Elisa Maza
| Elisa Maza | |
|---|---|
| Gargoyles character | |
 |
|
| First appearance | Gargoyles 1x01 "Awakening Part 1" |
| Created by | Greg Weisman |
| Voiced by | Salli Richardson |
| Information | |
| Aliases | Salli (undercover name) |
| Species | Human |
| Gender | Female |
| Occupation | Police detective |
| Title | Detective 2nd Grade |
| Family | Peter Maza (father) Diane Maza (mother) Derek Maza / Talon (brother) Beth Maza (sister) |
| Significant other(s) | Goliath |
| Nationality | American |
Elisa Maza is a fictional character and the human protagonist of the Disney animated television series Gargoyles, voiced by American actress Salli Richardson. In the series, she is an NYPD detective who is the steadfast ally (and honorary member) of the titular gargoyles' Manhattan Clan.
Elisa has an especially close relationship with the gargoyle Goliath, the clan's leader (a subject originally evaded by both of them and left deliberately ambiguous for over two seasons). She also serves as the clan's guide to the modern world as well as its voice of reason, often curbing the irrational impulses of its members.
The character of a strong, female human lead was a part of the Gargoyles universe's conception since the development of Goliath as the gargoyle protagonist. Much as the series' billionaire industrialist and original antagonist, David Xanatos began as a descendant or reincarnation of the prototypical Avalon Clan, Magus or Archmage character (evolving into a Greek-American character from Maine), Elisa was originally conceived as the reincarnation of the character that would later become the Avalon Clan's human leader, Princess Katharine. This idea did not last, but the character endured as a potential love interest and equal for Goliath. Elisa's preferred attire comprises a red jacket and tight jeans with back pockets.
Elisa had originally been designed as an Hispanic woman with the surname of Chavez. When Salli Richardson was cast as Elisa's voice actor, the character's race and ethnicity was adapted to match hers. Elisa became half-African American and half-Native American, which suited the show's allegory of human intolerance for gargoyles representing racial prejudice. Her last name was changed to Maza, which the creators believed to be a Sioux word for "iron", and which suited the character's strong will. The name Chavez was later used for Elisa's police captain.
...
Wikipedia