Talking To Greg Weisman About The ‘Gargoyles’ Franchise And Halloween
by Benjamin Hall
Writer Greg Weisman is a creative mind of the Disney Gargoyles cartoon (1994-1997). He is also the writer of the current Gargoyles comics from Dynamite Entertainment (2022-present). Weisman’s other work includes co-writing issues 10-50 of Captain Atom (1987-1991) and issues 1-6 of The Fall and Rise of Captain Atom (2017) at DC with writer Cary Bates. This interview with Weisman is mainly about the upcoming Gargoyles Halloween Special. However, there is also questions and answers regarding the ongoing Gargoyles series, and some of his creative preferences.
Benjamin Hall: Will this Halloween Special possibly lead to a tradition of Halloween Specials?
Greg Weisman: I’d love that. One every year! It’s the perfect holiday to celebrate Gargoyles!
Hall: If there are more specials or limited series are there any artists you would like to work with for those possible narratives?
Weisman: I have a long list of artists I’d love to collaborate with. Some that I’ve worked with before and others that I’ve just admired from afar. But I’ve learned (the hard way) that it’s bad form to publicly declare who’s on the list. Because, then, if I next work with someone who isn’t on the list, it looks like I’ve somehow settled. When in fact, it might just be someone I stupidly left off the list and/or a new discovery that I’m thrilled to work with. I don’t ever want to make any artist feel like they’re a second choice.
Hall: Why is the Manhattan Clan indulging in Halloween when Gargoyles are not trusted by the mass public?
Weisman: Halloween is the one night a year when the Gargoyles can hide in plain sight. They can wear costumes or come as they are, and all the humans just assume that they are, in essence, cosplaying as Gargoyles in really, really good costumes. Of course, now that the Gargoyles are more out in the open, this may start to change, and that’s one of the things that this upcoming Halloween Special will start to deal with.
Hall: With this Halloween Special occurring does this mean the timeframe will be moving to 1998 and possibly beyond?
Weisman: Eventually. The series began in 1994. The Gargoyles pretty much missed Halloween that year. Too busy trying to survive against Steel Clan Robots, Demona, Xanatos, Macbeth, the Pack and others. But in Season Two, in 1995, they celebrated Halloween with Elisa, who dressed as Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Then in 1996, in the old SLG comics, they celebrated again, and Elisa dressed as Jasmine from Aladdin. Now, it’s Halloween 1997. So, yes, we will eventually be moving on to 1998. But not for months…
Hall: Why the Quarrymen instead of a new villain, or villains, for the special?
Weisman: The story’s the story. Read it to find out why, I guess. But like all our characters, the Quarrymen and their leader, John Castaway, is constantly evolving. The events of the regular Dynamite Gargoyles title has forced Castaway to alter course. And I think it’ll be fun for our readers to see how.
Hall: Do you have any input in who the cover artists are?
Weisman: I make the occasional suggestion, but, no, not really. Not that I’m complaining. We’ve had amazing cover artists and fantastic covers.
Hall: Is there any comic book cover in the Gargoyles franchise that is a possible inspiration for a narrative to you?
Weisman: Nothing springs to mind at the moment. Covers are usually either building off of and/or reflecting the story I’ve already written… or their pretty generic (GORGEOUS but generic) to the franchise. But I’m always open to discovering new story ideas from everywhere and anywhere, and it wouldn’t surprise me if a cover someday sparked something.
Hall: Thanks to Greg Weisman for his time!
Gargoyles Halloween Special #1 comes out from Dynamite Entertainment on Oct. 18.
