Questions

Gargoyles: Quest #1 by Clayton Crain

"Questions" is the first issue of the Quest comic arc and the thirteenth Gargoyles comic by Dynamite Entertainment. It was released on April 17th 2024. [1]

• Writer/Creator: Greg Weisman
• Pencil Artist: Pasquale Qualano
• Color Artists: Giovanna La Pietra & Valeria Verdi
• Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry
• Editor: Nate Cosby
• Main Cover Artist: Clayton Crain

Solicitation

Acclaimed author and Gargoyles creator GREG WEISMAN is joined by artist PASQUALE QUALANO for an all-new chapter in the ongoing Gargoyles saga - and the stakes have never been higher for the Manhattan Clan!

Thwarted in her earlier attempt to gain control of the ancient magical artifacts known as the Original Keys to Power, the evil DEMONA has set her sights on three New Keys that will give her the ability to make any human in her vicinity into her willing puppet. All that stands between Demona and world domination are Goliath and the Manhattan Clan. But despite their best efforts, Demona always seems to be a step ahead, gathering one Key after another. And once she has them all, the entire human race had better beware!

Review

"Questions" begins a new "Gargoyles" arc: "Gargoyle Quest". The focus here is on Demona embarking on a major new scheme, foreshadowed back in "Everywhere": three new keys to power, the successors to the Grimorum Arcanorum, the Eye of Odin, and the Phoenix Gate. It promises new adventure to delight those "Gargoyles" fans who've been particularly drawn to Demona's schemes (all the more as a truly complex and memorable antagonist).

Demona gets started quickly, by seizing the Lancehead of Gugnir (though the spear's haft is missing, which will complicate Demona's hunt -she'll have to hunt down four objects rather than three). She then enlists the aid of Thailog in searching for what is presumably the next object: the Hand of Valmont, now in the keeping of the Illuminati. Demona's meeting with Thailog is a particular delight; both parties distrust each other (understandably so), yet recognize that each has something that the other wants, and they will need to call a temporary truce in order to achieve their goals. To top it off, when Thailog points out that obtaining the Hand will take time, Demona replies, "I'm immortal. Take all the time you need." (An echo of the Weird Sisters' "What is time to an immortal?" in "Avalon Part Two".)

While the focus is on Demona, we get to see more of the Manhattan clan. In one of the most amusing moments in the story, Goliath is the guest of honor at the Gathering of the Gargoyles Guild, an event designed to help human-gargoyle relations with a strong "comics convention" atmosphere. (And aptly so: see the "Tidbits" section below.) Goliath doesn't seem quite at home there, but does deliver a fine speech about the need for humans and gargoyles to live in peace together (both Elisa and a visiting Antoinette Dracon agree on Goliath's voice being impressive - a good tribute to Keith David's performance as Goliath back in the days of the animated series). And we see more evidence that Goliath and Elisa's relationship has become open knowledge (one of the attendees is even dressed in Detective Maza's trademark outfit of red jacket, black shirt, and jeans).

Of course, human/gargoyle relations have some ways to go. Castaway has organized a protest group outside the hotel where the Gathering is taking place (even daring to stand on a police car), and one zealot even forces his way in to threaten Goliath and everyone else present - but is fortunately foiled in time. But it's still clear that some progress has been made. And to top it off, Vinnie is back, to offer a proposition to Goliath on behalf of his new boss (though we'll have to wait until at least next issue to find out what it is).

We also get a few glimpses of the rest of the clan. Particular highlights are Hudson visiting the rookery to spend some time with Egwardo and muse on the new hope for the clan, no longer doomed to extinction (a follow-up to his memorable statement in "The Gathering Part One", "We're not alone. We're not the last."), while Broadway and Angela are planning their commitment ceremony, complete with the guest list (which includes the Mazas, the Mutates and the Labyrinth clan, and even the Avalon clan - though Coldfire correctly points out the logistic challenges with that). Angela also hopes to contact her mother about it, in the hopes that it might lead to a change of heart on Demona's part - though the evidence, alas, is against it.

To top it off, Jade and Turquesa are also involved. Avalon has sent them on their own world tour, to witness Demona's seizing the Lancehead of Gugnir in Argentina at the start of the issue, and then arriving in New York at the end, to no doubt take part in events there. They even speak of their quest (an apt word) at the very end.

A promising beginning to a new storyline, and we look forward to seeing what the next issue brings.

First Appearances

Characters

• Cisco
• Anapaula Aguilar
• Ruby-Mae Li

Location

• Buenos Aires

Magic

• Hand of Valmont

Miscellaneous

• Gathering of the Gargoyles Guild

Tidbits

• The Gathering of the Gargoyles Guild is a tribute to the Gathering of the Gargoyles, the fan convention originally set up by Mae Li in 1997 which ran until 2009.
• Ruby-Mae Li is a tribute to multiple people. She was named after Mae Li, who founded the Gathering of the Gargoyles back in 1997; and she was also named after Keith David's two daughters: Ruby and Mae Li. Keith David had his first date with the woman who would become his wife at the 1997 Gathering of the Gargoyles.
• Gugnir is based on the spear of Odin in Norse mythology, though its name was actually "Gungnir".

Cover Gallery

Links

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