Gargoyles

What’s the Story?

Compared to Disney's many cartoons spun off from feature-length films, GARGOYLES stands out as a strong original series. Set in Manhattan, the show follows a group of gargoyles known as the Manhattan Clan as they patrol the skies of New York City, defending it from crime and corruption. Every night, the main characters -- Goliath (voiced by Keith David), Hudson (Ed Asner), Brooklyn (Jeff Bennett), and Bronx (Frank Welker) -- change from gothic statues into real live gargoyles. Partnered with NYPD cops Eliza Maza (Salli Richardson) and Matt Bluestone (Thomas F. Wilson), the Manhattan Clan helps protect NYC from the evil plans of billionaire David Xanatos (Jonathan Frakes) and enemy gargoyle clans.

Is It Any Good?

Gargoyles will appeal to tweens and up but may prove too scary for the younger set. That said, most of the show's violence is of the hand-to-hand combat variety seen in most superhero programs. Characters punch, kick, and throw each other off of buildings, but they don't use very many weapons.

Gargoyles is very well-written, with likable characters. The storylines are interesting and involve many mythical and historical references, including Anglo and Scots mythology and even some Shakespeare references (never a bad thing). Violence plays a part in every episode, but it's not graphic or over the top. Kids who are old enough to watch Gargoyles will very likely enjoy it.