Review: ‘Gargoyles’ #8 Confuses Things
by Benjamin Hall
Summary
Goliath’s court hearing is pending. While he remains in a cell his clan continues to try and protect the populace. Yet, Dino Dracon continues to move forward with his criminal actions. Will Dracon’s actions prevent the court hearing from being necessary?
Overall
4/10Writer Greg Weisman creates a rather exposition heavy script. One might even call this a filler meets info dump type of issue.
Illustrator George Kambadais provides the interior art and covers G, J, and W. Kambadias does fine when it comes to characterization. One of Kambadias’s strengths is facial expressions. However, certain types of page layouts are a weakness for him. Case in point, when Kambadias does a cross between a double page splash and inferring panels. This particular type of page causes placement confusion for letterer Jeff Eckleberry. In other words the art makes it so the text, and the reader’s eyes, end up having to jump around which creates a very jarring experience.
Kambadais’s cover somewhat spoils return appearance for two villains. Also the portions for Wolf are off in various ways on this image seemingly in order to increase the sense of action.
The interior hues are by colorists Giulia Giacomino and Giovanna La Pietra. Both do a good job helping keep the colors consistent to what readers are (probably) expecting from this series.
Covers A, H, O, and P are by artist David Nakayama. The image for these covers features a nice color contrast (with the exception of cover H), and some fine line work.
Artist Amanda Conner is responsible for covers B, Q, and Z. The design is unique and fresh for a cover. Bronx really comes across as a pet wanting food. While the trade dress on B and Z is not necessary for Q. Meaning that Q looks as high quality as B and Z. It is also worth mentioning that the design features some great suggestions of lighting.
Variant covers C, L, and V are by artist Lucio Parrillo. Although the image is high quality the characterization is too demonic.
Covers D, M, and X are by artist Lesley “Leirix” Li. Angela’s pose combines with the swirling pattern in a way that suggests walking in a wind tunnel. The image also has a great amount of depth. Though that sense of depth seems to be less without color, such as with cover X. While the lack of trade dress on cover M arguably makes the design feel a bit lesser in quality.
Artist Tony Fleecs and Trish Forstner provide another cartoonish image on covers F, K, and T that goes against the teen age rating of this series. However, it is a high quality visual that is not wrong in suggesting this comic’s interiors could be for certain younger readers.
Cover I is by artist Miriana Puglia. A decent job occurs with the minimal details of the action figure portion of the variant. Also the lines show confidence. Yet, this cover features a color palette that is rather ugly. This is mainly due to the yellows and grays that are in use.
The singular image for covers E, N, and U is by artist Jae Lee. Colorist June Chung provides hues for E and N. Chung’s selection of colors are nice, and feature a progression from dark to light. Lee’s art has nice proportions. Unfortunately, Broadway and Lexington look off in terms of characterization. The former slightly looks like a zombie, and the latter kind of looks like a gremlin.
Ken Haeser does a nice, if a little busy, homage. Haeser is homaging the “frame” design Marvel put on all their covers in November 1986 (The New Mutants #45 [1986]).
Gargoyles #8 is out now from Dynamite Entertainment.
