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{{Afd-merge to|List of Marvel Comics characters: G|discussion=Gargoyle (comics)|date=24 October 2026}}
{{short description|Marvel Comics superhero}}
{{about|the Marvel Comics fictional characters named "Gargoyle" found in comics|the comic book series about the Disney show|Gargoyles (comics)|other uses|Gargoyle (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox comics character
| image          =
| caption        =
| character_name = Gargoyle
| real_name      = Yuri Topolov<br>Isaac Christians
| species        = {{ubl|'''(Topolov)'''|[[Human]] (currently)|Human mutate (formerly)|'''(Christians)'''|[[Human]]/[[Demon]] [[Hybrid (biology)|Hybrid]]}}
| publisher      = [[Marvel Comics]]
| debut          = {{ubl|'''(Topolov)'''|''[[The Incredible Hulk (comic book)|The Incredible Hulk]]'' #1 (May 1962)|'''(Christians)'''|''[[Defenders (comics)|The Defenders]]'' #94 (April 1981)}}
| creators       = {{ubl|'''(Topolov)'''|[[Stan Lee]], [[Jack Kirby]]|'''(Christians)'''|[[J. M. DeMatteis]], [[Don Perlin]]}}
| alliances      = {{ubl|'''(Topolov)'''|[[KGB]]|'''(Christians)'''|[[Defenders (comics)|Defenders]]|[[Heroes for Hire]]|The Six-Fingered Hand}}
| aliases        =
| powers         = '''(Topolov)'''
* High intelligence
'''(Christians)'''
* [[Superhuman strength]] and durability
* [[Regeneration (biology)|Regeneration]]
* Manipulation of biomystical energies
* [[Flight]]
* Limited spell immunity
}}
'''Gargoyle''' is a name shared by two characters appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]]. The first Gargoyle, '''Yuri Topolov''', created by [[Stan Lee]] and [[Jack Kirby]], is a [[supervillain]] and the first enemy of the [[Hulk]], who first appeared in ''[[The Incredible Hulk (comic book)|The Incredible Hulk]]'' #1 (May 1962). The second Gargoyle, '''Isaac Christians''', created by [[J. M. DeMatteis]] and [[Don Perlin]], is a human/demon hybrid [[superhero]] and a member of the [[Defenders (comics)|Defenders]], who first appeared in ''[[The Defenders (comic book)|The Defenders]]'' #94 (April 1981).

==Publication history==
The first Gargoyle, '''Yuri Topolov''', appears in ''[[The Incredible Hulk (comic book)|The Incredible Hulk]]'' #1 (May 1962), and was created by [[Stan Lee]] and [[Jack Kirby]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=DeFalco |first1=Tom |last2=Sanderson |first2=Peter |last3=Brevoort |first3=Tom |last4=Teitelbaum |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |last6=Darling |first6=Andrew |last7=Forbeck |first7=Matt |last8=Cowsill |first8=Alan |last9=Bray |first9=Adam |title=The Marvel Encyclopedia |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-7890-0 |page=145}}</ref>

The appearance of Gargoyle in ''Rampaging Hulk'' #1 is merely part of one of [[Bereet]]'s fictional techno-art films.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}} The first Gargoyle received an entry in ''[[Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe|The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition]]'' #17, where his real name was revealed.

The second Gargoyle, '''Isaac Christians''', is a human/demon hybrid and a member of the [[Defenders (comics)|Defenders]]. He was created by writer [[J. M. DeMatteis]] and artist [[Don Perlin]]. Perlin's design was inspired by a sequence in ''[[Prince Valiant]]'' in which the titular hero disguises himself as a gargoyle.<ref name="back65">{{cite journal |last=DeAngelo|first=Daniel|date=July 2013|title=The Not-Ready-For-Super-Team Players: A History of the Defenders |journal=[[Back Issue!]]|issue=#65|page=12 |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]]}}</ref> During his long run on ''The Defenders'', Gargoyle also was the co-star of ''[[Marvel Team-Up]]'' #119, written by his co-creator DeMatteis, who later described the issue as "one of my favorite ''favorite'' stories".<ref name="DAK39"/>

In 1985 Marvel published a four-issue ''Gargoyle'' [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]], written by DeMatteis and drawn by [[Mark Badger]]. DeMatteis said of the series, "It was a psychological fantasy. You take the interior life and make it concrete... give it substance... and play with it".<ref>{{cite news | first1 = Jim | last1 = Salicrup | first2 = Mike | last2 = Higgins | authorlink1 = Jim Salicrup | date = September 1986 | title = J. Marc DeMatteis (part 1) | work = [[Comics Interview]] | issue = #38 | pages = 20–35 | publisher = [[Fictioneer Books]]}}</ref> Explaining why he decided to do a limited series starring Gargoyle, he said, {{blockquote|I'd always wanted to do that character the right way. We'd had him in ''Defenders'' for years and Don Perlin and I were... We came to like him so much, ''as a person''... this was a classic case of the character coming alive for us. We came to like Isaac Christians, this little old man inside the Gargoyle's body, so much that it began to mellow out the way we portrayed the outer shell, the gargoyle aspect. And, before you know it, he's this cute little funny animal. Which he was never intended to be.<ref name="DAK39">{{cite news | first1 = Jim | last1 = Salicrup | first2 = Mike | last2 = Higgins | date = October 1986 | title = J. Marc DeMatteis (part 2) | work = Comics Interview| issue = #39 | pages = 7–19 | publisher = [[Fictioneer Books]]}}</ref>}}

In a 2013 interview DeMatteis said that Gargoyle "is a character I still have tremendous fondness for".<ref name="back65"/>

==Fictional character biography==
===Gargoyle (Yuri Topolov)===
'''Yuri Topolov''' is a Soviet scientist and the [[Hulk]]'s first foe. An atomic accident caused from working with radiation mutated him into a large-headed dwarf. The Gargoyle was informed about the Hulk by an imprisoned spy using a miniature transmitter. By firing a gun with will-weakening pellets, he succeeded in capturing both him and [[Rick Jones (character)|Rick Jones]]. Bruce Banner cures Topolov of his mutation via gamma rays. In gratitude, Topolov allows Banner and Rick to use his rocket to return to the United States. Topolov then sets off an explosion that kills himself and several Soviet generals.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Darowski |first=Joseph J. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Ages_of_Iron_Man/x3gwCgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 |title=The Ages of Iron Man: Essays on the Armored Avenger in Changing Times |date=July 11, 2015 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-1-4766-2074-9 |page=73 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Scott T. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Uncanny_Bodies/0J2YEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 |title=Uncanny Bodies: Superhero Comics and Disability |last2=Alaniz |first2=José |date=January 17, 2020 |publisher=Penn State Press |isbn=978-0-271-08632-3 |language=en}}</ref>

Topolov later turns up alive, having faked his death. He is frozen by the USSR in a [[Cryostasis (clathrate hydrates)|cryogenic sleep]] near the [[Cold War]]'s end, along with several other agents. They are accidentally awakened in the modern day and battle [[The Order (comics)|the Order]].<ref>''[[The Order (comics)|The Order]]'' (vol. 2) #1-2 (September–October 2007)</ref>

====Powers, abilities, and equipment====
Yuri Topolov is a superhuman genius. Either human or mutate, he knows numerous sciences and is well-versed in [[Mechanics|mechanical]] [[theory]].<ref>''[[Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z]]'' #5 (November 2008)</ref> He utilizes a pellet gun with will-sapping effects.
{{clear}}

===Gargoyle (Isaac Christians)===
'''Isaac Christians''' is an elderly man who sells his soul to the [[Six-Fingered Hand (comics)|Six-Fingered Hand]], a group of minor demons, in exchange for prosperity for the dying hometown that his ancestors had founded (the fictional town of Christiansboro, Virginia). Christians makes a pact with the demon Avarrish to inhabit the body of a legendary gargoyle and act as an agent of the Six-Fingered Hand. The demons of the Six-Fingered Hand transfer Christians' life force into the Gargoyle body and send him to capture [[Patsy Walker]], at that time operating as [[Defenders (comics)|Defenders]] member Hellcat. Christians battles the Defenders, but joins them and rebels against the Six-Fingered Hand.<ref name="Ashgate Encyclopedia">{{Cite book |last=Weinstock |first=Jeffrey Andrew |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Ashgate_Encyclopedia_of_Literary_and/PHbeCwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 |title=The Ashgate Encyclopedia of Literary and Cinematic Monsters |date=April 1, 2016 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-04426-0 |page=249 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Plowright |first=Frank |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Slings_Arrows_Comic_Guide/AMEbAQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 |title=The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide |date=2003 |publisher=Slings & Arrows |isbn=978-0-9544589-0-4 |page=176 |language=en}}</ref>

Christians returns to Christiansboro and is released from the Gargoyle body. However, a demon takes control of the Gargoyle body. Christians retakes control of the Gargoyle and kills his original human body to prevent the demon from returning. After Christians's Gargoyle body is destroyed, Cloud creates a new body for him, allowing him to switch between his gargoyle and human forms at will.<ref name="Ashgate Encyclopedia" /> He becomes an instructor at [[Camp Hammond (comics)|Camp Hammond]], the training grounds of the [[Avengers: The Initiative|Initiative]].<ref>''[[The Last Defenders]]'' #1 (May 2008)</ref>

====Powers and abilities====
Isaac Christians possesses supernatural strength and durability, as well as a thick leathery hide. He has the ability to manipulate "biomystical" energy for numerous effects, such as [[shapeshifting]], concussive blasts, and fear inducement. He can siphon life-forces from other people, causing temporary debilitating weakness onto them. Surrounding himself in a mystical field grants Gargoyle immunity to certain spells. Gargoyle is able to fly via levitation. His wings are incapable of producing sufficient lift to fly on their own, but aid him in navigation. Gargoyle can regrow lost or damaged limbs, though they may differ wildly in appearance from the original. Gargoyle is a student in the [[occult]] with minor mystic capabilities. He has considerable knowledge of magic, including rudimentary spellcasting and summoning demons.<ref>''The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe'' (vol. 2) #5 (April 1986)</ref>

==In other media==
===Television===
* The Yuri Topolov incarnation of Gargoyle, referred to as '''Gorgon''', appears in the Hulk segment of ''[[The Marvel Super Heroes]]''.{{Citation needed|date=August 2008}}
* The Yuri Topolov incarnation of Gargoyle appears in ''[[The Incredible Hulk (1996 TV series)|The Incredible Hulk]]'', voiced by [[Mark Hamill]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Gargoyle Voice - ''The Incredible Hulk'' (1996) (TV Show) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/The-Incredible-Hulk-1996/Gargoyle/ |access-date=August 23, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref> This version seeks to find a cure for his mutation, which leads to him begrudgingly working under the [[Leader (character)|Leader]].

===Video games===
The Yuri Topolov incarnation of Gargoyle appears in ''[[Lego Marvel's Avengers]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://segmentnext.com/lego-marvels-avengers-characters-unlock-guide/ | title=Lego Marvel's Avengers Characters Unlock Guide - How to Unlock All Characters | date=13 May 2023 }}</ref>

== Collected editions ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Title
!Material collected
!Published date
!ISBN
|-
|''Defenders Epic Collection: The End of All Songs''
|''Gargoyle'' #1-4 and ''Defenders'' #138-152
|January 2020
|{{ISBNT|978-1302920708}}
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Marvunapp|http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix9/gargoyle-topolov.html|Gargoyle (Yuri Topolov)}}
* {{Marvunapp|http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix3/gargoylechristians.htm|Gargoyle (Isaac Christians)}}
* [https://www.marvel.com/characters/gargoyle-isaac-christians/ Gargoyle (Isaac Christians)] at Marvel.com

{{Defenders}}
{{Hulk}}
{{Jack Kirby}}
{{Stan Lee}}

[[Category:Characters created by J. M. DeMatteis]]
[[Category:Characters created by Jack Kirby]]
[[Category:Characters created by Stan Lee]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1963]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1981]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from Virginia]]
[[Category:Fictional characters who use magic]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with dwarfism]]
[[Category:Fictional communists]]
[[Category:Fictional Russian people]]
[[Category:Fictional Soviet people]]
[[Category:Gargoyles in popular culture]]
[[Category:Groups of fictional characters]]
[[Category:Hulk (comics)]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics characters]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics demons]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics mutates]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics shapeshifters]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics superheroes]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics supervillains]]