GARGOYLES: DARK AGES #3, from Dynamite Comics on 9/20/23, brings the war against King Culen to a close when the Gargoyles employ stealth and deadly magic to bring about a new era for Wyvern.
The Details
- Written by: Greg Weisman
- Art by: Drew Moss
- Colors by: Martina Pignedoli
- Letters by: Jeff Eckleberry
- Cover art by: Clayton Crain (cover A)
- Comic Rating: All Ages
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: September 20, 2023
Is GARGOYLES: DARK AGES #3 Good?
Greg Weisman’s latest entry in the Gargoyles prequel series is short on action but heavy on foreshadowing and consequences when the Gargoyles secretly raid King Culen’s castle to rescue Demona and put an end to the war. GARGOYLES: DARK AGES #3 takes the first steps towards developing the ties that bind and the conflicts that separate the Gargoyles in the future we already know.
When last we left the Gargoyles, the battle against King Culen’s army pitched and waned until the fight ended. King Culen magically escaped with Demona as his prisoner to hold the Gargoyles at bay. Now, the Gargoyles enlist magical help to raid King Culen’s castle, permanently end King Culen’s reign, and rescue Demona (and King Culen’s infant son). Just when it seems everyone will live happily ever after, the humans make seemingly innocent proposals that will eventually lead to disaster.
When we say “disaster,” we mean the story you already know from the Disney Gargoyles cartoon. We see the beginnings of Demona’s dark path and how the Gargoyles came to be protectors of a castle at Wyvern. For fans of Gargoyles lore, GARGOYLES: DARK AGES #3 is where the prequel proves its worth.
What’s great about GARGOYLES: DARK AGES #3? The phrase “Easter Eggs” isn’t quite accurate, but it gets close. You see familiar names, faces, and canon developments that come into play a thousand years later. Plus, Weisman lays a solid foundation of motivation for Demona and the others to feel the way they will eventually come to feel about humans.
What’s not so great about GARGOYLES: DARK AGES #3? Technically, not much. The series doesn’t end here, but GARGOYLES: DARK AGES #3 feels like a proper, solid ending to an arc with just enough tease to foreshadow more trouble on the horizon.
How’s the art? Drew Moss nails the Disney Gargoyles look, feel, and dramatic flair. We regularly acknowledge that artists are required to abide by Disney’s style guide for their cartoon adaptations, but there’s a little wiggle room for artists to get creative. Moss’s side character designs, especially the supporting Gargoyles, are imaginative, and the panel progression in the opening scenes is dramatic.
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What’s GARGOYLES: DARK AGES #3 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our GARGOYLES: DARK AGES #2 review to learn how Demona was captured.
We begin with a silent exchange between the Grgoyles as they assemble outside the perimeter of King Culen’s stronghold. With a nod and a signal, their wizard calls down unnatural lightning to shatter walls and set the stronghold ablaze. Goliath and Mentor use the flames of cover to sneak into the castle, free Demona, and ensure no man escapes.
Mentor chooses to save King Culen’s infant son as the only innocent, and the child is gifted to King Kenneth to be raised as his own. We conclude the issue with an offer of power, a separate offer of coexistence, and an open eye.
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Final Thoughts
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GARGOYLES: DARK AGES #3 brings the war with King Culen to a close but foreshadows familiar troubles on the horizon. Weisman wraps up the war in a satisfying package, and Moss’s Disney-styled art is on point.
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