Review: Tricks And Treats With ‘Gargoyles Halloween Special’ #1

Covers A and F are by artist Matteo Lolli. They both suggest a fun adventure featuring the Gargoyles. Part of this suggestion is due to the design featuring one of the youngest Gargoyles in a pirate costume. The other part is the atmosphere the colors help create. However, cover F arguably has lesser quality due to the lack of trade dress which balances the design and color palette on cover A.

Artist Rebeca Puebla seems to be using a 3D computer art program for covers B, E, and H. While the design is high quality on all three versions the color difference for cover H makes it look lesser.

The variant cover image artist Mirka Andolfo creates for covers C, D, and G is stylish. Though cover G is still high quality the lack of color hurts the art style a better. Covers C and G are arguably a little more impactful due to the use of trade dress. This is cause the lack of trade dress on cover D makes it feel a bit like a print or a speciality trading card. Still Andolfo manages to capture the mischievousness Demona sometimes has.

Artist Davis Rider is responsible for the retailer exclusive variant covers. Although Rider chooses a generic pose for Goliath the overall execution of the three covers is great. For example the ones with color feature a great realistic purple. Also the lightning effect seems just near enough to Goliath to evoke a horror vibe for some buyers. While the line art version does a better job than the other two at showing Goliath’s five fingers.

Writer Greg Weisman does fine on dialogue and plotting. There are also some nice callbacks to the animated series Gargoyles (1994-1997). Not to mention Weisman puts in some good social messages that have almost nothing to do with the actual plot. However, Weisman seems to have trouble with scene transitions. Overall this issue has a strong enough script, but with a few obvious problems.

Artist Diego Bonesso and colorist Nicolò Laporini handle the interior visuals. Bonesso’s style seems to shift between cartoonish and somewhat realistic. The line work is also a bit scratchy at times. Yet, Bonesso does evoke confidence and displays very good skills. Laporini provides a wide enough number of hues while keeping a tight control of how many are seeing use. Unfortunately, there is at least one point where the visuals are jarring due to what Weisman’s script calls for.

Letterer Jeff Eckleberry does a great job with positioning the text and anchors. However, there are certain elements that could have better sizing.

Gargoyles Halloween Special #1 is out now from Dynamite Entertainment.