Render Unto Caesar
"Render Unto Caesar" is the fifth issue of the Gargoyles comic by Dynamite Entertainment, and Chapter Five of the Here in Manhattan story arc. It was released April 26th, 2023. [1]
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Contents
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Solicitation
Goliath - prisoner! Hudson is forced to stand down as Goliath is captured and taken away. Determined to rescue Goliath, Brooklyn takes command of the Clan. Meanwhile, Dino Dracon's plans proceed apace...
The Story
Hudson, examining the situation before him, muses on how he surrendered to his name relatively recently and now the name seems to own, limit, and define him. He, like the river flowing beside "Castle Manhattan" is incapable of stopping what is transpiring. Hudson watches as shackles and a collar device placed on the unconscious Goliath. It pains him to watch the "son of his heart" bound and captive. This won't do, Hudson thinks. His sadness and shock turns to determination and he prepares himself to attack Goliath's captors and free his leader. And then a voice urges him (by name) to wait. Hudson turns to see a human in tactical gear and demands to know how this man knows his name. Removing his goggles, helmet, and cowl, the man reveals himself to be Matt Bluestone! Hudson, happy to see a friend, asks if Bluestone is dressed as Goliath's captors in order to help in the rescue. Matt tells Hudson that he doesn't understand. He's not in disguise and the captors are not the villains, they are the NYPD's Gargoyle Taskforce. Hudson points out that Bluestone is the head of the Taskforce and the man confirms that he still is. He hasn't betrayed Goliath or the Manhattan Clan, but his crew was determined to go after a gargoyle one way or another and Matt knew he'd be of more aid if he remained as the boss. He promises Hudson that he will do everything possible to keep Goliath safe. Hudson turns away and again prepares to attack, but Bluestone stops him again. He would only be attacking cops: Elisa and Matt's clan! Moreover, the Taskforce is well equipped and would likely capture the elder gargoyle as well. Hudson, frustrated, asks for Bluestone's guidance and the detective only begs for the gargoyle's trust. In the end, Hudson can only watch idly as his son is taken away by helicopter and rely on Bluestone "to know the ways of his world." He must return to the Castle.
At the Eyrie Building, Lexington sits at the Library's computer and is talking to Amp online. Lex, using the handle "Tinman" types to Amp that he knows he has to go soon. Amp is in no hurry, but Lex points out that the sun will be rising in London soon. Amp suggests that they continue chatting until he turns to stone at his keyboard. His clan won't know or care anyway since they will all be sleeping as well! Lex approves. Meanwhile, Broadway and Angela are wondering what Coldfire thinks of their idea. Coldfire is honored that she has been asked to perform their Commitment Ceremony and thinks it is wonderful that they both feel ready for this important step. The young couple agree that they do both feel ready. Coldfire asks if they have considered who their Seconds would be for the ceremony. Angela quickly suggests Elisa and then adds that she would include Katana as well if she is willing. Broadway supposes that Lexington would do it. He's less sure about Brooklyn. His brother is pretty busy these days, after all. Outside on the Castle's parapets, Brooklyn has just finished a history lesson with Gnash. The young gargoyle feels like it was a lot of wasted time, but Brooklyn assures him that he knows from experience that learning history is important. Suddenly, Hudson arrives before the father and son and announces that Goliath has been taken!
In a cell at Rikers Island, Goliath regains consciousness. Tony Dracon and Tomas Brod are imprisoned in the cell across from the gargoyle and are quick to tell Goliath where he is and laugh at his misfortune. Goliath's collar suddenly activates and a painful electric shock runs through Goliath as he screams in agony. A guard stands nearby with the collar's remote control and informs the gargoyle that all outbursts will be dealt with severely. Elisa arrives and begs the guard to stop since Goliath isn't resisting. The guard reluctantly agrees, but points out that this isn't the detective's territory. It will be now, Brod points out. "Yeah," adds Dracon, "That Beauty's sweet on that Beast." Goliath says nothing as he recovers in his cell from the electric shock. Elisa, despondent, waits with the gargoyle until dawn comes and he turns to stone.
At the Sanchez Home, Huracán Sanchez demands the truth from his daughter Esperanza. He needs to know where his other daughter Rosaria Sanchez has gone. Esperanza promised not to tell, but, concerned for her sister's safety, finally admits that Rosaria went out to meet Peter. Huracán is furious. He ordered Rosaria to never see Choi Yingpei's nephew ever again! Meanwhile, at the Choi Store, Yingpei is similarly grilling her associate Jimmy Tan on the whereabouts of Peter. Jimmy sheepishly informs Yingpei that "Pete's still seeing that Sanchez chick. I'd lay odds he's with her." Yingpei is incensed. She warned Peter and he wouldn't dare defy her.
Later that day at her loft, Elisa watches the TV with her partner, Matt Bluestone. John Castaway in being interviewed and is expressing his approval and relief that the Gargoyles Taskforce has finally done something to protect the city from the gargoyles. Elisa angrily shuts the TV off. She accuses Bluestone of betraying Goliath. Matt argues that that isn't what happened. He couldn't stop this, he explains. Some "mysterious benefactor" donated more money, equipment, and resources than the Mayor and the Chief had ever seen or imagined." This was inevitable and he explains that he did try to warn Elisa, but she was off on her own without him. She stammers that she was talking to a C.I. about the Dino Dracon situation. Bluestone brushes her excuse aside. The point is that he was unable to reach her. At least he was able to warn off Hudson or there would be two gargoyles in custody.
At the New York City Criminal Courthouse, a man reads the latest issue of the Daily Tattler which triumphantly celebrates the capture of a gargoyle (and being proven right about their existence). "All rise!" announces a bailiff. Court is now in session and Judge Ian Roebling is presiding. Roebling is baffled about the case before him. The man reading the Tattler, Tobe Crest, announces that he is representing the plaintiff, Goliath. The gargoyle is being held without charges and Crest wants to know what he is accused of beyond simply existing. His client has rights, after all. "That is preposterous!" interjects Margot Yale, who will be representing the people. By definition, she insists a gargoyle cannot have human rights. Crest counters by asking why Goliath is being held in a human prison. Yale condescendingly points out that "It" is at Rikers because the Bronx Zoo didn't have a cage to hold it. Crest insists that Goliath isn't an animal. He can form thoughts and speak. Roebling admits that is true, then, catching himself, asks if that is true. Yale brushes it off. Whether the gargoyle can speak or not isn't important and, like parrots that speak, are not granted legal standing. "Parrots don't read Shakespeare and Dostoyevsky!" Crest points out, slamming his fist on the table. Roebling urges him to call down. He will consider the motion.
At Castle Wyvern, the Manhattan Clan awakes and convenes just after sunset. Hudson asks Brooklyn, in his role as Second-in-Command, what they should do. Brooklyn doesn't hesitate. They will rescue Goliath immediately. Elisa reluctantly warns that that isn't such a good idea. Security at Rikers has only increased since Brod attacked the facility the previous year. Brooklyn doesn't care. He has one absolute rule: "No gargoyle left behind. Period." Angela, Broadway, and Lexington strongly agree and voice their support and willingness to join in the rescue. Brooklyn is grateful but wants a precision attack with as few targets as necessary. Only Brooklyn, Coldstone, and Coldfire will be going. Brooklyn also notes that the whole clan is in danger and he doesn't trust Xanatos to protect them. So everyone else needs to stay behind to protect the Castle and each other. Brooklyn's rookery brothers quietly comply. Hudson admits to himself that Brooklyn's plan has "strategic merits", but he wonders if Brooklyn will regret leaving his brothers at the Castle.
Huracán Sanchez examines a picture of his gagged daughter with Peter Choy holding the day's Daily Tattler. The picture is labeled "Insurance". Huracán states that this won't stop him from going after Yingpei's people. When asked about Jack Dane's pact to unite all the Families against Dino Dracon, Huracán brushes the alliance aside. "Choi is going down!" At the same time, Choi Yingpei has received a similar photograph only Peter and Rosaria's roles are reversed. She too is determined to continue moving against Sanchez's operation and does not care about the pact against Dracon. "Sanchez is going down!"
Brooklyn, Coldfire, and Coldstone are en route to Rikers Island. Brooklyn orders that they should avoid hurting humans and there should be absolutely no killing. Coldfire quickly agrees and Coldstone does as well... reluctantly. Using her infrared vision, Coldfire locates Goliath inside the building. He is manacled and chained. "Not for long," Brooklyn quips before firing his blaster rifle at the prison wall. A huge explosion results in a way in and Brooklyn orders Coldfire to follow him while Coldstone maintains their escape path. Coldstone complies but notes that it'll be difficult to do so without hurting any humans. Two helicopters approach and order him to land or they will fire on him. Coldstone ignores this and the helicopters begin firing as Coldstone dodges. Inside, Brooklyn announces to a surprised Goliath that they have arrived to free him. The guard has other ideas and activates Goliath's collar. As the gargoyle grunts in pain, Brooklyn orders the guard to stop. When the guard continues, Brooklyn uses his pistol to shoot the control out of the guard's hand! The guard reaches for his baton, but Brooklyn advises him to stop. After all, he quips, he only has one eye and his depth perception is not very good. The next blast could hit the guard instead. Outside, Coldstone uses his cybernetic implants to analyze his opponents and get a full technical schematic of the helicopters. Using his forearm blaster, he disables the aircraft in such a way that they can still make a controlled landing and walk away unscathed. Inside, the guard agrees to surrender and Brooklyn accepts. Coldfire comforts her brother and tells him it'll only take a moment to remove his chains. Nearby, Dracon and Brod watch the rescue and point out that gargoyles may play as heroes, but they will apparently break the law when it suits them. Goliath quietly addresses his Second and sister and orders them to depart. they need to leave him at Rikers.
At that moment, far away, Hudson swears and feels a cold chill. He doesn't know what was happening, but he knows something is wrong.
Review
This issue continues the story of Goliath's capture, making it increasingly clear that what we are getting is "And Justice For All" done right – and impressively so.
Goliath's captors are revealed to be the Gargoyle Taskforce (which has received funding from a mysterious benefactor), and Goliath is now imprisoned at Rikers – with a gleeful Tony Dracon and Tomas Brod as "cell-neighbors". The issue makes it clear (the title itself matches this) that much of the ensuing problem stems from the fact Goliath isn't being held prisoner by one of the villains (like Demona or Thailog), but by the human authorities, in which case breaking him out (which Brooklyn tries to do) would pit the gargoyles against human law. And it is this revelation (nudged by comments from Dracon and Brod) which leads Goliath to make his decision to reject rescue....
This element is reinforced by a scene at the start, where Matt Bluestone (still in charge of the Gargoyle Taskforce; he recognizes that someone is going to be in charge of it, and it's better for the gargoyles if that someone knows their true nature) confronts Hudson, and urges him not to interfere. Hudson is the narrator in this issue, and his narration does an excellent job of capturing his world-view (including his thoughts on his name, echoing his remarks on naming back in "Awakening: Part Three", and the fact that he sees Goliath as his son, as would be the case in gargoyle culture) – not to mention his more medieval speech-patterns, with lines like "nay, this must not stand!" and "Aye, Hudson, rouse thyself!" (He sounds almost like the clan's counterpart to Sister Monica Joan; the mention of Call the Midwife in #1 made this comparison irresistible.)
And the authorities themselves now have to deal with the question of what to do with the gargoyle they've captured. Goliath suddenly has a lawyer, a new character named Tobe Crest, who displays an impressive amount of knowledge about his client, including Goliath's reading tastes, and who boldly displays his conviction that Goliath is an intelligent being. This raises more questions (alongside the Gargoyle Taskforce's mysterious benefactor) of how he knows so much about Goliath, questions which, we hope, will be addressed in future issues. Margot Yale stands against Crest, equally convinced that the gargoyles are just savage beasts – while Judge Roebling, in a nice touch, has to keep silent on just how much he knows about the defendant. The hearing promises more drama to come.
The rest of the clan continues to show development. Lexington is still chatting with Amp on-line. Broadway and Angela are planning their commitment ceremony, asking Coldfire to officiate, and even talking about possible seconds (indicating that the roles of "best man" and "maid of honor", which Goliath and Demona took on at Xanatos and Fox's wedding in "Vows", aren't so alien to gargoyle tradition). And Brooklyn, once the clan learns of Goliath's capture, takes charge, showing some impressive leadership skills as he, Coldstone, and Coldfire head to Rikers to break Goliath out. (We also see that Coldstone's still not fond of humans, though keeping his dislike of them in check.)
And Dino's own scheme continues to unfold. We now learn why he had kidnapped Rosaria and Peter; he has manipulated their crime-boss relatives into blaming each other for the teens' disappearance, leading to a war about to erupt between Huracán and Yingpei. (These scenes are made all the more effective by the juxtaposition of the rival gang leaders' vows of vengeance.) Evidence, indeed, of just how dangerous Dino is....
A fine issue, which leaves the reader eager for the story's continuation in #6.
Featured Characters and First Appearances
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Tidbits
The title is an allusion to Jesus's words in the New Testament, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's" (Matthew 22:21; Mark 12:17; Luke 20:25).
The Daily Tattler's headline, "STONE BY DAY, TERRORS BY NIGHT!", is an adaptation of the line from the second season's opening narration, "Stone by day, warriors by night".
When summing up Elisa's relationship to Goliath, Dracon says, "That Beauty's sweet on that Beast".
Cover Gallery
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See Also
| << Previous Episode: "Here In Manhattan" Chapter Four: "Tale Old as Time" | Next Episode: "Here In Manhattan" Chapter Six: "Underwater">> |
