Brooklyn
Brooklyn is a male animated character who features in Gargoyles.
Contents |
Biography
Brooklyn (958 - ?) was one of the three gargoyles known as the Trio, along with Broadway and Lexington. Of the three, he was the most adventurous, and thus was basically the leader. Due to Goliath locking the Trio in the Rookery beneath Castle Wyvern as punishment for scaring humans, they were some of the few to survive the gargoyle massacre there in 994. With the rest of the survivors, the gargoyle who would be named Brooklyn was trapped in stone sleep for 1000 years.
Brooklyn was a member of the Manhattan Clan of gargoyles and one of the most loyal and resourceful warriors under Goliath’s leadership. Hatched in the 10th century in Castle Wyvern, Scotland, Brooklyn was part of the younger generation of gargoyles who served as protectors of their human allies. When the clan was betrayed and nearly exterminated by the castle’s human occupants, Brooklyn was among the few who survived the massacre. Like the rest of the surviving gargoyles, he was cursed by the Magus, transformed into stone sleep until the castle “rose above the clouds.” A thousand years later, when billionaire David Xanatos relocated Castle Wyvern to the top of his skyscraper in New York City, the spell was broken, and Brooklyn awakened in the modern world, bewildered but determined to adapt. (Episode: Awakening)
Upon awakening in 1994 Manhattan, Brooklyn took his name from a borough of New York City, and was fascinated by the modern world. On one occasion, he was manipulated by Demona, who convinced him that Goliath was wrong to trust humanity. Promising only to make Goliath see his mistake, Demona had Brooklyn retrieve the Grimorum Arcanorum and used it to enslave the gargoyle leader. Brooklyn was able to save Goliath, who forgave him for his error, but Brooklyn held a special grudge against Demona afterward.
After their reawakening, Brooklyn became one of the clan’s most adaptable and curious members, taking an immediate interest in human culture and technology. His enthusiasm for the modern world sometimes led to recklessness, but it also made him one of the first gargoyles to forge meaningful relationships with humans outside their immediate allies. Brooklyn’s independent streak and impulsive nature occasionally put him at odds with Goliath, yet his loyalty to the clan never wavered. His curiosity often placed him in the role of scout or intermediary, and his streetwise instincts quickly evolved as he learned to navigate New York City’s dangers. (Episode: Temptation)
Much later, Brooklyn was attracted to the mutate, Maggie Reed, and tried to help her. However, he was disappointed when she was terrified of him. After Goliath nearly died in a fight with the Pack, he decided he needed to select a new second. This led to an intense competition among the Trio, making Goliath reluctant to choose one for fear of alienating the others. Eventually, Brooklyn proved himself after rescuing Goliath, Hudson, Elisa and Bronx from the upgraded Pack, and Goliath made him his second- a choice that Lexington and Broadway approved of.
One of Brooklyn's first command decisions was to release the mutates after they were manipulated into attacking their home in the 23rd Precinct? clock tower- adding weight to his claims that Xanatos was lying to them. However, he was forced to become full leader after Goliath disappeared (on his Avalon trip), a burden he was forced to accept so he could stop Fang's coup in the Labyrinth. He also helped King Arthur reclaim Excalibur.
After Goliath returned with Angela, the Trio competed again, this time for Angela's affections. Brooklyn eventually lost out to Broadway, after he was possessed by Coldsteel (with Angela possessed by Coldfire and Broadway by Coldstone).
(In Puck?'s nightmare vision, Brooklyn was the bitter leader of the resistance against "Xanatos," and was in love with Demona. He was slain by "Xanatos" in a virtual reality.)
Overview
Personality and attributes
In appearance, Brooklyn was a red-skinned gargoyle with white hair, pronounced brow ridges, and a beak-like mouth, which distinguished him from the other members of the clan. His build was lean yet muscular, emphasizing agility over brute strength, and he possessed a pair of leathery wings that could fold into a cloak-like shape when at rest. His taloned hands and feet granted him powerful climbing and grappling ability, while his glowing white eyes reflected his fierce intensity during battle. Brooklyn typically wore a simple brown loincloth and belt, in keeping with the clan’s traditional attire, though his striking coloration and posture gave him a more rebellious, youthful air. (Episode: Awakening)
Brooklyn’s personality combined curiosity, sarcasm, and fierce loyalty. As the most outwardly rebellious of the younger gargoyles, he often questioned authority and clashed with Goliath’s more conservative approach, yet his challenges usually came from a desire to improve the clan’s adaptability rather than defiance. His sharp wit and sense of humor made him one of the more personable members of the clan, but he also carried deep emotional scars from the clan’s betrayal and loss. Over time, Brooklyn matured into a disciplined and compassionate leader, balancing his youthful impulsiveness with a sense of duty to his clan and the humans he came to respect. (Episode: Upgrade)
As time passed, Brooklyn’s leadership qualities began to emerge, especially during times when Goliath was absent or incapacitated. He proved himself to be both strategic and courageous, guiding the clan through internal divisions and external threats alike. One of his most formative experiences came during his encounter with Demona, who sought to exploit his naïveté and anger toward humanity. Though he was briefly manipulated by her, Brooklyn ultimately resisted her influence, a turning point that hardened his judgment and deepened his understanding of betrayal. This experience helped forge him into the gargoyle who would later serve as second-in-command of the Manhattan Clan, trusted by both Goliath and his fellow warriors. (Episode: Temptation)
Powers and abilities
Brooklyn’s abilities reflected the natural gifts of his species, including enhanced strength, speed, and durability, along with the ability to glide on air currents using his wings. His agility and reflexes made him one of the clan’s most acrobatic fighters, capable of navigating urban environments with ease. Like all gargoyles, he turned to stone during daylight hours, a biological defense mechanism that healed his injuries and provided protection from harm. In battle, Brooklyn favored cunning and mobility over brute force, often using his surroundings to gain an advantage. His tactical mind and keen observation made him a skilled strategist, and in later years, his experience and adaptability positioned him as one of the Manhattan Clan’s most capable and trusted warriors. (Episode: Upgrade)
Notes
- Brooklyn was created by Greg Weisman where he was voiced by actor Jeff Bennett and featured in the setting of the Gargoyles universe.
- According to Greg Weisman's Master Plan, eventually, Brooklyn would be transported across time for 40 years by the Phoenix Gate, during which he influenced many events and met his mate, Katana. They would return to Manhattan shortly after he disappeared, with their children Nashville and Tachi (Tachi still being an egg) and their pet Fu-Dog.
The Goliath Chronicles
In the Goliath Chronicles, Brooklyn briefly ran away from the clan after Goliath chastised him for letting criminals escape, leading to his helping a group of human runaways. After helping them defeat the criminal Radar, he returned to the clan.
Appearances
- Gargoyles:
