Comic Review: Gargoyles (2022) #1
I probably can’t convey in words just how excited I was to read this series after so long, but I’m certainly going to try. I added it to my local comic store pull list as soon as it was announced and even double dipped digitally to have it on my kindle app to read first thing in the morning on release date. Like I said I was EXCITED.
Official Summary
ALL-NEW STORIES FROM SERIES CREATOR GREG WEISMAN!
THE STARS OF THE SENSATIONAL ANIMATED TV SERIES RETURN WITH NEW ADVENTURES!
All-new ongoing series, in continuity with the epic GARGOYLES television classic!
One thousand years ago, superstition and the sword ruled. It was a time of darkness. It was a world of fear. It was THE AGE OF GARGOYLES. Stone by day, Warriors by night, they were betrayed by the humans they had sworn to protect...frozen in stone by a magic spell for a thousand years. Now, here in Manhattan, the spell is broken, and they live again! They are Defenders of the Night! THEY ARE GARGOYLES!
Series creator GREG WEISMAN and illustrator GEORGE KAMBADAIS reintroduce the Manhattan Clan, a family of Gargoyles at full strength, though modern New York City is full of attractions and distractions, and each member of the clan has begun to go their own way. But their bonds will be tested, when nefarious factions from all across the world attempt to steal that rarest, most precious of possessions...an unhatched Gargoyle egg!
Quick Information
Writer: Greg Weisman
Artist: George Kambadais
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Published: December 7, 2022
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: Teen
Series Status: Ongoing
Review
When I look back on my childhood there are a handful of shows that I definitely can say molded me into the person I am today. The first time I saw Gargoyles on TV, I was lucky to catch the first set of episodes known as The Awakening. This was one of the few shows I managed to catch at the start as opposed to jumping in mid-way with no context of what was going on. Seeing Detective Elisa Maza pull up in her sports car with a red jacket imprinted on my young mind. I thought she was the coolest. I still think she is one of the coolest characters and I’ll die on that hill.
Based on the continuation of the 90s animated TV series of the same name, writer Greig Wiseman seamlessly slips us back into our favorite version of Manhattan with Detective Elisa Maza and her partner Matt Bluestone chasing down some wannabe bad guys with the help of their friends the Gargoyles of Clan Wyvern. The gang’s all here including Brooklyn’s family that was introduced in the literal last page of the SGL Gargoyles comics. We also get to see some of the Gargoyles rogue gallery with Tony Dracon, Tomas Brod, and a very familiar face at the end of the first issue.
Manhattan never sleeps and we see that a gangster turf war brewing in the city has caused casualties.
If you’re someone who hasn't watched the TV show or read the previous comics, don’t stress about not being able to follow what's happening. The reader gets some internal monologue from Elisa that explains the basics to get you familiar with who everyone is and what's going on pretty well.
For those long time fans, well you are in for a real treat. You’ll find yourself pointing at the comic like you’re Leonardo DiCaprio noticing all the references. And yes it is so satisfying to be able to do that. Most of all, it’s so great to see this cast of characters again.
Slight spoilers ahead, but I never knew I needed this in my life but Goliath accidentally quoting Batman had me in stitches. I’m still snickering as I’m writing this. Just like the show, I always get a kick out of Goliath still being a man out of time and not all that familiar with pop culture. Thankfully Elisa’s there to help him!
And honestly BLESS the fact that there is an entire page dedicated to Goliath and Elisa who have one of cartoon’s best relationships. The details of the art showing the Gargoyle type of affection on the page really just warmed my entire being. They are just adorable and perfect and made waiting all this time worth it.
Speaking of art, honestly I love George Kambadais’ style. Sure it's not the style we’re typically used to seeing the Gargoyles in, but it works. The heavy brush strokes, textures and darker lines really make these characters pop and modernizes the characters’ looks for new and returning readers. I also can appreciate the great use of lighting effects throughout the issue. It's a more stylized aesthetic but I have to say I prefer it over the SLG comics. I wasn’t a fan of the last one especially. But hey, art is in the eye of the beholder right. 😉
The first issue of this series has already sold over 179,000 copies on the last report and I’m happy to report that a few of those sales were from me. I managed to get a retail exclusive this morning before writing this and I may still try to pick up a few more. This is not a “gotta catch em all” situation though because there are almost 80 different covers for this first issue. And there are some incredible covers. The comic also includes a cover galley which I thought was amazing. I wonder why more comics don’t do this? I’m not certain I can pick just one as my favorite. I really loved George Kambadais’ cover and Lesley Li’s. But I have to admit I jumped online and immediately ordered Greg Guler’s copy because I just have to own the show's iconic art style in comic form.
Gargoyles will always have a special place in my heart and will always be on my comic pull list. I haven’t been this excited about media in awhile and to know that Gargoyles has a new comic now despite it being an older show just makes me incredibly happy. If you loved the TV show like me and want to experience that feeling again, well friends this issue feels like another episode from that incredible world we love. And to anyone on the fence about trying this series, I hope you take a leap of faith and dive in.