Talon

Talon

Talon is the name taken by Derek Maza after Sevarius mutated him into a sort of winged panther-like humanoid.

History

After his transformation, Talon took command of the other Mutates, eventually re-entering Xanatos' service, due to his delusion that only Xanatos would be able to cure him. Goliath and Elisa tried to convince him that Xanatos was the very one responsible for his metamorphosis to begin with, but Talon, in denial, believed Xanatos' story that Goliath had been the one working with Anton Sevarius. When Goliath kidnapped Sevarius to try to force a cure out of him, Talon mistook his intentions, attacking and nearly killing the gargoyle in the abandoned Cyberbiotics underground research facility (soon to be Labyrinth). When Xanatos arrived to protect Sevarius, Talon finally realized the truth. He apologized to Goliath but turned down his offer to join the Manhattan Clan, opting instead to remain in the Labyrinth with the other Mutates, his new clan. ("The Cage")

Despite his dramatically altered appearance, Derek was received joyously by his worried family when Elisa brought them to see him. ("The Cage") The Mazas' ability to see past his changed form and accept Derek bodes well for their eventual acceptance of the gargoyles and Elisa's relationship with Goliath (though Talon himself will not approve of the relationship).

Talon and the other Mutates left Xanatos' service and set up a home for themselves in the Labyrinth. There they took the local homeless people under their protection, forming a community of sorts where the weak are to be protected. Talon became the informal leader, but never saw himself as such; his reluctance to assume the responsibility of leadership allowed Fang to carry out a coup, setting himself up as the ruler of the Labyrinth and temporarily imprisoning Talon. The Trio, Hudson, and Maggie rescued him, however, and after imprisoning Fang in a holding cell, Talon recognized at last the need to take command, and promptly assumed that role of leading the community in the Labyrinth. ("Kingdom") One human, Al, eventually became a major-domo to Talon, who Al (and perhaps others) called Boss-Cat. ("Invitation Only")

Talon and Maggie developed a deep relationship over the months. Brought together by the traumatic transformation, and relying on each other for strength, they fell in love, and will eventually get married. In late 1996, Maggie became pregnant. ("The Rock")

Talon currently serves as an ally to the Manhattan Clan of gargoyles, if a not quite enthusiastic one; he has some difficulties getting along with them still, but Elisa visits him on occasion. He also maintains a grudge against Xanatos and Sevarius for transforming him into a Mutate.

When Demona allowed herself to be captured for her cloning scheme with Thailog, Talon agreed to hold her in a cell next to Fang's. With Thailog's help, Demona and Fang escaped and led Talon and the gargoyles to an ambush at Coney Island. Talon fought with Fang, which resulted in a rollercoaster burning and toppling over with Demona and Thailog on it when a stray electric blast missed its mark. Talon defeated Fang while the gargoyles subdued the Clones. When the gargoyles showed their unease at taking the clones into their clan, Talon decided that they should live in the Labyrinth, thus creating the Labyrinth Clan and continuing the trend of taking outcasts and misfits into the Mutates' care. ("The Reckoning")

Talon had another unfortunate encounter with Thailog a short time later during Halloween, 1996. After Goliath left the Labyrinth with Delilah, Thailog attacked the Labyrinth in order to claim "his property," the Clones. Talon tackled Thailog when the latter shot at Maggie, saving her life, though she was injured by falling debris. Talon opted to stay and take care of Maggie instead of going to warn Goliath about Thailog's imminent arrival at the Eyrie Building, trusting Shari to go instead, which she didn't. ("Invitation Only", "Masque")

Much to Talon's relief, Maggie recovered. ("Reunion") His worry, however, convinced Elisa to bring Doctor Sato to the Labyrinth. She introduced him to the Mutates so he could check Maggie's recovery and offer any advice on her pregnancy. Both as a surgeon and a doctor trained in human anatomy, Sato was unable to give much advice. ("The Rock")

Appearances

• "Deadly Force" (As Derek, First Appearance)
• "The Edge" (As Derek, No Lines)
• "Her Brother's Keeper" (As Derek)
• "Metamorphosis" (As Derek Maza and Talon, First Appearance of Talon)
• "Eye of the Beholder" (Mentioned Only)
• "Upgrade" (As Talon, No Lines)
• "The Cage" (As Talon)
• "Kingdom" (As Talon)
• "Cloud Fathers" (Mentioned Only)
• "The Reckoning" (As Talon)
• "Invitation Only" (As Talon)
• "Masque" (As Talon)
• "The Rock" (As Talon)

Production Background

Voice Actor: Rocky Carroll