TRINITY #1(2008).
© DC Comics

Mania Grade: B+
Comic Series: Trinity
Issue: 1
Authors: Kurt Busiek, Fabian Nicieza, Mark Bagley, Scott McDaniel, Andy Owens
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99

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TRINITY #1

The first issue of DC’s new weekly series, Trinity, opens with a compelling premise delivered by familiar protagonists. The trinity in question consists, of course, of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. The three meet in Keystone City as their civilian counterparts to eat breakfast, while the Flash deals with nearby super-villainy. It seems that each has had a variation on the same dream—a powerful force trying to break its bonds. Superman sees it in terms of science, Wonder Woman in terms of mythology, and Batman in terms of crime and punishment.  The three can’t fathom its meaning, but agree to stay in touch on the matter. Little do they know, that the dream may prove more prophetic than they initially realized. The second half of the issue parallels the first, as the villainess Morgaine Le Fey—a transplant from Arthurian mythology—confronts an intruder in her Castle Branek. Enigma, he calls himself, and he claims knowledge of dreams recently had by Le Fey—ones similar to those of the trinity. He explains the curious similarities between himself and Le Fey, and their relationship to Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Only, they are only two, and they require a being that can serve as Superman’s counterpart. The question remains, though, as to where the curious dreams had by all originate.

Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley’s first story works better than the second by the former and cowriter Fabian Nicieza. The meeting between Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman creates an easy charm that welcomes new and old readers. These characters resonate with virtually anyone that has a pulse. And, the experience of shared dreams is, if not real, familiar enough in concept for any reader. The first issue of Trinity plays to the strengths of the DC Universe, featuring iconic characters in grand-scale adventures reaching from the streets to the cosmos. Granted, the first story’s 15 pages only give readers a taste of what’s to come, but it serves as a welcome reprieve from the convoluted mess that was Countdown to Infinite Crisis. The second issue, however, takes more of a dive into DC obscurity, though not so far as to alienate anyone. The conversation between Le Fey and Enigma juxtaposes their magical and scientific perspectives, and it creates a novel parallel with the events of the first story. One can’t help but think that the two stories will eventually intertwine. Busiek and Nicieza clearly know how to structure a story that will resonate with readers for its internal logic and insight, and not for its reliance on DC minutiae. 

Mark Bagley brings the same bright, optimistic tone to Trinity that he showed in Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man. Any weekly series demands economy of space, and he handles the rather crowded pages with grace and aplomb. There’s always a lot going on in this first issue of Trinity, but Bagley keeps it clean and moving at a brisk pace. Andy Owens brings a more angular style to the second half of the issue. In its best moments, the story looks evokes the visual style of Bruce Timm and Paul Dini’s Batman: The Animated Series. At its worst, it looks rushed and lacking in details. Scott McDaniel provides art in a few sequences within the story of Le Fey and Enigma, which look more reminiscent of Bagley’s art in the first half. On the whole, the first issue of Trinity looks good.

This is a promising start to DC’s newest weekly series. It presents familiar characters in charming circumstances that readers of all stripes will appreciate. Pick this one up.

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