Unequivocal Success
"Unequivocal Success" is the fourth issue of the Quest comic arc and the sixteenth Gargoyles comic by Dynamite Entertainment. It was released on November 6th, 2024. [1]
- Writer/Creator: Greg Weisman
- Pencil Artist: Pasquale Qualano
- Color Artist: Arianna Stefani
- Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry
- Editor: Nate Cosby
- Main Cover Artist: Clayton Crain
Contents
Solicitation
GET READY FOR A NEW WORLD ORDER!
Demona's carefully calculated plan to gain control of the three New Keys to Power is almost complete - and the ultimate ability to rule over humans and Gargoyles alike is nearly within her grasp!
Writer and Gargoyles creator GREG WEISMAN and artist PASQUALE QUALANO prepare for the imminent Demonian Era in Gargoyles: Quest #4 - featuring commemorative covers from CLAYTON CRAIN, JAE LEE & JUNE CHUNG, and DREW MOSS!
The Story
November 18th, Demona begins by donning Cleopatra's Necklace, capable of bending an individual's very will. She then repairs Gungnir, incapable of missing its target and although it burns her, she feels it's worth it as the pain brings focus. Finally she takes hold of Puck's Flute, whose mystic melodies can enthrall all within earshot. The combined powers of the Three Keys will extend their range to the infinite. Demona casts a spell so that all humans will crave to serve gargoyles, Demona herself elite among them. Despite the enchantment, Antoinette Dracon doesn't feel any different, to which Demona tells the human, as she affectionately strokes her chin, that she wouldn't as she was already loyal and enthralled to her. Coldstone asks what's next and Demona declares that a new world is at hand.
November 27th, Broadway and Angela have taken to the kitchen to prepare the Thanksgiving turkey while, in the nursery, Lexington, Gnash, and Alex watch the highlights of the Thanksgiving Day Parade, specifically the popping of the Binzy the Polka-Dot Dinosaur balloon. In the Great Hall, Hudson welcomes Jeffrey Robbins and Gilly to the castle for Thanksgiving while, down in the Rookery, Brooklyn and Katana discuss the holiday and the eventual hatching of Egwardo. As this all takes place, Elisa Maza stands out on the battlements with Jade and Turquesa, discussing Elisa's own mixed feelings about it, and the Mayan Clan's history of colonists and native populations when such encounters took place. Turquesa mentions they spent the last few months in Manhattan to help the Manhattan Clan with their hunt for Demona but it might be time for them to move on, returning to Avalon in the hopes of returning home.
Across town, Goliath and Coldfire patrol as they continue their own search for Demona; a search that Coldfire grows more pessimistic about. Goliath reminds her that they've been close on more than one occasion, but that Demona had always vanished just as they arrived. Coldfire wonders if Demona was warned, and Goliath figures she must have been warned by her sorcery. Coldfire waxes poetic that before her death and incarnation in this robotic shell, she was sensitive to the kind of power Demona seeks to wield, and could have located her but now she has lost those sensitivities. Goliath reminds Coldfire that she is as much a gargoyle as she ever was - defined not by her shell, but her soul and heart. He also expresses a concern that the rest of the clan have grown complacent, even Brooklyn rarely joins the hunt (but he is pleased that Brooklyn has outgrown his obsession with Demona). But Coldfire is concerned that Coldstone has taken on that obsession as she believes that Coldstone searches for Demona night and day and this has put distance between them. Goliath then urges her not to allow such distance to increase as he has realized, with hindsight, that such distance grew between him and Angel long before the Wyvern Massacre - a distance he was slow and reluctant to acknowledge. Coldfire reminds Goliath that he now has Elisa, which Goliath agrees... acknowledging that he's blessed. He takes his leave of Coldfire to go and meet with Elisa. Coldfire chooses to seek out her own mate.
Demona, Antoinette, and Coldstone step out of Demona's townhouse and, with Gramercy Park as ground zero, Demona begins using the Three Keys to Power by enchanting and enthralling William Greene and the Jogger as they step out onto the street. The two humans fall to their knees, acknowledging Demona as their Gargoyle Magistra and ask her what she wills. Demona commands them to remain her grateful thrall, her puppets in perpetuity. Coldstone is pleased that the plan is working and Demona explains that the lance is targeting all humans, the necklace bends their will to hers, and the flute makes them happy to be enthralled. With her power expanding, all of Manhattan will be her thralls soon, and the entire world within days.
Goliath and Elisa rendezvous at the Clock Tower with a kiss. Elisa then tells him that so far Matt Bluestone and the Gargoyle Taskforce have had no luck finding Demona. Goliath says that Xanatos and Owen have also turned up nothing. For now, the clan will have to continue their patrols if they hope to find her. Goliath asks if he can expect to see Elisa at the castle later for Broadway's big feast. Elisa's looking forward to it.
On the streets below, Demona watches as Goliath soars away from the Clock Tower, pleased as she's not quite ready for a confrontation with him. Coldfire radios Coldstone, wanting to meet and speak with him. Coldstone reports that he's still searching for Demona (he says as he stands but a few feet away from her), but leaves when Coldfire sends him her coordinates. Demona then enters the 23rd Precinct, smugly saying she's been looking forward to this part.
Coldfire stands upon one of the silver falcons of the Apex Tower recalling her old lessons from "Sacrifice" and reaching past her metallic frame to access her spirit and commune with the infinite wonders of the world. She succeeds and flies off, past Coldstone who pursues her. Detecting the magic at work, they land in Times Square as the humans all kneel to them, addressing them as Gargoyle Magister and Gargoyle Magistra. Coldfire looks on in horror while Coldstone watches this with smug satisfaction.
Demona and Antoinette enter the lobby of the Eyrie Building and Demona commands the security guard to grant her full access, unannounced. The ride the elevator up to the Great Hall where Demona enthralls Fox, Xanatos, and Owen. For Fox, she admits she was unsure if her magic would work on her but Fox is more human than not. For Xanatos, Demona knows she'll enjoy making him her servant. She then commands Owen... or rather Puck... to remain as Owen Burnett for all eternity. Demona and Antoinette step further into the castle to see what other amusements they can find.
Inside the library, Hudson shows Robbins the books he's read while Lexington sits on the computer chatting with Amp. Lex tells the gargoyle from London that he's thankful to have him in his life. Amp reciprocates. Robbins perks up and asks Hudson if he hears that strange music.
Goliath returns to the castle, landing on his tower where Brooklyn and Katana greet him. He asks if Elisa has arrived, and suddenly the detective steps out onto the tower with Xanatos, Fox, and Owen as Demona reveals herself. Elisa bows to Demona and asks her Gargoyle Magistra what her will is. Demona grins in triumph, not sure... after all, the possibilities are endless.
Review
Featured Characters and First Appearances
| Gargoyles | Humans | Oberon's Children | Others |
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Tidbits
- Gnash's remark, "We're better than Binzy", is an allusion to Bill Fagerbakke's famous (among Gargoyles fans) response to a group of reporters that the series was "better than Barney".
Cover Gallery
Links
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