Review: TRINITY #1

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TRINITY #1
Written by Francis Manapul
Art by Francis Manapul & Steve Wands
Published by DC Comics
Release Date: September 21, 2016

It’s time for an old-fashioned get together!

Bruce and Diana arrive to the Kent doorstep, invited by Lois and inadvertent heat vision from Jon. While this could sow seeds of distrust, the Trinity and the Kent family mend the inevitable chasm that forms when a facsimile of your best friend emerges from another world. As they each inch closer to a tight knit relationship, a surprise awaits them in the Kent family barn.

I have a lot of ideas of how the Trinity is supposed to work, and Trinity #1 fits right within them. Each of them have distinct personalities, affected by their life experiences and those we’ve seen in other series since the launch of Rebirth. This inaugural chapter in DC flagship characters carries within it the feelings of an older DCU and the long-established relationship between the Trinity, as well as the fresh take on the trio we’ve seen for the past five year. The beginning of Trinity comes at a great time, in remembrance of the New 52 but also to usher in a new epoch for these characters.

Francis Manapul is a multi-fold threat on writing and art. Lois and her outside perspective as a narrative device lend mystery to the development of a relatively new Trinity. We get a little bit but just enough of a background for each of them to make this initial chapter interesting. Manapul’s use of older continuity elements, like Batman’s rainbow suit, add humor and context to the story, giving readers more of an understanding where this Clark forms his ideas about Bruce and Diana. However, I wasn’t a fan of the romantic rivalry angle, however brief it was, between Diana and Lois. It felt unnecessary and is not a particularly riveting or helpful way to portray conflict between women. Such an issue aside, I enjoyed Manapul’s exploration of the Trinity and how they are going to relate to each other in what is effectively a new universe.

Aside from the writing, I enjoy Manapul’s buoyant imagery. This choice in style moves the Trinity away from an action-packed or overly serious beginning, which I feel is helpful for exploring these important relationships. The Trinity’s anchor is not in their ability to bust heads, take names, and save the world, but ultimately in how they relate and respond to each other through trial and triumph. Manapul’s soft visuals, expressed in subtle environmental details and levity in characters’ shapes, creates a storytelling dynamic that doesn’t have to rely on fists and superpowers to be interesting.

I didn’t know to expect, and I came into Trinity with my own ideas about what needed to emerge. At the end, I find myself both satisfied and excited about the stories we are going to get in the future. I like this Bruce, Diana, and Clark, and I hope that their friendship not only sets a tone for this series but for the entire DC line as we move deeper into a different kind of universe. These touching and slice-of-life moments are part of what I look for and what I feel helps the Trinity shine, and I hope that we see more of them and the main characters’ connections as the series grows into its own.

The Verdict: 9.0/10

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