Gargoyles (comics)

Gargoyles
Cover of Gargoyles #1 by Greg Guler
Publication information
PublisherSlave Labor Graphics, Dynamite Entertainment
ScheduleBi-monthly (Slave Labor Graphics), monthly (Dynamite Entertainment)
Genre
Publication date20062009, 2022 – Ongoing
No. of issues38 (as of April 2024)
Main character(s)Manhattan Clan
Creative team
Created byGreg Weisman (uncredited) and others
Written byGreg Weisman
Penciller(s)David Hedgecock
Greg Guler
Nir Paniry
Karine Charlebois
Gordon Purcell
David Hutchison
Ben Dunn
Colorist(s)Will Terrell
Dustin Evans
Stephanie Lostimolo
Robby Bevard
Editor(s)Jennifer de Guzman

Gargoyles is a fictional team of characters appearing in comic book series initially published by Slave Labor Graphics and Creature Comics between 2006 and 2009 and by Dynamite Entertainment since 2022. It was based on the 1994 animated television series Gargoyles, and was written by series co-creator Greg Weisman. The comic continues the storyline of the first two seasons and ignores all but the first episode of the third season, The Goliath Chronicles.

Storyline[edit]

The comic acted as a continuation of the animated series after episode 65, picking up after the climactic second season finale, "Hunter's Moon, Part III". The first two issues of the comic translate episode 66 "The Journey", which was the only third season Gargoyles episode Weisman considers to be canonical (as well as the only third season episode Weisman wrote). Issue #3 of the Gargoyles comic then began a completely new storyline, which deliberately ignored the rest of the events of the televised third season.

Weisman has confirmed that the in-universe timeline of the comic starts in 1996, just after the conclusion of the final episode of the series' second season. Issue #10 was the first issue set in 1997.

Production[edit]

Slave Labor Graphics/CreatureComics run[edit]

In June 2005, it was announced that a series of Disney-licensed, bi-monthly Gargoyles comic books would be created by Slave Labor Graphics in association with CreatureComics. Gargoyles #1 was released on June 21, 2006 and promptly sold out, ensuring a second printing. After an extended delay, Gargoyles #2 was released on December 13, 2006. Issue #6 contains an error: the artwork on page 12 and 16 was switched, even though the text is correct. Slave Labor has acknowledged this error, and the corrected issue was reprinted on November 14.

Greg Guler, character designer for the original TV series, and Stephanie Lostimolo have produced the cover art for each issue. Story art is primarily being produced by David Hedgecock and colored by Dustin Evans, although issues #4, #5, and #6 were drawn by guest artists. Gargoyles #6 used the unpublished script that Weisman wrote for the Marvel series.[1]

In August 2008, Greg Weisman announced that, due to Disney increasing its licensing fees, Slave Labor Graphics would not be renewing its license of Gargoyles after it ran out on August 31, 2008. The final two issues of Bad Guys and four of Gargoyles were released in the comic trades collecting both series in August 2009. Weisman also stated that SLG President Dan Vado has not given up on the Gargoyles franchise, and hopes to pursue the idea of Gargoyles graphic novels in the future.[2]

Dynamite Entertainment run (2022-present)[edit]

Dynamite Entertainment will remaster and republish the SLG/CreatureComics run in 2023.[3] A new line of comics, subtitled "Here in Manhattan", serves as Season 4 of the show, again written and overseen by Greg Weisman, with issue 1 releasing on December 7, 2022. Following the conclusion of Here in Manhattan in December 2023, a sequel arc, subtitled "Quest", will debut in January 2024.[4][5]

Spin-offs[edit]

One of Greg Weisman's planned Gargoyles spin-offs, Bad Guys, appeared as a black-and-white six-issue limited series in 2007/08. The first issue was released on November 28, 2007. The series was written by Weisman and drawn by Karine Charlebois, with cover art by Greg Guler and Stephanie Lostimolo.

Had the comics continued, Gargoyles: Pendragon would have been next in line, followed by Gargoyles: Timedancer. Each of these would have also appeared as a six-issue black-and-white limited series.

On April 19, 2023, Dynamite Entertainment announced a prequel miniseries, titled Gargoyles: Dark Ages, which would follow the Wyvern Clan's alliance with Prince Malcolm. The first issue in the miniseries was released in July 2023.[6]

Issues[edit]

Note that Gargoyles issues #9–12 and Bad Guys issues #5–6 were only published in the collections.

Gargoyles (Slave Labor Graphics)[edit]

Title Issue # Release date
"Nightwatch" 1 June 21, 2006
Pencil artist: David Hedgecock
Color artist: Will Terrell
Cover Artist: Gregory Robert Guler
Cover color artist: Stephanie Lostimolo
As the public learns of the existence of gargoyles in NYC, the Manhattan Clan goes into hiding atop the Eyrie Building while an anti-gargoyle group known as the Quarrymen are formed by John Castaway. Meanwhile the police set up a task force led by Matt Bluestone to deal with the issue. When Goliath later visits Elisa to discuss their troubles, the two find themselves on the run from a squad of Quarrymen.
"The Journey" 2 December 13, 2006
Pencil artist: David Hedgecock
Color artist: Will Terrell
Cover artist: Greg Guler
Cover color artist: Stephanie Lostimolo
Elisa and a wounded Goliath are pursued through Manhattan by the murderous Quarrymen, while a debate about gargoyles between ADA Margot Yale and "Lennox MacDuff" continues on the local news.
"Invitation Only" 3 March 28, 2007
Pencil artist: David Hedgecock
Color artist: Dustin Evans
Cover artist: Greg Guler
Cover color artist: Stephanie Lostimolo
Xanatos arranges a Halloween costume party on top of the Eyrie Building, and the gargoyles plan to attend, pretending to be wearing gargoyle "costumes." However, Elisa and Goliath's relationship has taken a sudden turn. And the shadowy Illuminati are making plans of their own concerning the gargoyles.
"Masque" 4 May 16, 2007
Pencil artist: Nir Paniry
Color artist: Dustin Evans
Cover artist: Greg Guler
Cover color artist: Stephanie Lostimolo
The gargoyles mingle with humans in the Eyrie building under cover of a costume party. Thailog returns from his supposed death to claim his "property", and Xanatos is absent from his own party, visiting the White House.
"Bash" 5 July 18, 2007
Pencil artist: Karine Charlebois
Color artist: Stephanie Lostimolo
Cover artist: Greg Guler
Cover color artist: Stephanie Lostimolo
The confrontation between Thailog, Goliath, and the clones turns violent, and Delilah must choose a side. Meanwhile, Xanatos meets with a mysterious man in Washington D.C.
"Reunion" 6 October 10, 2007
Reprint: November 14, 2007
Pencil Artist: Gordon Purcell
Color artist: Dustin Evans
Cover artist: Greg Guler
Cover color artist: Stephanie Lostimolo
Thailog is told of a lost tale from the Avalon World Tour by his new executive assistant. The tale involves Goliath and company meeting up with Coldstone in the Himalayas. The issue ends with Xanatos meeting up with a familiar face.
"The Rock" 7 December 12, 2007
Pencil artist: David Hedgecock
Color Artist: Robby Bevard
Cover artist: Greg Guler
Cover color artist: Robby Bevard
Macbeth is aided by Lexington and Hudson to safeguard the Stone of Destiny while it's being taken from London to Scotland. Meanwhile Xanatos prepares for his mission from the Illuminati and recruits Coldsteel and Coyote (Now 5.0).
"Rock & Roll" 8 March 26, 2008
Pencil artist: David Hedgecock
Color artist: Robby Bevard
Cover artist: David Hedgecock
Cover color artist: Jorge Molina
After Macbeth and the gargoyles make their acquaintance with the London Clan, they unite to protect the Stone from Coldsteel.
"Rock of Ages" 9 See Clan-Building, Volume Two
Pencil artist: David Hedgecock
Color artist: Robby Bevard
Cover artist: Greg Guler
Cover color artist: Robby Bevard
The Gargoyles, now joined by Coldstone and Coldfire, continue their fight to protect the Stone from Coldsteel, while their opponents implement the rest of their scheme. (This is David Hedgecock's last issue as artist for the series, due to his inability to stay on schedule.)
"The Gate" 10 See Clan-Building, Volume Two
Pencil artist: Greg Guler
Color artist: Robby Bevard
Cover artist: Greg Guler
Cover color artist: Robby Bevard
The Phoenix Gate returns to Manhattan, breaks into the Phoenix itself and whisks Brooklyn back to 997 Scotland in the first trip of his 40 year Timedance (which may eventually be created into its own spin-off series, called Timedancer). Greg Guler guest pencils.[7]
"Tyrants" 11 See Clan-Building, Volume Two
Pencil artist: David Hutchison
Color artist: Robby Bevard
Cover artist: David Hutchison
Cover color artist: Robby Bevard
"Phoenix" 12 See Clan-Building, Volume Two
Pencil artist: Ben Dunn
Color artist: Robby Bevard
Cover artist: David Hutchison
Cover color artist: Robby Bevard
Brooklyn and Demona's clan join the fight against the usurper King Constantine. Back in 1997, Goliath's brooding about his clan's survival is interrupted by a pair of unexpected and joyous reunions and additions to the family.

Gargoyles: Bad Guys[edit]

Title Issue # Release date
"Strangers" 1 November 28, 2007
Pencil artist: Karine Charlebois
Color artist: N/A
Cover artist: Greg Guler
Cover color artist: Stephanie Lostimolo
The Redemption Squad (Dingo, Matrix, Fang, Yama and Robyn Canmore/Hunter) is on its way to a mission when it comes under attack. The tale of how Dingo came to join the group after his first encounter with the Hunter is recounted.
"The Lost" 2 April 30, 2008[8]
Pencil artist: Karine Charlebois
Color artist: N/A
Cover artist: Greg Guler
Cover color artist: Robby Bevard
The Redemption Squad continues its mission. The rest of the issue details Yama's recruitment and ends with a familiar face visiting Fang in the Labyrinth.[8]
"Estranged" 3 May 21, 2008
Pencil artist: Christopher Jones
Color artist: N/A
Cover artist: Greg Guler
Cover color artist: Robby Bevard
"Louse" 4 August 20, 2008
Pencil artist: Karine Charlebois
Color artist: N/A
Cover artist: Greg Guler
Cover color artist: Robby Bevard
"Strangled" 5 See Bad Guys: Redemption
Pencil artist: Karine Charlebois
Color artist: N/A
Cover artist: Greg Guler
Cover color artist: Robby Bevard
"Losers" 6 See Bad Guys: Redemption
Pencil artist: Karine Charlebois
Color artist: N/A
Cover artist: Greg Guler
Cover color artist: Robby Bevard

Gargoyles (Dynamite)[edit]

Title Issue # Release date
"A Little Crazy" 1 December 7, 2022
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: George Kambadais
Cover Artist: David Nakayama
While Dracon and Brod are held at Rikers, warfare erupts between their respective gangs. Maggie prepares to give birth to her and Talon's child, while Thailog and Sevarius make plans to disrupt Maggie and Talon's lives and abduct their child.
"Idyll or Nightmare" 2 January 25, 2023
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: George Kambadais
Cover Artist: David Nakayama
Goliath, Angela, Coldfire and Broadway leave to visit the Labyrinth Clan but find the clan knocked out, with Maggie and Mary kidnapped to Sevarius' lab. Talon assumes that Xanatos is behind the kidnapping and both clans fly to his office to confront him. Meanwhile, Dominic Dracon is released from prison, and his daughter Antoinette visits Tony at Rikers to discuss how to stop the war between the Dracon and Brod gangs before their uncle Dino gets involved.
"Miracle Child" 3 February 8, 2023
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: George Kambadais
Cover Artist: David Nakayama
Goliath calms Talon down from killing Xanatos on the basis that Xanatos himself previously experienced a kidnapping of his child. Xanatos joins the clans on a raid of Sevarius' lab. While a fight breaks out between Thailog and the clans, Mary helps Maggie deliver a baby boy, who shows no signs of inheriting his parents' mutant abilities or features. Thailog, disappointed by the news, gives up and allows the Manhattan and Labyrinth clans to leave. Maggie and Talon name the boy Michael Peter Maza, after the names of their respective grandfathers.
"Tale Old As Time" 4 March 22, 2023
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: George Kambadais
Cover Artist: David Nakayama
Dino Dracon plans to bring down four rival crime families and the NYPD. Two teenagers, Peter and Rosie, are kidnapped by gangsters wearing gargoyle masks. Goliath and Hudson, who are flying by for unrelated reasons, intervene against the gangmembers, but helicopters from the Gargoyle Task Force fly in to capture Goliath while the gangmembers get away with the teenagers.
"Render Unto Caesar" 5 April 26, 2023
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: George Kambadais
Cover Artist: David Nakayama
Goliath is captured by the city's Gargoyle Task Force, and Hudson is convinced by Bluestone to stand down. Goliath is detained at Rikers, but when Brooklyn leads a rescue, Goliath orders him to abort the attempt and leave him at Rikers. Pretrial deliberations ensue between ADA Yale and defense attorney Tobe Crest. Meanwhile, Dino Dracon's gangmembers send competing proofs of life to Peter and Rosie's parents, who are leaders of two of the crime families, resulting in the parents planning to go to war with each other.
"Underwater" 6 May 31, 2023
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: George Kambadais
Cover Artist: David Nakayama
Brooklyn feels the strain of leadership as hopes for Goliath’s release from prison grow dimmer by the hour. Can the members of the Manhattan Clan put aside their differences before the crime syndicates of New York combine to crush the entire city?
"Everywhere" 7 July 5, 2023
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: George Kambadais
Cover Artist: David Nakayama
Demona is back!! Launching a new and exciting storyline, Gargoyles #7 is the perfect jumping-on point for new readers. Goliath is in prison! Dino Dracon is on the rampage! And Demona returns to Manhattan, determined to gather the three new keys to power! Do Brooklyn and the Clan have a prayer of stopping her without Goliath?! Um...probably not.
"Mayday" 8 August 2, 2023
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: George Kambadais
Cover Artist: David Nakayama
Goliath's going on trial! But an old enemy would rather Goliath never made it to court! ATTACK ON RIKERS, a.k.a. Cellmates Make Strange Bedfellows!!
"Your Witness" 9 September 13, 2023
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: George Kambadais
Cover Artist: David Nakayama
THE TRIAL OF GOLIATH BEGINS! With a district attorney intent on proving that Gargoyles should not be considered people, Goliath will rely on influential human friends to speak on his behalf, including the love of his life, NYPD Detective ELISA MAZA...
"Trick-Or-Treat" Halloween Special #1 October 18, 2023
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: George Kambadais
Cover Artist: David Nakayama
It's young Gnash's first Halloween in Manhattan, and you're invited to come along as he heads out to find friends on the one night of the year when Gargoyles can roam the city unbothered! Unfortunately, he's about to run afoul of the masked Quarrymen, who are out to hunt down any Gargoyle foolish enough to brave the streets on All Hallow's Eve. That means Brooklyn, Katana, Lexington, Broadway, Angela, and even Goliath are in real danger! Will they survive this cruel trick, or become a treat for the marauding Quarrymen?
"New Rules" 10 October 25, 2023
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: George Kambadais
Cover Artist: David Nakayama
A RACE AGAINST TIME! Brooklyn's attempts to lead the Clan have left him feeling disappointed and estranged from those he is closest to. But when some dangerous news comes in, it's up to Brooklyn, Lexington, and Broadway to save the day. Can they come together in time to make the daring rescue? Or will daybreak stop them in their tracks?
"Young at Heart" 11 December 19, 2023
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: Guilia Giacomino, Giovanna La Pietra, George Kambadais
Cover Artist: David Nakayama
With the Manhattan Clan back together again, Brooklyn and Katana ask Broadway, Lexington, and Angela to stand as their Seconds during the all-important Commitment Ceremony. The Clan has never felt stronger — which is a good thing, because a desperate Dino Dracon is about to make one last play to take over all of New York City!
"Cold Comfort" 12 March 20, 2024
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors & Art: Guilia Giacomino, Giovanna La Pietra, George Kambadais
Cover Artist: David Nakayama

Gargoyles: Quest (Dynamite)[edit]

Title Issue # Release date
"Questions" 1 of 5 April 17, 2024
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: Pasquale Qualano
Cover Artist: Clayton Crain
"TBA" 2 of 5 May 15, 2024
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: Pasquale Qualano
Cover Artist: Clayton Crain
"TBA" 3 of 5 June 5, 2024
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: Pasquale Qualano
Cover Artist: Clayton Crain
"TBA" 4 of 5 June 19, 2024
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: Pasquale Qualano
Cover Artist: Clayton Crain
"TBA" 5 of 5 July 3, 2024
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: Pasquale Qualano
Cover Artist: Clayton Crain

Gargoyles: Dark Ages (Dynamite)[edit]

Title Issue # Release date
"The Reach" 1 of 6 July 12, 2023
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: Drew Moss
Cover Artist: Clayton Crain
Would follow the Castle Wyvern clan and their alliance with Prince Malcolm in Scotland in the year 971.
"The Draw" 2 of 6 August 9, 2023
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: Drew Moss
Cover Artist: Clayton Crain
"The Oath" 3 of 6 September 20, 2023
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: Drew Moss
Cover Artist: Clayton Crain
"The Promise" 4 of 6 November 1, 2023
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors and art: Drew Moss
Cover Artist: Clayton Crain
"The Dream" 5 of 6 January 3, 2024
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors & Art: Drew Moss
Cover Artist: Clayton Crain
"Alliance" 6 of 6 March 6, 2024
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Colors & Art: Drew Moss
Cover Artist: Clayton Crain

Collections[edit]

Title Volume # Release date
"Clan-Building, Volume One" 1 of 2 January 23, 2008
Pages: 168
Price: $19.95
Collects issues #1–6 of the Clan-Building Arc. Introduction by Wendy Pini.
"Clan-Building, Volume Two" 2 of 2 August 2009[9]
Pages: 168
Price: $19.95
Collects issues #7–9, including the unpublished #10-12 and completing the Clan-Building Arc.
"Bad Guys: Redemption" 1 of 1 August 2009[10]
Pages: 168
Price: $17.95
Collects issues #1–4, including the unpublished #5-#6 and completing the story.
"Here in Manhattan, Volume One" 1 of 2 March 27, 2024[11]
Pages: 160
Price: $19.99
Collects #1-6 of the Dynamite-published run.
"Here in Manhattan, Volume Two" 2 of 2 June 2024
Pages: 160
Price: TBA
Collects #7-12 of the Dynamite-published run.

Reception[edit]

The SLG series was met with positive reviews, with many readers saying they wished the series did not end after only 12 issues.[12][13]

Awards[edit]

Award name Year Status
Ursa Major Award – Best Comic Book 2007 Won[14]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Product description for Gargoyles #6". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  2. ^ "Search Ask Greg : Gargoyles : Station Eight".
  3. ^ "Dynamite & Disney to Publish Gargoyles Season 4 by Greg Weisman". July 22, 2022.
  4. ^ Comments, Rich Johnston | (2023-10-09). "Greg Weisman & Pasquale Qualano's Demona-Focused Gargoyles Quest". bleedingcool.com. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  5. ^ "You are being redirected..." comicon.com. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  6. ^ Destito, Deanna (2023-04-20). "Syndicated Comics". The Beat. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  7. ^ Search : Ask Greg : Gargoyles : Station Eight
  8. ^ a b Hunt, James (May 5, 2008). "Gargoyles: Bad Guys #2". Comic Book Resources News. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  9. ^ Ask Greg ramble about trade paperback releases
  10. ^ SLG Publishing Summer Schedule Update
  11. ^ "GARGOYLES TP VOL 01 HERE IN MANHATTAN". Previews World. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  12. ^ Weisman, Greg (23 January 2008). Gargoyles: Clan-building. ISBN 978-1593620967.
  13. ^ "Gargoyles: Clan Building, Volume 1".
  14. ^ The Ursa Major Awards – 2007 winners

External links[edit]