Review: The 2024 ‘Gargoyles Winter Special’ Is Simple

Plotter Greg Weisman and plot/writer/editor/packager Nate Cosby create a traditional Gargoyles winter tale. Die-hard fans of the franchise will probably love it just because nostalgia. While young children might love it because of the visuals and holiday elements. However, those hoping for new additions to the lore of this franchise, or just insight into the thoughts of Bronx, will face disappointment. This is a child friendly comic, though, with a simple narrative and minus dialogue or internal monologues. On the plus side: it is higher in quality than Gargoyles: Quest (2024).

Artist George Kambadais seems to use a more clean line and style in this special than what appears in Gargoyles (2022-2024). It is less angular and his style is less fluid in design. Still, Kambadais creates a great sense of motion in certain poses with his lines. It is worth mentioning this special relies almost entirely on him being able to tell the narrative via facial expressions and other visual elements. He does a good job at making this standard plot work from a visual perspective.

Colorist JP Jordan provides accurate colors for each character in the Manhattan clan. Jordan’s choice of hues also work in assisting Kambadais’s attempt to show time passing at the beginning of this special.

Letterer Jeff Eckleberry provides some sound effects. Although they are nice in size, placement, and overall design, this special is arguably a waste of Eckleberry’s talent.

The covers are by Kambadais and artists Chris Eliopoulos, Trish Forstner, and Jae Lee (along with colorist June Chung). All the cover designs are high quality, but the black-and-white  variants are debatably lesser due to the lack of color to help evoke emotions.

Gargoyles Winter Special is out now from Dynamite Entertainment and Disney.