Losers

Bad Guys #6 by Greg Guler & Robby Bevard

"Losers" is the sixth issue of the Gargoyles: Bad Guys comic by SLG, and Chapter six of the Redemption story arc.

On August 31, 2008, SLG's license to produce single issues of the Gargoyles: Bad Guys comic ended. The material that would have made up issues five and six was included in the trade paperback collection, Gargoyles: Bad Guys - Redemption, as "bonus material".

Crew
Writer/Creator: Greg Weisman Artist: Karine Charlebois Art Director/Cover Pencil Artist: Greg Guler Cover Color Artist: Robby Bevard

Solicitation

In the final battle against the forces of the Illuminati, each member of the squad will have to decide just whose side they are on. Is redemption even possible for the bad guys? And if so, at what cost?

Summary

Main Plot

The Redemption Squad and Falstaff's Gang exchange introductions and, during dinner, Falstaff insists to the Squad that the Illuminati are trying to save the world. He introduces fellow members that the Squad is familiar with that vouch for the Society. The Squad ultimately concludes the Society isn't to be trusted but also realize they cannot destroy Eastcheap Isle as originally planned: Dingo learns the island holds the Illuminati's treasury, filled with countless works of art and history. Falstaff anticipates their betrayal, and after a brief stalemate, orders his gang to retreat, revealing Eastcheap to be a submersible ship. The Redemption Squad ultimately survive with Matrix serving as a lifeboat, still seeking redemption.

Subplots

The Director learns that his organization has lost contact with the Redemption Squad, following the helicopter's explosion in “Strangers”. He also reports to a "Monsieur Le Maire", who questions the Director's tactics. Hunter further reveals to the Squad and Falstaff's Gang that they are working with Interpol.

Despite their failure, the Redemption Squad did capture one member of Falstaff's Gang: Mistress Quickly, who was still restrained by Matrix as they floated in the middle of the ocean.

The Story

An intercom buzzes in an office in Paris, France. From the machine, Dolores informs her boss, the Director, that they lost contact with the Redemption Squad. The Director isn't fazed; if the team is as tough as they were promised to be, then he figures they can handle a little trouble. Already attending to the other business on his desk, he reminds Dolores that the squad knew how dangerous the job was – when he forced them to do it.

Meanwhile, underneath a large tapestry depicting the unfinished pyramid of the Illuminati, the Redemption Squad is surrounded by Falstaff and his gang. Despite Falstaff's assurance that Dingo is welcome and safe, Hunter expresses her doubts, noting the gun still trained on her by Dingo's old associate, Pistol. Falstaff apologizes and tells both Pistol and Points to stand down, explaining they are among friends. As they do, Matrix reverts the blade it was wielding into their forearm once more, sharing, "My friends serve law and order." Falstaff is unsure how to respond, but figures introductions are in order. Introducing himself once more as Falstaff, he then presents his gang: Mistress Quickly, Mistress Doll, Bardolph, Points, and Pistol.

Informing Falstaff that he also goes by a different name, Dingo introduces the rest of the Redemption Squad: the human Hunter, the self-aware Matrix, the gargoyle Yama, and the (still unconscious) mutate Fang. Holding his drink with a bone garnish, Falstaff is amused by how motley both crews look. At any event, their altercation with one another has delayed dinner and, gesturing to himself, Falstaff admits he's not one to miss a meal. With that, Falstaff invites the Redemption Squad join his gang to a feast. Everyone eventually joins the table, even Fang – who's still nursing the blow to his head.

Seated to Falstaff's left, Hunter makes it clear she has no intention of getting comfortable with the rest of Falstaff's gang. Falstaff comments how uptight Hunter is to Dingo at his right, and Dingo, exasperated, points out how Falstaff has no idea just how uptight she can be. Halfway through a turkey leg, Falstaff asks Hunter why she is so put out, when he's the one that's left with several destroyed robots. "My damn expensive 'bots," Falstaff adds. Dingo chimes in, pointing out that it was Falstaff who started it, what with blowing up their helicopter. Falstaff counters that the Redemption Squad were the ones trespassing, and Dingo reminds Falstaff just who it was that taught him how to trespass. With that, Falstaff bursts out laughing. Having had enough with the niceties, Hunter makes it clear that the two sides won't be "breaking bread" anytime soon. Mouthful of food, Fang pauses midbite, disappointed by this development: "We won't?" he asks aloud. Matrix meanwhile absorbs the metal cutlery.

Falstaff cuts to the chase, asking Dingo who Hunter works for. Dingo shares that it's someone she calls "Sir". Hunter grows more annoyed with Dingo, but she dismisses the comment, reminding Dingo that she doesn't need him to be quiet because he doesn't know anything beyond what he already shared to Falstaff. Throwing an arm around Falstaff, Dingo tells Hunter to relax, trying to have her take into consideration the fact that Falstaff practically raised him. Hunter's hardly impressed, let alone reassured, by Dingo's testimonial. Falstaff takes the moment to rib Dingo a bit, pointing out that Hunter must indeed know him well.

As the feast starts to wind down, Dingo and Falstaff clink their drink. Dingo shares that he's heard Falstaff's associates are trying to take over the world. As the two drink, Matrix chimes in that it once attempted to do the same thing with geometry. Once again, Falstaff isn't quite sure how to respond, so he ignores Matrix and tells Dingo they are "Saving the world, actually. Or at least trying to." Insisting he and the others are the good guys, he promises he can prove it to the whole squad.

Hunter, Matrix, Fang, and Yama are led to a room with large monitors. There, Hunter and Matrix look at one monitor while Fang and Yama look at another. "Hello, Robyn," Fiona Canmore greets her great niece while Yama, thinking he's seeing Goliath, asks if there's something wrong with the monitor's color. The gargoyle on the screen informs Yama that he is not Goliath, but his rookery son, Thailog. Fiona tells Hunter that the family has been looking for her, but Hunter explains that she refuses to return to the "hunt", admitting that she no longer believes in it. Fiona reframes the hunt, telling Hunter that it is but a small part of a larger tapestry. Thailog meanwhile tells Yama that he knows Fang, and can vouch for him. Fang admits as much, telling Yama that "Thailog's my kinda gargoyle."

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the island, Dingo shares his efforts to seek redemption with Falstaff, who understands Dingo's desire to do so. Falstaff himself has also sought to redeem his life, explaining that's how he's come to be on this island. As they walk, he explains that he's grown tired of looking over his shoulder after every job he's pulled, but Dingo's not convinced that Falstaff would just give up that lifestyle, calling him an "old fat fox". He admits to Dingo that's precisely the point – Falstaff then pulls a lit torch hanging from the cavern wall, opening a secret entrance. Dingo suddenly sees the Illuminati's treasury, filled to the brim with countless, priceless, timeless artifacts – sculptures, paintings, armor, weapons, lampshades, jewelry, and gold . . . so much gold. As Dingo stands there dumbfounded, Falstaff tells him that the world's largest "henhouse", as Falstaff describes the treasury, needs precisely a "fat old fox" to protect it!

Some time later, Falstaff escorts the Redemption Squad to a drawing room where the group can discuss their options in private. He closes the door and Hunter directs Matrix to ensure the room is, indeed, private. Following the command, Matrix asks everyone to briefly hop in the air and as the squad does so, it immediately transforms into a floating orb, encasing the others inside.

From the island's control room, Falstaff curses the artificial intelligence – he tells Mistress Doll to raise the volume, but she points out that the controls are already at maximum gain. With no way to hear through Matrix's soundproof orb, Mistress Doll asks what they should do. Falstaff tells her they will hope for the best and, slamming a fist into his palm, plan for the worst. Before long, the two see Matrix's orb collapse and Dingo confirming that the Squad's in agreement.

Meanwhile in Paris, Dolores buzzes the Director's intercom again, informing him that Monsieur Le Maire is on line one. The Director picks up the receiver, and Le Maire shares that he's read the Director's report on the Redemption Squad. The Director explains that it was time they fought "fire with fire", but Le Maire disapproves, explaining how that is how the enemy thinks. The Director asks for clarification: is Le Maire ordering him to disband? "Not at all. Une Brigade de Redemption may indeed be the key to une victoire ultime . . . so long as they do not become that which we fight against."

Back on the island, everyone has gathered by the antechamber with the large Illuminati tapestry. Falstaff and Dingo shake hands, as Dingo asks him where the Redemption Squad signs up. Falstaff explains that the Illuminati doesn't just induct anyone and, with that, asks Hunter for full disclosure. Who are they working for?

Five minutes earlier, while the Redemption Squad was still in Matrix's orb, Dingo walks through all that he knows about Falstaff. He tells the others that the John Oldcastle he knows is "an unrepentant liar", but perhaps this time he's telling the truth – that maybe the Illuminati are the good guys. He then asks Hunter to finally share who they are working for. Yama suddenly interrupts, telling Hunter that the Illuminati cannot be trusted. She asks him just how he can be so sure.

In the antechamber, Hunter tells Falstaff that they are working for Interpol, based out of Paris. Falstaff comments how "revealing" that information is. At any rate, he tells the squad they'll find a place for them to bunk for the night when Fang suddenly turns down the offer, blasting electricity at both Mistresses Doll and Quickly, hitting Mistress Doll, but missing Mistress Quickly as she speeds off. Also stunned (but not by the blast of electricity), Hunter demands to know what Fang is doing!

Five minutes earlier in Marix's orb, Yama explains how Thailog asked Fang to vouch for him, which Fang did. Dingo's confused – the squad doesn't trust Fang, and Fang knows that! Within the orb, Fang is proud of his ploy. With that, Matrix asks Dingo if their original mission as planned is what will best serve for law and order, and while taking on the Illuminati does, he disagrees with the specific details of destroying the island. Hunter promises they'll do their best to safely apprehend Falstaff, and while Dingo appreciates that (not wanting anyone to be hurt too much), he tells Hunter that the island isn't just a stronghold, but a treasury "filled with irreplaceable works of art and history".

Fang explains that, with his own history of backstabbing, he just knew "Fat-stuff" was on to them. Matrix reasons aloud that they'll need to disable their opponents, but Mistress Quickly rushes forward, telling Matrix that'll be easier said than done. She doesn't notice that Matrix's nanobots has spread across the ground, eliminating all traction. She slips and falls on the ground as Matrix observes how her statement "lacks traction". Matrix then quickly contains Mistress Quickly, leaving her a frozen silvery figure.

Falstaff and Dingo go toe-to-toe, and they express their disappointment in one another, referring to each other as "John" and "Harry". Dingo admits he didn't want to take Falstaff on, but Falstaff tells him that's exactly what he will have to do. Points meanwhile takes on Yama, with the two of them exchanging blows, steel for steel. Points taunts that he's the better skilled with a sword, stabbing Yama in the stomach. Yama admits that Points is the better swordsman, but, intentionally guiding the blade clean through his side, argues he has other skills. Pinning Points's hands to the sword impaling him, Yama assures the swordsman that he'll heal at sunrise before knocking him out with a punch.

As Bardolph chases Hunter, who stays out of his range by backflipping before managing to kick the fire breather in the face, Falstaff manages to snap out of the bolas Dingo ensnared him with. He shouts to Pistol, who reveals himself to be on the floor above, with a gatling gun trained on the Redemption Squad. But Robyn counters that Falstaff and his gang are also cornered, with Matrix explaining that it is also an explosive device capable of destroying the island. Falstaff doesn't buy it, figuring that Dingo is playing a bluff. Dingo reminds Falstaff just who exactly taught him how to play. Left with no other option, Falstaff orders one shot from Pistol, telling him to aim for "Target Omega". Pistol takes a handgun and nails his shot, striking a button behind glass. The button activates a sequence that makes the ground beneath the Redemption Squad begin to quake. Dingo is astonished that Falstaff would be willing to blow the island himself, but Falstaff corrects him: Eastcheap is not an island, but a ship that Falstaff can submerge and is currently in the process of submerging. He adds that, unfortunately for the Redemption Squad, the antechamber is not watertight, so they won't survive the island sinking into the ocean. For that, John Oldcastle apologies to Harry.

After the island has completely submerged, Matrix's orb breaches to the surface and reconfigures itself to a lifeboat, with Matrix's head as the figurehead. Not only is every member of the Redemption Squad is safely on board, but also Mistress Quickly, who is still encased in Matrix's nanobots. Hunter slams a fist into her palm, frustrated that Falstaff escaped with the treasure. Fang leans back in the lifeboat, accusing Hunter of unrealistic expectations. He tells her, "We survived. The rest is gravy. Gotta embrace your inner loser, sports fans." Yama calls Fang an idiot and the mutate then braces for the gargoyle to strike him. To everyone's surprise though, Yama simply puts a hand on Fang's shoulder, explaining that Fang's more right than wrong. Standing up, Yama asks, "Which of us here does not seek redemption for past sins?" Matrix turns its masthead to remind everyone that it seeks law and order. Yama smiles, but maintains that his point still applies to the other members of the squad. He continues, pointing out that redemption will not come easy, nor does it require success. "Results are immaterial," he adds, "The path is long and only by striving will we find our way." Dingo asks Yama how will they know they've arrived and Yama considers the answer obvious: they'll know when––

But Yama is suddenly cut off by the dawn, hibernating for the day. Fang is infuriated, sharing just how much he hates gargoyles. Dingo and Hunter share a look before Dingo asks her if anyone is planning on looking for them.

As they float adrift at sea, a panel of the squad's helicopter, with the word "Redemption" emblazoned on it, floats not far by.

Fin.

Review

Review by Todd W. Jensen

The final chapter of Bad Guys: Redemption – and the final chapter from the Gargoyles Universe for a while (though, let us hope, not the final chapter forever). Fortunately, it brings the Redemption Squad's first story to a satisfactory close.

We get our first look at the Director, Hunter's mysterious supervisor and the man behind the Redemption Squad. He had apparently founded the team to battle the Illuminati (Hunter claims that the Director works for Interpol, but judging from Falstaff's skepticism, she is probably not telling the truth). His own higher-up, known only as "Monsieur Le Maire" (probably a title or code name rather than a real name; it's French for "Mr. Mayor"), expresses his concerns to the Director about the advisability of the plan, seeing it as straying too close to the Illuminati's "ends-justifying-the-means" tone. Yet he agrees to let the project continue, as long as the Redemption Squad "do not become that which we fight against".

It seems at first as if Monsieur Le Maire's fear might be fulfilled, for Falstaff invites the Redemption Squad to join the Illuminati rather than to battle it, arguing that the Society wants to save the world, rather than to conquer it; he even describes it as "the good guys", in a delightful echo of the series' title. Since "Rock of Ages" had hinted that the Illuminati's goal (at least, from Peredur's perspective) was to prepare for King Arthur Pendragon's eventual return in Britain's (and maybe Earth's) great hour of need, this might be more than just the familiar case of the villain thinking himself the hero – though a close look at the Illuminati's actions throughout Gargoyles and Bad Guys shows that, even though their objective is noble, they have indeed succumbed to the philosophy of the ends justifying the means that Monsieur Le Maire dislikes.

Eager to convince the Squad of the Illuminati's intentions, Falstaff has them introduced to two of his colleagues by videophone – Fiona Canmore for Hunter (who tells her great-great-niece that the Canmores' "Hunt is but a vignette in a much larger tapestry") and Thailog for Fang. Falstaff makes his big mistake in choosing Thailog as one of the Illuminati's vouchers, for Fang, recognizing him from "The Reckoning" and knowing what the scheming clone is like, describes Thailog as his kind of gargoyle – which he knows will immediately put his team-mates, aware of his own unsavory habits, on their guard against the Society!

The Redemption Squad (cloaked from Falstaff's surveillance technology during their private conference thanks to Matrix) make up their mind to stay loyal to their mission rather than to switch sides. During their council, Dingo has another of his great moments when he opposes the proposed destruction of Falstaff's base: the Illuminati have used it to store their treasure, including a wealth of historical artifacts and artwork from all ages and around the world, and Dingo (echoing Hudson and Broadway at the climax of "A Lighthouse in the Sea of Time") doesn't want to see these cultural riches destroyed.

In the ensuing battle, the Redemption Squad (thanks in particular to some quick thinking by Fang) defeat most of Falstaff's operatives – but Falstaff escapes with the treasure, leaving the Redemption Squad in the middle of the ocean, on board Matrix in his boat-shape, with their only success being the capture of Mistress Quickly, one of Falstaff's agents. While it seems as if they've lost, Yama points out, in a grand closing speech, that the outcome of the external battle was less important than their quest for redemption, describing it as a difficult but necessary journey. Compared to this, Falstaff's escape seems almost irrelevant. It's a great moment, but Greg leavens it with humor, such as Yama's amusement (a rare moment for him) at Matrix's single-minded pursuit of law and order in contrast to his team-mates' goals, and Fang's exasperation when Yama turns to stone as the sun rises in the middle of his speech.

And so ends Bad Guys: Redemption. As I said at the beginning of this review, I had expected this to be my least favorite spin-off from Gargoyles, but was pleasantly surprised at it. We had not only some fine action sequences, but, more important, vivid characterization, mingled with some humor – and in the final two chapters, a fresh touch of Shakespeare, this time drawing from the history plays for the first time. I'm glad that I tried it, and recommend this series to all Gargoyles fans.

Featured Characters

Gargoyles	Humans	Others
Yama Thailog Goliath (Mentioned Only)	Director (First Appearance) Dolores (Voice Only) Hunter Falstaff Dingo Mistress Doll Bardolph (No Lines) Points Fang Mistress Quickly Pistol Fiona Canmore (First Appearance) Monsieur Le Maire (Voice Only)	Matrix Eastcheap Attack Robots (Mentioned Only) Eastcheap Sentry Robots (Mentioned Only) Interpol (Mentioned Only) Illuminati White Council (Indirect Reference Only)

Quotes

• "So I hear you're taking over the world."

"We tried that that with geometry."

(stares at Matrix) "Saving the world, actually. Or trying to. - Dingo, Matrix, and Falstaff

• "The gargoyle I spoke to asked for Fang's endorsement . . . which Fang provided."

"But . . . we don't trust Fang . . . and Fang knows it!"

"Happy to help." - Yama, Dingo, and Fang

• "Ah crap! Have I mentioned how much I hate gargoyles?! Self-important, stuck-up, rasm-frasm, stone sucking gargoyles!" - Fang

Continuity

Yama's Redemption Squad uniform does not fall subject to the Spell of Humility, explaining why he folded it neatly on the hotel bed in "Estranged".

Tidbits

Dolores's report to the Director about the Redemption Squad's disappearance, and his response, are adapted from the leica reel. In the original (which takes place in Washington, D.C. and not Paris) an Owen-like assistant made the report to the Director.)

Fiona Canmore was originally created for "The Last", a never-made episode of the never-made series Team Atlantis that would have had the series' protagonists become involved in a confrontation between Fiona and Demona in Paris in the year 1920. Greg Weisman displays his usual "never waste anything" philosophy in incorporating her into Gargoyles canon in this chapter.

At the bottom of the final page, Greg Weisman dedicates Bad Guys to the memory of the late Gary Sperling, writing Gary's name in the Gargoyles font.

See Also

<< Previous Episode: "Redemption" Chapter Five: "Strangled"