The Concept of the Trinity and the Big 2

[Kenney]

I love and accept that Wonder Woman is part of the trinity, but her role seems more nebulous than Batman and Superman. It seems like she changing from being the warrior, to being the "heart" of the group depending on who's depicting her.

[Farrell]

I love and accept that Wonder Woman is part of the trinity, but her role seems more nebulous than Batman and Superman. It seems like she changing from being the warrior, to being the "heart" of the group depending on who's depicting her.

Does she tend to be portrayed more as the heart when used alongside characters like Batman and Superman, and the warrior more when she's on her own?  I don't know the answer, but that would make sense to me.

[Julian Lytle]

Reed = Father
Johnny = Son
Sue = Holy Ghost

 

Replace Johnny with Franklin = mutant Messiah (the original one)

[Kenney]

Does she tend to be portrayed more as the heart when used alongside characters like Batman and Superman, and the warrior more when she's on her own?  I don't know the answer, but that would make sense to me.

I've seen it both ways. Sometimes she's the warrior with them, which sometimes feels like the writer is trying to "prove" she belongs alongside them (this hits me often when they have her out do Superman). But yeah, I would say she's the heart or diplomat when standing next to them, while Superman is compassion, and Batman is absolute justice?

[Dave A]

Reed = Father
Johnny = Son
Sue = Holy Ghost

 

Sorry, buddy... no FF members have any place in a trinity. All numbers have power and significance, and they're already associated with the number 4. They're less about balance and all about symmetry.

[Dave A]

I've seen it both ways. Sometimes she's the warrior with them, which sometimes feels like the writer is trying to "prove" she belongs alongside them (this hits me often when they have her out do Superman). But yeah, I would say she's the heart or diplomat when standing next to them, while Superman is compassion, and Batman is absolute justice?

They're kinda like the American Idol judges, I think...

Batman = Simon Cowell (bitchy and critical)
Superman = Randy Jackson (a big puppy dog)
Wonder Woman = Paula Abdul (big-hearted, and always trying to sleep with the contestants)

[VinceB]

Franklin = mutant Messiah (the original one)

Dude. 

Cable.

[wolfstone]

The theory I liked about the Trinity was

Superman = Sun, Apollo

Batman = Moon,Night

Wonder Woman = Earth,Gaea

for Marvel I'd guess it would go Man,God and Machine = Cap,Thor and Tony

[deadcowaroma]

What I kinda like is the parallels between the 2 Trinities. Both have a member that's ultra intelligent, but because of his intelligence, he has the desire to control everything. This pisses off the rest of the Trinity and sort of makes him an outcast.

Then both Trinities have the true and noble heroes that are strong American icons. They sort of represent stability in their universes as well.

Then you have the warriors/gods, which is pretty straight forward. They both have unquavering morals as well.

[Julian Lytle]

Dude. 

Cable.

Nate is like the Mohammed to Franklin's Jesus.

[Scott C.]

Ant Man
Giant Man
Yellowjacket







Wasp?

No Goliath?   

[Kenney]

What I kinda like is the parallels between the 2 Trinities. Both have a member that's ultra intelligent, but because of his intelligence, he has the desire to control everything. This pisses off the rest of the Trinity and sort of makes him an outcast.

Then both Trinities have the true and noble heroes that are strong American icons. They sort of represent stability in their universes as well.

Then you have the warriors/gods, which is pretty straight forward. They both have unquavering morals as well.

Yeah, I like how that works out. Though, I don't really look at Superman as an American icon so much anymore (in the context of the comics), as much as an ambassador for the world -- as corny as that sounds.

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

Because hanging out in a satellite doesn't feel clique-ish?

So, what are the origins of the JLA satellite? Did someone pay for it? Who pays for its upkeep and maintenance? I'm asking only because I don't know.

[Dave Faust]

Any group of three can be organized to stand as allegory to any number of concepts or ideas. That's generally how we as a species tend to roll. That's not to say that all interpretations are therefore invalid. Rather, these interpretations tend to reflect our personal feelings as well as our perceptions.

[Jon O]

God, I've loved this conversation.  I wish I could mass karma everyone in this thread.  Here's how I see the two Trinities.  Or at least how I'm viewing them this morning.

Batman/Iron Man - Science

This is the man that has it all and the resources to do even more.  He is man domineering over man's world.  Money, power, fame and a desire to use his infinite resources and ingenuity to better the world.  Regular, flawed individuals, insanely determined to fix everything he sees broken or crumbling around him.

Wonder Woman/Thor - Strength

There is a power that passes understanding here, s/he regularly converses with and does battle with deities.  S/he was born powerful in a world completely foreign to our own.  Now in our world they use they're incomprehensible god given talents to try and understand and save (I'm not sure which order) their new environment.

Superman/Captain America - Spirit

He is a powerhouse in the universe but more importantly he is a rallying point for the rest of the heroes.  Not great because of his powers, but because of their uncompromising ideals.  His moral compass guides and inspires everyone around him, a born leader and icon.

I also agree with the sentiment that there is no right answer here, but there aren't any wrong ones either.  That's what makes the conversation so interesting.  We all get to think a little bit harder about what these characters mean to us and their world.  Then sharing that helps our community see a little glimmer of new perspective on the things we love.

Terrific thread, maybe my favorite one I've read on the forums in ever.

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

Terrific thread, maybe my favorite one I've read on the forums in ever.

This has been an interesting one. I guess it's the "Comparative Religions 101" of comics, huh? 

[deadcowaroma]

Does Hellboy have a trinity? The movies seem to emphasize Hellboy-Liz-Abe, but (and I'm not completely up to date) the books don't really play with that (which might be a good thing).

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

Does Hellboy have a trinity? The movies seem to emphasize Hellboy-Liz-Abe, but (and I'm not completely up to date) the books don't really play with that (which might be a good thing).

Maybe Bruttenholm, Hellboy, Abe? 

[Night (Travis) Nurse]

So I'm going to pull the reference out of my ass so take it for what its worth. In Kingdom Come (I think, its been so long since Ive read it) Wonder Woman describes Batman as the pinnacle of what man can aspire to be. She then describes Superman as the greatest that any being can aspire to. Take that at its value Batman = Man, Superman = God, and at the end I believe Wonder Woman was pregnant by Superman. Leading that to make her a "Mary" (carrier of "gods child") mother.

Now I'm going to have to spend the day unpacking the man cave (we just moved) to find Kingdom Come.
 
If anyone can substantiate my claim 

NN

[deadcowaroma]

Maybe Bruttenholm, Hellboy, Abe? 

My personal trinity would probably try to put Roger in there somewhere, but I read volume 5 of BPRD....