The holiday gifting-giving season will arrive a bit earlier for fans of Disney‘s Gargoyles, as Dynamite Comics is set to bring back the heroic adventures with a Gothic twist in a new comic series debuting in December. Co-created by Greg Weisman, the story follows the adventures of Goliath and his band of gargoyles – supernatural beings – who once lived among humans as their protectors before they were betrayed and put to sleep for a thousand years. Now awakened in modern times, they fight against those who would see them eliminate while staying true to their duties as defenders of the night.
Disney picked up the story and ran it as an animated series for three seasons from 1994 to 1997. During Gargoyles‘ original Disney run, Marvel began a comic series that was based on the animated series, but it was canceled after eleven issues. However, despite the cancelation of the cartoon and comic, the popularity of the story did not die out. As Weisman stated in Gargoyles (2006) #1, the story took on a life of its own as fans kept the Gargoyles alive through fan fiction, Gargoyles conventions, and constantly asking for him for insight into the story and characters. The outpouring of interest eventually led him to ask Disney if it would license the story to him so that he could continue developing it. Disney agreed and in 2006, Weisman worked with Slave Labor Graphics to produce a new Gargoyles comic series. However, as Weisman later stated, increasing licensing fees from Disney created an untenable position, and the comic ended after twelve issues.
Sixteen years later, the time seems to be right for the Gargoyles to once again awaken from their slumber. In a post earlier this week to his Twitter account, cover artist David Nakayama announced that he was commissioned to do a cover for a new Gargoyles series from Disney and Dynamite Comics under the direction of Weisman. In confirmation of the news, Weisman retweeted Nakayama’s post. The new series, which will be written by Weisman with illustration and lettering between the covers by George Kambadais and Jeff Eckleberry, will bring back the series’ original characters, but will also introduce some new characters as a basis for new fans to enjoy the story without the need to first know its history.
For Weisman, who admits that ever since the show’s debut in 1994, he has never stopped thinking about the story including plot points, timelines, and character development; to have another chance to tell the Gargoyles’ story is like another dream coming true. As Weisman said about the comic series’ return:
I literally can’t articulate how thrilled I am to be writing Gargoyles stories again, both for returning fans and newcomers. It’s just a joy to be exploring a world populated by Goliath, the entire Manhattan Clan, all their friends, and every single one of their enemies. I’ve been wanting to get back to these characters for some time now and having this opportunity rocks! (Pun intended).
Weisman and Nakayama are not the only ones excited about the series return. Kambadais who happens to be a long-time Gargoyles fan is ecstatic to be working on the project. As he explained:
I still remember waking up all excited, flustered even, every Saturday and Sunday morning to catch the next episodes. I just loved them. Goliath was the coolest dude and the rest of the clan were SO… MUCH… FUN.
The legions of the franchise’s fans are even more excited about the return of a Gargoyles comic book series. For all their hard work and effort to keep the story relevant, Dynamite Comics aims to reward their wishes. As Nate Crosby, the editor of the comic said, “Maintaining Greg’s vision of this world is a responsibility and an honor that I take seriously. New readers and longtime fans are going to be absolutely thrilled.” With so many people passionate about the franchise working on the new Dynamite Comics series, fans of the original Disney animated series are likely to love what this Gargoyles comic has to offer.
Gargoyles #1 will be available on December 7, 2022, from Dynamite Comics.
Sources: Dynamite Entertainment
