Gargoyles: Clan Building Volume 1 (Gargoyles)

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Type: Book
Studio: SLG Publishing
The hit comic book series gets collected in trade paperback form just in time for the holidays. Gathering together the stories from issues #1-6, Gargoyles: Clan Building Volume One promises to be one of the best selling trade paperback SLG puts out this year. The series is still seen on the various Disney channels and the fan base remains as passionate about this book as it was during its initial run in syndication. Written by Greg Weisman, who created and produced the animated series and who is now producing the SPIDER-MAN The Animated Series for Sony, the stories presented in the comic book series represent the first additoins to the Gargoyles canon since the series ended almost 10 years ago. Presented in full color, this is going to be a must buy for all Gargoyles fans.

Defenders of the Night
Amongst the classics of 90s animation, Gargoyles stands heads above the rest as one of the pioneers of dramatic animation. It is as if Disney almost pre-empted the explosion of anime shows on our screens, by breaking the mould with this superb example of American storytelling. A simple premise of a clan of gargoyles awakening after a 1000 years stone sleep into a modern Manhattan, quickly accelerates into a rich tapestry of magic, intrigue and drama. The prominent influence of classical writers, such as Shakespeare, can easily be seen through the characterization of the characters and various levels of storytelling. Yet despite its strengths, Gargoyles suffered a premature end; after setting up many threads in the tapestry during season 2, Gargoyles was cancelled. A mediocre 3rd season, the Goliath Chronicles (TGC), was aired; due to the original writing staff having minimal involvement this was a lackluster continuation with all previous continuity being almost forgotten - these episodes are largely seen as apocryphal by fans.

Someone should have told Disney, that good storytelling doesn't stay hidden for long. To the joy of thousands of committed fans, Slave Labor Graphics announced a long awaited continuation of the show in comic form written by original series co-creator Greg Weisman.

The first twelve issues of the comics comprise the Clan Building arc and pick up where Hunter's Moon part 3 (end of season 2) left off; Greg Weisman wisely chose to ignore the disastrous 3rd season, Goliath Chronicles (TGC). This TPB is the first of two collections, bringing together the first six issues in the arc. Volume two is estimated for release around January 2009. Within this collection are the following titles;

1. Nightwatch
2. The Journey
3. Invitation Only
4. Masque
5. Bash
6. Reunion

Synopsis
#1 Nightwatch & #2 The Journey comprise the first story arc and deal largely with the immediate aftermath of the revelation of the gargoyles existence to the world.
New York is reeling from the revelation that these nocturnal gargoyle creatures are no longer myth or urban legend, but in fact real living creatures; previously the gargoyles have long stayed hidden from local inhabitants and the media (though not without close calls - often with precarious results) but are now thrown into the limelight as New Yorkers try to make sense of their new neighbors. And from the ashes of the feud with the gargoyle Hunters grows a new threat - the Quarrymen headed by ex-hunter John Castaway.
#3 Invitation only, #4 Masque & #5 Bash make up the next story arc. It's Halloween and Manhattan is reveling in the occasion; ironically the most popular Halloween costumes are gargoyles. So whilst Manhattan plays at dressing up as our favourite defenders of the night, the real gargoyles attend to their own bash. Billionaire David Xanatos is holding a masquerade ball atop the Eyrie Building; but old enemies always have a habit of crashing the party. Trick or Treat!

#6 Reunion is a stand alone issue, which fills in between the aftermath of the events of last arc and sets up events for the next arc.
On the whole this collection picks up many threads from the original season, whilst setting up many interesting ones for future issues. So far the Clan-Building arc has been a vast improvement over the mediocre third season Goliath Chronicles. Greg Weisman has managed to masterfully capture the original tone and drama of the series. This collection sets up events brilliantly making the wait for volume 2 all the more harder.
Artwork
Though the pencils change from issue to issue, (#1-3 are done by David Hedgecock, #4 by Nir Paniry, #5 by Karine Charlebois & #6 by Gordon Purcell) each artist brings a unique take on the characters; however the change in artists can be slightly jarring to the flow of the story. On the whole the best artwork is in #5 with fan favorite Charlebois (who currently pencils spin-off series Bad Guys)
All this, plus an introduction by long-time fan, ElfQuest's own Wendy Pini!

If you remember the show, I highly recommend you pick up this comic.

For everyone who is not familiar with this show I suggest you check out Gargoyles - The Complete First Season (Special 10th Anniversary Edition) and Gargoyles - Season Two, Vol. 1.

Keep your eyes peeled for Clan Building Vol. 2 - In #7-9 The gargoyles and Macbeth join forces with King Arthur to protect the Stone of Destiny, and in #10 The Gate: forlorn Brooklyn is whisked away on a timeless journey that'll change his life forever.

Gargoyles - the story continues
While rewatching episodes of the TV series with a friend (and thus checking online for news on any more episodes coming out on DVD), I found out that Greg was writing a comic series, and there were already several issues out. Needless to say, I was overjoyed.

I find trade backs more manageable long-term over individual comics, and easier to display on a bookshelf. This book is made well, containing issues 1-6, and includes the cover art from each issue... which is wonderful, since Greg Guler (the animated series' character designer) produced them. The writing is superb, picking up at "The Journey" (pretty much retelling it) and continuing as Greg envisioned. The artwork of each issue was really good... I had problems with issue 4, but only because that artist's style was notable different from the others, so the change between issues 3 to 4, and 4 to 5 was a bit jarring. Even so, each artist is of good talent.

I've already started recommending this series to others, and I'm looking forward to more. I believe the next set of 6 issues will be put into a second trade back. Can't wait.

Gargoyles are still awesome
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.

Gargoyles Live Again
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.

Needs Work
As far as the tangible product itself goes, the book is durable and well constructed. The text is easy to read, colors vibrant, and printed on high quality paper. Each chapter is drawn by a different comic book artist, ranging from very detailed artwork (Goliath having actual muscle tone, visible tendons, veins bulging, etc.) to very "I shouldn't have chintz'd out on studying correct anatomy" bad.

Now for the content of the product:

For those of you looking for a continuation of the animated series you watched as a kid, you're in luck. The comic book series takes place after the final canon episode titled "Harvest Moon" (I THINK), and is a bit more "mature", in that a few swear words were thrown around (Angela saying "bastard" for instance) and when characters are wounded in combat, there is a good amount of blood rather than some mediocre, G-rated cross-hatching sketched onto the point of impact (a big plus for me!). The Illuminati's looming presence is beginning to become more pronounced as well. Another plus!

As for the story and characters, I almost stopped reading halfway into the book. I realize Gargoyles was originally created for a younger audience, and therefore shouldn't expect a higher tier plot or more realistic character interaction (like Kentaro Miura's "Berserk," for example), but much of the conflict in the story, particularly the love triangle between Goliath, Jason Canmore, and Elisa feels contrived (though not as bad as it was in the animated series). I won't elaborate on other circumstances to prevent myself from inadvertently spoiling plot details, but I'm sure you'll agree with me upon reading. At times, I found myself saying, "Oh, come ON!" because their reactions and pure ANGSTING was so absurd (I wish Weisman would write out Thailog, I really do.)
I'm not too happy with Angela and Broadway's sudden (and unnecessary) romance either. I get the feeling Weisman just tossed that in there to make the Clan more romantically symmetrical (and use this as a bridge for another possible spin-off), especially when Broadway's character changed from more of a lovable oaf, to a more literate and refined version of his character (this all seems REALLY forced to me). It all feels so...awkward. I don't mean to sound so critical, but did Weisman jack these ideas from a 16-year old fan girl? This is getting into borderline "fanfiction" territory! Every other character seems to have a significant other now! With as much air time Elisa and Goliath's plight receives, they're really the only romantic couple Gargoyles needs, if any. Bad, bad writing.


Despite all of the negative aspects I found with this publication, I will probably continue purchasing the volumes and remain optimistic for improvement. I loved watching Gargoyles as a kid!