The Oath

Gargoyles: Dark Ages #3 by Clayton Crain

"The Oath" is the third issue of the Gargoyles: Dark Ages comic by Dynamite Entertainment. It was released on September 20, 2023. [1]

• Writer/Creator: Greg Weisman
• Pencil Artist: Drew Moss
• Color Artist: Martina Pignedoli
• Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry
• Editor: Nate Cosby
• Main Cover Artist: Clayton Crain

Solicitation

LET SLEEPING GIANTS LIE! As Angel languishes in chains, Mentor comes to the rescue — but this escape attempt may cause more harm than good. Meanwhile, construction continues on Castle Wyvern, but the noise awakens something that was better left undisturbed!

Writer and Gargoyles creator GREG WEISMAN and artist DREW MOSS (Red Sonja) continue their epochal exploration of the Gargoyles’ origins in this third issue of Dark Ages, whose 40 pages include a new text story from Weisman and all cardstock covers featuring art by CLAYTON CRAIN, ALAN QUAH, MIRKA ANDOLFO, KENYA DANINO, ERICA HENDERSON, and more!

Review

The war with Culen concludes in this issue, but in so doing, sows the seeds of more adventures and tales in the "Dark Ages" period.

Goliath and "Mentor" rescue "Angel" from Culen's castle in a dramatic strike (assisted by the Archmage and his trademark "fulminus venite" spell). The opening pages effectively begin the account of the attack without a single word spoken (until the Archmage utters his spell). In a just-as-effective touch, although the bulk of the fighting happens off-stage (we see "Mentor" advancing upon a terrified Culen and Goliath sending his last major supporter, Menteth, flying across the room), we learn afterwards that Culen and his men were slain by the gargoyles, in a terse line from Goliath. Goliath rescues his "angel of the night" in an impressive feat of strength. Only one of Culen's people survives the attack: his infant son Constantine, whom "Mentor" rescues (the same Constantine, though neither the gargoyles nor Kenneth suspect it, who will murder Kenneth twenty-four years later and whose usurpation will lead to Princess Katharine fleeing to Avalon with the eggs).

The real highlight of this issue, however, is the Wind Ceremony (held for "Verity" and two other gargoyles who had evidently fallen in the battle with her). Many years ago, Greg Weisman had described this funeral service of the gargoyles; now we behold it at last, and it lives up to our expectations. (In an especially lovely touch, as the gargoyles glide through the sky at the end, they carry the gargoyle beasts with them, allowing the beasts to take part in this solemn occasion.) We also see Robbie and his daughter Alesand (the narrator of the "Once Upon a Time There Were Three Brothers" pieces at the end of each issue, now appearing on-stage for the first time) attending the ceremony (passing up Kenneth II's coronation for it - though we get a few glimpses of the coronation itself, including another cameo from the Stone of Destiny), to see Robbie's friendship and loyalty to the Wyvern Clan.

At the end, we see the seeds for two major new events for the Wyvern Clan. Prince Malcolm shares with "Mentor" the need to build a castle atop Wyvern Hill, to strengthen the alliance between humans and gargoyles, which "Mentor" accepts. (Malcolm also bestows the name "Mentor" upon the gargoyle leader - and the scene successfully gives it its own tone, different from Hudson assuming his more familiar name over a thousand years later in "Awakening Part Three".) And the Archmage takes advantage of "Angel"'s vulnerability to lure her into becoming his apprentice.

And as Prince Malcolm talks eagerly about what is to come, we get a glimpse of an enormous eye, boding trouble to come....

This issue continues to be a treat for those who, like this reviewer, had especially enjoyed the medieval background of "Gargoyles".

First Appearances

Location

• Culen's Mountain Stronghold

Tidbits

Rejected Gargoyles: Dark Ages #3 by Drew Moss. Like Elisa lying in a pool of her own blood before it.

Gargoyles: Dark Ages #3 by Drew Moss

• In May, 2023, Drew Moss's incentive cover was revealed and used for the solicitations of the book. For unknown reasons, the cover was revised in July, 2023.

Cover Gallery

Links

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