New Rules
"New Rules" is the tenth issue of the Gargoyles comic by Dynamite Entertainment. It was released on October 25th, 2023. [1]
- Writer/Creator: Greg Weisman
- Pencil Artist: George Kambadais
- Color Artists: Giulia Giacomino & Giovanna La Pietra
- Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry
- Editor: Nate Cosby
- Main Cover Artist: David Nakayama
Contents
Solicitation
A RACE AGAINST TIME! Brooklyn's attempts to lead the Clan have left him feeling disappointed and estranged from those he is closest to. But when news of a kidnapping comes in, it’s up to Brooklyn, Lexington, and Broadway to save the day. Can they come together in time to make the daring rescue? Or will daybreak stop them in their tracks?
The Story
Katana thinks back to her Naming Ceremony, where her Clan in Ishimura, Japan determined that she had something in common with the single-edged blade. She accepted the name, but consciously chose to not let the name define her. Growing up during the feudal days of the Shogunate, Katana recalls how humans and gargoyles practiced Bushido and trained side by side. Her journeys with Brooklyn TimeDancing around the world still brought more interactions with humanity, but never before has the relationship between humans and gargoyles been more tense than in the land and time she and her mate have settled in: New York City, 1997. The second night of Goliath's Hearing. Sitting in the TV room next to her mate, the room is filled with Hudson, Coldfire, Broadway, Angela, Lexington, and Gnash. All eyes are focused on the television set.
As Katana watches the Hearing's proceedings get underway, she notes how she's never known a human and gargoyle falling in love with one another. In her experience, what makes her Clan Leader Goliath and his love, Elisa Maza, unique is unlikely to be tolerated.
As she contemplates this, Tobe Crest begins to grill the detective on the stand, and Katana braces herself. The lawyer asks her about her relationship with the gargoyle, and Elisa matter-of-factly states how she first encountered Goliath while investigating an incident at the Eyrie Building on October 5th, 1994. She testiies that the initial sight shocked her enough to fall off the skyscraper, but adds that it was the gargoyle that caught her midair. Crest asks her what's transpired between the two since then, and Elisa tells the courtroom (and everyone watching the broadcast) that the two have worked together on many cases, explaining that Goliath has in fact been instrumental in the arrest of multiple suspects, from The Pack to Anthony Dracon. Turning to Judge Roebling, Elisa makes the argument that, appearances aside, Goliath is the "the most human individual" she has ever met, "by any rational definition of the word." Given that, she asks "how could he not deserve the rights we enjoy?"
Tobe Crest acknowledges how informative her testimony has been thus far. But he reminds her of the question he asked her: What is her relationship with Goliath?
Elisa is silent, but her pause merely reveals her shift in demeanor, which is quite resolved. Restrained, Goliath can't save her from this particular drop. Nor does he need to. Before the court and (perhaps) the entire world, Elisa testifies that she loves him. That she, Elisa Maza, is in love with Goliath. Not only that, but she is confident that Goliath loves her. They love each other.
Back at the Eyrie Building, Brooklyn is stunned. "Wow. Just . . . wow." He admits that he knew that's how she felt – how they both felt. What's got him is that she said it aloud. In court. "And on TV. On LIVE TV," he points out. Katana is silent on the revelation, even as she wonders if Elisa's admirable profession was wise. Will humanity accept it?
At Park Manor Hotel, Dominic Dracon is confused; who is Elisa in love with? Antoinette clarifies – "With the gargoyle, Pop-Pop." While the eldest Dracon is in disbelief, Dino Dracon admits how brave it was "for the cop to cop to it". He concludes that while it shows how big love can be as a motivator, it doesn't guarantee nothing for the "Romeos and Juliets o' this world . . . not for Maza and the Monster . . . not for nobody." On their coffee table, the ransom photos of the still-captive Peter Choy and Rosaria Sanchez linger.
The courtroom long since cordial, Assistant District Attorney Margot Yale begins her cross-examination. She clarifies Goliath's role in the aid of arresting multiple criminals, even when his involvement was never reported to the press. Elisa confirms that Goliath's involvement was best kept a secret, but Yale digs in further: Not just the creature's role, but its very existence? Elisa takes the chance to correct her: "His existence, yes." Yale presses on, did she at least inform her precinct captain, Maria Chavez? Of the many bodies in the courtroom, Captain Chavez is amongst them, waiting for Elisa's response. Perhaps a harder truth to admit than her declaration of love, Elisa admits that she kept the full truth from her superior as well. ADA Yale wants it spelled out; even when Captain Chavez appointed her to the Gargoyle Taskforce? Elisa admits that is the case, but Yale makes her repeat her admission. Margot Yale begins to pontificate: so not only is the detective "romatically – if not unhealthily – obsessed wih the monster" but Elisa's also lying and obstructing her fellow police officers for Goliath's benefit. Tobe Crest objects, wondering where the question is, and Judge Roebling tells ADA Yale to get to the point. The attorney arrives at her question, which she describes as simple: why should anyone trust Elisa's testimony . . . let alone her judgement? Elisa is quiet. Margot Yale insists, "No answer, Detective?" No response. Her point made, she tells Judge Roebling she has no further questions.
In their private quarters, Xanatos and Fox are watching the Hearing from their bed. Just as Margot Yale finishes her line of questioning, they hear a knock on the door. Xanatos welcomes Owen in, who informs them that Preston Vogel is on the phone for Fox. She tells Owen that she'll call Vogel back; she's not about to miss "the best on television", but she' once more interupted by Titania herself, who tells her daughter cryptically, "it is time".
Judge Roebling then asks Tobe Crest if he has any other witnesses, and Crest says he doesn't. Roebling then asks for Crest's closing statement, which he waves. Roebling moves on to ADA Yale, who is brief. Whatever the Hearing's concerns, it is simply outside the scope of the Court to rewrite the definition of humanity. Crest then declares his intention for a statement in rebuttal. Telling Goliath to rise, he begins by pointing out there was a time in the United States when someone who looked like him wouldn't meet the definition of humanity, and thus "didn't deserve any rights at all". Asking Judge Roebling to remember the lesson that history is not kind "to those who fought or aided in oppression", he points out that that Goliath's Hearing will be studied for years to come. Judge Roebling should be mindful not to be on the wrong side of history, Crest concludes.
Judge Roebling makes his ruling as friend and foe, human and gargoyle alike in Manhattan (if not the world) watches. For the first matter to be decided, whether or not Goliath possesses sentience: after everything, he considers the answer obvious "and not truly in question", but for the record he rules that "the Gargoyle Goliath does – clearly – possess sentience". As for the second matter, whether Goliath is entitled to the same rights as any human: As ADA Yale pointed out, one must be human to qualify for human rights, but "what constitutes humanity?" Gavel in hand, he rests it as he reflects on the testimony he heard, which he points out suggests that Goliath has all the qualities humans consider the most 'humane', air-quoting the final word before the courtroom. Thus his ruling on the second matter: "Gargoyles qualify for the same rights as any human." Picking up the gavel once more, he declares Goliath is free to go, given that he was "arrested without cause and has been accused of no crime".
Detective Matt Bluestone removes the shackles and shock-collar, and Tobe Crest looks proudly at his client for, suddenly, Goliath is an equal in the eyes of the court.
Back at the Eyrie Building, jubilation and "Jalapeña!" fills the TV Room. Hudson rests on his recliner beaming while Gnash and Lex share a high four as Angela delights in how her father was right about the humans. Brooklyn admits he had his doubts and Katana figures the entire Manhattan Clan had their doubts. Still, she wonders what factor ultimately went in Goliath's favor – "Did Elisa's testimony help or hurt?" Ultimately, she's not concerned in that question being answered. What truly maters is that their Clan will be whole once more, for Goliath is coming home.
Coldfire radios to Coldstone that the verdict is in: their rookery brother has been released from human custody. Coldstone acknowledges the good news, admitting they much to thank the humans for. Considering their actions a gift to the Manhattan Clan, he tells Coldfire their generosity will not be forgotten.
"It's a battle won . . ." Crest tells Goliath outside the courthouse, and Goliath recognizes that true peace between gargoyles and humans has yet to be realized. Crest sees the truth in that, but points out that they can still enjoy the moment. As they go their separate ways, Goliath thanks him as a friend.
Travis Marshall, with a crowd of reporters and cameras in his wake, are suddenly at Goliath's feet. Marshall asks for an interview with WVRN as others press him about how many gargoyles are out there, and if other creatures of myth and legend are true. Just past the crowd, Elisa looks on at her love. Catching sight of her, Marshall asks if they could talk to both of them, given how Maza's testimony rocked "Manhattan, if not the world".
Suddenly, Owen is at Goliath's side, whispering in the gargoyle's ear. Excusing himself, Goliath climbs the nearest wall and leaps to the skies. Elisa watches him glide away.
In his office, Judge Roebling talks to a confidant. He's anticipating all the blowback he's about to receive from his peers, from City Hall, and from the press for ruling in Goliath's favor. His tentative plans to semi-retire working arbritating corporate cases looks completely shot now. Echoing Margot Yale's insinuation at Detective Maza earlier, who'll trust his judgement now? But his confidant – David Xanatos – isn't worried. If anything, the money he just wired to Judge Roebling's account in the Cayman Islands should satisfy a proper retirement. Offering his hand, Xanatos points out that, plus, Roebling did the right thing. Roebling admits it does feel like he did the right thing. "Without a doubt, Xanatos concludes, "The right thing for everyone . . ."
Aboard Fortress-2, Preston Vogel thanks Goliath for coming, admitting the timing wasn't ideal. As he's being escorted, Goliath understands the timing is "beyond anyone's control". With Fox, Alexander, and Anastasia Renard already at this bedside, Halcyon Renard tells his friend that, admittedly, "one's own passing is . . . rarely convienent."
Review
Goliath's Hearing comes to a triumphant conclusion in this issue.
Elisa took the stand at the end of the last issue, and this issue sees her testimony on Goliath's behalf. The same detective who had earlier kept the clan, and her ties with it, a secret, now voluntarily admits her relationship with Goliath – on live television, with almost the entire population of Manhattan watching – and it is a grand moment, especially when she confesses her feelings for the gargoyle. Brooklyn, watching the scene on television, says, "Wow. Just... wow." The bulk of the readers of this issue must have felt the same way.
Katana, the narrator of this issue, provides even more commentary on this moment – especially when she states that, despite her TimeDancing with Brooklyn to many other centuries, has never encountered or even heard of any other cases of a gargoyle and a human falling in love. From this perspective, while as impressed by Elisa's words as her mate, she can see the danger; as she puts it, "uniqueness, I have found, is rarely tolerated."
Margot demonstrates this truth in attempting to tear Elisa's testimony to pieces, especially when she gleefully points out how Elisa was keeping the gargoyles a secret from her boss, Captain Chavez (present in the courtroom, and listening to the proceedings with an ominously impassive face). By the end of her scene, Gargoyles fans will be no doubt placing Ms. Yale even higher on their list of "Gargoyles Characters You Love to Hate". The ramifications of Elisa concealing her friendship with the gargoyles (something that has received much discussion from the fans, especially once the hearing entered the story) aren't explored beyond Margot's attack on her, but I suspect that we will see more of them in stories to come (though, alas, there may not be much room for them in "Here in Manhattan" – see below). "New Rules" certainly seems a very appropriate title for this issue; while it immediately applies to the outcome of the hearing for Goliath - and the rest of the gargoyles for him - it also matches the new situation for Goliath, his clan, and Elisa.
Tobe Crest holds his own, however; in particular, he points out how gargoyles aren't the only minority group who've been looked upon as "less than human" in an effective and eloquent manner. And he wins the day, as Judge Roebling (after a pause, during which we get a great "double-page spread" of the people in Manhattan watching this event waiting for his ruling – including not just the Manhattan clan but also Elisa's parents, Beth, the Labyrinth Clan (Delilah is missing, without explanation, but we see Maggie holding her infant son), Thailog, Sevarius, Shahrizad, the Dracons, Slaughter, Billy and Susan's family, even Demona) declares for Goliath and sets him free. A great victory for the gargoyles – as the clan recognizes (Gnash even lets out a cry of "Jalapeña!"). It's a pity we don't see Margot's response to it, but there's more issues to come.
This grand moment is followed by a delightfully funny moment where Goliath, after being unshackled and shaking hands with Tobe Crest, discovers the one big disadvantage of being recognized as sentient: every reporter in New York wants to interview him! They're even flooding him with such questions as whether he could turn to stone for them now, and whether other mythical beings, such as fairies, Bigfoot, and the Loch Ness Monster exist too. (We know already that two out of the three do, of course – and we don't have proof yet that Bigfoot isn't real in the Gargoyles Universe.) Travis Marshall, in particular, wants to interview both Goliath and Elisa over their love for each other – but that conversation will have to wait when Goliath receives some serious news from Owen....
In the aftermath, we learn that Xanatos, in his typical style, had bribed Judge Roebling (though it's possible that Crest's closing speech may have helped the Judge to that decision; we can safely assume that, while he's not relishing being seen by his peers as "the wacko judge who ruled a monster was human", he probably wouldn't want to be regarded as the 1990's version of Roger B. Taney). Trust Xanatos to engage in that kind of behind-the-scenes manipulation – if, this time, to aid the gargoyles.
But Goliath has other matters to consider on the last page, when he learns that Halcyon Renard is dying (we were prepared for this moment not only by his poor health in the previous issue, but also a summons Fox receives earlier in the issue – from both Preston Vogel and, when she's reluctant to answer it – Titania herself), and arrives at his bedside (with Anastasia, Fox, and Alexander already present). And the "Next" caption reinforces this somber tone with "The Beginning of the End...."
It is indeed the beginning of the end, with only two issues left of "Here in Manhattan". This raises one concern; there are still enough major elements of this story unresolved – Dino Dracon's schemes (a thread barely advanced in the last two issues, though we get a good scene with Dino, Dominic, and Antoinette watching the hearings, and their response to Elisa's announcement – Dino refers to them as "Maza and the Monster", as the latest Beauty and the Beast allusion in Gargoyles), Renard's passing, Broadway and Angela's Commitment Ceremony, and the friction among the Trio – that I wonder if there's enough room to address all of these. But I believe that Greg Weisman will be able to pull it off – and look forward to the next issue....
Featured Characters and First Appearances
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Tidbits
- Brooklyn and Katana are revealed to have encountered some version of the Three Musketeers during their TimeDancing, matching Elisa's mention of them in "A Little Crazy". This continues Gargoyles' record of, whenever the series makes a casual allusion to a famous legendary, historical, or literary figure, that figure is bound to be featured in a later story.
- Fox's line about not letting Vogel "preempt the best show on television" might remind longtime fans of the series to the preemption of many airings of Gargoyles during its second season by news coverage of the O. J. Simpson trial. [2][3][4]
Cover Gallery
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Links
| << Previous Episode: "Here In Manhattan" Chapter Nine: "Your Witness" | Next Episode: "Here In Manhattan" Chapter Eleven: "Young At Heart">> |
