The Big Three Never Had It So Good…

 

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!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art on this page by Michael Turner and Brian Denham