This past October marked 30 years since the Disney cartoon Gargoyles debuted, forever making an indelible mark on generations of children and young adults (including yours truly). The show follows a clan of gargoyles from Scotland who turn to stone during the day and roam the ground and skies at night, with the clan becoming enchanted by a magic spell and frozen in stone for 1,000 years before being freed in present day New York. Soon after, the gargoyles, led by Goliath, make it their mission to protect their new city and the world from those who would do it harm.
Gargoyles was an instant fan-favorite, not just for its voice acting and animation, but its storytelling and themes and genres not often explored in children’s programming, such as gun violence and Shakespearean overtones. It’s little wonder that the franchise has thrived over the past three decades, appearing everywhere from TV to video games and even comic books. Just two years ago, Dynamite Entertainment launched a new Gargoyles series, billed as a de facto 4th season of the TV show, which eventually led to more spinoff comics. All written by the television series’ creator Greg Weisman, these comics have helped to ensure Gargoyles’ place in the minds of 21st century audiences.
And fans of the franchise are getting a holiday treat next month in the form of more Gargoyles goodness. Written by Weisman and Dynamite Entertainment editor Nate Cosby and illustrated by long-time Gargoyles artist George Kambadais, the Gargoyles Winter Special #1 follows the loveable dog-like Bronx as he attempts to reunite a family and a missing member stuck in the winter wonderland of New York City.
I spoke with Greg Weisman and Nate Cosby recently about the Gargoyles Winter Special, how Bronx finds himself in an adventure in the comic, the collaboration between the two and the rest of the creative team, and why Bronx is just the best.
On a personal note, I love Gargoyles. Some of my fondest memories from my childhood are from 1994 to 1995 when I was in 8th and 9th grades, coming home from school and having Gargoyles waiting. It meant a lot to an awkward kid trying to just get through the day to have Gargoyles waiting, a show so rich and in storytelling and role models. It was an honor to interview two phenomenal creators like Mr. Weisman and Mr. Cosby.
GARGOYLES WINTER SPECIAL #1 cover A by Jae Lee
FreakSugar: Where do we find Bronx at the beginning of the Winter Special?
Greg Weisman: Up on the Castle atop the Eyrie Building, of course!
Nate Cosby: Yeah, we really veer into the idea of this being a WINTER Special. The sun goes down, and Bronx BUSTS out of his stone to find himself in the middle of an NYC snowstorm! The winged Gargoyles go off on patrol, leaving Bronx, Fu-Dog and Hudson at home. But Bronx is restless, so he goes off on his own adventure!
FS: I’ve always loved Bronx; he’s such a sweetheart! Why did you decide to focus on him for this special?
GW: Nate is a big – massive – Bronx fan, and pitched the Winter Special as Bronx-focused. I was all for it.
NC: Bronx is one of my favorite characters of all time. He’s always in the background of the Manhattan Clan’s adventures, and I just had this idea that every once in a while, he’d want to head down the Eyrie Building and see the city. And what better time for him to do that, than when the streets are deserted and covered in snow? For just one night, the entire city belongs to Bronx!
FS: I know it’s probably like picking a favorite kid, but who is your Gargoyles favorite characters?
GW: Yeah, my brain doesn’t really work that way. I love ‘em all. But Goliath is the fulcrum in the void. The prism through which we created the version of the show that fans know and love.
NC: I also love them all. But I love Bronx the MOST. Especially when artist George Kambadais draws him.
FS: What has the collaboration been like between you two? What has the back-and-forth been like?
GW: I’m stubborn and territorial, but Nate puts up with me. Seriously, it’s been fun.
NC: What I thought was going to be an intimidating experience has been a really meaningful collaboration for me. Greg’s one of my heroes, and he had every right to tell me NO when I pitched him this story, and NO when I asked if I could co-write it, and NO when I showed him the script. But he’s been supportive and kind the entire way, and every note he’s given has made the story better.
And it’s not just us two collaborating…we’re lucky enough to have artist George Kambadais returning for one-issue-only! George illustrated the first twelve issues of Greg’s Gargoyles run at Dynamite. Having him back and seeing how he visualizes Bronx’s world has been a joy.
FS: Winter seems like the perfect setting for the Gargoyles world, as we’ve seen in past tales, but why did you focus on the holiday season for this special?
GW: Well, those were kinda the marching orders from Dynamite and Disney. We started there. And then built the Bronx tale to fit.
NC: Yeah, knew it was going to be a December release, but it didn’t HAVE to be set in winter. But I’m a New Yorker, and my favorite time of year in my favorite city is when the whole place is blanketed in snow. As soon as the snowflakes start falling, when most people are rushing inside, I throw on my shoes and go for a run. It feels like I have the entire city to myself, like I’m getting away with something. I wanted to imbue that kid-in-a-candy-store sense of excitement into this story. So, in that way, I guess Bronx’s story is kinda autobiographical for me.
FS: What are you two reading right now?
GW: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End by Kanehito Yamada & Tsukasa Abe, The Black Echo by Michael Connelly, and Black Betty by Walter Mosley.
NC: Currently on my bedside: The Trees by Percival Everett, Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, We Solve Murders by Richard Osman, Pride by Ibi Zoboi, The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman, and Wait Till Next Year by William Goldman & Mike Lupica.
FS: Do you have any projects coming down the pike that you’d like to discuss?
GW: Always game to discuss all our Dynamite Gargoyles projects, including the finale of Gargoyles Quest. Plus, I’m still writing the on-going The Spectacular Spider-Men for Marvel.
NC: Watch Gargoyles on Disney Plus. It’s a dang good show. Otherwise, check out all the other Disney titles I’m producing and editing: DuckTales, Lilo & Stitch, Hercules, Darkwing Duck, Negaduck, Maleficent, Scar, Cruella De Vil, Hades, to name just a few.
FS: What would be your final pitch for the Winter Special?
GW: This really is a heart-warming holiday adventure for Bronx and a new friend or two. You’re not going to want to miss it!
NW: If you like dogs. Or cats. Or Gargoyles that kinda act like dogs and cats? You’re gonna love this book.
Gargoyles Winter Special goes on sale December 4, 2024 from Dynamite Entertainment. Final order cutoff is TODAY, November 11.
From the official issue description:
Disney and Dynamite present a very special GARGOYLES holiday treat: “Bronx’s Silent Night!
When a December blizzard blankets New York in snow, the city that never sleeps comes to a standstill – and the Gargoyles awaken to find that Manhattan has been transformed into a silent winter wonderland!
With the rest of the Clan on patrol, Bronx is eager to explore this new landscape on his own… but his peaceful night is interrupted when a family is separated and Bronx has to sniff out the missing member before they’re trapped under ten feet of snow!
Co-written by Gargoyles creator GREG WEISMAN and NATE COSBY, and illustrated by returning Gargoyles artist GEORGE KAMBADAIS, this all-new 40-page special will warm the hearts of even the most jaded of seasonal cynics – fortified by glowing covers from KAMBADAIS, JAE LEE & JUNE CHUNG, TRISH FORSTNER, and CHRIS ELIOPOULOS!