Difference between revisions of "For Not Everything With Wings..."
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HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT! | HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT! | ||
| − | The year is 1138, and the [[Immortality|immortal]] [[Demona]] and her now adult-aged adopted daughter [[Angelika]] have left the nomadic [[Viking]] life behind them in an effort to find some stability in a dangerous and uncertain world. The two living [[Gargoyle]]s have settled down in the [[France|French]] city of [[Vyones|Vyonne]], where they can spend their days resting among the stone gargoyles of the cathedral. | + | The year is [[Timeline#995-1993|1138]], and the [[Immortality|immortal]] [[Demona]] and her now adult-aged adopted daughter [[Angelika]] have left the nomadic [[Viking]] life behind them in an effort to find some stability in a dangerous and uncertain world. The two living [[Gargoyle]]s have settled down in the [[France|French]] city of [[Vyones|Vyonne]], where they can spend their days resting among the [[Gargoyle#Real_World_Background|stone gargoyles]] of the cathedral. |
| − | But their rocky counterparts turn out to be less inert than they first appear, having been carved by a local magician who can animate them to do his bidding. Upon discovering the presence of Demona and Angelika, the warlock proposes an alliance to further each other's interests. But are the two | + | But their rocky counterparts turn out to be less inert than they first appear, having been carved by a local magician who can animate them to do his bidding. Upon discovering the presence of Demona and Angelika, the warlock proposes an alliance to further each other's interests. But are the two [[Gargoyle]]s equal partners in the arrangement - or unwitting accomplices? |
Find out in the third issue of Gargoyles: Demona, from the all-star creative team of Gargoyles creator GREG WEISMAN and animated series collaborator FRANK PAUR - featuring expertly sculpted covers by PAUR, MEGHAN HETRICK, [[Jae Lee|JAE LEE]] & [[June Chung|JUNE CHUNG]], and [[David Cousens|DAVID COUSENS]]! | Find out in the third issue of Gargoyles: Demona, from the all-star creative team of Gargoyles creator GREG WEISMAN and animated series collaborator FRANK PAUR - featuring expertly sculpted covers by PAUR, MEGHAN HETRICK, [[Jae Lee|JAE LEE]] & [[June Chung|JUNE CHUNG]], and [[David Cousens|DAVID COUSENS]]! | ||
==The Story== | ==The Story== | ||
| − | Some time in the year | + | Some time in the year 1138, the full Moon is clouded by a thunderstorm as [[Blaise Reynard]] sits at his workbench, struggling. Half asleep, he dreams of a tombstone, and carving "HEL--" into it. The sound of thunder wakes him and, in the candlelight, he ponders two gigantic slabs of stone and begins chiseling away at them. As he works, the image of his wife screaming at him in rage enters his mind, and in his anger he spills his own blood while chiseling the stone. He then chisels away at the second slab, and fantasizes about the buxom tavern maid as his blood continues to spill onto his second creation. |
| − | Many months later, | + | [[Image:Demona_Angelika_Statues_For_Not_Everything_With_Wings.png|thumb|250px|left|]] |
| + | Many months later, Blaise passes the [[Vyones Cathedral]]. He is stopped by [[Archbishop Ambrosius]], who wishes to ask him about the two new gargoyles he sculpted for the cathedral. Blaise is confused; his two newest creations were installed weeks ago – one at each corner the cathedral's roof. But Archbishop Ambrosius points out two new statues front and center on the roof of two female gargoyles wearing plate armor and wielding swords. Blaise denies that they are his work, but Archbishop Ambrosius refuses to believe they are the work of Reynard's competitor, [[Gerome Mazzal]] (whom Archbishop Ambrosius insists has no such skill). On that note, the Archbishop can't fathom why the town council handed Reynard's commission over to Mazzal before settling on Mazzal's work being both cheaper (but inferior). Still believing the gargoyles are Reynard's work, Archbishop Ambrosius expresses his concern over Reynard's labor, materials, costs, and pains. | ||
| − | The previous night, | + | The previous night, Angelika and Demona settled on the roof of the cathedral, much to Angelika's confusion. Reminding Demona how she herself was adamant that [[France]] and its [[human]]s hated their kind, but still insisted on hiding their treasures in the forest while sleeping atop this cathedral. Demona takes the moment to bitterly point out the irony in humans hunting gargoyles to extinction but then superstitiously believe that simple sculptures will protect them. But Demona explains, the two of them can take advantage of this "perversion" by hiding in plain sight atop the cathedral. |
| − | We return to the following day where Archbishop Ambrosius expresses doubt that the village council will compensate Reynard for his "ambitious new works". But Blaise, tired of | + | We return to the following day where Archbishop Ambrosius expresses doubt that the village council will compensate Reynard for his "ambitious new works". But Blaise, tired of the conversation, departs for home – to his wife and son. As he approaches the [[Reynard House|house]], his son, [[Martin-Pêcheur Reynard]], rushes toward him in excitement to show his father what he made: a miniature, hand-held [[Demona statuette|sculpture]] of one of the new gargoyles. Martin-Pêcheur knows it's not as good as his father's most recent sculptures, and – though he begins to tell his son that the cathedral's newest additions aren't his handiwork – Blaise pivots to teach his son not to compare his work to other sculptors, reminding his son to maintain artistic integrity. But then his wife, [[Heloise Reynard|Heloise]], steps in to lecture her husband that a man with ''true'' integrity would provide for his family – by workig faster and cheaper so the village council wouldn't replace him – and wouldn't carve two new statues for free. Blaise again claims the cathedral's latest gargoyles aren't his, but Heloise doesn't believe him. Blaise protests that Heloise doesn't believe ''in him'' – and never truly did. Not wanting to continue this argument in front of their son, Heloise takes Martin-Pêcheur away. Blaise decides to head to the [[Vyones Tavern|tavern]] just as it begins to rain. |
| − | Storm clouds | + | [[Image:Villoms_Blaise_Reynard_Mazzal_Maspier_For_Not_Everything_With_Wings.png|thumb|250px|]] |
| + | Storm clouds roll in and [[Nicolette Villom]], the tavern maid, pours him a drink, insisting that Blaise refer to her by her first name. Martin-Pêcheur's gift sits on the table. As he drinks, he is approached by a sneering [[Guillaume Maspier]] and Mazzal. Mazzal accuses Blaise of trying to show him up with the two new gargoyles on the cathedral, while Maspier smirks that the village council will keep funding Mazzal. Putting his drink down, Blaise accuses Mazzal of slipping Maspier kickbacks from his fees, which Maspier quickly denies, outraged. Mazzal then tells Blaise that he lost his commission not only because he's too expensive and too slow, but because his sculptures are too grotesque and too frightening. Reynard protests that gargoyles are ''supposed'' to be frightening. Nicolette watches this from a distance and, feeling sympathy for Blaise, asks her [[Jean Villom|father]] if he can stop this – while Mazzal accuses Reynard of being just as monstrous as as his sculptures. | ||
| − | + | Blaise stands on the roof of the cathedral, and with the rain now falling heavier, it is already dark before the Sun sets. He clutches Martin-Pêcheur's gift in his hand as Demona and Angelika explode from their [[Stone Sleep|stone sleep]]. Demona is immediately on alert to the human's presence while Angelika realizes and reminds Demona that if he meant any harm, he would have attacked them while they slept. Blaise speaks of his admiration for gargoyles and while most of humanity has relegated them to myth, he still remembers, when he was a child, the night sky teemed with gargoyles. Demona continues to snarl, still blaming the humans responsible, and Blaise, apologetic, explains that he sought to honor their memory with his creations: [[Grimalkin]] and [[Satyre]]. Angelika expresses admiration for his work, admitting that Grimalkin gives her chills. Demona, on the other hand, continues to dismiss his artwork as "forgeries" – but admits that Reynard captured a certain fierceness. Suddenly, Grimalkin's eyes and mouth begin glowing, the statue began to animate and takes to the skies as Demona, Angelika, and Blaise watch. | |
| − | As Mazzal and Maspier | + | As Mazzal and Maspier wander the streets of [[Vyones]], drunk, Grimalkin stalks them both and murders the two humans, leaving little to identify them. While this takes place, Demona accuses Reynard of sorcery – recognizing the spell as one that brings [[Stone Golem]]s to life. Reynard tries to deny it until Demona points her [[Demona's Sword|sword]] at his throat. Cornered, the human admits to practicing the dark arts and offers Demona a partnership to keep one another's secrets, explaining that the people of the village are narrow-minded and cruel and if either of them are ever found out, the town would destroy them all. |
| − | At that moment, [[Raoul]] | + | At that moment, [[Raoul Coupain|Raoul]] bursts into the tavern and summons both Villoms to the scene of the murder. Seeing the mangled bodies of Maspier and Mazzal, Nicolette cries into Raoul's arms. |
| − | Back at the cathedral, Angelika | + | Back at the cathedral, Angelika expresses her surprise that Demona agreed to Reynard's terms rather quickly, but notes that, at the least, he did seem sincere. Demona cynically reminds Angelika that all humans hide their cruelty – sometimes even from themselves. But Angelika side-eyes Demona, questioning the implication that ''only'' humans behave that way, causing an agitated Demona to ask what that was supposed to mean just as the second statue, Satyre, cackles to life. |
| − | Reynard | + | Reynard arrives at the tavern, finding everyone in shock over the deaths of Mazzal and Maspier. As Raoul continues to comfort Nicolette, the others in the tavern suspect that a bear, wandering into the village from the nearby forest, is the beast responsible. They begin forming a hunting party and order Reynard to grab a torch and a weapon. Nicolette remains in shock, unable to get the sight of the killings out of her mind. |
| − | Angelika | + | Angelika pursues Satyre into the sky, wanting to see where it's heading. Demona warns her daughter that she is still too rash. But Angelika reminds Demona that not only is she no longer a child, but that Demona taught her since she was a rookling to make her own decisions. |
| − | Blaise Reynard | + | Blaise Reynard observes the affection between Raoul and Nicolette, barely succeeding in hiding his envy, as Satyre bursts into the tavern while laughing – stalking straight toward Nicolette. Villom stands between his daughter and the stone golem, only to be cast aside like a rag doll. Raoul then draws his sword, but he also proves no match for the stone creature. Satyre seizes Nicolette before returning to the skies. Reynard exits the tavern and watches his creation from the ground below. Angelika continues her pursuit only to be knocked aside by by Satyre. She manages to right herself in the air just as Demona catches up. The two continue their hunt. |
| − | At | + | [[Image:Satyre_Grimalkin_Blaise_Reynard_For_Not_Everything_With_Wings.png|thumb|250px|left|]] |
| + | At the Reynard house, Heloise is putting Martin-Pêcheur to bed, but the boy wishes to stay up and wait for his father to return home. Not knowing when her husband will return, Heloise kindly urges the child to go to sleep - just as Grimalkin arrives and seizes Heloise. Blaise hears the screaming from outside and runs to the house. Seeing the sight before him, he drops the Demona-shaped statuette his son carved for him. He entered his work area and arms himself with a sledgehammer before headed back outside where Satyre and Grimalkin wait for him. The two stone golems present their creator with an unconscious Nicolette and Heloise's corpse. Reynard protests that he never wanted this – but his creations growl right back that he did. As Reynard swings his hammer, his creations seize him, flying into the storming skies above Vyones – their hands in his flesh – carrying him back to the cathedral. Dropping Reynard atop the rooftop, the human swings his hammer into Grimalkin's arm, shattering it. But the golem's right arm and claws remain animated and wrapped around Blaise's throat. Struggling against the vice-like grip, Reynard loses his footing and he falls off the cathedral – As he plummets to his death, Reynard tries in vain to free himself from Grimalkin's talons. | ||
| − | Demona and Angelika | + | Demona and Angelika land on the cathedral with the younger gargoyle wondering if this is what they look like in the eyes of humans – but Demona bitterly sneers that humans are too corrupt to note any differences between true gargoyles and such enchanted creatures. As Demona reaches for the abandoned sledgehammer, Angelika briefly protests, asking if Demona would do to the stone golems what humans have done to both their past [[clan]]s. Demona doesn't hesitate, reminding Angelika that she does what she must as she takes the hammer to the stone golems and destroys them – with Angelika watching in the rain. When Demona is finished, she leaves the hammer within the rubble and orders that they both leave this cursed town. |
| − | + | The following morning, all the people of Vyones can do is process their horror of the previous evening's events. Raoul and Nicolette's father watch the tavern maid as she comforts the now-orphaned Martin-Pêcheur Reynard – the remains of the statuette he carved for his father lying forgotten on the street. Right outside the Vyones Cathedral, Archbishop Ambrosius discovers the deceased sculptor at the cathedral, Grimalkin's talons still buried in his neck. | |
| − | Deep in the forest, Demona and Angelika | + | Deep in the forest, Demona and Angelika sleep for the day – some distance apart. |
==Review== | ==Review== | ||
| + | |||
| + | This issue has two major differences from the previous two issues of "Gargoyles: Demona". First, its inspiration is not historical events like its predecessors (the death of Canmore and the sea-voyage of Sigurd Magnusson), but an early twentieth century work of fiction, "The Maker of Gargoyles" by Clark Ashton Smith. And second, the focus is less on Demona and Angelika this time (though they still play an important part in the story) and more on the "guest character", the stonemason Blaise Reynard. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Reynard is a highly skilled mason, who crafts two imposing (if also ominous) gargoyles for the cathedral of his home-town. He is also tormented, however, as the opening pages (designed as a series of small panels that show him at his work, interspersed with the phases of the moon to represent the passage of time) particularly make it clear. His wife berates him, and the town council has decided to replace him with one of his competitors (thanks, in part, to that competitor's bribes). Thanks to his marriage problems, he finds himself attracted to Nicolette, a serving-maid at the local tavern (who does show some sympathy for him). And even his skill at making gargoyles turns upon him, when his adversaries claim that his ability to produce such monstrous creatures suggests that he is himself monstrous at heart. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Demona and Angelika arrive in the middle of this turmoil, with an effective introduction scene; they have taken to "hiding in plain sight" atop the same cathedral where Reynard's gargoyles roost, leading almost everyone in town to believe them to be his work (somehow carried out in secret, and unpaid for). Reynard alone recognizes them for the living gargoyles they truly are, seeking them out and telling them of his regrets over the slaughter of France's gargoyles by its humans and how he had made the two gargoyles Grimalkin and Satyre in an attempt at honoring their memory. Demona and Angelika's responses vary in a way that matches their characterization well; Demona continues to display her familiar bitterness towards humans, and even regards the "manufactured gargoyles" as mere imitations (though she reluctantly acknowledges Reynard's artistic skill); she also argues for humanity being utterly corrupt and cruel. Angelika, on the other hand, does her best to speak up for humans - in particular, she points out to the suspicious Demona when they first meet Reynard that if he had meant to harm them, he would have attacked them in their stone sleep. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Reynard has poured more of himself into his gargoyles than he had realized, however; they come to life, powered by his anger and desire. (Exactly how, the comic only hints at. Reynard claims to be a sorcerer, but the manner in which he does so suggests it is more a frantic story to gain Demona's favor than the truth. Apparently his skill was so great as to animate his gargoyles to carry out his subconscious wishes.) They slaughter his competitor (and the corrupt councillor working with him) and his wife, while assaulting Nicolette. In an especially effective moment, a horrified Reynard confronts his creations, telling them that he never wanted this; they reply in unison "You did." | ||
| + | |||
| + | Reynard meets his death at the claws of the gargoyles he had made, leaving Demona to strike them down with his hammer. (This leads to another great moment, where Angelika points out the parallel between her shattering these two "artificial gargoyles" and the various "clan massacres", all the way back to the Wyvern Massacre, in her past; Demona replies "I do what I must".) Demona and Angelika then depart, leading to a final page where we see the aftermath of these events in the same format as the opening pages of many small panels, a great piece of symmetry. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Though almost as dark as the Clark Ashton Smith story that inspired it, "For Not Everything With Wings" makes a fine continuation of Demona and Angelika's story, now in its halfway point. | ||
==Featured Characters and First Appearances== | ==Featured Characters and First Appearances== | ||
| Line 76: | Line 91: | ||
*[[Guillaume Maspier]] '''(First Appearance)''' | *[[Guillaume Maspier]] '''(First Appearance)''' | ||
*[[Jean Villom|{{CIT|Jean}} Villom]] '''(First Appearance)''' | *[[Jean Villom|{{CIT|Jean}} Villom]] '''(First Appearance)''' | ||
| − | *[[Raoul]] '''(First Appearance)''' | + | *[[Raoul Coupain|Raoul {{CIT|Coupain}}]] '''(First Appearance)''' |
|h3=[[Oberon's Children]] | |h3=[[Oberon's Children]] | ||
|c3=|h4=[[New Olympians]] | |c3=|h4=[[New Olympians]] | ||
| Line 106: | Line 121: | ||
==Quotes== | ==Quotes== | ||
* "I do not care for these . . . ''forgeries'' . . . yet I will admit, you've captured a certain fierceness in this [[Gargate|Stone-Flesh]]." - Demona | * "I do not care for these . . . ''forgeries'' . . . yet I will admit, you've captured a certain fierceness in this [[Gargate|Stone-Flesh]]." - Demona | ||
| + | |||
| + | *"I didn't want this!" | ||
| + | : "You did." Blaise Reynard, and Grimalkin and Satyre | ||
* "You would do to them what was done to your clan and mine?" | * "You would do to them what was done to your clan and mine?" | ||
: "As always . . . I do what I must." - Angelika and Demona | : "As always . . . I do what I must." - Angelika and Demona | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Continuity== | ||
| + | The events of this issue take place twenty-seven years after [[Fortune Favors the Brave...|"Fortune Favors the Brave..."]], which marked the end of Demona and Angelika's travels with [[Sigurd Magnusson]] and his fleet. | ||
==Tidbits== | ==Tidbits== | ||
As noted on the title page, this issue was inspired by [[Clark Ashton Smith|Clark Ashton Smith's]] short story, "The Maker of Gargoyles". | As noted on the title page, this issue was inspired by [[Clark Ashton Smith|Clark Ashton Smith's]] short story, "The Maker of Gargoyles". | ||
| + | |||
| + | If the last name wasn't indicative enough, Martin-Pêcheur Reynard's first name suggests he is a distant ancestor of [[Halcyon Renard]]. Martin-Pêcheur is the French name for the bird known as the kingfisher (also called a halcyon, from the [[Greece|Greek]] ἀλκυών). [https://artflsrv03.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/efts/sqldbs/WOODHOUSE/woodhouse.py?pagenumber=470&pageturn=1] The connection to the name Halcyon to the kingfisher bird is a reference to Book XI of Ovid's ''Metamorphoses'', where Ceyx and Alcyone (also spelled Halcyon) are transformed into kingfishers after Alcyone learns of her husband's death at sea. [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0028%3Abook%3D11%3Acard%3D410] | ||
| + | |||
| + | If the Reynards are, indeed, ancestors of Halycon Renard, then (whether by science or sorcery) it's something of a tradition for its family members to create (and lose control of their) automatons. | ||
Blaise Reynard's [[Gargoyle#Real_World_Background|sculpted gargoyle]], 'Grimalkin', is yet another reference to [[William Shakespeare|William Shakespeare's]] ''[[Macbeth (play)|Macbeth]]''. | Blaise Reynard's [[Gargoyle#Real_World_Background|sculpted gargoyle]], 'Grimalkin', is yet another reference to [[William Shakespeare|William Shakespeare's]] ''[[Macbeth (play)|Macbeth]]''. | ||
==Cover Gallery== | ==Cover Gallery== | ||
| + | {| align=center style="border:5px solid #ffffff; border-collapse: collapse;" | ||
| + | |style="border-right:5px solid #ffffff;" | [[Image:Dynamite_Gargoyles_Demona_3_Gallery1.jpg|300px]] | ||
| + | |style="border-right:5px solid #ffffff;" | [[Image:Dynamite_Gargoyles_Demona_3_Gallery2.jpg|300px]] | ||
| + | |} | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{clear}} | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
| − | [https://www. | + | *[http://www.eldritchdark.com/writings/short-stories/121/the-maker-of-gargoyles "The Maker of Gargoyles" by Clark Ashton smith] |
| + | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ipb6LJaAcEc "The Maker of Gargoyles" audiobook read by Josh Greenwood ] | ||
| Line 124: | Line 156: | ||
|- style="vertical-align: top;" | |- style="vertical-align: top;" | ||
| '''[[Fortune Favors the Brave...|<< Previous Episode: "Better Angels" Chapter Two: "Fortune Favors the Brave..."]]''' | | '''[[Fortune Favors the Brave...|<< Previous Episode: "Better Angels" Chapter Two: "Fortune Favors the Brave..."]]''' | ||
| − | | '''[[ | + | | '''[[Fallen From the Ranks...|Next Episode: "Better Angels" Chapter Four: "Fallen From the Ranks...">>]]''' |
|} | |} | ||
Latest revision as of 05:04, 4 November 2025
"For Not Everything With Wings..." is the third issue of the Gargoyles - Demona comic by Dynamite Entertainment. It was released on September 10th, 2025. [1]
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Contents
Solicitation
HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT!
The year is 1138, and the immortal Demona and her now adult-aged adopted daughter Angelika have left the nomadic Viking life behind them in an effort to find some stability in a dangerous and uncertain world. The two living Gargoyles have settled down in the French city of Vyonne, where they can spend their days resting among the stone gargoyles of the cathedral.
But their rocky counterparts turn out to be less inert than they first appear, having been carved by a local magician who can animate them to do his bidding. Upon discovering the presence of Demona and Angelika, the warlock proposes an alliance to further each other's interests. But are the two Gargoyles equal partners in the arrangement - or unwitting accomplices?
Find out in the third issue of Gargoyles: Demona, from the all-star creative team of Gargoyles creator GREG WEISMAN and animated series collaborator FRANK PAUR - featuring expertly sculpted covers by PAUR, MEGHAN HETRICK, JAE LEE & JUNE CHUNG, and DAVID COUSENS!
The Story
Some time in the year 1138, the full Moon is clouded by a thunderstorm as Blaise Reynard sits at his workbench, struggling. Half asleep, he dreams of a tombstone, and carving "HEL--" into it. The sound of thunder wakes him and, in the candlelight, he ponders two gigantic slabs of stone and begins chiseling away at them. As he works, the image of his wife screaming at him in rage enters his mind, and in his anger he spills his own blood while chiseling the stone. He then chisels away at the second slab, and fantasizes about the buxom tavern maid as his blood continues to spill onto his second creation.
Many months later, Blaise passes the Vyones Cathedral. He is stopped by Archbishop Ambrosius, who wishes to ask him about the two new gargoyles he sculpted for the cathedral. Blaise is confused; his two newest creations were installed weeks ago – one at each corner the cathedral's roof. But Archbishop Ambrosius points out two new statues front and center on the roof of two female gargoyles wearing plate armor and wielding swords. Blaise denies that they are his work, but Archbishop Ambrosius refuses to believe they are the work of Reynard's competitor, Gerome Mazzal (whom Archbishop Ambrosius insists has no such skill). On that note, the Archbishop can't fathom why the town council handed Reynard's commission over to Mazzal before settling on Mazzal's work being both cheaper (but inferior). Still believing the gargoyles are Reynard's work, Archbishop Ambrosius expresses his concern over Reynard's labor, materials, costs, and pains.
The previous night, Angelika and Demona settled on the roof of the cathedral, much to Angelika's confusion. Reminding Demona how she herself was adamant that France and its humans hated their kind, but still insisted on hiding their treasures in the forest while sleeping atop this cathedral. Demona takes the moment to bitterly point out the irony in humans hunting gargoyles to extinction but then superstitiously believe that simple sculptures will protect them. But Demona explains, the two of them can take advantage of this "perversion" by hiding in plain sight atop the cathedral.
We return to the following day where Archbishop Ambrosius expresses doubt that the village council will compensate Reynard for his "ambitious new works". But Blaise, tired of the conversation, departs for home – to his wife and son. As he approaches the house, his son, Martin-Pêcheur Reynard, rushes toward him in excitement to show his father what he made: a miniature, hand-held sculpture of one of the new gargoyles. Martin-Pêcheur knows it's not as good as his father's most recent sculptures, and – though he begins to tell his son that the cathedral's newest additions aren't his handiwork – Blaise pivots to teach his son not to compare his work to other sculptors, reminding his son to maintain artistic integrity. But then his wife, Heloise, steps in to lecture her husband that a man with true integrity would provide for his family – by workig faster and cheaper so the village council wouldn't replace him – and wouldn't carve two new statues for free. Blaise again claims the cathedral's latest gargoyles aren't his, but Heloise doesn't believe him. Blaise protests that Heloise doesn't believe in him – and never truly did. Not wanting to continue this argument in front of their son, Heloise takes Martin-Pêcheur away. Blaise decides to head to the tavern just as it begins to rain.
Storm clouds roll in and Nicolette Villom, the tavern maid, pours him a drink, insisting that Blaise refer to her by her first name. Martin-Pêcheur's gift sits on the table. As he drinks, he is approached by a sneering Guillaume Maspier and Mazzal. Mazzal accuses Blaise of trying to show him up with the two new gargoyles on the cathedral, while Maspier smirks that the village council will keep funding Mazzal. Putting his drink down, Blaise accuses Mazzal of slipping Maspier kickbacks from his fees, which Maspier quickly denies, outraged. Mazzal then tells Blaise that he lost his commission not only because he's too expensive and too slow, but because his sculptures are too grotesque and too frightening. Reynard protests that gargoyles are supposed to be frightening. Nicolette watches this from a distance and, feeling sympathy for Blaise, asks her father if he can stop this – while Mazzal accuses Reynard of being just as monstrous as as his sculptures.
Blaise stands on the roof of the cathedral, and with the rain now falling heavier, it is already dark before the Sun sets. He clutches Martin-Pêcheur's gift in his hand as Demona and Angelika explode from their stone sleep. Demona is immediately on alert to the human's presence while Angelika realizes and reminds Demona that if he meant any harm, he would have attacked them while they slept. Blaise speaks of his admiration for gargoyles and while most of humanity has relegated them to myth, he still remembers, when he was a child, the night sky teemed with gargoyles. Demona continues to snarl, still blaming the humans responsible, and Blaise, apologetic, explains that he sought to honor their memory with his creations: Grimalkin and Satyre. Angelika expresses admiration for his work, admitting that Grimalkin gives her chills. Demona, on the other hand, continues to dismiss his artwork as "forgeries" – but admits that Reynard captured a certain fierceness. Suddenly, Grimalkin's eyes and mouth begin glowing, the statue began to animate and takes to the skies as Demona, Angelika, and Blaise watch.
As Mazzal and Maspier wander the streets of Vyones, drunk, Grimalkin stalks them both and murders the two humans, leaving little to identify them. While this takes place, Demona accuses Reynard of sorcery – recognizing the spell as one that brings Stone Golems to life. Reynard tries to deny it until Demona points her sword at his throat. Cornered, the human admits to practicing the dark arts and offers Demona a partnership to keep one another's secrets, explaining that the people of the village are narrow-minded and cruel and if either of them are ever found out, the town would destroy them all.
At that moment, Raoul bursts into the tavern and summons both Villoms to the scene of the murder. Seeing the mangled bodies of Maspier and Mazzal, Nicolette cries into Raoul's arms.
Back at the cathedral, Angelika expresses her surprise that Demona agreed to Reynard's terms rather quickly, but notes that, at the least, he did seem sincere. Demona cynically reminds Angelika that all humans hide their cruelty – sometimes even from themselves. But Angelika side-eyes Demona, questioning the implication that only humans behave that way, causing an agitated Demona to ask what that was supposed to mean just as the second statue, Satyre, cackles to life.
Reynard arrives at the tavern, finding everyone in shock over the deaths of Mazzal and Maspier. As Raoul continues to comfort Nicolette, the others in the tavern suspect that a bear, wandering into the village from the nearby forest, is the beast responsible. They begin forming a hunting party and order Reynard to grab a torch and a weapon. Nicolette remains in shock, unable to get the sight of the killings out of her mind.
Angelika pursues Satyre into the sky, wanting to see where it's heading. Demona warns her daughter that she is still too rash. But Angelika reminds Demona that not only is she no longer a child, but that Demona taught her since she was a rookling to make her own decisions.
Blaise Reynard observes the affection between Raoul and Nicolette, barely succeeding in hiding his envy, as Satyre bursts into the tavern while laughing – stalking straight toward Nicolette. Villom stands between his daughter and the stone golem, only to be cast aside like a rag doll. Raoul then draws his sword, but he also proves no match for the stone creature. Satyre seizes Nicolette before returning to the skies. Reynard exits the tavern and watches his creation from the ground below. Angelika continues her pursuit only to be knocked aside by by Satyre. She manages to right herself in the air just as Demona catches up. The two continue their hunt.
At the Reynard house, Heloise is putting Martin-Pêcheur to bed, but the boy wishes to stay up and wait for his father to return home. Not knowing when her husband will return, Heloise kindly urges the child to go to sleep - just as Grimalkin arrives and seizes Heloise. Blaise hears the screaming from outside and runs to the house. Seeing the sight before him, he drops the Demona-shaped statuette his son carved for him. He entered his work area and arms himself with a sledgehammer before headed back outside where Satyre and Grimalkin wait for him. The two stone golems present their creator with an unconscious Nicolette and Heloise's corpse. Reynard protests that he never wanted this – but his creations growl right back that he did. As Reynard swings his hammer, his creations seize him, flying into the storming skies above Vyones – their hands in his flesh – carrying him back to the cathedral. Dropping Reynard atop the rooftop, the human swings his hammer into Grimalkin's arm, shattering it. But the golem's right arm and claws remain animated and wrapped around Blaise's throat. Struggling against the vice-like grip, Reynard loses his footing and he falls off the cathedral – As he plummets to his death, Reynard tries in vain to free himself from Grimalkin's talons.
Demona and Angelika land on the cathedral with the younger gargoyle wondering if this is what they look like in the eyes of humans – but Demona bitterly sneers that humans are too corrupt to note any differences between true gargoyles and such enchanted creatures. As Demona reaches for the abandoned sledgehammer, Angelika briefly protests, asking if Demona would do to the stone golems what humans have done to both their past clans. Demona doesn't hesitate, reminding Angelika that she does what she must as she takes the hammer to the stone golems and destroys them – with Angelika watching in the rain. When Demona is finished, she leaves the hammer within the rubble and orders that they both leave this cursed town.
The following morning, all the people of Vyones can do is process their horror of the previous evening's events. Raoul and Nicolette's father watch the tavern maid as she comforts the now-orphaned Martin-Pêcheur Reynard – the remains of the statuette he carved for his father lying forgotten on the street. Right outside the Vyones Cathedral, Archbishop Ambrosius discovers the deceased sculptor at the cathedral, Grimalkin's talons still buried in his neck.
Deep in the forest, Demona and Angelika sleep for the day – some distance apart.
Review
This issue has two major differences from the previous two issues of "Gargoyles: Demona". First, its inspiration is not historical events like its predecessors (the death of Canmore and the sea-voyage of Sigurd Magnusson), but an early twentieth century work of fiction, "The Maker of Gargoyles" by Clark Ashton Smith. And second, the focus is less on Demona and Angelika this time (though they still play an important part in the story) and more on the "guest character", the stonemason Blaise Reynard.
Reynard is a highly skilled mason, who crafts two imposing (if also ominous) gargoyles for the cathedral of his home-town. He is also tormented, however, as the opening pages (designed as a series of small panels that show him at his work, interspersed with the phases of the moon to represent the passage of time) particularly make it clear. His wife berates him, and the town council has decided to replace him with one of his competitors (thanks, in part, to that competitor's bribes). Thanks to his marriage problems, he finds himself attracted to Nicolette, a serving-maid at the local tavern (who does show some sympathy for him). And even his skill at making gargoyles turns upon him, when his adversaries claim that his ability to produce such monstrous creatures suggests that he is himself monstrous at heart.
Demona and Angelika arrive in the middle of this turmoil, with an effective introduction scene; they have taken to "hiding in plain sight" atop the same cathedral where Reynard's gargoyles roost, leading almost everyone in town to believe them to be his work (somehow carried out in secret, and unpaid for). Reynard alone recognizes them for the living gargoyles they truly are, seeking them out and telling them of his regrets over the slaughter of France's gargoyles by its humans and how he had made the two gargoyles Grimalkin and Satyre in an attempt at honoring their memory. Demona and Angelika's responses vary in a way that matches their characterization well; Demona continues to display her familiar bitterness towards humans, and even regards the "manufactured gargoyles" as mere imitations (though she reluctantly acknowledges Reynard's artistic skill); she also argues for humanity being utterly corrupt and cruel. Angelika, on the other hand, does her best to speak up for humans - in particular, she points out to the suspicious Demona when they first meet Reynard that if he had meant to harm them, he would have attacked them in their stone sleep.
Reynard has poured more of himself into his gargoyles than he had realized, however; they come to life, powered by his anger and desire. (Exactly how, the comic only hints at. Reynard claims to be a sorcerer, but the manner in which he does so suggests it is more a frantic story to gain Demona's favor than the truth. Apparently his skill was so great as to animate his gargoyles to carry out his subconscious wishes.) They slaughter his competitor (and the corrupt councillor working with him) and his wife, while assaulting Nicolette. In an especially effective moment, a horrified Reynard confronts his creations, telling them that he never wanted this; they reply in unison "You did."
Reynard meets his death at the claws of the gargoyles he had made, leaving Demona to strike them down with his hammer. (This leads to another great moment, where Angelika points out the parallel between her shattering these two "artificial gargoyles" and the various "clan massacres", all the way back to the Wyvern Massacre, in her past; Demona replies "I do what I must".) Demona and Angelika then depart, leading to a final page where we see the aftermath of these events in the same format as the opening pages of many small panels, a great piece of symmetry.
Though almost as dark as the Clark Ashton Smith story that inspired it, "For Not Everything With Wings" makes a fine continuation of Demona and Angelika's story, now in its halfway point.
Featured Characters and First Appearances
| Gargoyles | Humans | Others |
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| Places | Objects | Miscellaneous |
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Quotes
- "I do not care for these . . . forgeries . . . yet I will admit, you've captured a certain fierceness in this Stone-Flesh." - Demona
- "I didn't want this!"
- "You did." Blaise Reynard, and Grimalkin and Satyre
- "You would do to them what was done to your clan and mine?"
- "As always . . . I do what I must." - Angelika and Demona
Continuity
The events of this issue take place twenty-seven years after "Fortune Favors the Brave...", which marked the end of Demona and Angelika's travels with Sigurd Magnusson and his fleet.
Tidbits
As noted on the title page, this issue was inspired by Clark Ashton Smith's short story, "The Maker of Gargoyles".
If the last name wasn't indicative enough, Martin-Pêcheur Reynard's first name suggests he is a distant ancestor of Halcyon Renard. Martin-Pêcheur is the French name for the bird known as the kingfisher (also called a halcyon, from the Greek ἀλκυών). [2] The connection to the name Halcyon to the kingfisher bird is a reference to Book XI of Ovid's Metamorphoses, where Ceyx and Alcyone (also spelled Halcyon) are transformed into kingfishers after Alcyone learns of her husband's death at sea. [3]
If the Reynards are, indeed, ancestors of Halycon Renard, then (whether by science or sorcery) it's something of a tradition for its family members to create (and lose control of their) automatons.
Blaise Reynard's sculpted gargoyle, 'Grimalkin', is yet another reference to William Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Cover Gallery
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See Also
- "The Maker of Gargoyles" by Clark Ashton smith
- "The Maker of Gargoyles" audiobook read by Josh Greenwood
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