The Big Three Never Had It So Good… |
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It
was through Tracey Claybon's 'Trinity' series that I first truly began to
consider all of the nuances and details in the relationships between the Big
Three. In my mind, at least, before Tracey (and Christopher Priest's
"The 18th Letter" story) the trinity of DC wasn't really
a trinity, but three heroes connected by Superman. Batman was Superman's
sometime ally, and hardly associated with Wonder Woman at all; Superman and
Wonder Woman's relationship was defined by the "are they or aren't
they" questions that constantly came up between them, with Wonder Woman
as a kind of female Superman. Wonder Woman and Batman…? Well, they
seemed to have nothing in common, except thinly through Superman and the JLA.
Tracey reconsidered
those relationships, and brought them to a new and fascinating level. She
wrote several short stories plumbing the depths of the bonds between the
three, digging up very realistic and surprising consequences of the
interactions between the Big Three after "The 18th
Letter" and the events in JLA 50, in which Batman is kicked out of the
JLA for implementing his protocols (it does help to be familiar with the
events in these storylines when reading these stories…but not
necessary. I didn't even know about "The 18th Letter"
when I first read these; in fact, they inspired me to go find those comics). Between Tracey's (and
superninja's) fics about the Big Three, "The 18th
Letter," the events in JLA and the Wonder Woman series (Gods of Gotham,
The Hikketeia, and the upcoming arc written by Rucka), the Trinity has well
and truly been redefined and reformed. No longer is Batman the yin to
Superman's yang, nor Wonder Woman the female reflection of Superman. Each
relationship – Superman/Batman, Superman/Wonder Woman, and Wonder
Woman/Batman – is realized on its own terms. Those terms might be
disputed and argued, but at least they are there now. Tracey's profile at fanfiction.net
lists her stories, but here are a few pertinent to this site. I have only
given Tracey's description of the story here, because most of these are
vignettes, and to speak too much about them will summarize unfairly, and not
do justice to her writing: The Evening After:
Takes place right after the end of JLA #46. Trinity –
Anchor: How does Batman REALLY feel about Superman and Wonder Woman? Trinity –
Deepest Secrets: Superman's view of Wonder Woman, mostly, with some
thoughts on Batman. Trinity –
Reflections of Truth: Wonder Woman musing about Batman post Gods of
Gotham series. Trinity – Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder: This Trinity deals with the aftermath of the
Our Worlds At War cross series. Mature themes. B/WW/S. Also, don't miss her
Triptych series, the Brothers In Arms story (absolutely wonderful
piece with elements of the Trinity, but focused on the relationship between
Aquaman and Batman), and Perchance to Dream (a poignant Bruce/Sasha fic)
– not to mention her Witchblade fics, and other Batman stories. Don't
forget to review!!! |
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Art on this page by Michael Turner and Brian Denham |