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Gargoyle (comics)

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For the comic book series about the Disney show, see Gargoyles (comics)

Gargoyle is a name shared by two fictional characters appearing in the Marvel Comics universe.

Gargoyle (Yuri Topolov)

Gargoyle
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceThe Incredible Hulk #1 (May 1962)
Created byStan Lee and Jack Kirby
In-story information
Alter egoYuri Topolov
Team affiliationsKGB
AbilitiesNone

Publication history

The Gargoyle appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 (May 1962), and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Note that the Gargoyle's appearance in Rampaging Hulk #1 is merely part of one of Bereet's fictional techno-art films.[citation needed]

The first Gargoyle received an entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #17, where his real name was revealed.

Fictional character biography

Yuri Topolov, was a Soviet scientist and the first foe of the Hulk. An atomic accident caused by working with radiation mutated him into a grotesque, large-headed dwarf of extremely high intelligence. He was informed of the Hulk, and succeeded in capturing him and Rick Jones using a device that weakened wills. Bruce Banner managed to cure him and he managed to destroy several Soviet generals and 'die like a man', transforming back into a normal human before his death.[1] However, he passed this deformity on to his son, the Gremlin.

Gargoyle (Isaac Christians)

Gargoyle
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceDefenders #94 (Apr 1981)
Created byJ. M. DeMatteis & Don Perlin
In-story information
Alter egoIsaac Christians
Team affiliationsDefenders
The Six-Fingered Hand
Heroes for Hire
AbilitiesSuperhuman strength and physical resistance
Regeneration
Biomystical energy manipulation

Isaac Christians, was a human/demon composite and a member of the Defenders. He was created by writer J. M. DeMatteis and artist Don Perlin.

Fictional character biography

Isaac Christians was an elderly man who sold his soul to an alliance of minor demons styling themselves as "The Six-Fingered Hand" in exchange for prosperity for the dying hometown that his ancestors had founded (the fictional town of Christiansboro, Virginia). Christians made a pact with the demon Avarrish to inhabit the body of an ancient gargoyle and act as an agent of the Six-Fingered Hand. The demons of the Hand transferred Christians' life force into the Gargoyle body and sent him on a mission to capture Patsy Walker, at that time operating as Defenders member Hellcat. Christians battled the Defenders, but rebelled against the Hand. He was trapped in the gargoyle's body, but joined the Defenders.[2] The Defenders then helped him defeat the Six-Fingered Hand.[3]

As a member of the Defenders, Gargoyle helped the Squadron Supreme defeat the Overmind and Null the Living Darkness.[4] The Gargoyle briefly fell under the control of an Afghan wizard, and he was forced to battle the Defenders.[5]

Christians later returned to Christianboro, and was later released from the Gargoyle body and the original demon spirit re-inhabited it. Christians, to prevent the chaos being wreaked by the gargoyle, re-assumed the body with the help of a druid and killed his original human body to prevent the demon from returning.[6] Moondragon, under the influence of the Dragon of the Moon, later separated Christians' life force from the gargoyle body. The body was to be used as a vessel for the Dragon of the Moon, and it became larger and more grotesque. The gargoyle body was carbonized and transformed into a statue of ash, when the Defenders defeated Moondragon and the Dragon of the Moon.[7]

Christians' life force came to reside in a crystal talisman. He reconciled with the spirit of Moondragon, and journeyed with Pamela Douglas to Titan, where he witnessed the rebirth of Moondragon. Eventually, the former Defender known as Cloud created a new body for Christians, with the ability to change back and forth between his gargoyle and human form.[8]

Alongside the Presence, Starlight, Jack of Hearts, and others, he eventually returned to Earth from the Stranger's laboratory world.[9]

When the final confrontation between Gabriel, Devil Hunter, and Hellstrom left Gabriel irretrievably insane, only capable of babbling incoherently, Hellstrom left him in the care of the Gargoyle.[10]

Civil War/The Initiative

Christians has been identified as one of the 142 registered superheroes who appear on the cover of the comic book Avengers: The Initiative #1.[11] He was shown flying in an attack against HYDRA;[12] this helped save the President from an assassination attempt. He is shown along others in the battle against KIA.[volume & issue needed] Gargoyle also was seen aiding Hellcat.[13] He ignored Nighthawk's offer to join the Last Defenders[volume & issue needed] and remained at Camp Hammond serving as an instructor to train the Initiative cadets[volume & issue needed] before retiring.[14]

Powers and abilities

The Gargoyle is the result of the magical transfer of Isaac Christians' spirit into the body of the Gargoyle. Gargoyle possessed superhuman strength and durability in his gargoyle form. His leathery hide offered resistance to various forms of physical attack. He could manipulate "bio-mystical" energy to numerous effects, including concussive blasts and projection of the emotion of fear into others. He could siphon bio-mystical energy from others, causing temporary debilitating weakness. Surrounding himself in a field of bio-mystical energy granted Gargoyle limited immunity to certain types of spells. Gargoyle could fly via mystical levitation; his wings were incapable of producing sufficient lift but could be used for navigation. Gargoyle could regenerate lost or damaged limbs, although they would differ wildly in appearance from the original limb.

Over-expenditure of bio-mystical energy over a short time could weaken or kill the Gargoyle; also, he could be commanded to act against his will by a wizard who spoke a particular obscure spell.

Isaac Christians was a student of the occult with minor mystical ability. Prior to his transformation, Christians had some ability to manipulate mystical forces, including rudimentary spell-casting and summoning demons.

In other media

Television

  • Gargoyle makes a cameo appearance in the X-Men episode "Slave Island".
  • Gargoyle appeared in the 1996 Incredible Hulk cartoon series voiced by Mark Hamill. This Gargoyle is the Yuri Topolov version who was always trying to find a cure for his mutation, even allying himself with The Leader. In "Mortal Bounds," he accidentally released a gamma virus (infecting amongst others Betty Ross) in his search for a cure. When Ross was dying from the virus, Gargoyle gave Bruce Banner the antidote, warning that the next time they met he would not be so favorable. His position with The Leader was one of grudging subservience, although he did become the dominant member when The Leader temporarily lost his powers at the beginning of the second season. From then on, like MODOK in the Iron Man cartoon, he became the bumbling comic relief, with a crush on She-Hulk.

References

  1. ^ Hulk #1
  2. ^ Defenders #94
  3. ^ Defenders #99-100
  4. ^ Defenders #112-114
  5. ^ Defenders #136-137
  6. ^ Gargoyle #1-4
  7. ^ Defenders #152
  8. ^ Solo Avengers #16, 18, 20
  9. ^ Quasar #19-20
  10. ^ Hellstorm #21
  11. ^ Avengers: The Initiative #1 Character Map
  12. ^ Avengers: The Initiative #2 (July 2007)
  13. ^ Marvel Comics Presents Vol. 2 #3-4
  14. ^ Avengers: The Initiative #21

Template:Initiative

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