In the '90s, the X-Men and Batman animated series became iconic cartoons, but Disney's Gargoyles melted every heart made of stone with the adventures of Goliath and his nocturnal pals. Created by Greg Weisman, who has also worked on The Spectacular Spider-Man and Young Justice, the show built up a fervent fan base that still calls for a continuation of the storyline nearly 30 years after the series debuted.
Thanks to Dynamite Comics, the story of Gargoyles will now continue in comics. Weisman returns to pen the series, along with artist and colorist George Kambadais and letterer Jeff Eckleberry. CBR caught up with Weisman to find out more about this latest incarnation of Gargoyles and where it fits in canon. In addition, the writer peeled back the curtain to discuss how this new series aims to appeal to old and new fans alike.
CBR: Why did you want to revisit Gargoyles as a comic book series instead of another format?
Greg Weisman: Well, that question makes it sound like I had a say in the "format" decision, which, of course, I didn't. I was, however, absolutely thrilled when Dynamite editor Nathan Cosby contacted me and offered me the chance to write the book. I think Gargoyles, with its roots in the superhero genre, has always been a perfect fit for comic books. So I dove right in!
Jumping back into this world, did everything come naturally again, or was there a phase of getting familiar with Goliath and the gang again?
I've never really left the Gargoyles Universe. I spend a lot of time there. I really feel I know all the characters intimately, still. I did feel a bit rusty at first, though, I have to admit, at weaving the storylines together, specifically, for a comic book. An individual issue is equivalent [to] one act of a three-act television episode. So I had some mental adjustments to make. But I like to think I got it licked.
Keith David recently mentioned how he loved voicing Goliath, and it's one of his favorite characters. When writing these stories, do you hear the actors' voices in your head?
Always. Always, always, always. I mean, think about it. If you could have the likes of Keith David, Salli Richardson, Ed Asner, etc., in your head, wouldn't you?
There have been a lot of rumors about what is and what isn't canon now. Could you elaborate more on where this new series fits into the Gargoyles storyline?
Sure. Canon is the 65 episodes of Season 1 and 2 of Gargoyles (which originally aired from 1994-1996), plus the twelve issues of the SLG [Slave Labor Graphics] Gargoyles comic from earlier this century, and the six issues of the SLG Gargoyles: Bad Guys comic from that same time. Issue #1 of the new Gargoyles comic from Dynamite is set a few months after the last SLG issue.
How did you tackle the fact that some fans might be discovering Gargoyles for the first time here?
Nate and I agreed from the beginning that we wanted this series to be an entry point for new fans, as well as a treat for old fans, so we're reintroducing all concepts from scratch. We didn't want the first few issues to be solid exposition or flashbacks, so there are certain aspects that we glide over, acknowledging but not explaining, because they aren't immediately relevant to the story at hand. But given enough issues, we'll get to everything. And hopefully, there's enough intriguing content in these first few issues that readers [who are] new to the property will be hooked.
In terms of these new stories, are any of them ideas that you had in the back pocket when the show was still on the air, or are they all new concepts developed over the years?
I've been gathering ideas for Gargoyles non-stop since 1993. So, yes, some of these were ideas from way back in the day. Some are only, say, a decade or two old. Some are new. It never ends. The Gargoyles Universe has always been rich with potential content.
And finally, our readers will never forgive me if I don't ask this question, so please indulge me here: any updates on Young Justice Season 5 that you can share?
I've got nothing to report on that front. Sorry.
Dynamite Comics' Gargoyles #1 will be released on Dec. 7.