Wes’s Guide to Gargoyles: Gargoyles #10

As we open, we see that this time around, it’s Katana’s turn to handle narration duties. Being that she was not a character in the original show, I’m intrigued by what insight she can offer and learning more about her in general. She says that long ago, in Ishimura Japan, her clan chose her name for her, feeling that she shared certain qualities with the weapon that was her namesake. Katana would accept her name, but would not allow it to define her. Back in those days, her clan worked closely with the humans, but in all that time, she had never heard of a human and a Gargoyle falling in love. In this regard, Goliath and Elisa are unique, and historically, uniqueness is rarely tolerated.

We pick back up where the last issue left off with Elisa taking the stands. Tobe Crest asks about Elisa’s relationship to Goliath and Elisa recounts the events of that fateful night atop the Eyrie Building where she and Goliath first met, specifically how Goliath saved her life. She goes on to say that Goliath and his clan had been invaluable in the successful arrest of multiple criminals, including crime-lord and known fuck-weasel, Tony Dracon. That’s all well and good, but crest asked about their relationship. Elisa hesitates at first, but then, with the entire world watching, admits that she is in love with Goliath in the romantic sense. Everyone, even those who were well aware of Goliath and Elisa’s relationship, are floored by Elisa’s blatant admission. Katana feels the admission was admirable, but worries that their love is a truth the humans cannot accept.

DA Margot Yale now gets her turn to question the witness and she is taking no prisoners. Margot gets Elisa to admit that, despite the assistance that The Gargoyles have provided to the NYPD, their involvement was never reported to the press or Captain Chavez. Then, Margot goes for the throat, claiming that Elisa is “Romantically, if not Unhealthily obsessed with a Monster” and therefore her testimony and judgement is not to be trusted.

Among the many watching the hearing is our favorite Power Couple, Fox and Xanatos, both of whom are watching the proceedings with great interest. Owen interrupts saying that Preston Vogel is on the phone with urgent news but Fox is too invested in the trial to respond. We are then visited by someone the Xanatos family cannot afford to ignore, which is saying something considering Xanatos was able to afford to move an enormous medieval castle stone by stone to the top of a skyscraper. The visitor is Titania, all powerful Queen of the Fair Folk and Fox’s mother who emerges from the mirror cryptically saying “It’s Time.”

Back in court, it is time for closing statements. Margot keeps hers short and sweet and simply says that it is beyond the scope of this court to rewrite the definition of humanity. Tobe Crest, who I will remind you, is a black man, something that will become very important in just a moment, gives his statement, which I have chosen to present to you in its entirety.

Opposing Counsel spoke about the definition of humanity. But there was a time in this country when someone who looked like me could be told he didn’t meet that definition, could be told he didn’t deserve any rights at all. Please remember that your honor, for history will not be kind to those who fought for or aided in oppression. And this hearing, this specific moment in time, will be studied down the ages. When history’s final verdict is rendered, you do not want to be on the wrong side of it.

The next time you encounter someone who says that cartoons or comic books are just mindless children’s entertainment and don’t have anything profound or meaningful to say, I want you to shove this page in their face and say “Fuck You.”

Anywho, with everyone, from the Manhattan Clan, to The Maza Family, The Labyrinth Clan, The Dracons, Thailog and Sevarius and even Demona watching the hearing with bated breath, the judge renders his verdict. As to the question of Goliath’s sentience, the answer would appear obvious. As for whether or not Goliath and his people deserve human rights. While Goliath is obviously not human, having examined the testimony from the Gargoyle and his human allies, the has come to the conclusion that Goliath embodies all the qualities which we consider to be the most humane. Therefore, it is the ruling of this court that Gargoyles qualify for the same rights as any human. Therefore, since he was arrested without cause and has been accused of no crime, Goliath is free to go.

As the Manhattan clan celebrates back at the Castle, Goliath is lead out of the courtroom by Crest. While both acknowledge that this is only a minor victory in a much larger battle for piece between races, Crest says that there is nothing wrong with enjoying the moment. Goliath thanks Crest for everything he’s done and the two part ways as friends. However, the big guy doesn’t have long to enjoy the moment as he’s soon mobbed by the press who have no an endless barrage of questions, many pertaining to his relationship with Elisa. Before Goliath can answer any questions, he’s approached by Owen Burnett who whispers something in his ear which prompts him to immediately take off.

Later, in the Judge’s office, he is seen meeting with my favorite and yours, David Xanatos. It seems our old friend left absolutely nothing to chance and wired the judge enough money for him to retire early in order to influence his ruling. The judge, who I only just now noticed is the same judge who performed the wedding of Fox and Xanatos way back in the episode Vows, doesn’t feel right about what he’s done, but Xanatos, in the most sinister way humanly possible, assures him that he did the right thing.

And so our comic ends with Goliath arriving at the home of Halcyon Renard, whose illness has progressed to the point that he will soon pass away.

This was easily the strongest Gargoyles issue yet. We got to see our heroes score a major victory and we got that incredible speech from Tobe Crest. Speaking of, I’ve said it before, but I love the character of Tobe Crest. He is easily my favorite addition to the cast post Hunter’s Moon. Crest is a good man who doesn’t care what Goliath is, he just wants to make sure he’s treated fairly. Having a legal expert with strong moral convictions in their corner would be a great asset to our heroes so I’m hoping Crest sticks around. By the way, when and if Gargoyles ever returns to television and Crests finds himself in the animated world, I can see Phil Morris providing the voice. Phil Morris is not only a fine actor in his own rightno stranger to voice acting or playing a lawyer, having famously played the likes of Dr. Sweet from Atlantis The Lost Empire and Jackie Chiles from Seinfeld. It was also awesome to have a bona fide Xanatos tag again. For those who don’t know, the Xanatos tag is a common occurrence in this series where the heroes win the day, but David Xanatos shows up with his trademark smug grin and reveals that he was the mastermind behind everything and he still got what he wanted in the end. What makes this one especially entertaining is the fact that, technically, Xanatos hasn’t actually done anything evil this time. Okay, bribing a judge isn’t exactly lawful good, but he did it to help out his friend. And yet, even though his intentions were purely altruistic (at least as far as we know, you never can tell with Xanatos) he still can’t help but be really sinister about the whole thing. God help me, I love this character. While this was a huge victory for Gargoyle kind, I cannot help but wonder what the long term ramifications Elisa’s confession will have. By the same token, I wonder what will come of Renard’s inevitable passing. I guess we’ll find out next time.