GARGOYLE BY MOONLIGHT (ONE-SHOT), from CEX Publishing on 9/27/23, introduces readers to Gary Doyle – a mild-mannered man by day who turns into a Gargoyle at night from an ancient curse.
The Details
- Written by: Timothy Bach
- Art by: Brian Atkins
- Colors by: Brian Atkins
- Letters by: Brian Atkins
- Cover art by: Brian Atkins (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $5.99
- Release date: September 27, 2023
Is GARGOYLE BY MOONLIGHT (ONE-SHOT) Good?
GARGOYLE BY MOONLIGHT (ONE-SHOT) introduces readers to a new kind of superhero in Timothy Bach’s story about a cursed man who desperately wants to be rid of his curse but is willing to use his curse for good while he has it. Bach’s script has loads of charm, all the endearingly typical reluctant superhero tropes, and solid art from Brian Atkins. If you’re looking for a superhero comic with a supernatural twist, this one might be right up your alley.
Bach’s script centers on a man with a curse that keeps him human by day but transforms him into a stony-skinned Gargoyle at night. Together with a gypsy possessing insights into the world of the supernatural, Gary Doyle spends his time looking for a way to lift the curse while the powers at be urge the Gargoyle to fight evil – both human and supernatural.
In terms of tone, Bach’s script is a straightforward hero story with a slightly snarky tone. The story is easy to follow as you ride along with Gargoyle on his latest adventure, and the ending sets up the possibility of more adventures to come.
What’s great about this comic? Doyle’s transformation is purely physical, so he maintains his human personality and insecurities in his monster form, leading to a few comedically awkward moments. The threat Doyle faces is surprisingly large for a street-level hero comic, and Doyle’s collection of supporting characters is intriguing enough to support Doyle’s mission.
What’s not so great about this comic? GARGOYLE BY MOONLIGHT (ONE-SHOT) stumbles in two areas – one technical and one preferential. On the preference side, Doyle’s snarky, self-deprecating inner voice can be offputting. Doyle takes what he’s doing seriously, but during intense or thoughtful moments, he resorts to sarcasm in an oddly argumentative delivery, as though he’s bickering with himself.
On the technical side, readers are thrown into the middle of Doyle’s latest adventure without a lick of setup or background. Bits and pieces of Doyle’s curse are teased out during the adventure but without much organic integration into whatever is happening in any given panel, and the exposition is hampered somewhat by Doyle’s offputting inner monologue.
How’s the art? Solid. Brian Atkins presents excellent pencils/inks with a respectable eye for figure work, anatomy, and action choreography. The inks are a little light on detail which would give Atkins’s characters more weight, but the issue looks great overall.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a brief prologue explaining how Dr. Anders discovered an ancient mask during her archaeological dig. The mask predates recorded history, and Dr. Anders is anxious to show off the mask during a museum exhibit.
Nearby, a cloaked figure resembling a classic gargoyle watches through the museum skylight. Gary Doyle is burdened with a curse that changes him into a Gargoyle at night, and a Gypsy who helps him cope with his curse directs him to the museum for a possible clue to help lift Doyle’s curse. Inside the museum, one of the custodians is drawn to the mask by a hypnotic whisper, and when he smashes the display case and puts on the mask, the custodian is possessed by Silas the Serpent King.
We conclude the issue with world-dominating attacks, a stony response, and the possibility of romance.
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Final Thoughts
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GARGOYLE BY MOONLIGHT (ONE-SHOT) is an entertaining mix of supernatural, superheroes, and snarky sarcasm. Doyle’s current and future adventures are ripe with potential, and the art is solid, but new readers may need a few pages to get invested due to the lack of setup.
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