Gargoyles

Gargoyles is an American animated series created by Greg Weisman, produced by Greg Weisman and Frank Paur and aired from October 24, 1994 to February 15, 1997. more...

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It was at the time hailed by only a few as one of the most ambitious Disney animated series in history, targeting an older demographic and taking a darker edge.

The series was known for its complex story arcs and melodrama, a prime example being the controversial first-season episode "Deadly Force," which addressed the consequences of gun violence, including a graphic depiction of the wounds of a gunshot victim. The show was also notable for its complex characters, and character arcs were heavily employed throughout the series. As the series progressed, it became deeply meshed with medieval history, particularly kings and princes from medieval Scottish history, and other European mythologies such as the King Arthur mythos and Norse Mythology among others, as well as the works of William Shakespeare, most notably A Midsummer Night's Dream and Macbeth.

During the second season, a voice-over by series star Keith David was heard over the opening sequence:

One thousand years ago, superstition and the sword ruled. It was a time of darkness. It was a world of fear. It was the age of gargoyles.

Stone by day, warriors by night, we were betrayed by the humans we had sworn to protect--frozen in stone by a magic spell for a thousand years.

Now here in Manhattan, the spell is broken, and we live again!

We are defenders of the night. We are Gargoyles!

A small but loyal fanbase kept the property alive following its cancellation. The entire first season and part of season two are available on DVD. The Gargoyles storyline currently continues in a comic book also titled Gargoyles written by Weisman and produced by Slave Labor Graphics. The show is currently airing on the Toon Disney network in the United States as part of the JETIX lineup.

Plot

The series features a clan of warrior creatures known as Gargoyles that turn to stone during the day. Led by their leader Goliath in the year 994 A.D., they protect Castle Wyvern and its resident humans on the coast of Scotland until betrayal causes a massacre of the clan and a magic spell forces the six survivors into stone sleep, until the castle rises over the clouds. In 1994, a billionaire named David Xanatos purchases the castle and moves it to the top of his New York City skyscraper, breaking the spell. Awakening in modern day Manhattan, the gargoyles must adapt to this new world as they vow to protect the citizens of New York from various evil forces.

Cast

A myriad of gargoyles, humans and creatures from mythology and superstition feature prominently throughout the series. Although series creators considered the series an ensemble piece, storylines revolve primarily around Goliath and his clan.

Read more at Wikipedia.org