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!
It is 1997. The Manhattan Clan has remembered their calling…being heroes to the helpless on the streets of New York. At the same time, the Gargoyles desperately search for clues to the whereabouts of their missing Gargoyle egg. And they must hurry, for an ancient, all-powerful evil has awoken, with a score to settle…
Gargoyles Vol. 2 #1 continues the previous series while serving as an entry point for new readers.
Written by Greg Weisman, Gargoyles Vol. 2 #1 kicks off a new volume but does so in a way that’s heavily focused on new readers. If you’ve never read a previous comic or don’t know the animated series, the debut issue runs you through everything you need to know. It’s done so in a way that it skews almost too heavily towards new readers and might lose the long time fans.
The issue introduces us to the concept of the Gargoyles and their big picture battle, regaining an egg that was stolen from them. Their relationship with the people of New York City is explored, doing a fine job of laying out everything readers need to know. All of this is done around some tense action as the Gargoyles fly into action to save individuals who might plummet to their doom.
All of it is ok, but it’s a little odd so many important people are stuck in the same situation. Still, Weisman uses it to introduce us to key players who have, or will, play a role in the series as it progresses. It’s written clearly for those that are new and the way it’s introduced, for younger readers who might overlook the coincidence.
The art by Gerardo Gambone is good. With color by Robby Bevard and lettering by Jeff Eckleberry the comic continues the style of the animated series and brought over to the comics. The action has a nice flow to it and the characters all look solid. Overall, it’s nice art with some solid panels and pages. But, overall, it doesn’t do anything that breaks from the style the property is accustomed to.
Gargoyles Vol. 2 #1 is a fine start that is a good introduction to the characters and world. It helps build what’s to come but might focus a bit too much on catching readers up. New readers won’t have an issue but those who have been reading the previous volume might find it doesn’t have enough to excite them.
Story: Greg Weisman Art: Gerardo Gambone
Color: Robby Bevard Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read
Dynamite provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
