Invitation Only
"Invitation Only" is the third issue of the Gargoyles comic by SLG, and Chapter Three of the Clan-Building story arc. It was released on March 28, 2007. The issue was reprinted in Gargoyles: Clan-Building, Volume One. It was adapted into a Radio Play and performed at the Gathering of the Gargoyles in 2007.
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Contents
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Solicitation
It's Halloween in Manhattan! The one night a year the clan can be seen in public without starting a riot. David Xanatos is throwing a masquerade ball atop his castle skyscraper. Expect good food, amazing costumes, and more than a few nefarious party-crashers!
Summary
Main Plot
Start of the "Double Date" story. Halloween is fast approaching, and Xanatos and the Manhattan Clan are getting ready for the upcoming Masque at the Eyrie Building. Meanwhile, Elisa is asked on a date by Officer Morgan, then talks to Jason Canmore in the hospital, and decides that Goliath can't give her everything she wants, such as children, and so breaks up with him. She convinces him to ask Delilah to go to the Masque with him. Goliath goes to the Labyrinth to do so, then leaves right before Thailog attacks it.
Subplots
Matt Bluestone runs a Gargoyle Taskforce meeting and makes introductions.
Martin Hacker, representing the Illuminati, plays all sides of the gargoyle dilemma. He talks to Matt, telling him the Society wants to protect the gargoyles. He tells Xanatos that the Society thinks that the gargoyles should be slowly exposed, and he agrees with John Castaway that the gargoyles should be destroyed.
Duval orders Xanatos to the White House for an Illuminati assignment.
Demona retrieves an Atlantean crystal from within the broken Praying Gargoyle at Saint Damien's Cathedral.
Al tells Shari the story behind the mutates and the clones in the Labyrinth.
Brooklyn attempts to ask Delilah out, but Goliath unintentionally beats him to it.
Castaway tells his Quarrymen to make their presence known on Halloween, but not to carry hammers.
The Story
A voice on the radio proclaims "Happy Halloween!". The invitation for a Halloween party hosted at the Eyrie Building by the Xanatos family sits on a desk near a domino mask. Below it is another piece of paper with a White House letterhead. The radio host announces that the most popular Halloween costume in New York this year is a gargoyle. Fox listens to the broadcast as she picks up her son Alex who is indeed dressed as a gargoyle. They are joined by David Xanatos as the radio host goes on to joke that while Manhattan may be "infested with real monsters", they can't talk so any "gargoyles" showing up at their doors roaring "Trick-Or-Treat" tonight are probably safe.
Meanwhile, at the 23rd Precinct headquarters, the Gargoyle Taskforce meets in a temporary office as the Clock Tower building is still under repair and reconstruction. Matt Bluestone reiterates to the assembled team that the primary objective of the taskforce is public safety. He wants to prevent panic, not cause it. He notes that the police chief and the Mayor are still debating their budget so, for now, this will be part-time work for all of them. He moves on to introductions. First are himself and his partner, Detective Elisa Maza. Next are detectives Cedric Harris and Tri Chung and officers Morgan Morgan and Phil Travanti. Finally, there is Assistant District Attorney Margot Yale. ADA Yale takes the moment to express how unimpressed and asks about the Federal response. Right on cue, FBI Agent Martin Hacker enters the office and introduces himself as the federal liaison. Bluestone dismisses everyone except Hacker in order to have a private talk. As the Gargoyle Taskforce disperses, Officer Morgan calls Elisa aside and points out that they both have the night off. He asks her out on a date. Elisa is flattered, but explains that she has been involved with someone for a couple years. Morgan is surprised. After all, she never brought this person to the precinct picnic or anything else. He supposes she has her reasons. Elisa, contemplative, says nothing.
Back inside the office, Bluestone begins to talk to Hacker, but the latter interrupts him. Formalities must be observed. "Thirty-six," says Bluestone and Hacker grins and says, "Thirty-Two." Hacker points out to his old partner that it seems he is using the Taskforce to run interference for the gargoyles. Bluestone begins to deny it, but Hacker stops him, saying "we approve", since the world is not ready for an "interspecies conflict". Matt asks if by "we" Hacker means the Bureau. The Agent squeezes Matt's shoulder and tells him not to be coy.
Later that day, at Manhattan General Hospital, Jason Canmore lies in a hospital bed with Elisa by his side. He is handcuffed to the bed railing and a police officer is on guard outside the room. Jason tells Elisa she needs to stop coming to visit him. It doesn't look good for her career and her "mysterious boyfriend" can't be happy about it either. Elisa tells him her mysterious boyfriend understands and Jason darkly points out that he can't be threatened by a cripple. Elisa begs him not to talk that way and insists that his paralysis is new and he needs to give himself time. Jason tells her that what she needs is to be with a man that can give her everything. He asks her to promise that she won't settle for anything less.
That evening, Elisa approaches a sleeping Goliath on the highest tower of Castle Wyvern. As she begins to place a hand on his shoulder, the stone skin begins to crack. Goliath bursts awake with a roar and Elisa dodges stone fragments that are cast away from him. Below, Brooklyn, Lexington, Angela, Broadway, Hudson, and Bronx also awaken. Broadway and Angela grasp hands as Brooklyn looks on. Lexington is excited: tonight is Halloween! Broadway says it is the best night of the year for a gargoyle in Manhattan. Angela wonders why that is and Fox appears behind them and tells them to come inside and she'll show them. As the rest of the clan follows Fox inside, Elisa tells Goliath that they need to talk.
In the Great Hall of Castle Wyvern, Fox is handing out clothing bags to the Trio and Angela. Their costumes were custom-made and Fox points out that she can still place an order for Hudson if he likes. The elder gargoyle declines politely. He and Bronx have other plans for the holiday. As Fox hands Lexington his costume, the gargoyle sarcastically asks if there are any "poisonous stickpins" in his costume. Fox assures them that they are safe. Angela wonders why they are safe and why they should allow strangers into their home when the city is "up in arms" against them. Broadway explains that it is Halloween and that everyone will think they are only dressed as gargoyles. Angela wonders if that is a good thing. Brooklyn quietly watches the two gargoyles talk and then overhears Owen Burnett tell Xanatos that he has a visitor.
Up on the tower, Goliath tells Elisa that he knows she has been reluctant to have this conversation. Elisa explains that she didn't want to hurt him. Their feelings for each other are not enough. She loves her life as gargoyle-friendly cop, but she needs more: Balance, normalcy, a house and yard and afternoon picnics. She wants children. These are things she cannot have with him. Goliath stands by sadly.
In Xanatos's office, Martin Hacker introduces himself by showing his badge and, discreetly, an Illuminati ring. "Thirty-six," says Xanatos, an intrigued grin on his face and Hacker replies "Thirty-Two". Xanatos wonders what he can do for the man when he is, after all, quite busy. Hacker knows he means the Halloween party. This is clearly a ploy to introduce the people of Manhattan to the gargoyles. It is only Phase One, Xanatos tells the agent. Hacker admits that it is a good plan, but it is unfortunate that Xanatos won't be able to attend himself. Xanatos thought the Society would approve and Hacker assures him that they do. The party, he's sure, will be a great success with all in attendance becoming friends. Then, later, Phase Two will commence and the truth will be revealed. Any party-goer that denies the truth of the gargoyles will be revealed as a hypocrite. Yes, Hacker concludes, the Society agrees that the world is ready to accept the gargoyles . . . "one phase at a time." If the Illuminati is in agreement, then Xanatos wonders why why he is being banished. Hacker points out that if Xanatos had taken Mr. Duval's call he would know that it isn't a banishment. Evidently, Duval went through a lot of trouble arranging the other invitation Xanatos received and Hacker insists that Xanatos will accept it.
Back on the tower, Elisa hopes Goliath can understand. Goliath only understands that Elisa does not seek a mate, but a husband. Elisa tells him that they have to break up and move on. Goliath is confused by her expressions, but Elisa pushes on. She knows his options are limited. This angers the gargoyle, but Elisa continues that he must know who she is referring to.
The silhouette of a gliding gargoyle is seen over the wreckage at the condemned Saint Damien's Cathedral, which is still scheduled for demolition. Inside, the gargoyle looks through the rubble near the remains of the Praying Gargoyle until she finds what she seeks. It is none other than Demona, holding up a glowing crystal.
At the Castle, Goliath is telling his clan that they must honor their obligations. Lex and Broadway protest about their plans to attend the party. Brooklyn tells his brothers to "primp" while he and Goliath check in with the Labyrinth.
Deep under the city, Al is explaining to a young woman that the Labyrinth around them is a safe haven for society's rejects. Talon, Maggie the Cat, and Claw approach them and note the new arrival. Suddenly, an alarm blares. Talon orders Al to check on it. As Al looks at a screen and opens the heavy metal door, the woman asks if the others she just met were gargoyles. Al tells her no, but that the new arrivals, Brooklyn and Goliath, are! The gargoyles greet the mutates and pleasantries are exchanged. Talon points out that the gargoyles have not arrived to check on them, but rather the latest additions to the Labyrinth Clan. With that, Talon calls out for the clones to join them. Delilah, Burbank, Hollywood, Malibu, and Brentwood leap down from above. As Brooklyn eyes his clone Malibu, the young woman insists that Al spill the beans on all that she is seeing. Al insists it is a long story and the woman replies that she is, in fact, "partial to long stories".
Al explains how "some rich dude" wanted his own personal gargoyles but Goliath wouldn't cooperate. So, instead, the rich man hired a scientist named Dr. Anton Sevarius to inject innocent humans with animal DNA in order to create all of the mutates. The mutates didn't follow Xanatos either and instead opened the Labyrinth for them. So, Sevarius instead created a clone of Goliath known as Thailog. This particular clone was a disaster so the rich man finally gave up. Later, Thailog and another gargoyle, Demona, joined forces with Sevarius to create all of the other clones. The villains ended up fighting among themselves and abandoned the clones, but Talon and the others took them in. The young woman asks about the fifth clone, Delilah. Al explains that she is a combination of human and gargoyle DNA. As Al explains this, Brooklyn begins to approach Delilah awkwardly. Before he can make his move with her, Goliath steps in and asks Delilah if she would like to accompany him to the party at the Castle that evening. "If that is your wish," she replies. Brooklyn looks on, more irritated than ever.
At the Quarryman Brownstone, John Castaway is on the phone with someone. He explains angrily that while the Quarrymen do want a strong street presence for Halloween, they were not to bring hammers. The last thing he wants is a Quarryman arrested for hitting a "teenager in a gargoyle mask." He hangs up the phone and notices Agent Hacker standing behind him. Castaway wonders how he got inside, and again, Hacker shows his badge and ring as explanation. "Thirty-Six," Castaway tells Hacker and the Agent replies with "Thirty-Two." Castaway wonders if Hacker is there to check on his investment and the Agent denies it. The Illuminati has every confidence in Castaway's leadership. In fact, he commends the man on his caution about hammers on Halloween. No one wants a tragic error to ruin the Quarrymen's reputation. Not when they all want the same thing: "the complete destruction of the gargoyles!"
Back in the Labyrinth, Al tells the young woman that he knows everything he has said is a lot to take in. She brushes this aside. The alarm again goes off and, at Talon's order, Al runs to check the door. It looks like Goliath's back. He must have forgotten something. Al presses the button to open the door again. To Talon's horror, in steps Thailog! The clone gargoyle is armed, armored, and ready for battle. Grinning Thailog asks, "Trick or treat?"
Review
By Todd Jensen
The first entirely new Gargoyles story in over ten years is finally here. After reading it, I can firmly say that it was worth the wait.
The new story is Part One of one of the most anticipated stories that Greg Weisman had mentioned plans to write in his projected Season Three at "Ask Greg": the Double Date. In it, Goliath and Elisa were to conclude that a gargoyle-human relationship was impossible and decide to see other people; Elisa would go out with either Officer Morgan or Jason Canmore, and Goliath with Delilah. In this issue, we see the first steps towards that story taking place.
I had wondered how Greg would go from Elisa's remark to Goliath at the end of #2 that she had no regrets over the direction that the two of them were going in to her decision that she and Goliath were simply not compatible in a romantic way, at least, in a way that would make her path believable rather than a contrived 180 degree turnabout. Greg made it indeed convincing, however, through a couple of conversations that Elisa has with (appropriately enough) both Morgan and Jason. After a meeting of the Gargoyle Taskforce, Morgan suggests to Elisa that they go out together, and upon learning that she's "involved with someone [else]", expresses his astonishment that she's never mentioned him or introduced him to anyone else in the precinct. Later, when Elisa visits Jason again in the hospital, he comments bitterly about his paralyzed condition, saying, "You need to be with a man who can give you everything you've ever wanted!" Elisa sadly realizes that her original dreams for romance – "a house. A yard. Picnics on Sunday afternoons . . . children" – can't be realized with Goliath, and seeks him out to suggest that they break up. Goliath is just as upset to hear her say it as she is to say it, but understands what she is saying, and reluctantly goes out with Delilah.
In the meantime, the Illuminati, mentioned briefly in #2 after a long absence, fully return to the gargoyles' story. I was particularly delighted to discover that their representative in this issue is none other than Martin Hacker, whom we had last seen in "Revelations". One of the things that I had most regretted about the Society's long-dormancy in the series was that the discovery at the end of that episode that Hacker was really one of the Illuminati had exciting potential for further development: what would happen now that Matt Bluestone discovered that a former partner of his, whom he had trusted, had been one of "them" all along? And indeed, Matt is still clearly anything but happy to see his old associate, as I had thought.
As the Illuminati's representative, Hacker is handled beautifully in his secret meetings with Matt (over his leadership of the Gargoyle Taskforce), Xanatos (over his Halloween costume party, to which the gargoyles are invited), and Castaway (over his running the Quarrymen). In each meeting, Hacker claims to approve of the character's plans, stating that the Illuminati believe in the same ends that the person whom he meets is aiming for. The fact that Matt and Xanatos's goals are mutually exclusive with Castaway's makes it clear that Hacker is deceiving somebody – and I strongly suspect that, in one sense, he is lying on all three occasions about the Illuminati's goals. (And at the same time, I suspect that, in another way, he is telling the truth – in that the Illuminati approve of the plans of all three of his contacts, not so much in and of themselves, but rather in that all three of them combined are useful means for the Illuminati to achieve whatever its real ends are.)
Hacker's meetings with Xanatos and Castaway open other doors. In his meeting with Xanatos, Hacker reveals that the Illuminati are responsible for a recent invitation to the White House that he has received, one which they want him to accept. What the purpose of this invitation is, and why the Illuminati want Xanatos to go to Washington, D.C., we do not as yet know, but we should learn the answers (at least, the immediate ones) in future issues.
The meeting between Hacker and Castaway is a delight in another way. One of the major flaws of The Goliath Chronicles was its depiction of the Quarrymen as an organization so blatantly violent that it was hard to believe that it was not already behind bars by the beginning of "Angels in the Night". Here, however, we see a Castaway who, while ruthlessly anti-gargoyle, is still intelligent enough to recognize that he needs to be careful about the image that his followers present to the world. When Hacker walks in on him, he is giving orders that those Quarrymen patrolling the streets on Halloween night leave their hammers at home, so that there will be no danger of any incidents of their mistaking costumed party-goers for gargoyles. Clearly this Castaway is not going to be firing heavy artillery in the city streets – which will make him an even more difficult character to defeat.
Goliath's visit to the Labyrinth to ask Delilah out introduces a third major thread in the issue: the Mutates and Clones. Al (the old man living in the Labyrinth whom we met briefly at the start of "Kingdom") explains to a newcomer, a mysterious – and so far anonymous – young woman about the Mutates' backstory. While this is clearly present largely for the benefit of new readers who hadn't seen the animated series, it contains a few delightful elements of its own. Al, while listing the Mutates, leaves Fang's name out (though we get a background glimpse of him in the corresponding panel), perhaps because of the latter's attempted coup. He also consistently calls Xanatos only "Rich Dude", rather than naming him; to top it off, in the panel introducing Sevarius, we get a wonderful image of the amoral geneticist with his face half-covered by a phial in such a way as to produce a very sinister distortion of his features. It is clear enough, however, that the Clones will have more to do in this story than just supplying Delilah's presence for the "Double Date" story, for at the cliffhanger ending, the Labyrinth receives an unwanted visitor: Thailog has returned!
These are the main elements, but there are a number of other small but highly enjoyable background moments. We get a brief glimpse of Alex in a very adorable-looking gargoyle costume at the start of the issue. Brooklyn is still clearly upset about Angela's choice of Broadway for her mate; when he accompanies Goliath to the Labyrinth, he is attracted to Delilah, but just as he is about to speak to her, Goliath asks her out, to Brooklyn's disappointment. And finally, we get a glimpse of Demona returning to the abandoned Saint Damien's Cathedral, to recover a crystal from the remains of the Praying Gargoyle. Whether this act of hers will have significance for the later two parts of this story, or it is simply "laying pipe" for a future story after #5, we do not know as yet – but it will be wonderful to find out.
Featured Characters
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Quotes
- "So if the creature knocking at your door roars 'Trick or Treat' . . . odds are you're safe!" - Radio Announcer
- "No poisonous stick pins, right, Fox?"
- "No poisonous stick pins, Lex. No drugged thread. No enchanted jewelry." - Lexington and Fox
- "I do understand. You do not want a mate. You want a husband." - Goliath
- "I realize your options are limited--"
- "Limited?!" - Elisa and Goliath
- "Send in the Clones!" - Talon
- "I'm partial to long stories." - Shari
- "Trick or Treat?" - Thailog
Tidbits
We first learn the full membership of the Gargoyle Taskforce. Besides Matt Bluestone as its leader, and Margot Yale as its advisor (first introduced in that role in #2), it includes Elisa, Officer Morgan, and Martin Hacker as "federal liaison". It also includes three new characters: Detectives Cedric Harris and Tri Chung, and Officer Phil Travanti. Travanti is not, strictly speaking, a new character so much as an anonymous figure from the television series now being fleshed out: he had appeared as Officer Morgan's partner in "Temptation". (Readers of the comic eagerly speculated whether Tri Chung may be related to Terry Chung, one of the regulars in the projected New Olympians spin-off. The two are later seen celebrating New Year's Eve in "Louse" from the spin-off, Gargoyles: Bad Guys.)
Fox's promise to Lexington that there will be no danger from "enchanted jewelry" is an allusion to the Eye of Odin's role in the television series' Halloween episode, "Eye of the Beholder".
The crystal that Demona comes back to Saint Damien's Cathedral for is a reference to the aborted episode "The Last", intended to appear in the (also aborted) Team Atlantis series, where the Praying Gargoyle was revealed to be powered by a crystal coming from Atlantis. Demona also got a new armband. [1]
John Castaway's telephone conversation mentions a Quarryman by the name of Chaz. This is the same Chaz who was one of Fang's henchmen in "Kingdom". According to Greg Weisman, the Quarryman whom Castaway is speaking to directly on the phone is his partner from the same episode, who was left anonymous on screen and in this issue, but whom Greg has named Lou. [2]
Wardrobe nit: When Shari is first introduced on page 15, she has a jacket wrapped around her waist, which appears only intermittently on the following pages (shows up on some panels then disappears on others). The jacket is last seen on page 19, and does not appear again in this comic or in later issues.
See Also
- Commentary and Review
- On Sale at SLG, Amazon, and TFAW
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