GARGOYLES #3, from Dynamite Comics on February 22nd, 2023, begins the race to rescue Maggie the Cat and her midwife before Maggie’s baby is delivered into the hands of Thailog.
The Details
- Written by: Greg Weisman
- Art by: George Kambadais
- Colors by: George Kambadais
- Letters by: Jeff Eckleberry
- Cover art by: David Nakayama (cover A)
- Comic Rating: All Ages
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: February 22, 2023
Is It Good?
GARGOYLES #3 ends the current conflict over Talon and Maggie’s baby with a rousing battle to rescue the mother-in-labor before her child can be delivered into Thailog’s hands for some dark purpose. Greg Weisman’s pacing and dialog are rock-solid, and the conflict ends (for the moment), but this issue stumbles while crossing the finish line.
Who doesn’t love a big Gargoyle battle to save a mother and her child? This issue is the stuff every adventure writer loves to put together, and it’s clear Weisman is in his element when the team of gargoyles, mutates, and (former) villains have to come together to save the innocent. The heart of this issue is all about excitement and action, so on that point, Weisman delivers.
That said, this issue, which ends the first act of this run, runs into trouble in two areas – the art and the conclusion of the fight against Thailog.
First, the fight against Thailog doesn’t come to a satisfying conclusion so much as it just stops. When Thailog realizes he won’t get what he wants, he dismisses the heroes as if nothing happened. There’s no consequence to Thailog’s actions, and it’s not clear why Thailog wanted the baby in the first place. In short, Thailog simply walks away from the crimes he committed, and nobody bothers to stop him.
Second, the fight choreography during the big battle – the centerpiece of the entire issue – is a confusing jumble. Weird camera angles, awkward character positions, and disjointed panel transitions make it difficult to follow what’s going on. To a point, it’s almost better to skip past the fight to make sense of what’s happening.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our GARGOYLES #2 review to find out how David Xanatos re-entered the Gargoyles’ lives.
We begin with Talon’s claws wrapped thoroughly around Xanatos’s throat. Xanatos calmly explains he had nothing to do with the kidnapping, and the group of gargoyles and mutates eventually agrees. When the group puts their heads together, they quickly conclude that Thailog and Sevarius are behind the kidnapping.
Later, the reluctant alliances of humans, mutates, and gargoyles attack Thailog’s research building. The battle is fierce, and Talon’s desperation reaches a fever pitch when he learns Maggie is about to give birth.
We conclude the issue with fighting, crying, complaining, and celebrating.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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GARGOYLES #3 ends the first act (not arc) of the run with a battle to save an innocent mother and child from the ruthless hands of Thailog. Weisman’s script packs in plenty of energy and plot movement, but the battle’s conclusion is unsatisfying, and the fight choreography is a shambles.
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