I got the first crossover issue on time, again, but I didn't really get a good chance to read it until just today. I got the Skottie Young cover, because I'm a fan of silly stuff like that.

But I don't actually have that much to say. Having only really experienced the Dynamite issues, I'm surprised at just how heavy the thing is (and, flipping through, it's clear that Marvel has a lot more advertising material sprinkled through their issues than Dynamite does, at least partly explaining that). Like so many here, I haven't followed the "Fantastic Four" at all (not even the movies, to be honest) so I spent most of my time reading it just trying to get a hang of all the characters being flung at me and figuring out their place in what was going on, and it's left me with nothing really interesting to say.

That is not to say I disliked it. It's a pretty good adventure, and [SPOILER] the opening pages would fit into the ongoing "Demona" storyline quite neatly. [/SPOILER] It is just a lot to process. It's overwhelmed me. (Lack of sleep hasn't helped, if I'm honest. I have a long train ride coming up next week and I may take another stab at it then, and may even post it if the Room would excuse the tardiness, and substantial ignorance, of the review.)

One thing in particular, though: [SPOILER] From page one, this has the feel of a continuation, and major deviation, of the main storyline, and not a gimmick one-off thing. I hadn't expected that. I have never been into comics before so I don't know if this is normal for crossovers, but this definitely feels like it would belong in the main Gargoyles story line if someone had wanted to merge that into the Fantastic Four. [/SPOILER]
morrand - [morrand276 at gmail dot com]
posted @ Sat, Oct 18, 2025 6:42:03 pm EDT from 108.69.72.60

Sorry for the double post, but a couple of thoughts on things I'm hoping to see in the "Gargoyles/Darkwing Duck" crossover.

[SPOILER] 1. Darkwing, upon arriving in Manhattan and noticing its inhabitants, takes a "Here we go again" response, recalling the time he and Megavolt got trapped in a world inhabited by similar beak-less beings (and where his adventures were a television series).

2. Hudson remarks on seeing a similar large duck wearing clothes on the television - though adding that at least it's much easier to tell what Darkwing's saying. [/SPOILER]
Todd Jensen
posted @ Sat, Oct 18, 2025 9:37:05 am EDT from 68.99.93.213

One other part about the upcoming crossover with "Darkwing Duck" from the podcast that I forgot to mention, but really liked, was the part about [SPOILER] how Greg Weisman and Tad Stones wanted it to be a joint project, with each saying "I'll do it on the condition that the other one does it with me". [/SPOILER]
Todd Jensen
posted @ Fri, Oct 17, 2025 8:05:25 pm EDT from 68.99.93.213

Fantastic Four comic: [SPOILER] Although I'm just fundamentally not that interested in the premise, it was fun for what it was. Smart choices of what Marvel characters to include, and how to incorporate them in a natural way. It mostly reminded me of the series development material Greg posted on this site decades ago, specifically his email exchanges with Tad Stones where Greg was really concerned about any possible comparisons between Goliath and Marvel's Gargoyle/Isaac Christians. Funny to finally see the two meet and interact, and Isaac even being accepted into the clan. [/SPOILER]

Another very good Voices from the Eyrie. [SPOILER] I especially enjoyed Diane Duane's recorded message, and the insights she provided into the writing process. Also really enjoyed the insights Greg provided into "For Not Everything with Wings...," particularly the information on censor notes (or lack thereof) from Disney, and the verification that the original Clark Ashton Smith story is indeed public domain. [/SPOILER]
Craig
posted @ Fri, Oct 17, 2025 5:56:00 am EDT from 69.118.30.106

And the "Voices From the Eyrie" podcast on "Ill Met By Moonlight" has just been released. It's a long one, since they also discuss issues #2 and #3 of "Demona" [SPOILER] and Greg Weisman's confirmed that Blaise Reynard is Halcyon's ancestor [/SPOILER]. There's also a little talk about the upcoming Winter Special [SPOILER] set just a couple of days after the first Winter Special - a good idea since skipping a year after the events at the end of "Gargoyles Quest" would be unthinkable [/SPOILER] and the Gargoyles/Darkwing Duck crossover [SPOILER] which will have four issues; I wonder, by the way, if Goliath and Darkwing *will* have one of those "heroes misunderstand each other and get into a fight" clashes that the gargoyles and Fantastic Four managed to avoid; it does sound like the kind of thing that D. W. would do [/SPOILER].

Much about "Ill Met By Moonlight", of course. A lot of it will probably be familiar (such as the confusion about the title), though there are some new bits [SPOILER] including an anecdote by Greg Bishansky about meeting Terrence Mann [/SPOILER]. All in all, a big "welcome back".
Todd Jensen
posted @ Thu, Oct 16, 2025 10:34:48 pm EDT from 68.99.93.213

TODD> [SPOILER] I apologize in advance for the Mephisto entry. :P [/SPOILER]
Algae
'Nuff said
posted @ Thu, Oct 16, 2025 12:08:46 pm EDT from 88.87.179.191

While, as I said, the crossover did a good job of explaining the Marvel elements for relative newcomers like myself, I'd also like to thank the people at GargWiki for adding those articles on them, which filled in the background information very helpfully.
Todd Jensen
posted @ Thu, Oct 16, 2025 9:38:05 am EDT from 68.99.93.213

PHEONICIAN> [SPOILER] According the Marvel lore, the Baxter Building is about 35 stories, which strikes me as waaay below what the Eyrie should realistically be. But we can forgive the artistic licence, me thinks. ;) [/SPOILER]
Algae
'Nuff said
posted @ Thu, Oct 16, 2025 9:07:53 am EDT from 88.87.179.191

Picked up my copies at the comic shop today, and once again, for some reason they only pulled aside the main cover for me. But fortunately, the new release section of the shop still had all the covers still available for purchase. Anyways, some quick thoughts on the crossover:

[SPOILER] First things first, I've only really had the 2005, 2007, and 2025 films when it comes to my knowledge of the Fantastic Four. It's been otherwise cultural osmosis beyond that. But, as Todd pointed out, I wasn't clueless of the players on the stage.

As some might remember, seeing the preview of the 1094 flashback is what first made me excited for this issue. No one said Greg Weisman had to stick to one century, hehehe.

Loved the Brooklyn Bridge setting with the Grey Gargoyle. I too also chuckled at the Duval coincidence.

I was laughing after the "Meanwhile" transition bled into "Elsehwere". No surprise, we're treated to a cast of thousands and simultaneously a tapestry of threads. :--)

So what did Xanatos run off with? Something with wings? Oh wait, it's Dragon Man.

We enjoy another Jalapeña drop. So which "danged scientist" thought it was a good time to make Dragon Man? Not Stark, right?

I know "Blood from a Stone" is a common expression, but I couldn't help but think of the issue of the Marvel Gargoyles comic.

Caught the Moon shifting phases.

I love how Celebrity Hockey was able to get the Fantastic Four to participate in a match, but scheduling conflicts have prevented Tony Stark from doing the same.

Margot's unimpressed with all the heroes, lol.

It's a quibble when we've had so many new stories since 2022 (and now we're treated to a Greg Weisman-written crossover!), but I do wish our various talented artists who draw wonderfully would remember that Demona, Angela, and Brooklyn's wings are different from the rest of the Manhattan Clan.

Never once thought that Demona wasn't powerful, sorceress and all, but the panel where she uses the Archmage's Lightning Spell is all kinds of epic.

Knowing we have another Winter Special coming, I'm extra mindful of every pooch I see on the page . . .

Tony Stark wants a word with Reed Richards and David Xanatos. I'm curious if that'll play out in the next crossover with Dynamite.

That is a mighty big phone, Owen. Antoinette would be proud.

I do love how both panels for the Fantastic Four and the Manhattan Clan show how the growth between these universe's "first families". Status Quo is clearly not the modus operandi here.

I'm curious where in the Castle is that final shot with the Manhattan Clan. The view is the Castle itself, but that kind of glass paneling is typically shown below in the Atrium.

So the Baxter Building is about as tall as the Eyrie Building? Don't know enough about all that, but I'm kinda reminded of behind the scenes accounts of how, in Wreck-It Ralph, Nintendo, Capcom, and Sega reps kept asking the size of the villains in the Bad-Anon meeting to be bigger than the others, making the shared universe scene all the more delicate. [/SPOILER]

All in all, I had great fun with this issue: It's probably my favorite Gargoyles crossover since the radio play, "Religious Studies 101: A Handful of Thorns". And that's pretty impressive since I at least saw that performance in 2009 with a healthy knowledge of The Spectacular Spider-Man ensemble.

Antiyonder: "will be known as Caesar" implies meeting Wyvern before 971. And yes, I'd reckon Brooklyn encountered the dragon in his TimeDance well before the 10th Century. Not personally sure about after, but it's not impossible. Wyvern's completely unaccounted for from 971 to 1997.
Phoenician
Gus: "I always forget you're there." Hooty: "I forget I'm here toooooo."
posted @ Thu, Oct 16, 2025 2:40:49 am EDT from 209.53.155.39

Going to have to do my pick up next week, but looking forward to it.

Anyway, the talk about Wyvern the other day, got me thinking about Brooklyn. I recall mention he would encounter more dragons (mentioned as The Lost Race at the time) during his Timedance.

Likely having further meetings with Wyvern between 994 and 1993. Anyone half expect Wyvern prior to Dark Ages having met Brooklyn or the gargoyle who will be known as Ceasar?
Antiyonder
posted @ Thu, Oct 16, 2025 2:34:09 am EDT from 68.119.3.1

Todd> [SPOILER] Good reminder about how they skipped the obligatory "good guys just met and now they have to fight each other" bit. Trust that the Ever-Lovin' Thing would be miffed to skip out on a good tussle.

Grey Gargoyle aka Pierre Paul Duval, is a Marvel original from the Kirby/Lee days and therefore predates the "Vals" of Gargoyles. It's a happy coincidence that he works so well with the recurring bits of Gargoyles. Dragon Man is simply an android that looks like a Dragon Man (and now I've got the Trogdor theme going through my head). They're both pretty uncomplicated and mostly exist for heroes to fight, so you don't need a lot of background information to get the gist of them. [/SPOILER]
Matthew the Fedora Guy
You're Gonna Carry That Weight
posted @ Thu, Oct 16, 2025 12:29:38 am EDT from 184.23.35.150

A few thoughts on the crossover.

[SPOILER] I quite enjoyed it. It did a good job of explaining who the Marvel characters were (I had a basic knowledge of who the Fantastic Four and Tony Stark/Iron Man were, but Diablo, the Grey Gargoyle, Isaac, and Dragon-Man were all new to me; I don't think I'd heard of any of them before the crossover was announced) - with the possible exception of the friends and family members in the "Fantastic Four at home" scene at the end, and since it was just one panel, it wasn't a problem. (It reminded me of one thing I'd liked about "Young Justice"; the series had made it clear who everybody was, so that, even though I had only a very basic knowledge of DC Comics, I was able to grasp who everybody was - at least, enough to understand their roles in the episodes.)

One of my favorite moments was the Thing's disappointment that this wasn't going to be another case of "the two groups mistake each other for bad guys and get into a fight"; while it was funny in itself, it felt all the more fitting since in Greg Weisman's original "Gargoyles meet a Marvel super-hero story", the Gargoyles/Spectacular Spider-Man crossover radio play, Goliath and Spiderman do initially have that misunderstanding (leading to that wonderful moment where Spiderman's astonished to discover that Goliath: a) can talk, b) can read, and c) what he reads are J. Jonah Jameson's anti-Spiderman editorials).

I also noted that the Grey Gargoyles' original name was "Duval" - fortunately, the Manhattan clan haven't yet encountered the Illuminati leadership (well, not since their awakening - the pre-994 period was another matter); it could have led to some confusion. And Brendan and Margot show once again their tendency to wind up at Ground Zero in the gargoyles' adventures.

the gargoyle Isaac getting to join the clan at the end was a charming moment (even if it won't last, of course, outside of the other crossover issue).

It was also fun getting another glimpse of Angelika (not to mention Demona continuing to show that you do *not* mess with her daughter - either one), not to mention the confrontation between Xanatos and Tony Stark (both out of armor and in it). All in all, not one of the big "Gargoyles" stories on the level of "City of Stone" or "The Price", but an entertaining read, all the same - and I look forward to the second crossover story next month. [/SPOILER]
Todd Jensen
posted @ Wed, Oct 15, 2025 8:12:32 pm EDT from 68.99.93.213

Completely forgot the comic came out today. In any case, here's some quick thoughts on "Both Alike in Dignity."

[SPOILER] This issue is action packed and is very much written for readers who are fans of both properties. Even then there's a few I needed to look up because Greg was obviously using characters who would fit into the Gargoyles feel of this crossover rather than the big names. But obscurity aside, they honestly look like they'd work well in a proper issue of Gargoyles.

The central conflict coming from immortals and mixtures of science and magic certainly does make the crossover feel more natural. On the villain side we've got Diablo the immortal alchemist who's clashed with Demona and is now back to menace the heroes. I like that his Elixir of Life uses gargoyle blood, brings to mind the use of shed gargoyle stone skin used in the Cauldron of Life. Plus, Grey Gargoyle makes an appearance and his (temporary) lapidification powers are on full display. Makes sense that Lex and Broadway would be freaked out over Angela being turned to stone at night, they weren't exactly conscious the first time it happened. And Dragon Man was a good choice for an opponent, he's big and strong enough to to challenge multiple members of the Fantastic Four and doesn't have much agency so he's the perfect stooge to be used by villains.

On the heroes' side we have Isaac Christians Gargoyle, one character I forgot existed. Him being a near immortal figure was a good choice for inclusion, because having fought in two World Wars, seen the absolute worst of humanity and yet still tries to be a hero makes him a good counterpoint to Demona. It's a bit rushed but I do like that he's made an honorary member of the Clan.

One little detail I liked was the mention of the Yancy Street Gang appearing on Celebrity Hockey. That and the battle between Iron Man and Xanatos was less of fight between good and evil and more of two billionaires duking it out to stroke each other's ego. [/SPOILER]

That's all for now, but I'm looking forward to the next one.
Matthew the Fedora Guy
You're Gonna Carry That Weight
posted @ Wed, Oct 15, 2025 8:09:46 pm EDT from 184.23.35.150

I have! I'll probably get around to posting some thoughts when I get a chance.
Matt
"My daughter?! How dare you mock me! I have no daughter." - Demona, 1996
posted @ Wed, Oct 15, 2025 8:30:29 am EDT from 204.184.178.1

Anyone had a chance to check out the Fantastic Four/Gargoyles crossover yet?
Algae
'Nuff said
posted @ Wed, Oct 15, 2025 7:54:19 am EDT from 88.87.179.191

The questioner emailed me and asked to remove their comment from here since it is not Ask Greg and so I have.
Gorebash
posted @ Tue, Oct 14, 2025 10:03:56 pm EDT from 158.173.25.164

*sigh* Once again, this isn't "Ask Greg". There's a link to "Ask Greg" at the top of the room. (It's been a while since someone mistook the comment room from "Ask Greg".)
Todd Jensen
posted @ Tue, Oct 14, 2025 9:17:44 pm EDT from 68.99.93.213

I'll confess I did one thing today that might be "celebrating Columbus Day" in a sense; for the last few years, I like to reread on that day Don Rosa's "The Lost Charts of Columbus", a delightful sequel to Carl Barks' "The Golden Helmet" story, which does bring up the "indigenous peoples were here long before Columbus and the rest" element in it (complete with a neat little twist at the end).

I added two more of Don Rosa's stories to that this year. According to a "medieval book of days" that I'd recently purchased, today, October 13, was the anniversary of King Philip the Fair arresting the Knights Templar in France in 1307 as part of his strike against their order (October 13 fell on a Friday that year, incidentally, and it's been suggested by some that this contributed to the ominous reputation of Friday the Thirteenth), and I decided as a result to read a couple of stories Rosa had written involving Donald, Scrooge McDuck, and Donald's nephews with the Knights Templar (which, for an additional bonus, worked Columbus into them as well), "The Crown of the Crusader Kings" and "The Old Castle's Other Secret". The latter is particularly worth reading, including some very effective family drama between Scrooge and his sister Matilda.
Todd Jensen
posted @ Mon, Oct 13, 2025 9:39:09 pm EDT from 68.99.93.213

A happy Indigenous Peoples Day indeed!

The only people I see celebrating Columbus Day are doing so out of spite.
Matthew the Fedora Guy
You're Gonna Carry That Weight
posted @ Mon, Oct 13, 2025 9:26:26 pm EDT from 184.23.35.150

Fourth and happy Indigenous Peoples Day!
Karrin Blue
posted @ Mon, Oct 13, 2025 2:52:42 pm EDT from 70.188.154.198

I wonder whether Greg Weisman ever suspected, when he and Disney were talking about the gargoyles being the "Fantastic Four" to a Disney counterpart to the Marvel Universe, that some day he'd actually be writing a couple of stories (the first one due out this week) in which the gargoyles would actually meet the Fantastic Four.
Todd Jensen
posted @ Mon, Oct 13, 2025 9:03:59 am EDT from 68.99.93.213

Second??
Matt
"My daughter?! How dare you mock me! I have no daughter." - Demona, 1996
posted @ Mon, Oct 13, 2025 8:15:33 am EDT from 204.184.178.1

First?
Algae
'Nuff said
posted @ Mon, Oct 13, 2025 7:57:45 am EDT from 88.87.179.191