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Gargoyles

The Phoenix Gate

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Comments for the week ending April 19, 2020

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Yeah Comic is cancelled which is something I figured would happen ever since Wonder Con was also cancelled (I'm still miffed about that, stupid pandemic). But it's understandable considering the current state of things.

But there hasn't been any news about Season 4 only thing that's been confirmed is the return of the central voice cast. As for the meta-teens? Who knows. One thing they emphasized last season was that even those who developed powers were under no obligation to use them in heroics. It would be interesting to have an interaction between those that decided to go at being a hero with those that are trying to live a normal life.

Matthew
Insert Inspirational Quote Here:________

*last season, not last year
Karrin Blue

Seems that SDCC cancelled; of course it was pretty predictable that it would, the only question was when.

I do hope that at least some of the panelists and groups that were supposed to show up do substitute events - AMAs, streams, releasing promo material... I know YJ s4 probably doesn't have any animation to show, but some posters or character models would still be really cool.

Going by last year, any pictures like that would still either be existing characters or minor-part new characters. Who would you guys be hoping for? Personally I'd had my fingers crossed for new Terra and Halo designs, and maybe Cyborg. Plus seeing if any of the meta-teens like Windfall, Dolphin, Livewire, Mist, or Briggs had started hero-ing.

Karrin Blue

Thanks Todd, yeah I know the episode you're talking about, we've still got some time before that shows up.
Matthew
Insert Inspirational Quote Here:________

Thanks for the latest review, Matthew.

I didn't have cable at the time that the second season of "The Spectacular Spider-Man" aired, so I didn't get to see most of it. (I did watch a few episodes on YouTube, but don't recall them too well - apart from the scene where Peter's classmates are all reciting Shakespearean speeches - which you know would have to get in at some point in a series Greg Weisman's running. It was after the one you just reviewed, though, so that's all I'll say about it for now.)

Todd Jensen

Watched "Destructive Testing" today, so something I noticed this episode is that the season continues the theme from the first season is that while Spider-Man may tackle villains on an episode by episode basis there's always some other threat, some man-behind-the man pulling the strings. And then there's another threat that ends up blindsiding the characters, one you don't see until it's too late. In season 1 Tombstone took the role of the former while Octavius and Eddie took the ladder (and Osborn as a combination of the two). Here in season 2 the Master Planner as the man-behind-the man and Miles Warren as the unseen threat.

He wastes no time showing that he's the dark counterpart to Dr. Connors; while Connors used experimental and downright questionable DNA experiments on himself it was ultimately for the benefit of mankind. Even the "sludge" that ultimately created Electro was made as clean, alternative energy source. Warren on the other hand engages in genetic engineering on a clearly dangerous person for monetary reasons and simply because he can. Even when Kraven mentions his intent to hunt and kill Spider-Man Warren doesn't really care about the possibility of being an accessory to murder, only that his formula works and that he gets paid for his work. This kind of mercenary misanthropy will be explored further down the line.

Speaking of misanthropy, both Kraven and Calypso have their own take on this. While Kraven does possess some notion of honor when it comes to the hunt and cares for animals enough to save the life of a rhino rather than see it put down, neither one of them really balk at the idea of hunting down another human being for sport. It's one of those cases of "people who like animals more than humans" taken to an extreme degree.

The love triangle continues (and isn't going anywhere for awhile) and I'm starting to see maybe not the whole picture but at least a part of why Peter and Gwen weren't going to work, at least in this series. While the attraction between the two is obvious it's pretty clear that Gwen is pretty passive (and that includes passive aggressive) aside from that moment of spontaneity feels more comfortable pining from afar while Liz shows to be proactive in her feelings. At the same time it becomes pretty clear that it was Flash that broke things off last season and his injury this episode reawakens some old feelings that won't be resolved for the next couple episodes.

Kraven is a unique villain for one simple reason, Spidey's had villains that were stronger or smarter than he was, but there are few villains that can keep pace with his agility. Even when Spider-Man starts taking things seriously during their first fight the best he can do is just temporarily disable him before leaving. The decision to turn Kraven into a chimeric cat-beast is an interesting one and still one where I'm not sure how to feel even after all these years. We see moments of him turning downright animalistic during the second fight and I wonder if he would've turned completely feral in season 3. But right now? It feels odd that he would be able to stay somewhat sentient while Dr. Connors didn't.

Also, I know he's trying to keep the African cat theme but he really should've diversified his choices when it comes to wild cats. Lion strength is cool, but if it's power you're looking for then the tiger is the answer. Leopard climbing is good, but a jaguar is just as agile with the added benefit of having the most powerful bite of all wild cats. But I digress. The second fight against Kraven is terrific and the fact that it takes place in the animal wing of the Museum of Natural History is a great touch. Also neat that contains elements of the first fight as well as touches from the battle against the Lizard and Venom. All of them absolutely relentless monsters that offer few chances for the hero to even catch his breath much less survive the assault. I think it showed some great foresight on Peter's part that he thought to use his webs to slow Kraven down and cause over exert himself until Spidey could knock him out. Very Rope-a-Dope.

Some Final Thoughts: Love the montage of Kraven and his lion searching through previous locations and Jameson wordlessly berating them at the Bugle. I like that by now Peter's pretty much done being a social pariah at school. There's only so much you can do by having your main character stuck as the perennial loser and there's much more story potential opened up. I know Liz was pretty shaken up by her ex being in surgery but completely missing that Peter was sporting a black eye is a little oblivious. Kinda funny, I thought that Calypso's bongo inspired leitmotif was interesting, but what's even more interesting is the fact that Spider-Man could hear it and it distracted him long enough for her to get away with Kraven, makes me wonder about the mysticism that might've been explored. They did their research for Kraven, not only does he favor old fashioned weapons like in the comics but he also uses an Assegai, an African spear in the fight. We'll see how Flash's injury affects him in the future, for worse and better. And finally, Calypso is voiced by Sarah Bryant this episode apparently not long after she started serving in the House of Representatives in North Carolina. Just a fun fact.

Favorite Lines:
Spider-Man: Where'd you come from?
Kravenoff: Mother Russia. By way of Mother Africa!
Spider-Man: Ugh, two moms and still so ill-behaved?

Kravenoff: Now be still. The noblest prey ends the hunt in silent dignity.
Spider-Man: "Prey?" "Silent?" "Dignity?" Oh you don't know me at all.

Peter: C'mon Flash, you can do it!...Can't believe I just said that.
(later)
Spider-Man: That's it. I've had enough of gorillas for one night. This one's for Flash...Can't believe I just thought that.

Spider-Man: Hate to break it to you Tabby. But you're not my first genetic experiment gone wrong. You're just the first that smells like a litter box.
Kraven: All I smell is fear.

Spider-Man: Take that, pussycat. A lesson in humility, courtesy of the original and still number one genetic misfit: me.

Matthew
Insert Inspirational Quote Here:________

I think that a reboot would defeat the main purpose of bringing "Gargoyles" back - to continue the story and find out what happened next to the characters.

I might add that I think that the Captain of the Guard's involvement with the betrayal of the castle is crucial, and should not be removed. It served an important point - to show that "pro-gargoyle" humans could do bad deeds in the service of the gargoyles, that wrongs could be committed on both sides.

Todd Jensen

JOHN PAUL> Hey, sibs. Welcome to the chat!

I think most folks here would be more interested in a continuation of the original show's continuity than a straight up reboot but anything.s possible.

Algae
We must be brave.

My Own Plot Twists of a Gargoryles Reboot:
• Archmage & Hakon form an alliance to invade Castle Wyvern instead of the Captain of the guard.
• Archmage uses a spell that imprisoned the last of the gargoyles in stone instead of Magus.
• Gargoyles were created by Oberon, Titania and two human sorcerers.
• In Ancient Times; Gargoyles, Humans, and Oberon’s Children fought a demonic Warlord and his hordes of demons.
• David Xanatos is a spoiled, brilliant and handsome teenager & his father is the C.E.O. of Xanatos Corporation.
• Elisa Maza is a teenage high school student instead of a police officer.
• Elisa’s father Peter Maza is a police detective and ally to the Manhattan Clan.
• Hyena & Jackal are racebented from Caucasians to Biracial Canadians.
• Helios & Ekidina are working with proteus.
• Elisa and David are in a romantic relationship.
• Goliath formed a group of Gargoyles from around the world to stop the Hunters.
• Demona formed a Group of Rouge Gargoyles to fight the human’s persecution of gargoyles.
• Xanatos and the Illuminati recruit villains of past battles with the Manhattan Clan.

John Paul R Gontor - [Jrgontor at gmail dot com]
jpgontor

https://www.s8.org/gargoyles/askgreg/faq.php?s=faq24#4
Jurgan - [jurgan6 at yahoo dot com]

Yeah, if you look back through the archives of Ask Greg, you can find many instances of Greg explaining that Disney never, ever sells intellectual properties, so even asking how much it would cost is moot. The only way that could theoretically become an option is if Disney went bankrupt and was forced to sell off properties, and... no. Disney might be having a bad quarter, but they're not going bankrupt. They own everything these days.
Jurgan - [jurgan6 at yahoo dot com]

Also... "hurting for money" by Disney standards is still wealth beyond all mortal avarice.
Algae
We must be brave.

Adam: Far more than anyone here could ever hope to afford.

Anyone in a position to purchase the "Gargoyles" intellectual property - assuming Disney was willing to sell, and I see no reason why they would be - would be better equipped spending those millions on something more guaranteed to yield short-term profits.

Masterdramon - [kmc12009 at mymail dot pomona dot edu]
"But you know, I like 'Deku.' I think it could make a great hero name! Plus, I think it's kinda cute!" - Ochaco Uraraka

Sorry for the double post, but that should be "buy from Disney", not "by".
Adam

So, rumor has it Disney is hurting for money. How much do you think it would take to by Gargoyles from them?
Adam

Yes, I've sometimes wondered what gargoyles must make of the Easter egg business as well.

(Yesterday, to mark Easter, I reread a Carl Barks Donald Duck story set at Easter, where Donald was competing against his super-lucky cousin Gladstone Gander over who got to be the Grand Marshal of an Easter parade. The ending felt a bit weird in light of the current setting; Donald tricked everyone into believing that Gladstone had measles, resulting in his getting quarantined.)

Todd Jensen

Fifth

Guessing Gargoyles wouldn’t color and hide eggs on Easter given being born from eggs and therefore having different association with them than humans. ;)

SomeGeek

(4th)Fourth!!!!
Vinnie - [thomaspeano at yahoo dot com]
Deplorable and loving it!

Once again, Bronze.
Adam

SECUNDUS!
Algae
We must be brave.

First!
(spam doesn't count)

Matthew
Insert Inspirational Quote Here:________

Hi Mr. Weisman. I have a question for you:

I don't know if you are aware, but in the "Early Warning" episode of Whelmed: The Young Justice Files (back in Oct. 2019) the host quoted you on something you told him in conversation. This is something that used to happen now and then, but lately it happens in almost every episode: "Greg texted me this", "Brandon emailed me that", "Greg/Brandon told me whatever", etc.

So, looking at your 2-year-6-month-and-18-day backlog of 1173 questions, I'm wondering: why are you giving BTS information to this one person while the rest of your fanbase has to submit questions and wait months (at least) or YEARS (worst case and more likely scenario) for an answer???? It must be really cool to be so intimate and chummy with one's idol, and I bet the host feels super important and validated, but this is some double standard bullshit!

Are you aware of this? And if you are, how can you be okay with it? Don't you think this is unfair? You have thousands of fans who support your work whichever way they can, but 99.9% of them have never even met you in person, let alone exchanged emails or text messages with you.

If I make an entire podcast dedicated to kissing your asses, will I earn the same privileges? Will I be able to ask all my questions without a waiting queue? Will I get to hang out with you, have lunch together or exchange personal contacts?

(Originally I posted this on AskGreg, but then I decided I shouldn't have to wait 2 years for an answer, for all the reasons above.)

Jordan