you, but I figured asking couldn't hurt. Do you know anything about this process? Is there any way to release the cover images of G#8 and BG#2 before the issues themselves are released?

Thanks a lot for your time! I'm incredibly grateful.

Wheeljack writes...

Hi Greg,
I finally made that order at amazon and got my personal gargoyle-fan-package (both DVD sets and Clan Building Volume 1) delivered overseas to Europe. Better late than never. I would have ordered issue #7, too, but for some reason amazon doesn't have it on their site.
Well, for now my plan is to get the TPBs, since shipping costs for single comics would be a little high, I guess. So Clan Building Vol. 2 and Bad Guys TPB (please tell me, this is planned) are next on my list in a couple of months.
Just wanted to let you know, there is another guy with an incomplete collection keeping his fingers crossed for Disney to make the Season 2 Vol.2 DVD and for you to be able to write a lot more comics.

Ricky writes...

Hey Greg,

This is something I've been wondering about for a while now..ever since Gargoyles #7 came out, and since we found out that #10 is called "The Gate." You've begun to incorporate plot points that were supposed to be from Pendragon and, with #10, Timedancer, into the main book.

1) Are there any other titles you can reveal, GargWiki has Gargoyles #11 as "Tyrant" and Bad Guys #4 as "Louse." Have you figured the titles out anywhere past those?

2) Is incorporating these elements into the main book a contingency plan, in case the spin-offs don't end up getting their own series, so that elements from them can still be used? Or is this to provide a jumping off point for the spin-offs to pick up from once they're being made?

3) Is there any word on how successful Bad Guys has been?

I know it's only been one issue for Bad Guys and ridiculously too soon to ask, but I'm also curious as to your thoughts about how likely Pendragon and Timedancer are at this point.

Last question:
Are the release dates set for Gargoyles #8 and Bad Guys #2? I know you're busy, and by the time you get to respond to this, they might both be out, if that turns out to be the case, you can disregard the question. ;)

Thanks a lot!

Chuck Logan writes...

Greg I have enjoyed reading the new gargoyles comics immensely. I have bought each issue along with the paperback edition. To find out when each issue is going to hit the stands I go to the SLG publishing website. You are a terrific storyteller, and I would love to see your take on the red tornado. The SLG website has a link posting their publishing schedule for certain comics. Does the DC website do the same? Will you let us know on AskGreg.com when these issues are supposed to hit the stand at our local comic book store? I get the same feeling from reading the comic book as I did from watching the show so many years ago. I will continue to buy anything having to do with the gargoyles universe in the hope that season two volume 2 is released and furthering the growth of the franchise. If buying other projects you work on will also help the gargoyles I will be right there showing my support.

Chuck Logan writes...

Greg I have enjoyed reading the new gargles comics immensely. I have bought each issue along with the paperback edition. To find out where each issue is going to hit the stance I go to the SLG publishing website. You are a terrific storyteller, and I would love to see your take on the red tornado. The SLG website has a link to that post their publishing schedule for certain comics. Does the DC website do the same? Will you let us know on AskGreg.com when these issues are supposed to hit the stand at our local comic book store? I get the same feeling from reading the comic book as I did from watching the show so many years ago. I will continue to buy anything having to do with the gargles universe in the hope that season two volume 2 is released and furthering the growth of the franchise. If buying other projects you work a lot and will also help the gargoyles. I will be right there showing my support.

You mentioned that the Red Tornado is one of your favorite characters. Would you explain why this particular character stands out in your mind and why you are excited about getting to write about this character.

Ricky writes...

Hey Greg,

This is my last question-posting, it'll be my third today, so I'll have filled my geekly quota!

I just (not two minutes ago) read about SLG switching formats to only putting out graphic novels. If the license is renewed, I think this could bode incredibly well for Gargoyles. Here are my thoughts on why:

1. Given the fact that a graphic novel is the same as a trade, and we got three complete stories in Clan-Building Vol 1, this would mean we would get a much larger helping of Gargoyles in one sitting. Whether it's an entire arc in one book, or one arc and the beginning of the next, or just a bunch of standalones, I think it would feel really satisfying, especially to those of us who crave Gargoyles like addicts.

2. Increased sales (which I'm sure appeals to everyone for a multitude of reasons). What happens a lot, which I'm sure you know but I'll say anyway, is that a lot of people by the individual issues and then don't by the trade, or people simply wait for the trade, which means lower sales for the issues. Releasing Gargoyles as a graphic novel and not as individual issues could mean that sales for the individual issues and the trade won't be sort of competing in that way.

3. No delays between individual issues and less delay between the completion of a story arc. Personally the delays don't bother me, I'd wait years if I had to for the next issue (I'd probably just run around like a chicken without a head). But I know that some people get discouraged and become uninterested as a result of them.

4. Less production costs. I'm assuming printing individual issues AND a trade would cost more than just producing graphic novels.

5. Hopefully less approval time from Disney. This might be a stretch, but I dunno… it's good to be hopeful.

6. Well, I'm sure there are plenty more reasons that my feeble little brain have yet to think of, but I'm sure someone else will, and you've probably thought of them all by now anyway.

Ok, so, now that I'm done with all my blabber, we can get to the actual questions.

1) You said in the past that you were unsure about whether or not the Gargoyles license will be renewed. Has there been any change, good or bad, that may have changed your feelings about that?

2) I read on a forum (yea, I know, not a very reliable source) that Dan Vado had stated that he planned to let every Disney license lapse except for Gargoyles. Do you know if there's any truth to this? Is it something he might have said in the past that may have changed? Or…is it just BS I read on a forum? 

3) Dumb question. Will you be discussing the possibility of Gargoyles continuing in this format before the final decision is made about the renewal of the license?

Ok, that's all for now. Sorry to take up so much of your time, I've just got a lot of things running through my head at once, and wanted to get them all out.

Thanks again for everything!

Ed Reynolds writes...

Hi Greg.

I love the trade. Wasn't sure what I'd make of the size, but it's actually great (and seeing the art large-format is a good incentive for people not to trade-wait, hopefully). Some of the writing looks a bit grainy on the inside front and back pages but otherwise the presentation is superb -- sleek and attractive, nice paper, and a lovely clear spine that can be read from the bookshelf. Thanks to Scott Saavedra and everyone else who made it happen.

Couple of questions about the future of the comic...

1. When will a decision on the lisence renewal be made?

2. Since SLG's announced that it's moving to mainly producing graphic novels, is it possible Gargoyles could continue in that format after #12? I'm enthusiastic for whatever format, but I can see a lot of positives in moving away from "floppies". (More accessible for newbies given the huge casts and complex plots; a less frequent release schedule might help fend off the perception that the comic's dogged by delays; infrequent comic-readers buying mail order would save on postage, etc.)

Ricky writes...

Hey Greg,

Can't wait for The Spectacular Spider-Man, by the time you read this it will have already aired, and you'll probably have another message from me telling you how incredible it was. I'm a huge Spider-Man fan (and an even huger Gargoyles fan) and I know that with you behind the wheel, we're in for a great show.

That was more of a comment, so here's my question:

Any chance that you could give us an update on how things are going for:

a) Gargoyles #8 and Bag Guys #2, any updates on how things are coming along, whether they've been approved or approximately when we can expect them? Sorry to bug you about it but I'm just so excited to see where both new issues will take us.

b) Clan-Building Volume 1, did it sell well? I know I did my part, I bought 4, and I've reread it at least 20 times. It's nice to have them in a compact form, and I love the size of the book. I was expecting it to be about the size of the individual issues, but I was pleasantly surprised (it's the perfect size to read in class and not get caught :P).

I also bought two of the new t-shirt, so hopefully that'll help send Disney the message that we want more Gargoyles merchandise!

Thanks a lot for everything, it's so great to have Gargoyles to look forward to again. Here's to hoping for the Season 2, Volume 2 DVD, and the renewal of the license for the comics!

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

Matthew writes...

Greg, why is it that you and many others feel that the final season of gargoyles was terrible? I liked it just as much as the prior seasons and I know it doesnt have as much intellect as seasons 1 and 2 but I still felt that, that season was just as good.

I dont know if this second question has been answered yet but will there be more gargoyle comics? I just received one and two and plan on getting the rest soon. Also why do comics one and two seem to be exactly like the episodes following the end of season 2?

Anthony Tini writes...

Greg,

May I respectfully request a tentative expected release date list of Gargoyles comics for 2008, similar to the list you provided in 2007? Thank you.

- Tony

Ricky writes...

Hey Greg,

Recently you said this about the comics:

"Sales on the book have dropped with every issue, which is depressing enough in and of itself. But if the trend continues, then SLG will have no choice but to let the license go when it next comes up for renewal. We're still one of their best-selling books (if not THE best), but most SLG books don't come with a massive license fee draining money away. We should be good finishing out Clan-Building (i.e. issue #12) and Redemption (i.e. Bad Guys issue #6), but there's no guarantee we'll continue beyond that if sales don't pick up -- or at the very least level off."

Obviously, this has me extremely worried about the Gargoyles comics. I can't begin to explain how much a part of my life the Gargoyles universe has become. I love the characters and the world you've created and it feels like we just got that back and now I'm worried we're going to lose it all over again. But I'm doing my part, I have the DVDs, I'm spreading the word to just about everyone I can think of (about the dvds and the comic), and I have every issue of both Gargoyles and Bad Guys (I am eagerly anticipating G#8 and BG#2), and I'm waiting for amazon.com to ship Clan-Building Vol. 1, I can't wait!

Anyway, my question has to do with the other Disney comics that SLG puts out. I'm curious as to whether the other comics are doing well, or if they are also facing the same dilemma as the result of the licensing fee. Does Gargoyles have a larger licensing fee than Haunted Mansion, Wonderland or Tron? And if so, why? I know you said that Gargoyles may be THE best-selling book SLG has, so I'm just trying to understand what all the factors are that play into it. Also, exactly when is the license up for renewal?

I really do hope that it takes us through G#12 and BG#6, at least, and until then I'm committed to doing everything I can to keep Gargoyles alive. I hope the other fans who read these are doing everything they can too! After 10 years, we've got them back, lets not lose them again.

Thanks for everything, Greg!

Battle Beast writes...

Michael Reeves helped a great deal in shaping Gargoyles. Well he have any input into the future issues?

Have you got any input from him on the comic?

Thanks again!

Keep up the good work!

Anonymous writes...

Is there anymore episodes after "Angels in the Night"? I really hope so.

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!

Ceruleanblue writes...

Hi Greg, thanks for Gargoyles.

1. Any chance that Wendy Pini might illustrate one of the new comics?
2. Does SLG have any plans for Gargoyles action figures or statues? (I assume Disney would be involved in any merchandising as well, might make things difficult?)

Cheers

Rebel writes...

Hi Greg, this is something I meant to ask in my earlier comment, but I forgot to. For the comic, how much direction do you give to your artists in coming up with the designs for new canon characters?

I am specifically referring to the two new London Gargoyles at the end of #7. I know you had mentioned before that the London gargs would look like unicorns, lions, or griffins. Did you change your mind recently, or had it always been your plan to make them look like other heraldry animals, and you were just teasing us? Did David Hedgecock talk you out of it? Did the two of you decide together what animals they would resemble, or had you already decided? If you chose beforehand, did you give him specific details about their appearance, or relatively vague details and let him come up with them himself? I would be interested to know any information you can tell me about this. I find the process of creating a character's look to be very interesting.

Also, feel free to volunteer information about the development of the designs of other new characters which have appeared in the comic. Shari, the Tasmanian tiger villain in Bad Guys, Coyote's new look, etc. Whatever comes to mind.

Diego González V. writes...

Hi Greg,

First, I want to thank you very much for give us a great, gorgeous show!!!

So now, my question... Any plans to do an international release of the SLG comic? I would like so much to see the comic in my local comic shop. I know this is more an SLG business than yours, btw, I want to know if you know something about this :)

I mean, it would be just great to read the comic in my native language, spanish (more accurately, "en chileno", hehehe)

Greetings from Chile, South America.
Diego González V., a fan who learned a lot of english thanks to Gargoyles and fanart about the show! So again, thank you :D