kaji writes...

For me gargoyes was the biggest thing ever created; but i'm a bit disapointed that the series didn't move on. in addition, season 2 vol. 2 is not of dvd. So i ask you, when is the season 2vol 2 is coming on dvd?

Todd Jensen writes...

I'd also like to give you my condolences over the recent passing of your dog Abraham.

Todd Jensen writes...

Since your birthday's on September 28, I thought I'd share with you a piece of trivia I recently discovered.

I've been collecting Fantagraphics Books' reprints of "Peanuts", and discovered that on September 28, 1962, the "Peanuts" strip for the day was Snoopy pretending to be a gargoyle (the regular architectural variety, of course). In fact, it was one of three such strips (the other two were on September 27 and September 29 respectively). I thought you might like to know that. (If you'd like to see the strips, they're in "The Complete Peanuts 1961-62", on page 273.)

Todd Jensen writes...

I bought my copy of "Bad Guys" #1 today. The two parts that excited me the most were Robyn Canmore calling Dingo "Harry Monmouth", which makes that name canon rather than canon-in-training at last (and also officially brings Shakespeare's history plays as well as his tragedies and comedies into the Gargoyles Universe - well, Oberon did quote from "Henry V" in "Ill Met By Moonlight"), and referring to Yama as a tengu. (I'd suspected for many years that the Ishimura gargoyles tied in nicely with the tengus of Japanese legend, and was glad to see that confirmed.)

I recognized the opening pages as based on the leika reel that I saw at the Gathering 2001. I'm looking forward to seeing more of that mission in future issues.

The Tazmanian Tiger has to be the corniest villain yet in the Gargoyles Universe, but in a good way. I hope that we find out in a later story where his thylacines came from. Has the report of their extinction in the Gargoyles Universe been an exaggeration, or is there something else involved? I was also amused by the Superman parody accompanying Dingo's entrance.

I liked Matrix's characterization as well (including even the style of his lettering) - you captured his attempts to understand the world about him and the pursuit of law and order effectively (especially his bewilderment over Dingo's lack of enthusiasm over Matrix linking to him, literally - and his being the one to accept Robyn's offer).

Was the rock where Dingo and Matrix met Shaman (and where Robyn showed up afterwards) intended to be Ayers Rock/Uluru?

I'm looking forward now to #2 (as well as to Gargoyles #7). Great first issue of the spin-off.

Chip writes...

What are the song(s?) that were "playing" in the background of Bad Guys #1? I didn't recognize the lyrics.

Chip writes...

I had some trouble getting Bad Guys #1. My usual store had issues with their supplier and didn't get their copies of Bad Guys (And 22 other comics!) I went to another store (which wasn't in the nicest neighborhood if you know what I mean...I risked my life for Gargoyles) and picked up the only 2 issues they had. My usual store always orders a ton at my request and saves me 2 (Which they still will, I'm gonna have some extra copies when they finally get it) So I was actually surprised by how few the other store had. (I'm going 2 start subscribing from them too)

And here they are now, Dingo, Matrix, and Robyn of the Redemtion Squad.

Nice cliff-hanger of an opening sequence. I can't wait to find out how (and if) our favorite team of villians-gone-good survive.

Meanwhile two months earlier we meet the best villian ever! The Tasmanian Tiger made me laugh. Not just because I am fond of Tasmanian Tigers (Which I am, Cryptozoology is a hobby of so extinct animals that might not be extinct please me) But because he was so cheesy and yet cool at the same time. It reminded me of another comic that I read. I find myself fascinated by this guy.

Will we see him again? What's his story? Where'd he get the Tazzi Tigers? I found myself thinking he'd make a good mutate (with TT DNA of course) I hope to see more of him soon, and I hope he gets fleshed out. I love this guy.(I was also pleased by Dingo's treatment of the possible last members of their speices)

On to Robyn and Dingo. Dingo and Matrix made me laugh...I wonder what Matrix was thinking about Dingo being on the run. Robyn's good, more than equal to Dingo in a fight, and it pleases me that the Hunters who've been against the gargoyle kind for so long are now their allys (in the form of Jason and Robyn...Jon of course is a Quarryman now)

And they're off to Tokyo. To hunt a Tengu. Dingo's question made me laugh. I can see it now. "WHAT! Sheila why didn't you say we were hunting a gargoyle!?!" Robyn's smile says it all. She knows what a Tengu is (Which says to me that Hunters have hunted in Japan before)

I can't wait for more Gargoyles: Bad Guys, and more Gargoyles.

Greg Bishansky writes...

*** Big Bad Spoilers ***

Picked up "Gargoyles: Bad Guys" #1 today. The first issue was a lot of fun. Has a definite 'First Act' feel to it, which is fine, that's what it is.

There are two stories going on here, one about how the team is formed, and another which takes place two months later. The latter seems to obviously be the story from the "Bad Guys" leica reel, which is cool. I look forward to finding out, after all these years, what their mission there is.

But, let's talk about the real meat of the story. We open in Sydney, Australia where we meet, ::snickers:: The Tazmanian Tiger. A one-shot villain, if I ever saw one. If he were a Spider-Man villain, he'd be in the Legion of Losers. Which is fine, not every villain can be, or should be, Xanatos, Demona or Thailog. Knowing Greg, he'll probably use this guy again eventually down the road, however, he'll need a major upgrade to be at all credible. Bit of an anecdote, when I first saw this guy, I laughed so hard, I think the other patrons as the sushi place thought I was having a seizure.

Dingo and Matrix show up and do their thing. Australia's premere superhero. Loved, respected. I liked the brief Superman homage. Also, nice creepy forboding about how Matrix inserts itself into Dingo's spine. Looking forward to seeing where that's going.

Enter Hunter, probably my favorite character in the book. For those not in the know, she's a mysterious, badass chick with a gun and a cool mask. I look forward to seeing things from her perspective soon. Right now, we're seeing things from Dingo's point of view, and he obviously does not like her... yet. But, given the solicitation for #3, I think we'll be getting that.

What did surprise me is that it was Matrix, and not Dingo who accepted Hunter's offer. Matrix wasn't even really under threat, and I have my doubts that it was on Hunter's recruitment list.

Now, they're heading to Tokyo to hunt a Tengu. I can't wait to read it.

Artwise, this looked good. I think the book works well in black and white? Would I prefer color? Yeah, who wouldn't. But I don't care. The inking and toning looks good. I'll admit, I'd love to see some of those newer characters in color, but it's fine.

The cover. I'm still not quite sold. It looks good, and the Wanted posters as covers idea is fun, but, and especially for a first issue, I think something a little more dynamic and eye-catching would have been better. A group shot of the team. Or, perhaps, another of the characters. Hunter, maybe Dingo. Matrix doesn't really have a design that jumps out at you.

Still, a very fun book and I look forward to seeing where this goes. The "Gargoyles" Universe is expanding, and it's much bigger and richer than just Goliath and his clan in Manhattan. I want to see more, much more.

*** Big Bad Spoilers ***

Matthew writes...

I have a W.I.T.C.H. question. I want to know why you chose Sand-pit and Gargoyle to throw in with Raythor and the Guardians. I think it is interesting that you chose the least human of the knights to side with the good guys.

Alexander writes...

Hi Greg,
is there any possibility that the Gargoyles Comics could be saled in Europe, let's say amazon.co.uk for example? Shipping to Europe every time is very expensive, takes very long and is a bit unreliable. The expensive Euro should make it very profitable to sell in Europe, even if it would cost 4€ it would be cheaper (and faster) for me to buy it somewhere in Europe.
Keep on the great work.