Difference between revisions of "A Little Crazy"
Phoenician (talk | contribs) |
|||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
*Editor: [[Nate Cosby]] | *Editor: [[Nate Cosby]] | ||
*Main Cover Artist: [[David Nakayama]]}} | *Main Cover Artist: [[David Nakayama]]}} | ||
| + | |||
__TOC__ | __TOC__ | ||
Latest revision as of 21:48, 21 March 2025
"A Little Crazy" is the first issue of the Gargoyles comic by Dynamite Entertainment, and Chapter One of the Here in Manhattan story arc. It was released on December 7th, 2022. [1][2]
| Crew |
|---|
|
Contents
[hide]
Solicitation
Series creator GREG WEISMAN and illustrator GEORGE KAMBADAIS reintroduce the Manhattan Clan, a family of Gargoyles at full strength, though modern New York City is full of attractions and distractions, and each member of the clan has begun to go their own way. But their bonds will be tested, when nefarious factions from all across the world attempt to steal that rarest, most precious of possessions...an unhatched Gargoyle Egg!
The Story
Things are always a little crazy when its nighttime in Manhattan. At least, that's what Elisa Maza, NYPD Detective for the 23rd Precinct, is thinking as she is engaged in a high speed car chase against three ATM bandits. Matt Bluestone is in the passenger seat of her car, as usual, but right now he's apologetic that she's working on what was supposed to be her night off. She shrugs his comment off – it's not like anyone told the bandits that.
Matt asks if they should call for backup, but from her side mirror, Elisa tells him that backup's already arrived. The bandit in the back seat turns his head and sees the backup as well: the gargoyles, Goliath, Angela, Broadway, and Lexington! No doubt remembering the creatures from previous altercations, the thug with the glasses cries out as Goliath scoops him out of the car by his arms. Broadway scoops a second thug out of the front passenger seat. As he's lifted out the car he tells Broadway he and his partners surrender. Angela yanks out the third thug, who actually has the nerve to Angela, "Dude, Man, I'm drivin' here!!!" Midair, Angela pulls him up to her eye level and corrects him, "I am neither a 'dude' nor a 'man.' Not in any sense of those words." Chastened, the third thug apologizes. Lexington plops himself in the getaway car's driver seat and declares that he's the one driving! Lexington slams the brakes and the getaway car screeches to a halt.
Not long after, Matt and Elisa are assisted by Officers Morgan and Travanti. While Travanti puts the last of the bandits in the back of their squad car, Morgan is still confused how Matt took down all three perps himself. Matt then admits that Elisa also helped but, since it was her night off, he let her take off before the three thugs were processed. Morgan points out how that's against regulations, but Matt shrugs it off. After all, Elisa does have friends in high places . . .
As Elisa makes her way to the Eyrie Building, she is reminded how it was only a few years ago that she came to the skyscraper to investigate a significant public disturbance, only to find her entire life turned upside down. It was there that she learned the origins of the skyscraper's iconic medieval spire, Castle Wyvern, and how it was the home to a separate species known as gargoyles! Thanks to her investigation, Elisa learned of how a clan of gargoyles were frozen by a magical spell for a thousand years, only to be reawakened in Manhattan. Finally ascending to the highest tower of the Castle, Elisa is greeted by Goliath, who is now only the leader of the Manhattan Clan, but kinda Elisa's boyfriend as well. The two embrace, first to kiss then to stroke one another's hair. It's definitely not normal, finding love on a parapet in New York City, but Elisa can't help but realize that normalcy's overrated.
As they tell each other how much they missed one another, they are interrupted by Brooklyn, who finds the public display of affection too much for the impressionable young gargoyle gliding behind him. Besides Brooklyn's son Nashville, landing on the tower with Brooklyn are Angela, Broadway, and Lexington, along with Hudson and Katana. Nashville insists the kissing is nothing new for him, telling Brooklyn that he's "seen snogging before", while Angela and Broadway remind Brooklyn that there's nothing to be ashamed about with public expressions of affection. Brooklyn sheepishly explains he was only kidding and Katana tells her mate that not everyone loves his sense of humor. Lexington whispers to Nashville, asking what he meant by "snogging", and Nashville explains that it is British for kissing. Lexington thanks Nashville by name, only for the young gargoyle to insist that, "For the gazillionth time, it's Gnash! With a silent G!" Goliath asks Hudson where Coldstone and Coldfire, and Hudson shares that the zombie cyborg and robot members of the clan are still on patrol. Elisa also notes how she and Goliath aren't the only ones dating – Broadway and Angela are certainly a couple. As Elisa considers how much Angela has become a sister to her, she notes how much the brotherly dynamic between the Trio have changed – not that long ago, they were joined at the wing-tip. As Katana and Brooklyn make their way to the rookery, Gnash asks if he could go on patrol, only to receive a swift NO from his parents.
Suddenly, Elisa's pager goes off – it's Matt. She tells Goliath that she better call him back, and she has a pretty solid idea why he's calling. A year after the gang war Manhattan saw which pitting crime boss Tony Dracon against the gangster Tomas Brod, Elisa and Matt are still seeing the ripple effects of both bosses locked up in Rikers Island (thanks to help from the Manhattan Clan). They now sharing the same cell no less – much to Elisa's amusement – but as they remain behind bars, their foot soldiers are determined to fight over the scraps of what remains of their criminal enterprises. Finally getting a hold of Matt, Elisa learns that Brod's people hit another Dracon drug lab. The attack, apparent explosion, and subsequent fire led to six injuries, including a bystander. But Elisa then asks if he's sure it was Brod's men, because since locking up Dracon and Brod, every gang is now jumping into the ring. But when Matt explains how he's looking at Dracon's right-hand Glasses and Brod's consigliere Jack Dane being detained, he rules out any new players – for now.
Elisa is then interrupted by the arrival of Coldstone and Coldfire. Coldstone tells Goliath, his rookery brother, that with the humans once more at war with one another why the clan simply doesn't allow them to destroy one another. As Elisa hands back the cell phone that Owen Burnett (David Xanatos's loyal executive assistant) provided, Coldfire tells her mate not to suggest such things. Landing on the castle tower, Coldfire explains to Goliath and Elisa how they did try to mitigate the damage – how, after, singling out the sounds of particle-beam fire from amongst all the noises of the city, they crashed down on the drug lab and interrupted the fighting enough for most of the gang underlings to temporarily draw their mutual fire. However, even the presence of two undead gargoyles wasn't enough a distraction, as Jack Dane quickly reminded Brod's men to focus on Dracon's crew. Seeking a reason to mutually separate the parties, Coldfire explains how she was the one to set fire to the drug lab – torching it with her robotic body's flame throwers. She concludes the tale by saying how they fled before the authorities could arrive.
Coldstone takes exception to Coldfire's use of the word 'fled', and he admits he doesn't understand why they only reveal themselves to "the scum of humanity" and not those humans they swore to protect. Goliath tries to offer his rookery brother the necessary context, although he admits it is to reconcile. Goliath explains to his rookery brother how gargoyles were mistrusted by humanity even during the Dark Ages, and that was when their kind were a common sight. A millennium later, its not unreasonable to consider humans might fear them, when it was less than a year ago that their kind were still consider mere legends. Recognizing that humans still haven't even learned to get along with another, she tells Coldstone it will be hard for humanity to accept another species. It here that Coldstone wonders why do they even bother protecting humanity . . . but Goliath puts a hand on his rookery brother's shoulder and reminds him what they were taught long ago: that gargoyles can "no more stop protecting the castle than breathing the air". As leader, Goliath tries to expand that concept, explaining that "Castle Manhattan" requires protection. Given that, their kind will not hide from humanity, but their kind will also allow time for the humans to better understand them. By watching over their protectorate from all possible danger, the hope is that, some day, they might live together in harmony, human and gargoyle alike. But Goliath tells Coldstone that in the meantime, they should use their legendary status to trouble and torment Manhattan's miscreants for the criminals of New York are a "superstitious and cowardly lot". Elisa finds that phrasing familiar, and can't help but ask Goliath if he's intentionally quoting the Caped Crusader. Having not read those comics yet, Goliath denies doing so, and asks Elisa if this crusader might be a potential ally. Elisa drops the subject when her beeper goes off again. Goliath asks if it is Detective Bluestone, but Elisa sees that it is the number for her brother, Derek.
Meanwhile at Rikers, Tony Dracon hears from outside his cell the news that his grandfather and uncle are set to be released from Bellevue and Sing Sing Correctional Facility|Sing Sing]], respectively. Tony doesn't respond, prompting Tomas Brod to ask his cellmate why he's not happy that with two "top dog" Dracons will be back on on the street . . .
Down beneath the streets of Manhattan, Derek, known to the denizens of the Labyrinth as the mutate Talon, tells Al that he paged his sister, but his major-domo suggests that given the circumstances – specifically that Maggie the Cat is about to give birth – perhaps he should have called the doctor or the midwife? As Maggie begins to scream from the labor pains, she is supported by the clone Delilah. Talon agrees, and goes to call both. While the others keep a watch on Delilah, one Labyrinth local, Shari, notifies Thailog at Nightstone that if he plans on having an invested interest on Talon and Maggie's baby, he best stake his claim "sooner than later". As Anton Sevarius and Brentwood listen in, Thailog tells her that he understands and that, for the record, he fully intends to adopt the child to raise as his own. Shari is confused by this; this kid won't be an orphan when born. Thailog smiles at what he already has in store and replies, "No. Not yet."
With dawn approaching, Coldstone and Coldfire depart to recharge their robotic bodies. Goliath agrees, feeling the whole clan's need to "recharge". Elisa and Goliath bid their farewells to one another just before the Sun finally rises over the Atlantic. Noting how her boyfriend's need for Stone Sleep is certainly a setback to their relationship, Elisa shrugs it off: nobody's perfect. As Elisa descends down the steps of the highest tower, she looks forward to meeting her future niece or nephew. She's also comforted that, at least during the day, Manhattan isn't as crazy as it is at night.
Right?
Review
Gargoyles is back, as another comic book series, this time from Dynamite. The first issue offers good prospects for the new series.
Greg Weisman provided a good way to re-introduce the cast and their situation to new audiences, through Elisa's voice-over narration. This feels particularly appropriate for a detective, and on the whole, captures Elisa's voice well. One of the highlights is her explaining about the gargoyles by adapting the opening narration from Season Two, culminating in, "They are defenders of the night. They are... well... you get the idea." Elisa provides basic introductions for all the members of the clan (except Bronx and Fu-Dog, who will presumably need to wait for future issues), including the new members Katana and Nashville. As she does so, we see the gargoyles interact with her and with each other, to help give us all the more a sense of what they're like. (In particular, we find out more about Nashville; he's picked up a familiarity with British slang, for example.)
We also see the gargoyles continuing to protect the city. In the opening pages, they help Elisa and Matt catch the three street thugs after another robbery (Lexington takes over the driving of their getaway car, in a possible call-back to his driving Vinnie's motorcycle in "Awakening: Part Three"; fortunately, he safely parks it, indicating that he's gotten a lot better at handling motor vehicles). While the gargoyles handle this problem with little trouble, the organized crime situation in Manhattan is taking a more serious turn; with Dracon and Brod both in prison (since "Turf"), a gang war has developed over who takes over their rackets (including a confrontation between the remnants of Dracon's gang, led by Glasses, and Brod's, led by Jack Dane). Presumably this will be one of the major action threads of at least the first few issues.
Coldstone and Coldfire step in to deal with one such gang battle, which leads to Coldstone and Goliath arguing afterwards about how they should handle their mission to protect the city. Coldstone is still bitter about the way humans respond to gargoyles (which he had displayed even before the Wyvern Massacre, as the opening of "Reawakening" showed), while Goliath insists on continuing to work (if slowly) towards making peace with the human race. This leads to one of the funniest moments in the issue, when he refers to the criminals of Manhattan as "a superstitious and cowardly lot", prompting Elisa to comment on the Batman reference (which Goliath, of course, was unaware of). The scene is all the more amusing, in light of the concerns in the television series' development days that it might be perceived as a rip-off of Batman: The Animated Series.
But stranger developments are at work. Talon and Maggie are about to have their child (following the revelation of Maggie's pregnancy back in "The Rock"), and Thailog has learned of this and is planning to claim the child for his own. All while Elisa plans to head down to the Labyrinth to greet her new nephew or niece, suspecting nothing...
It's a good start to the new series; let us hope there'll be many more issues. (And I hope that Elisa's narration will continue for future issues; it'll come in handy when other figures, such as Xanatos, make their return appearances...)
Featured Characters and First Appearances
| Gargoyles | Humans |
|---|---|
|
| Places | Media |
|---|---|
|
|
Quotes
- "Dude, Man, I'm drivin' here!!!"
- "I am neither a 'dude' nor a 'man'. Not in any sense of the words." - ATM Bandit and Angela
- "Geez, you two . . . we've got an impressionable minor, here."
- "Oh, please, I've seen snogging before." - Brooklyn and Gnash
- "Adopt?" The kid's not exactly an orphan."
- "No. Not yet." - Shari and Thailog
Tidbits
This issue continues the Gargoyles tradition of appearances from the "recurring bit characters". As mentioned above, the criminals whom the gargoyles apprehend are the three street thugs. Officer Morgan has a cameo, talking with Matt after their arrest. A bystander injured in the gang war is revealed to be the Jogger (and he's being loaded into an ambulance by a couple of the hospital personnel from "Deadly Force"). Brendan and Margot make a silent cameo as Elisa starts her explanation about Talon, and when the scene shifts to the Labyrinth, we see not only the Mutates, the Clones, and Al, but also the "new Mutates" introduced in the Bad Guys spin-off, Benny, Erin, and Thug.
As Maggie goes into labor, Al suggests they should "call the midwife", an allusion to the famous BBC drama series. (It began airing in 2012, approximately fifteen years after the events in this issue.)
Cover Gallery
|
|
|
|
See Also
| << Previous Episode: "Clan-Building" Chapter Twelve: "Phoenix" | Next Episode: "Here In Manhattan" Chapter Two: "Idyll or Nightmare" >> |
