Gargoyles

Gargoyles was one of the coolest kids' shows of the '90s. It was a show about living gargoyles, creatures that would turn to stone by day and come to life at night. Rather than describing the story, though, I can simply show it with the opening theme.

The main characters of the show were a clan of gargoyles who hail from medieval Scotland. They were turned to stone for a thousand years by a wicked sorcerer. Now they've come back to life in modern-day New York City, and they act somewhat like superheroes, defending the city from the machinations of Xanatos, an evil tycoon trying to take it over. He is somewhat like an evil version of Batman, able to afford all kinds of neat gadgets.

The main clan of gargoyles are all interesting characters with unique personalities, although the show features hundreds of side characters as well. Goliath is the leader; he's the strongest, but he has a strict moral code and can sometimes be preachy. Hudson is the elder of the clan, and is mostly an adviser. Lexington is the smallest gargoyle, intelligent and fascinated by technology. Brooklyn is the second-in-command, sarcastic and sort of a wiseguy. Broadway is friendly, naive, and enjoys old movies. Finally, Bronx is the clan's guard dog. He behaves like a dog rather than having anthropomorphic qualities. They help the human police officer Elisa Maza solve crimes, usually committed by Xanatos and his henchmen, The Pack.

From left: Bronx, Hudson, Goliath, Lexington, Brooklyn, Broadway

Just as varied as the gargoyles are the wide cast of villains in the show. Xanatos, the main villain, uses a gang of mercenaries called The Pack that in public are celebrities (similar to pro-wrestlers), but in private hunt the gargoyles. 

From left: Hyena, Jackal, Fox, Wolf, Dingo

Another arch villain is Demona, a gargoyle poisoned by hatred for the human species stemming from what she perceives as a betrayal. She wants to kill all humans, and will destroy anyone who gets in her way. She used to be Goliath's betrothed, but she now views him as weak and foolish for protecting the humans. In one episode, she faces another villain known as the Hunter, who has the opposite agenda - he wants to destroy all the gargoyles.

Demona, appearing slightly older than usual

The show had the same spirit of a lot of media and toys I admired as a child, of monsters and mutants as the heroes. It had some dark themes running through it, and intelligent writing that was heavily inspired by Shakespeare. The voice acting was also top notch for most of the characters, particularly Keith David, who plays Goliath

I had Gargoyles sneakers when I was a kid. I remember going to Burger King several times to get the toys. I had seen Disney's Fantasia, and I think that may have been part of the reason I loved this show. The chernabog, the demon portrayed in "A Night On Bald Mountain," has to curl up and seems to become part of the mountain at the break of dawn.Gargoyles are like him, but they're good guys.

Chernabog shrinking away from the disgusting sunlight.