GARGOYLES #7, from Dynamite Comics on 7/5/23, finds Demona using dark magic to watch Goliath’s current predicament unfold from afar.
The Details
- Written by: Greg Weisman
- Art by: George Kambadais
- Colors by: Giulia Giacomino, Giovanna La Pietra
- Letters by: Jeff Eckleberry
- Cover art by: David Nakayama (cover A)
- Comic Rating: All Ages
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: July 5th, 2023
Is It Good?
Yes, that’s right. GARGOYLES #7 is and isn’t a Demona-centric issue because she spends almost the entirety watching and narrating what’s happening with Goliath and his friends. The net result is a clever gimmick to wrap up one conflict while setting the stage for whatever Demona has planned for the future without needing Demona to get involved.
When last we left Goliath and his winged friends, Goliath refused to participate in his own prison attempt. Meanwhile, Antoinette Dracon tipped the gargoyles off to an assassination attempt on Izaak Slaughter, intending to stop the escalating mob war before it starts. Now, Lex and Broadway move to save Slaughter from a swarm of cybots while Damona casts a magic spell to watch the scene play out.
To be clear, Damona watches, narrates, and schemes, but she effectively plays no role in what’s happening with the gargoyles. It’s a clever way of working a character into the story without actually working the character into the story, so make of that what you will.
Still, Lex and Broadway get plenty of fighting action to keep your excitement meeter turned up. Goliath spends time with an attorney hired by an anonymous source, which increases the air of mystery and adds tension to Goliath’s forthcoming trial. And Lex and Boradway’s rogue activities create pressure on Brooklyn over his self-doubts regarding his ability to be a leader. Put together, this issue somewhat resolves the assassination attempt on Slaughter, but each plot thread stacks the drama to add pressure on top of pressure, which makes for great tension.
What’s not so great about this issue? Technically, some may find Demona’s passive presence in this issue a bit of a cheat. Your mileage may vary.
How’s the art? It’s not bad. Not great, but not bad. George Kambadais is settling into his own as a comic artist, and although we’ve had issues with his lack of polish in the past, rendering cartoon characters may be a good fit. The character designs look consistent with their cartoon counterparts, and the action choreography is decent.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our GARGOYLES #6 review to find out how and why Broadway was tipped off about the assassination.
We begin with Demona, in her human form as Dominique Destine, driving up to her home. Inside, Dominique flicks through television stations to hear about all the news related to her clan while she changes into her gargoyle garb and transforms into Demona. Then, Demona casts a dark spell that opens windows into the present and future activities of each gargoyle.
Elsewhere, Lex and Broadway fight off an endless swarm of cybots in an effort to save Slaughter’s life. Lex figures out the swarm is remote-controlled, so he flies off to track down the controller and destroy it. Meanwhile, a lawyer enters Goliath’s cell, explaining he was hired to defend the gargoyle’s rights in court, but the lawyer isn’t permitted to divulge who hired him.
We conclude the issue with a celebratory return home for some, a witness list, and three eyes are better than none.
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Final Thoughts
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GARGOYLES #7 uses a clever trick to wrap up the Slaughter assassination through the eyes of a character who has yet to appear in the series, portending tough times ahead for the clan. Weisman’s clever narrative trick is executed well, and Kambadais’s art is improving.
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