Gargoyles Petition

Gargoyles Petition

By Andrea Fort

                My friends, all of us have suffered the loss of a show we truly love. Programs like Star Trek, Firefly, and Buffy live on in syndication, on DVD, and in our hearts. We hold conventions, read and write fan fiction, and discuss the finer points of our favourite episodes. In short, you can’t take the sky from us; the fans will find a way to keep the magic alive.

                It is with this spirit in mind that I appeal to you all: I need your help. One of my all-time favourite shows, and a nostalgic favourite for many of you I’m sure, has hit a wall. The popular ’90s cartoon with the amazing voice cast, Gargoyles, was in the process of being released on DVD when Disney decided to stop the process due to poor sales.

 I’m calling shenanigans!

               Fan favourite shows, even cartoons with nostalgic value, have been reborn on DVD. You can find the original Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones, even the original black and white Mickey Mouse cartoons. There has also been a surge of ’90s cartoons released: The Animaniacs, Tail Spin, Darkwing Duck, and Tiny Toons amongst them. All of them have been quietly released, allowing fans to relive their favourite moments. Gargoyles was released alongside this wave, but for a story that builds for three seasons, releasing only the first season and a half is not enough. The DVD release suffered from many problems, which may have lead to Disney’s decision not to release the remainder of the series, but I for one do not believe that lack of interest was an issue.

              The first problem was the lack of build up to the release of the DVDs—I stumbled upon season one purely by accident. Everyone I’ve spoken to has been thrilled to learn that the episodes live on, saying that if the series were complete, they would gladly purchase it.  The conversation always leads to talk of favourite characters and episodes, and everyone I speak with is happy to reminisce about the show and its themes. The prevailing opinion seems to be that it was fantastic, and why doesn’t Disney complete the series?

              The desicion to release season 2 in two parts is also an annoyance. There is a natural stopping point mid-season, but the fans are devoted and want the story in its entirety. Adding insult to injury, Season 2 Volume 1 retailed at a very high price point, which no doubt prompted many to wait until a more complete set was released. This is not uncommon, and a logical way to invest in a show, but it likely contributed to the poor performance of the DVDs.

                To add to the frustration, Gargoyles are enjoying an underground renaissance. Now there are reprints of the comics, and new editions of the graphic novels are turning up at your local comic book store (if your local doesn’t have them, that proves why Paradise Comics is my favourite comic joint in Toronto) despite the fact that they’ve given up on the DVDs. Where is the end of the season? Why are the fans left hanging? The internet is littered with fan art and forums expounding the virtues of the show. Instead of being one more vocal fan, I propose action! A petition to show Disney that we love our show and want to be able to see it in its entirety; they can’t just decide after releasing a half season that they don’t want to move ahead.

                If you were ever a fan, please sign. Help me send the message that we are enthusiastic and loyal and we expect to be repaid for our commitment. Tell Disney that we love their show, and we want to see it immortalized. It’s their work, and we simply want to compliment and enjoy it. Help me tell Disney that we would like to see the last season and a half on DVD!