Oh, Peter Smith has a booth at WonderCon. Had to stop by and pay my compliments for his work on Gargoyles.
Matthew the Fedora Guy
Ain't nothing crazy 'bout me but my brain!
posted @ Sat, Mar 29, 2025 7:58:44 pm EDT from 174.243.243.253

MATTHEW - Yes, I've wondered what became of Antiope. I suspect that she'd left Castle Wyvern by 994 (it would most match what we saw on screen), but don't know (and will not try to guess) whether she was one of the gargoyles who'd moved away (like "Sacrifice") or whether some unpleasant fate befell her.
Todd Jensen
posted @ Sat, Mar 29, 2025 7:53:18 pm EDT from 68.99.93.213

I remember being a little surprised we were getting a Dark Ages spin off, while the story of the Wyvern/human alliance was a story I wanted to see, I didn't expect we'd get a comic based off of it. Seeing a younger, pre-named Hudson is fascinating because we hadn't seen much of his tenure as leader before now. It's funny to think that even when he was younger there was still a bit of lovable, old grouch to his personality.

One thing that really surprised me though was the revelation that back in their youth the Trio was in fact a Quartet. Antiope (though she isn't called that yet) being part of what had been established as a "boy's club" for so long changes a ton of things.
Matthew the Fedora Guy
Ain't nothing crazy 'bout me but my brain!
posted @ Sat, Mar 29, 2025 12:30:49 pm EDT from 174.243.246.229

MATTHEW - Thanks for your comments. I really ought to rewatch the second season of "The Spectacular Spider-Man" to compare the Gang War part with the Dino Dracon element of "Here in Manhattan".

Reread Chapter One of "Dark Ages: Alliance", "The Reach", today.

"Dark Ages" is one of the two projected spin-offs to "Gargoyles" that has most appealed to me (the other being "Pendragon"), thanks to my interest in the Middle Ages, and my delight in the medieval flashback scenes in "Gargoyles"; as I mentioned back in my review of "Awakening Part One", I recall thinking throughout the "994" scenes, both "I'm really enjoying this" and "Pity that this is just the backstory and the bulk of the series will be set in the present". Incidentally, when I first heard of "The Goliath Chronicles", I thought from the "Chronicles" part of its title that it would be a "flashback to the tenth century" series - which, of course, it wasn't - even before I learned about Greg Weisman's "Dark Ages" spinoff idea. And now we have the opening to that story, dealing with how Prince Malcolm and the Wyvern clan met and became allies, and the start of the building of Castle Wyvern.

We start off with Hudson in present-day Manhattan (presumably shortly after Goliath's capture and Brooklyn's attempt to free him), looking at the helicopters and calling them "modern-day dragons" (an echo of "Awakening Part Two", where he'd mistaken the Xanatos Commandos' helicopter for a dragon), leading into 971, when he was the clan leader - and where we might as well call him "Mentor". Leading to his meeting with Prince Malcolm and Robert/Robbie, the future Captain of the Guard, asking for his help.

We definitely get a sense of the gargoyles doing without names back then - particularly Mentor commenting that he's having trouble keeping up with all the human names in the war over the succession to Scotland's throne (I wonder if a few readers might have felt the same way - it doesn't help that very few people are likely to be familiar with this part of Scottish history; for that matter, I find myself recalling how some audience members in Shakespeare's history plays have felt similarly confused).

The gargoyles debate over whether to join in what seems like a purely human struggle - with "Verity" bringing up how "human problems become gargoyle problems" (and we see Goliath within earshot - a clear tie-in to "M. I. A."). While "Verity"'s comment was my favorite moment in that scene, I also noted, when it's mentioned that Culen's supporters are ready to attack gargoyles in their stone sleep, Lefty stating that this is true - and we see that he has a missing hand....

(The moon is darkened during most of the exchange - apparently a lunar eclipse.)

We get our first glimpse of the much-younger trio - and of their friend Antiope - though we'll have to wait for later chapters to get to know them better. We also get a glimpse of the much younger Kenneth (the future "Grim" - and again, not acting very grim here) and Maol Chalvim. And it leads in to a lovely moment as Mentor and "Verity" are looking over the rookery and pondering the next generation of gargoyles to be hatched from it.

Goliath's rookery generation comes to the fore when "Mentor" decrees that they stay out of the battle, and we get a sense of their different natures in how they respond to it. "Hyppolyta" protests out-and-out (and will even defy the order at the very end of this chapter, as will "Angel"); Goliath instead wants to understand the reason for the edict - and when "Mentor" explains why, he gets it.

A couple of minor elements about this chapter. The first time I read it, I eagerly searched for more information on the Battle of Albidosi, mentioned during the council of war as a victory of Maol Chalvim I (and found out that it was based on a historical event). And, of course, I delighted in the take-off on "God for England, Harry, and St. George!", revised to fit the Scottish setting.

To round it out, we got the first instalment of "Once Upon a Time There Were Three Brothers", recast as told by Shahrazad to an audience of humans and gargoyles. One detail that stood out to me was Alesand writing down her memories of hearing her tale after finding a hawk's feather to convert into a quill pen - it gave a good sense of medieval life, in an era where you didn't have convenient shops to buy things at, and had to come by needed goods in other ways.

FAVORITE LINES.


HUDSON (in 1997): I feel it in the air, before I see them in the skies...

{He looks up at a couple of helicopters.}

HUDSON: Modern-day dragons. The more things change, the more they stay the same....

MENTOR (in 971): I feel it in the stones, before I hear them across the Reach... two men on horseback. I'd almost rather see a brace of dragons....


PRINCE MALCOLM: And whom do I have the honor of addressing?

MENTOR: Our kind has no names.

ROBBIE: You knew that!

PRINCE MALCOLM: I knew that!


MENTOR: Kenneth, Culen, Malcolm, Duff. Ach, I despair of learning all these blasted names.


MENTOR: These two lads - they seek our help with what seem to be strictly human problems....

"VERITY": In my experience, my love, human problems become gargoyle problems - often and rapidly.

MENTOR: Aye, that's a verity.


MENTOR: But what if I've made a horrible mistake?

"VERITY": Wouldn't be the first time, my love.

MENTOR: Heh. Fair point. Seems the only decision I'm confident in is choosing you as my mate.

"VERITY": Oh, you made that decision, did ye?


ROBBIE: I need to get down there, so would you please wake up?

{The gargoyles awaken, bursting out of their stone shells.}

ROBBIE: About bloody time!
Todd Jensen
posted @ Fri, Mar 28, 2025 7:59:21 pm EDT from 68.99.93.213

Pardon the double post. But thank you, Todd. WonderCon is pretty special for me, I got to meet Greg and his Ask Greg Live event. Also met a few of his regular cast members there.

Also, I saw Brynne Chandler will be part of a writing for animation panel. That'll be worth checking out.
Matthew the Fedora Guy
Ain't nothing crazy 'bout me but my brain!
posted @ Fri, Mar 28, 2025 12:00:34 am EDT from 174.243.177.161

This was an enlightening issue, Brooklyn maybe the interim leader but he's also been absent from the group for decades and integrating the new members of the clan hasn't been easy, nor has reintegrating himself into old position. It's also interesting position in that he's acting as leader of the group while still taking orders from Goliath while he's in prison. It makes for an interesting parallel to Tony whose position of control has slipped away while he remains jailed and the rest of his family remains free.

Before we got confirmation, I did theorize that Gnash got his name from the USS Nashville (appropriately a Brooklyn-class cruiser). But there were a few other surprises like the terra-cotta soldiers, which just makes me want to see more of TimeDancer.

The misdirection ploy again reminds me of the Gang War arc from Spectacular, while we didn't get to see much of the conflict it did conclude with all three heads going after each other with each thinking the other set up the summit that ultimately went wrong.
Matthew the Fedora Guy
Ain't nothing crazy 'bout me but my brain!
posted @ Thu, Mar 27, 2025 11:10:44 pm EDT from 174.243.177.161

Reread Chapter Six of "Here in Manhattan", "Underwater", today.

Brooklyn's the narrator, and is almost drowning in troubled thoughts - especially feeling convinced that he's doing a terrible job as the new leader. (He's being far too hard on himself; the only reason why his attempt to break Goliath out failed was because Goliath chose to stay in prison.) We also get a glimpse of his Timedancing - alongside his visit to Scotland in 997 and his return to the present, both of which we saw in "Clan-Building", we now see an encounter with the clay soldiers of Qin Shi Huangdi's tomb (something I hadn't imagined Brooklyn coming across, but it now seems so appropriate that I'm amazed I didn't consider that possibility), a visit with Katana and Fu-Dog to 2198 (and see a conventional flying saucer), and the USS Nashville during World War II (I can't help thinking that this is going to be particular trouble, thanks to Katana's nationality).

Dino Dracon continues his "turn the rival families against each other scheme", making it look as if Brod was behind the car bomb that Volkov barely survived, followed by a cybot attack on Slaughter (we don't yet see how the latter falls in with his plan, but we will later....). And Antoinette becomes concerned enough to seek help from the gargoyles - particularly Broadway (the logical gargoyle to seek out, as the one who's regularly appeared in every Dracon story up to this point). With Broadway being less than keen to help out - but still, recognizing that it's his duty to do so. Which leads to a very spectacular encounter for himself and Lexington with Slaughter....

Greg Weisman mentioned in his ramble on "The Thrill of the Hunt", several years ago, that he rather liked the point where Wolf displayed a bit of cleverness in telling Billy and Susan that the gargoyles were monsters working for the Evil Ninjas, and while admitting that it made sense, after his mutation, that he'd be displaying less smarts, said that if he ever got to tell more stories featuring Wolf, he'd like to give him a little of that back. I think he succeeded here; Wolf certainly showed good judgment in meeting with Dino Dracon before embarking on a jail-break-in that could cost Tony Dracon his life, to make certain that Dino wouldn't have any problems with nis nephew's demise.

Brooklyn repeats his words from "Awakening Part Four" when he first chose his name, "Brooklyn. I'm Brooklyn", but in a very different tone, reflecting his troubled state.

Coldstone continues to display his exasperation with the gargoyles' response towards the humans' treatment of them, particularly Goliath's decision to stay in prison - and admits that at least Brooklyn's instructions for him and Coldfire make sense.

Brooklyn, for his own part, continues to display a distrust of Xanatos (echoing his remark back at the start of "Clan-Building" about Xanatos probably up to some new scheme towards the clan) - though at least we haven't seen evidence of that as yet.

Goliath's hearing is officially announced, and we see Elisa visiting him in his cell again; no words here, but we don't need any.

All in all, the suspense continues to build, most effectively.

FAVORITE LINES.

BROOKLYN: Goliath, you gotta be kidding....

GOLIATH: I do not kid, Brooklyn. You must leave me here.

BROOKLYN: But -

GOLIATH: We cannot answer human violence against us with yet more violence against them, not if it places the clan in conflict with the entire city.

COLDFIRE: Are you certain of your course, brother?

GOLIATH: No. Nevertheless, it is time to test my theory. Once and for all, I must know whether humans will ever accept gargoyles as equals - and whether there might not be peace between our kinds.


XANATOS: Moreover, I've already refused all access to the Eyrie Building, so at least the rest of you are safe.

BROOKLYN: Sure. From everyone but you.


XANATOS: I do love our little talks.


BROADWAY (to Antoinette Dracon): Can't believe Owen let you in. (I knew he was evil.) I'm outta here.


SLAUGHTER: Drones?

{Broadway and Lexington crash through the window.}

SLAUGHTER: Gargoyles? Drones and gargoyles?


GLASSES: Time for a little of that Dino Dracon signature overkill.

LEXINGTON (looking at the host of cybots): Is it just me, or does this seem like overkill?

BROADWAY AND SLAUGHTER (in unison): Not just you.
Todd Jensen
posted @ Thu, Mar 27, 2025 8:17:29 pm EDT from 68.99.93.213

MATTHEW - Have a good time at WonderCon. You've given some of the best comments on the various episodes and chapters so far, and I look forward to seeing more of them in the weeks to come.
Todd Jensen
posted @ Thu, Mar 27, 2025 9:25:06 am EDT from 68.99.93.213

This issue is really interesting, especially from Hudson's perspective. Back in the day the laws he abided by were the safety of the clan and the protection of the castle and all who sheltered there. And while he did adapt to the protection of their home by way of all of Manhattan, he hasn't shown quite the same interest or engagement in the intricacies of modern law and government that the others have. The confrontation with Matt shows that there's still some things he has to learn not just for his own sake but for that of the clan.

This does bring up a complicated problem with the law, justice and how it affects others. As Crest points out Goliath's being held without charge and treated like a criminal, but at the same time there isn't precedent for this situation so the system has to go through the motions so there is precedent for the future. But what do you do when the ADA obviously has bias in the situation and the judge also has encounters that could lean more favorably to the defense? The sad truth is that the history of justice has never been impartial (no matter how much we want it to be). Goliath's decision to trust in the system and not stand by the "rules for thee, not for me" is a daring, and some might say, incredibly naïve choice.

Todd> Funny you should mention the early season of X-Men '92 because there's a lot of differences but also a lot of intricacies. For context, Beast was caught after the X-Men broke into the Mutant Control Agency's facility for housing all the files and information on known mutants. This was approved by the government, as was the creation of the Sentinels. What wasn't approved was two of the heads using the Sentinels to abduct mutants without concern for collateral damage. This and Beast's own trial which acts as a subplot for the first season helps demonstrate the lopsided weights of justice that the comic will explore soon enough.

Look forward to the next review but I won't be commenting as much the following days because I am off to Wonder Con!
Matthew the Fedora Guy
Ain't nothing crazy 'bout me but my brain!
posted @ Thu, Mar 27, 2025 1:04:09 am EDT from 135.180.3.149

Yeah, I meant to ask if anyone pre-ordered and recently received their copy of The Art of Amphibia.
Antiyonder
posted @ Thu, Mar 27, 2025 12:43:53 am EDT from 68.119.3.1

Ao anyone pre-order and for their copy of The Art of Amphibia?
Antiyonder
posted @ Wed, Mar 26, 2025 9:59:58 pm EDT from 68.119.3.1

Sorry for the double-post, but I reread Chapter Five of "Here in Manhattan", "Render Unto Caesar", today.

The title's appropriate, in light of the particular dilemma the gargoyles are facing here. This time, they're not pitted primarily against criminals or super-villains, but against the human authorities in Manhattan. Going up against them means going up against the very human polity they're supposed to protect - and would even potentially pit them against some of their human friends, such as Elisa and Matt. Two moments bring this home in particular, when Hudson confronts Matt at the start (including another description of the NYPD as Elisa and Matt's clan), and when Tony Dracon and Tomas Brod's mocking remarks at the end lead Goliath to realize he must turn down Brooklyn's offer to break him out. (The closest I can think of to this dilemma in earlier episodes was in "Ill Met By Moonlight" when Ophelia points out that, from Oberon's point of view, he's just trying to clear out trespassers from his home-isle.) Goliath comes to understand that if they treat the city government as just another adversary, no different from their regular "rogues' gallery", they've little hope of ever making peace with the human community (not to mention that, from the city government's perspective, they'll seem no different from - say, the Pack or the various organized crime groups).

We get our introduction to Tobe Crest, one of the most interesting new characters in "Here in Manhattan". Although he won't meet Goliath until the next chapter, he already seems very well-informed on him, raising the question of how he came by this information. I can't help wondering whether he might be working for one of those secret organizations in the Gargoyles Universe, who have their own reasons for wanting Goliath to win his case.

And we get more of the argument, brought to the fore, over whether gargoyles possess human-level intelligence or are simply peculiar animals. Margot, naturally, argues that the gargoyles' ability to speak is simple mimicry, like parrots. (I remember similar questions over whether Koko the gorilla really understood the sign language she was using.) Leading to Tobe Crest's statement about Goliath's reading choices - and again showing that he's very well-informed about Goliath, and how he knows what books the gargoyle leader has read.

(The specific cases of Shakespeare and Dostoyevsky as human authors whom Goliath's read, while matching Season One, stood out to me for another reason. I recall that in the first season of the FOX X-Men animated series, Beast was similarly under arrest for most of the season and, like Goliath, refusing to be broken out, insisting on having his day in court - and he was depicted as reading Shakespeare and Dostoyevsky in prison. Well, Shakespeare specifically - the "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" part from "Macbeth", appropriately from a "Gargoyles" angle (and also offering a modified version of Shylock's "Hath not a Jew eyes?" speech from "The Merchant of Venice" while in the courtroom) - while mentioning, as he's being led back to prison after a hearing goes wrong, that at least he'll be able to catch up on his Dostoyevsky. (He was also, I recall, shown reading "Animal Farm" by George Orwell - with the prison guards arguing that he's just looking at the pictures. Which raises the question of how a lot of humans would respond to the sight of Goliath reading.)

While this chapter focuses on Goliath's plight, we also see the Dino Dracon thread advance further - as Dino gets the Choi and Sanchez families to go to war on each other, making it clear what his scheme for dealing with the rival crime families is. (I particularly liked the way they ran the Choi and Sanchez scenes side by side, to show the parallel acts.)

We get a cameo from Castaway, commenting approvingly on Goliath's capture. (I suspect that he had mixed feelings on this one - with, of course, not enough room in this chapter to show it. If the New York authorities are incarcerating Goliath, that makes it harder for Castaway to strike against him; attacking gargoyles while they're out roaming the city is one thing, but breaking into Rikers to attack Goliath would make the Quarrymen look much more lawless, in a way that would be bad for their fatal image; we can assume that at this point, Castaway recognizes that he can't afford that.
With the result that Goliath's apprehension could make it a lot more difficult for him to get the revenge he's after.)

We also get Elisa visiting Goliath in his cell - making it all the clearer to the onlookers what her feelings for him are (and the upcoming chapters will be spreading that realization dramatically) - and Brooklyn launching his break-out operation. It's clear that Brooklyn's developed some great leadership skills (no doubt thanks in part to those forty years of Timedancing - though he'd already shown a gift for planning even before that, such as in "Upgrade"); indeed, the only reason why it fails is because Goliath recognizes that this is the wrong way to solve the problem. (I also like the touch of Coldstone agreeing to ensure that the humans he battles escape without injury - but is clearly not too keen on it - which will tie in with later developments in his story.)

And finally, in Hudson's narration, we get some very good reflections on how he views his name.


FAVORITE LINES.


MATT: Hudson, you can't! You'd be attacking cops! My clan. Elisa's clan. You don't want to go to war against us, believe me.


ELISA: Stop! He's not resisting!

GUARD: Fine, whatever. But this ain't your beat, Detective.

BROD: Oh, it'll be her beat now, you watch.

TONY DRACON: Yeah, that beauty's sweet on that beast.


ROEBLING: I find this motion mystifying. What's it all about?

TOBE: Your Honor, Tobe Crest for the plaintiff.

ROEBLING: There's a plaintiff? Who -

TOBE: Sir, the gargoyle in custody at Rikers, where he's being held without charges! We demand to know what he's being accused of - beyond simply existing. My client's name is Goliath, and he has rights. Rights which are not being observed.

MARGOT: That is preposterous! Your Honor, Assistant Distrct5 Attorney and G. T. F. liaison Margot Yale for the people. And by definition, a gargoyle cannot have human rights.

TOBE: Then why's he being held in a human prison?

MARGOT: It is at Rikers because the Bronx Zoo didn't have a cage that could hold it.

TOBE: He's not an animal. Goliath can form thoughts and speak.

ROEBLING: That's true... I mean, is that true?

MARGOT: Even if that thing can talk, what of it? Parrots mimic speech, too. We don't grant them legal standing.

TOBE: Parrots don't read Shakespeare and Dostoyevsky!


TONY DRACON: Well, will you look at that...

BROD: Yes, gargoyle do-gooders, breaking the law when it suits them.

GOLIATH: Coldfire, Brooklyn, you must depart and leave me here.
Todd Jensen
posted @ Wed, Mar 26, 2025 8:13:01 pm EDT from 68.99.93.213

MATTHEW - That quote definitely shows one of the major differences between Goliath and Spiderman.
Todd Jensen
posted @ Wed, Mar 26, 2025 8:36:01 am EDT from 68.99.93.213

So we finally get our proper look at Dino, he's every bit as dangerous as the rest of the family feared. I actually liked his introduction and the early details on why he's a dangerous antagonist for the arc. He possesses a ruthless form of cunning as demonstrated by his kidnapping and encounter with Goliath. But he also has a volatile temper that while he mostly controls it still get the better of him.

It's not mentioned a lot in group dynamics in fiction, but there's something really fascinating about the wildcard among heroes or villains. Someone who may align with a group's goals but either by personality, circumstances or other factors can't be properly relied upon. We'll see by the end of this that villains are less forgiving of wildcards than heroes usually are.

Todd> Funny you should mention Spider-Man because Goliath and Dino's encounter is similar to Spider-Man's encounter with Silvermane in Spectacular's episode "Gangland".

Silvermane: So this the "Spider-Man" that's given Tombstone and Octopus so much trouble? As yet, I'm unimpressed.
Spider-Man: Well you haven't seen me juggle bowling balls while drinking a glass of water.
Matthew the Fedora Guy
Ain't nothing crazy 'bout me but my brain!
posted @ Wed, Mar 26, 2025 4:11:42 am EDT from 135.180.3.149

Todd > I think that for any formal public event like that, especially where she was taking center stage and likely to be photographed, a police captain would definitely dress in uniform, since she's there as a representative of the entire NYPD. It's a matter of professional respect and solidarity, I think. Or something like that.

I did wonder whether comically large scissors are still used at ribbon cuttings. I did some googling and found images of both NYC Mayor Adams and former Mayor de Blasio using giant scissors (and de Blasio joking how he'd managed to never cut off anyone's fingers with them), so I guess that custom is indeed still with us.
Craig
posted @ Wed, Mar 26, 2025 3:53:26 am EDT from 69.118.30.106

Reread Chapter Four, "Tale Old as Time". The main story fully begins, with Dino Dracon on-stage at last, and Goliath's capture by the police, that will lead in to his hearing - the story that "And Justice For All" should have been. (Without going too much into that "Goliath Chronicles" episode for the reviews, this one definitely came up with something far more impressive than the infamous "Goliath caught in the headlights like a deer" moment. He puts up more of the fight we'd expect from Goliath.)

Dino's opening scene right away establishes his characterization in how he treats Pal Joey. It definitely confirms what everyone had been saying about him - this guy is definitely trouble to everyone - including his own organization.

Goliath, in the meantime, is understandably worried about the trio, and how they're drifting apart. It's an understandable development, especially after all the recent changes (particularly Brooklyn's TimeDancing), but still a legitimate cause for concern, especially the way Lexington's acting. Brooklyn's got a family (including a son to educate - as I mentioned a few chapters back, he's clearly taken to heart the lesson he'd learned back in the Timedancer chapters of "Clan-Building" about learning history), and Broadway has Angela, but all Lexington has at the moment is a long-distance relationship with Staghart in London. Indeed, I can't help wondering whether Goliath, as he's watching Lexington, is fearing that he's headed for a very similar destination to the one he reached in a certain nightmare....

At least the trio (alongside the rest of the clan) will indeed get the crisis that Goliath was almost wishing for (and will soon realize that you really need to be careful what you wish for). And it starts, appropriately, with three masked kidnappers, wearing three particular masks....

The masks are one part of this chapter that really stand out to me. I agree with Goliath that it's obvious that these are humans wearing gargoyle masks, not gargoyles, but the masks themselves capture the trio's likenesses perfectly. (Well, except for the fact that the Brooklyn-mask is clearly "pre-Timedancer", and I think that's understandable; it was a relatively recent development for him. I think it's safe to say that almost all the footage taken of the Manhattan gargoyles at this point would have, when it featured Brooklyn, been mainly the "pre-Timedancer" version of him. Indeed, some of the pictures of Brooklyn on the "Here in Manhattan" covers - like the Fleecs cover for #5- featured the earlier character design of him from the television series.) "Nice mask" is an understatement for these - and I'd like to know how Dino Dracon obtained them and who made them. Probably a story for another day.

Plus we get an on-stage introduction to a couple of characters mentioned in "High Noon", who will now assume larger roles (and who get mockingly compared to Romeo and Juliet - not the first time, of course, that Shakespeare's pair of star-crossed lovers were updated to the New York gang world - if a different kind of New York gang this time).

Chaz describes the gargoyles as "menaces! Or threats!", clearly a little Spiderman take-off that Greg Weisman couldn't resist (and which feels appropriate, after "The Spectacular Spider-Man").

One odd feature: at the re-opening of the police station, Captain Chavez is wearing a police uniform, though the animated series always depicted her in plainclothes.

FAVORITE LINES.

DINO: So you're the gargoyles. Frankly, I'm unimpressed!

GOLIATH: Give it a moment. It should sink in.


GOLIATH: This mask you wear will fool no one into believing you are a gargoyle.

DINO: Not really the point.

GOLIATH: You call us monsters -

VOICE FROM POLICE HELICOPTER: Freeze, monster! Drop that human, now!


DINO: Arrivederci, capo mostro! Buona fortuna!

VOICE FROM POLICE HELICOPTER: Attention gargoyle: kneel and place your, uh, claws behind your head!
Todd Jensen
posted @ Tue, Mar 25, 2025 8:28:45 pm EDT from 68.99.93.213

There's certain themes that can attributed to certain series, themes that make up the core of what they are. Gargoyles of course has carried deeply mature themes and that's been best shown with the Mutates, who have consistently been part of the darker parts of the story. But another part of Gargoyles has been an underlining theme of hope. In dark or mature stories hope isn't just necessary it is integral for the show to continue and thrive Because if there isn't any the audience will soon lose interest. Gargoyles as a series has always strived for things to get better, even though there are certainly setbacks as we'll see with the next arc.

Because Maggie and Talon and the mutates and heck, all of the Labyrinth Clan had been through some of the worst, really needed this uplifting ending. Their child is born safely and free from the grip of monsters like Sevarius and Thailog and Michael will have the benefit of support not just from his immediate family but from all of those connected to the clan.

Obviously, this isn't a normal child as seen at the end. But one thing the comic did a good job of detailing was the feelings of love. Whatever happens in the future, it's clear that this next generation of Maza will be surrounded by it.
Matthew the Fedora Guy
Ain't nothing crazy 'bout me but my brain!
posted @ Tue, Mar 25, 2025 2:57:22 am EDT from 135.180.3.149

Oh, and one other thing about "Demona". [SPOILER] I now suspect that the "Old Norse" style armor Demona was wearing in the "preview" fight with the Manhattan clan is souvenirs from her sea-voyage with Sigurd. [/SPOILER]
Todd Jensen
posted @ Mon, Mar 24, 2025 9:16:40 pm EDT from 68.99.93.213

Todd: Free Comic Book Day issues usually show up on comic shop sites after the fact, for a small price. I would check MyComicShop.com soon after the release date. I use them very often, with no complaints.
Logan
posted @ Mon, Mar 24, 2025 8:42:05 pm EDT from 73.203.155.95

MORRAND - Thanks. I'll have another check to see if there *are* any comics stores within walking distance of my home. (There used to be one, called Jesse James Comics, but it moved a few years ago to just out of walking range.)

I reread Chapter Three of "Here in Manhattan", "Miracle Child", today. (By an astonishing coincidence, according to my "This Day in History" calendar, on this day in 1955, "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", which supplied the name for "Maggie the Cat", had its premiere - making it appropriate to be reading about the "Gargoyles" Maggie, who has a major role in this chapter, the same day.)

The big event is Maggie becoming a mother - and the big confrontation over her and her child. Complete with Thailog being brazen enough to copy Xanatos's defense system from "The Gathering" - with here it being the kidnapper who's using the defense to keep out the rescuers. Trust him to take that approach. (Indeed, I think it's safe to suspect that a lot of the reason why Thailog decided to kidnap Maggie's baby is because both of his "fathers", Goliath and Xanatos, are fathers - so, naturally, he has to have his own child, as part of his goal to outdo them.)

Alongside the "Gathering" echo, we also get an echo of "A Lighthouse in the Sea of Time" with the conclusion. In "Lighthouse", the Scrolls of Merlin turned out not be Merlin's spells - thus making them useless to Macbeth - but something even more valuable, Merlin's memoirs (providing an eyewitness account of Arthurian times written by Merlin himself), which the gargoyles recognize. Similarly, Talon and Maggie's newborn son turns out to be (apparently) not a Mutate after all - making him no longer worth seizing from Thailog's perspective - but his rescuers and their families - gargoyle, human, and Mutate alike - recognize that this baby is a true treasure. Leading to a lovely family gathering with Peter and Diane Maza present (on-stage for the first time since "Gargoyles" became a comic) and even Beth on the way to see her new nephew. (And, of course, we get the surprise ending in the last panel where it turns out little Michael does have Mutate abilities after all....)

Xanatos is Xanatos as ever, utterly calm even while Talon is holding him by the throat and correctly working out (and steering everyone else to the solution) who was the real kidnapper), and coming up with his own contributions to the rescue. While Elisa is still almost as suspicious of him as her brother is (not surprisingly), Goliath, after the events in "The Gathering", is more ready to give him the benefit of the doubt. Though it's still clear that the clan won't forget his track record - something Coldfire herself makes clear.

While the focus in this chapter is on resolving the kidnapping thread, we get another advance of the Dracon thread - this time, with the heads of the rival organized crime families (on stage for the first time) meeting and all recognizing that Dino could really mean trouble. (Their talk about him being bad for business reminds me of a sourcebook for a "Lord of the Rings" role-playing-game that I read many years ago, set near Bree - several centuries before Frodo and his friends visited the Prancing Pony - which featured an outlaw leader as one of the non-player characters in it. The outlaw leader was described as taking a tone that slaughtering your victims and engaging in general violence - the kind of thing Dino's clearly keen on doing - is not a good idea, since: a) if you cut the throat of a merchant whom you held up, you'll never get to rob him again and b) if you engage in that level of violence often, the local law-authorities are going to zealously hunt you down.)

Broadway's the narrator, and shows that he's clearly still got a detective approach (harking all the way back to "The Silver Falcon").

Trust Thailog to bill Xanatos for damages.

FAVORITE LINES.

XANATOS: So, who else might take an interest in this child?

{General silence.}

XANATOS: Come now, it's not that long a list.

BROADWAY: Sevarius.

XANATOS: Exactly. But I'm not billing him this time, so who is it?

BROADWAY: Thailog.

XANATOS: There. Was that so hard?


BROADWAY: Thailog's using the same name you gave your son?

XANATOS: What can I tell you? "Great Minds" and all that.


XANATOS: Glad you're putting the technology I gave you to such good use.

COLDFIRE: Indeed, you seem very generous to those you seek to exploit.

XANATOS: Ouch.


XANATOS: Now, Thailog, is this any way to behave? I think your other fathers and I raised you better than this.

THAILOG: Well, all three of you are here... why don't you take a poll?


BROADWAY: I guess this is what the Manhattan clan fights for. Family, in all its shapes and sizes.

MAGGIE: Sleep now, baby boy. And know you are loved.

{After she leaves the room, little Michael opens his eyes - revealing an electric glow....}


Incidentally, here's a further thought I've had about "Demona" #2 [SPOILER] and the gargoyles accompanying Demona on Sigurd Magnusson's expedition, assuming they're from Scandinavia. This speculation began when I was reading an account of his pilgrimage, which told how, when Sigurd arrived at Constantinople, he "donated the great gilded dragon from the front of [his] flagship" (The Crusaders: the Epic History of the Wars for the Holy Lands by Dan Jones, Penguin Books, 2019 - p. 117) to the Emperor of Constantinople. This suggests the familiar "dragon figureheads" we associate with Viking warships, but in the context of the solicitation, I wondered whether in the "Gargoyles" version of this story, there might be some connection to the gargoyles on board these vessels. And that got me thinking, in turn, not only of those dragon figureheads, but also of the dragons carved on Norwegian stave churches to frighten off evil spirits - which sounds a lot like the function of gargoyles on medieval cathedrals. Could Scandinavian gargoyles look like those dragons? It seems all the more possible now that we know that gargoyles and dragons are related. [/SPOILER]
Todd Jensen
posted @ Mon, Mar 24, 2025 8:41:02 pm EDT from 68.99.93.213

Fourth.

Todd: Given that the goal of FCBD is to get people into the comic shops, I suspect there isn't a way to order online. It would probably kill support for the thing. (Not to say that a shop near you would be unwilling to drop one into your pull box if asked nicely.) But I also know a few people around who are willing to circulate to the various comic shops near them and pick up a few extra copies. I would be.
morrand - [morrand276 at gmail dot com]
posted @ Mon, Mar 24, 2025 7:14:38 pm EDT from 108.69.72.60

Third
Margaret Stephens - [realdemonamay at gmail dot com]
The real living insane one
posted @ Mon, Mar 24, 2025 4:31:45 pm EDT from 72.28.171.136

Second.

With the release of the "Demona" comic mini-series drawing closer - I'd like to know if there's any way to order the prologue issue (Demona #0) on-line. I've picked up that it's to be released on Free Comic Book Day, which might explain why I can't find it on "Things From Another World" (where I've been ordering my "Gargoyles" comics from Dynamite so far (though "Demona" #1 is already up there). Since there aren't any comics stores within walking distance of my neighborhood and I don't have a car, I've been taking the "order on-line" route, and would like to know if there are ways of ordering this prologue issue on-line from someone else.
Todd Jensen
posted @ Mon, Mar 24, 2025 9:02:25 am EDT from 68.99.93.213

First!
Matt
"My daughter?! How dare you mock me! I have no daughter." - Demona, 1996
posted @ Mon, Mar 24, 2025 8:27:28 am EDT from 204.184.178.1