Disney went down a darker, more dramatic path with Gargoyles, an animated series about medieval stone guardians who awaken in present day New York. The show was created by Greg Weisman and aired as part of the Disney afternoon block of cartoons.

The titular Gargoyles were winged warriors, protectors of an ancient Scottish castle. In the year 994 AD, the resident clan was betrayed to its enemies and the surviving Gargoyles were cursed into their stone forms. A thousand years later, a loophole in the curse allowed the Gargoyles to awaken and find that they had been moved to New York during their long slumber. Falling back into their roles as guardians, they vow to protect this new city and its inhabitants.

Things are not that simple however. The Gargoyles harbor a distrust of humans and people react with prejudice and fear when they become aware of the Gargoyle’s nature. Goliath is the wise leader of the band, which includes Lexington, Brooklyn, Bronx, Hudson, Broadway and Angela. Goliath befriends a police detective named Elisa Maza, who helps the Gargoyles adjust to the strange new century and the city around them. Fighting crime at night, the Gargoyles turn to stone when the sun rises.

There are plenty of villains to keep the Gargoyles busy. One of their own, Demona, has developed a deep hatred of humans during the thousand-year curse and is resolved to destroy them. Human baddies include scheming businessman David Xanatos, gangster Anthony Dracon and the mad Dr. Sevarius.

Plotlines in Gargoyles grew rich and complex, rife with mythological and Shakespearean references. The tone, dialogue and animation were more sophisticated than other Disney TV cartoons and the show developed a rapt and very loyal fan base. It also inspired a comic book that premiered in 2006 and is still ongoing.