"Religious Studies 101: A Handful of Thorns" - Greg Weisman's Spidey/Gargoyles Story

[GregX]

No, I'm not kidding...

Here's the script...

Title Page, Cast List, and Teaser
Act One
Act Two
Act Three

So, this past weekend was the Gathering of the Gargoyles in Los Angeles, CA. There was a major Spectacular Spider-Man event that weekend as well. Lots of cast and crew from both shows attended.

Every year, Greg brings one of his scripts to perform a Radio Play. Mostly fans and two professional voice actors (usually). This year, SIXTEEN pros wanted to participate. So, since no Spidey or Gargoyles script had all the characters, well, he had to write something original... a non-canon crossover. Sixteen pros and thirteen fans... including yours truly.

Anyway, the whole thing was recorded, and will, at some point, be made available in one form or another. In the mean time, here is a clip of Greg Weisman handing out the scripts to each of the performers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YcDQCSGS1U

And here are various clips from the thing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWOYffOVt4Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXWk9lHAAE0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2hi0eu2PPc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW18NR5V06k

And here's the cast list:

THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN MEETS GARGOYLES

"Religious Studies 101: A Handful of Thorns"

(Radio Play)

CAST LIST
NARRATOR - Greg Weisman
DEMONA/DOMINIQUE DESTINE - Marina Sirtis
SPIDER-MAN/PETER PARKER - Josh Keaton
GOLIATH - Keith David
LEXINGTON - Thom Adcox
ELISA MAZA - Zehra Fazal
BROOKLYN - John Clemens
CURT CONNORS/LIZARD - Dee Bradley Baker
BROADWAY - Crispin Freeman
ZAFIRO - Joshua Poole
MAY PARKER - Deborah Strang
GREEN GOBLIN - Steve Blum
OBSIDIANA - Elisa Gabrielli
KRAVEN THE HUNTER - Eric Vesbit
HARRY OSBORN - James Arnold Taylor
DOCTOR OCTOPUS/OTTO OCTAVIUS - Michael McAdam
J. JONAH JAMESON - Daran Norris
MARY JANE WATSON - Vanessa Marshall
ELECTRO - Crispin Freeman
VENOM/EDDIE BROCK - Ben Isaac Diskin
GEORGE STACY - Lucas McClain
BIG MAN - Keith David
CALYPSO EZILI - Jennifer L. Anderson
ASHLEY KAFKA - Elisa Gabrielli
ROBBIE ROBERTSON - Phil LaMarr
LIZ ALLAN - Kaitlyn Robrock
SALLY AVRIL - Jennifer L. Anderson
GWEN STACY - Sarah Williams
MATT BLUESTONE - Eric Tribou
GREG BISHANSKY - Greg Bishansky
KENNY KONG - Andrew Kishino
COLONEL JUPITER/JOHN JAMESON - Daran Norris
NED LEE - Andrew Kishino
VULTURE - Seth Jackson
FLASH THOMPSON - Ian Bassett
SHARI - Zehra Fazal
FANCY DAN - Phil LaMarr
GULYADKIN - Dee Bradley Baker
CARNAGE/CLETUS KASADY - Ian Bassett
HOMUNCULUS #1 - Dee Bradley Baker
HOMUNCULUS #2 - Phil LaMarr
HOMUNCULUS #3 - Steve Blum
HOMUNCULUS #4 - James Arnold Taylor
HOMUNCULUS #5 - Thom Adcox
SMUGGLER #1 - Andrew Kishino
DOMINIC DRACON - Seth Jackson
BLACKIE GAXTON - Steve Blum
EMILY OSBORN - Kaitlyn Robrock
TINKERER - Thom Adcox
SEYMOUR O'REILLY - Steve Blum
SILVER SPOON MANAGER - Crispin Freeman
ANGELA - Sarah Williams
PUMPKIN BOMB - Nicki France
THAILOG - Keith David
MARIA CHAVEZ - Elisa Gabrielli
FREDERICK FOSWELL - James Arnold Taylor
ALAN O'NEIL - James Arnold Taylor
ROSIE THOMPSON - Vanessa Marshall
MARGOT YALE - Marina Sirtis
MORGAN MORGAN - Keith David
JASON IONELLO - Ben Isaac Diskin
RAND ROBERTSON - Phil LaMarr
BRENTWOOD - Fox Anderson
CHAMELEON - Steve Blum
NORMAN OSBORN - Eric Vesbit
DILBERT TRILBY - Steve Blum

It was crazy, and awesome...

[AlgeaX]

Awesome stuff, can't wait to see the whole thing.

[Nygma]

Originally Posted by GregX

GREG BISHANSKY - Greg Bishansky

So... did you have any trouble grasping that characters voice?

[GregX]

Originally Posted by Nygma

So... did you have any trouble grasping that characters voice?

I think Daniel Day-Lewis would have done a better job.

[Nightcrawler]

Definitely look forward to hearing the whole thing. I especially enjoyed watching Steve Blum essentially have a conversation with himself.

[GregX]

It was a very fun script, and the longest Radio Play we've ever had. Script was about seventy pages. A lot happened.

The reason it has the title it has is because, well, Demona was after two objects of great power that, when combined and under her control, she'd bring about Armageddon. Demona was definitely the Big Bad of this story. Impressive when that story also includes Green Goblin, Dr. Octopus, and Tombstone.

To quote from someone else's con journal:

The Radio Play was . . . well, as Greg put it . . . a work of three days, which means the man's a GENIUS. It was awesome to see it pick up right where both series left off, from the last issue of Clan Building for Gargoyles, to the finale of the second season of Spidey. For fans of both shows, this was the Radio Play to see . . . it offered no major conclusion to either series, but it satisified that desperate wish most fans currently have about both . . . which is that they want MORE STORIES. It was absolutely spectacularly epicly awesome . . . what with the various insidejokes, both the on and off screen type, and the huge ensemble from BOTH series really gave any fan something to enjoy, because this monster of a play had something for everyone.

Like Goliath/Elisa? Check.
Enjoy Demona scheming? Check.
Love Spidey/Goblin quips? Check.
Enjoy the various incarnations of the Sinister Six? Check.
Like the Liz/Pete/MJ/Gwen/Harry hurricane of teen romance? Check.
Like the gangster stories . . . be it Big Man/Manfredis or the Brod/Dracons? Check.
Love making and hearing grunts, wails, groans, shrieks, and roars? Check. Want to hear iconic lines from either series? Check-a-roo.
Enjoy breaking the 4th Wall? Check.
Enjoy double entendres AS WELL AS plain-out entendres? A definite Check there, good sirs and ladies.
Like hearing characters interact with characters by the SAME voice actor? Check! (Thom's Lex line of 'what an annoying voice' was flat-out hilarious)
Want more Hormunculi? Check to the 5th power!
You REALLY want Carnage? CHECK!
Enjoy magic? Check Check, and a very almost-sacriligious-but-very-awesome CHECK (Seeing Marina/Demona 'lick' her own oozing blood . . . man, she may not have done Demona in over a decade, but she's STILL got it)!!!

[Manhunter]

I was curious about the significance of the title, so I Googled "handful of thorns". I found this:

http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-d.../devotion.aspx

[GregX]

A very basic synopsis:

Demona, as Dominique, comes to Ravencroft to excavate the foundation looking for a spear-head. She uses Otto, Electro, Dominic Dracon, Eddie Brock, Cletus Kasady, and John Jameson for the dig. She gets what she wants, and Otto and Electro escape along with Vulture. The others go with Demona who promises them respect, power, hate, and carnage.

Meanwhile, the Green Goblin is back in Manhattan, and trying to maintain control over the mobs. Tombstone does manage to easily drive him off... and he only escapes Spidey because he tosses a pumpkin bomb at a stone Goliath... after an amusing bit where Goliath thought that Spidey was a threat and a menace, and Spidey thought Goliath was one of Goblin's creations.

Spidey also has an encounter with Zafiro and Obsidiana of the Mayan Clan, who came to Manhattan tracking an object of great power that had been smuggled from Brazil, through Central America to Manhattan. The object in question turns out to be a staff... prize of Adolph Hitler's collection... and combined with the spear head create the Spear of Destiny. Demona uses it to restore John's Colonel Jupiter powers, to give Eddie the Venom symbiote again... and to give Kasady a new symbiote... and dubs him Carnage. So, she has the Power... all she needs is the kingdom and the glory... and what she needs is in OsCorp's vault.

In Peter Parker's personal life, well, Harry is kind of torturing them by constantly shoving his relationship with Gwen in Peter's face... and he invites everyone on a trip to Miami beach for spring break. Aunt May, Rosie Thompson, and Emily Osborn chaperoning.

Demona, as Dominique, approaches Tombstone and offers an alliance... she wants the services of the Tinkerer, and in return, she'll supply Tombstone with muscle, and use of the insane Dominic Dracon to use as a figurehead to regain his empire. With Doc Ock and the Goblin out there, he'll need her help.

So, huge battle at OsCorp... I'm not even going to name all the players. But when Ock and Electro break in to retrieve Ock's arms, Demona and her forces are able to enter so she can get what she wants... the Crown of Thorns. So, in essence, with the Crown of Thorns (which Norman Osborn had among his collection of masks, not knowing what he really had there) and the Spear of Destiny, Demona has gained the powers of Jesus Christ.

So, with the Spear and the Crown, the humans bow to her... even Obsidiana and Zafiro bow due to the Mayan pendants they wore, fashioned by human sorcery. Demona plans to use this power to, of course, destroy humanity... and will make a special point to have Elisa weep with joy before blowing her own brains out on Demona's command.

Anyway... big climax... not sure if I want to spoil it all before this gets online, in one form or another... but it was insane... and awesome.

[Jeff Harris]

You know, considering the timing of the project and today's Earth-shattering announcement of the acquisition of Marvel Entertainment by The Walt Disney Company, this story could actually be considered canon for both properties now. Probably the first official Marvel/Disney crossover. Would be nice if it was.

[W.C.Reaf]

Originally Posted by Jeff Harris

You know, considering the timing of the project and today's Earth-shattering announcement of the acquisition of Marvel Entertainment by The Walt Disney Company, this story could actually be considered canon for both properties now. Probably the first official Marvel/Disney crossover. Would be nice if it was.

I'd love to think of it like that, but I doubt Disney would apporve of a crossover where the villain gets the powers of Jesus.

Seriously though when season 3 gets made there will be things done with Eddie, Harry, etc which will negate the things that happened in the Radio Play. It'd be fun if they referenced some bits of it in the series (in a joking way, not trying to place it in continuity).

[GWOtaku]

DTV movie, anyone?

Well, the realism of that aside (but it'd be so great if that happened), damn. The Spear of Destiny? Really? Very good idea.

[GregX]

Originally Posted by GWOtaku

DTV movie, anyone?

Well, the realism of that aside (but it'd be so great if that happened), damn. The Spear of Destiny? Really? Very good idea.

And don't forget the Crown of Thorns... it was so wonderfully badass.

Really took Marina by surprise also in rehearsals.

[Antiyonder]

Originally Posted by W.C.Reaf

I'd love to think of it like that, but I doubt Disney would apporve of a crossover where the villain gets the powers of Jesus.

The Gargoyles comics by SLG have been able to get away with things that wouldn't even have been doable during the 90s (as far as Disney goes).

So I'd think a SSM/Gargoyles miniseries or Graphic Novel would be doable. Plus it would certainly get Gargoyles some mainstream attention (as mainstream as comic books get anyway).

[W.C.Reaf]

Originally Posted by Antiyonder

So I'd think a SSM/Gargoyles miniseries or Graphic Novel would be doable. Plus it would certainly get Gargoyles some mainstream attention (as mainstream as comic books get anyway).

That might work.

I was speaking of a crossover on TV and had forgotten about the comics.

Although Disney would have to deal with Sony in order to do a crossover specifically with SSM. So it's like two steps forward one step back.

[Nygma]

Just out of curiosity, but is there a reason the magnificent David Xanatos wasn't a part of the story? Or maybe he was mentioned?

I haven't been keeping up with Gargoyles continuity in the comics, so I don't know what he's been up to in this stage of the game during the script.

[Antiyonder]

Originally Posted by W.C.Reaf

That might work.

I was speaking of a crossover on TV and had forgotten about the comics.

Although Disney would have to deal with Sony in order to do a crossover specifically with SSM. So it's like two steps forward one step back.

Except I believe Sony has no say on what goes on as far as the comic book half goes. After all, they certainly can't prevent Spidey from appearing in other comics or vice versa.

Originally Posted by Nygma

Just out of curiosity, but is there a reason the magnificent David Xanatos wasn't a part of the story? Or maybe he was mentioned?

Not being there myself, I can't answer you completely, but he did appear in all but the last story arcs, so there may be a reason for his absence.

[GregX]

Xanatos wasn't in it for one reason... the stage was crowded enough. There were over sixty characters in this. There was no room for him. And no, he doesn't get mentioned. The story didn't require it.

[AlgeaX]

Originally Posted by GregX

So, huge battle at OsCorp... I'm not even going to name all the players. But when Ock and Electro break in to retrieve Ock's arms, Demona and her forces are able to enter so she can get what she wants... the Crown of Thorns. So, in essence, with the Crown of Thorns (which Norman Osborn had among his collection of masks, not knowing what he really had there) and the Spear of Destiny, Demona has gained the powers of Jesus Christ.

So, with the Spear and the Crown, the humans bow to her... even Obsidiana and Zafiro bow due to the Mayan pendants they wore, fashioned by human sorcery. Demona plans to use this power to, of course, destroy humanity... and will make a special point to have Elisa weep with joy before blowing her own brains out on Demona's command.

Jesus Christ had mind control powers? So in the Gargoyles verse Jesus commanded Pontius Pilate to nail him to a piece of wood so he could die a slow agonising death?

[W.C.Reaf]

Originally Posted by Antiyonder

Except I believe Sony has no say on what goes on as far as the comic book half goes. After all, they certainly can't prevent Spidey from appearing in other comics or vice versa.

I'd assume Sony would have creative control over things attached to the show. I don't know if a SSM comic was made that Sony would have any control over it, but I'd hazard a guess they'd be involved at some level.

Originally Posted by AlgeaX

Jesus Christ had mind control powers? So in the Gargoyles verse Jesus commanded Pontius Pilate to nail him to a piece of wood so he could die a slow agonising death?

He's Jesus Christ. He could do anything he wanted too.

Also I wouldn't say "commanded" so much as didn't stop him. It's canon that Jesus knew he'd be resurrected in three days anyway so he was just playing martyr.

Mod Note: Inappropriate language removed.

[AlgeaX]

Originally Posted by W.C.Reaf

He's Jesus Christ. He could do anything he wanted too.

Also I wouldn't say "commanded" so much as didn't stop him. It's canon that Jesus knew he'd be resurrected in three days anyway so he was just playing martyr.

I guess, but Jesus mind controling people kinda bugs me for some reason, which is kinda odd because one of the reasons I'm not a practicing Christian any more was an inabilty to reconcile myself to the idea of Christ's divinity. I guess I still have some issues to work out.

EDIT: You know I really should wait to see the whole story before I start debating it's theology.