Gargoyles: Clan Building Volume 1 by Greg Weisman
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Book Reviews of Gargoyles: Clan Building Volume 1
Book Review: Long way to an anser
Summary: 5 Stars
The adventure continued.
All over the world people waiting over 10 years for this.
And Disney will never understand which possibilities are in "Gargolyes"
Book Review: Gargoyles Sleep No More
Summary: 4 Stars
The cancellation of Disney's groundbreaking "Gargoyles" TV show twelve years ago (thirteen for those who disowned "The Goliath Chronicles") still causes pangs of grief in the hearts of fans who have not forgotten just how special of a program it was. Luckily, it was this devotion - along with the enduring enthusiasm of the series' creator, Greg Weisman - that kept the franchise alive long enough for the formation of the comic books to come about. Produced (largely) independently from Disney by Slave Labor Graphics, the collected issues #1 through #6 in this compilation continue the storyline following the show's second season, as told by Weisman.
Issue #1 reiterates the events of the end of the show's second season before initiating the "Quarrymen" storyline, which carries over to issue #2. Issues #3 through #5 focus on the schemes of the Illuminati and the return of Thailog. Issue #6 is told largely as a flashback and ends the book in an open-ended manner with a revelation and the resurfacing of an old foe. Recurring throughout the comics is the development of Goliath's and Elisa's relationship (enthusiasts rejoice!) and how New York is receiving the now-not-so-secret Gargoyles.
The show was notable for featuring its storyline over straight-forwardaction, and this approach carries over to the comics: though there is a handful of exhilarating fight/chase scenes spread throughout the issues, you will not be able to understand that complex plot simply by looking at the pictures. The storytelling is smarter than ever - even intricate at times - and shows no sign of recycling old clichés in favor of the continual evolution of the characters. The cast is consistent: the Manhattan Clan, Elisa, Xanatos and Fox, Matt Bluestone, Martin Hacker, the Mutates, Thailog and the clones, Coldstone, and the rest of the cast (with the exception of Demona - only mentioned briefly) have not undergone any changes compromise their on-screen selves (some reviewers contradict me, but I stand firm that any significant change is solely in the eye of the beholder).
The art is good...four out of six times. The issues are illustrated by four different artists: David Hedgecock (iss. #1-3), Nir Paniry (iss. #4), Karine Charlebois (iss. #5), and Gordon Purcell (iss. #6). While none of the artists are bad and this is entirely my own opinion, there are those illustrators whose art style matches the content more than others - namely, that of Hedgecock and Charlebois, who exercise familiar and likeable styles well-toned to what we remember from the series. Paniry draws heavy outlines and relies on shadows more than any other artist; while this looks great in the issue's fight scene, it looks too grave and weighty for the more lighthearted scenes and causes some untrue-looking close-ups. Purcell has a sketchy, somewhat unrefined style that, combined with the color scheme, looks as though he drew with colored chalk instead of ink.
Another detraction is the unbalanced "page time" that the characters get to express their personalities. For example, about 70% of the illustration is given over to Goliath, Elisa, and non-Gargoyle characters, while only about forty or so of the (roughly) 150 pages feature other members of the Manhattan Clan, in half of which they contribute nothing to the situation. While some of these appearances are in genuinely good and memorable scenes, it seems almost unfair how far in the background other characters have to appear.
For what it's worth, though, the issues are full of little things on the behalf of the characters that make it worth reading, even if you don't take to the story - things that are insignificant to the bigger plot but nonetheless meaningful to fans who have missed seeing their favorite characters for so long: Broadway's first documented kiss with Angela, the tender interaction between Alex Xanatos and Lexington and Bronx, and Brooklyn's skintight "Super-Goyle" entrance (so funny and sexy at the same time...) are all sure to tickle the needs of those of us who have spent the time between the show's cancellation and the comic's publication wondering how our old friends were spending their time.
Simply put, if allowed to exist for the indefinite future, I have no doubt that "Gargoyles" will grow as strong in the comic world as it did on Saturday morning TV. It exists because of the fans, and does not aim to disappoint its base. Like the Gargoyles themselves, the series has adapted effectively to a new environment and are well on the way to making it their own. Fans, get it. Now.
Book Review: Edgy and Sharply Plotted
Summary: 4 Stars
It's been more than 10 years since the animated series Gargoyles debuted. Though there are no new episodes being made to air, the characters survive in the form of comic books written by series creator Greg Weisman.
While officially aimed at children, both Gargoyles the animated series and Gargoyles the comic book have older fans. That's because it's a very mature series. It's edgy and sharply plotted, with references to Shakespeare and history, and threaded together with a theme of overcoming intolerance. There's definitely a loyal fanbase who, disappointed that the show is no more, will flock to read the comics.
The one real drawback is that the comics will mainly go for people who are already fans. Since it plunges right into the action, it could be confusing for people who haven't watched the cartoon. It moves right along with the story, a minus for people new to Gargoyles, but a plus for fans who have been following it and want to jump in feet first. There really is an entire Gargoyles universe that can't be briefly explained, but can be experienced by watching the animated series.
The gargoyles themselves are creatures from Medieval Scotland who have been supplanted into modern-day Manhattan. During the day they turn to stone, but at night they come to life. More than a thousand years ago, they were nearly killed off by the Vikings and were placed under a curse that caused them to sleep until their castle home was raised above the clouds. In modern times, an exceptionally rich man named Xanatos had the castle placed on top of a New York City skyscraper and thereby broke the curse. But whether or not Xanatos is trustworthy is an entirely different story, and even in our times, the gargoyles face human fear and intolerance. The irony is that, while the gargoyles may look scary, it's the humans who time and again do the real harm.
Initially, the gargoyles hid away from people. They only met a few, like Xanatos and NYPD detective Elisa Maza. Elisa is one of the few humans they know they can trust, and she is soon more or less an honorary gargoyle. The comic opens after people have begun to learn about the existence of gargoyles and are absolutely terrified of them. A group forms to kill the gargoyles off, and the head coverings they wear look suspiciously like that of the Klan. From here, many characters out of the animated series come in--Macbeth, Fox, Matt Bluestone, Talon, Thailog, Robbins, to name a few--and populate the pages. Things move quickly, with lots of action, and the most emotional parts are where Elisa and Goliath struggle with their feelings for each other. The love between a human and a gargoyle could be a really cheesy thing to throw into the storyline, but they make it work here.
While Gargoyles might not be recommendable to everyone out there, it's great to have it not have ended with the animated series. It's an intriguing enough story to have fans the whole world over, and those fans can now read about their favorite characters in comic book form.
-- Danica Davidson
Book Review: Gargoyles Live Again
Summary: 4 Stars
Betrayed by the Network Executives they were sworn to protect Disney's Gargoyles were cast into a stone sleep, trapped for ten years in Toon Disney re-runs. But now, in the new millennium the spell is broken... and they live again! A must own for all Gargoyles fans. Gargoyles fans need to get this book, get their friends into the series, and get them to buy their own copies of the book and DVD. That's how the fans of Firefly were able to make Serenity feasible.
This is a great book and a must have for all Gargoyles fans. The one thing that prevents me from giving it a perfect score is the uneven art. The first 3 chapters were done by the same visual arts team while the last 3 are down by 3 separate teams each with their own stylistic twist on the characters. The art is by no means bad, each artistic team brings something unique to the individual chapters (issues) but as these chapters are nit into a linear story, one chapter flowing into the next, all written by series creator Greg Weisman the style change disrupts that continuity. My hope would be as the series continues a particular style will be found for issues dealing with the main story of the arc while stand alone episodes such as those in the original series (Long Way to Morning, The Mirror, Deadly Force) Might be handled by guest creator teams.
However this is not a deal breaker. Many comics, even ones with only one artist develop their styles over time through experimentation and growth. So again a must own for all Gargoyles fans.
Book Review: Gargoyles are still awesome
Summary: 4 Stars
I was really excited to find out that the creator of Gargoyles was continuing his story in comic form. I used to watch the show when I was 13 and loved it. This comic is just as cool, Weisman makes the transition from T.V. show to comic form really well. He packs in story without skinting on dialogue. This is a way better continuation of a television show than what Joss Whedon has attempted with Buffy. Maybe that is because animation lends itself to comics better.
I really enjoyed it. I would advise watching the show before reading it (you can buy the DVDs on amazon, they are awesome)but the comic does contain some brief flash backs to bring someone who hasn't seen the show up to date.