Trinity Chat

Trinity #3

2008-06-23T13:23:00.001-07:00

“KPLOW”

Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: Mark Bagley
Inker: Art Thibert

“Earth to Rita”

Writer: Kurt Busiek & Fabian Nicieza
Artist: Mike Norton
Inker: Jerry Ordway

Cover: Carlos Pacheo

Previously, in Trinity

Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman have each been plagued by mysterious, unexplainable dreams and encounters with alternate realities. They are about to meet and compare notes when they receive a JLA distress call from Green Lantern, who has been struck down by a massive, alien creature known as Konvikt…

Synopsis

Konvikt, urged on by Graak, is about to deliver a killing blow to Green Lantern when the Justice League of America intervenes. The team makes a valiant effort against the creature, but Konvikt is, ultimately, too powerful for them to defeat. Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman arrive and give their teammates some breathing room. While the Amazing Amazon and the Dark Knight tend to the wounded JLAers, the Man of Steel confronts Konvikt one on one. Everyone is horrified when Konvikt takes Superman out with one punch…

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Margarite Arroyo Covas, the young woman known as Tarot, is confused by her own card reading; she doesn’t understand what role she has to play in some cosmic event. Later, she realizes that the M.V.G.s, a local gang, has been using her abilities to help them plot out crimes. Tarot tells their leader, Frito, that she won’t help them anymore, and the gang threatens her. They chase her into an alleyway where a creature attacks the gang, saving Rita. Her friend, Jose Delgado, thinks that the incident was gang related, but she knows better. However, she is afraid for what the future hold for her…

Notes

Page 1

This story picks up where the events of last issue left off.

I couldn’t find a real world “Thayer’s Notch, Massachusetts,” which is probably just as well…they might not appreciate their lovely, small town being destroyed in a battle between the JLA and some giant purple alien. At least, I think Konvikt is an alien. Perhaps I am rushing to judgment too quickly?

Pages 2-3

The Justice League of America has arrived in the scene. From left to right…

Hawkgirl (II), real name Kendra Saunders. She is actually a reincarnation of the original Hawkgirl, Shiera Hall. First appeared in JSA Secret Files #1. Currently appears in Justice League of America. Able to fly due to nth metal belt, has enhanced strength, vision, and an accelerated healing factor.

Black Lightning, real name Jefferson Pierce. First appeared in Black Lightning (first series) #1. Currently appears in Justice League of America. Able to generate and manipulate electricity, as well as create force fields.

Black Canary (II), real name Dinah Laurel Lance. She is the daughter of the original Black Canary, Dinah Drake Lance. First appeared in Justice League of America (first series) #75. Currently appears in Green Arrow/Black Canary and Justice League of America. Able to generate her “Canary Cry,” an ultrasonic scream, and is an exceptional martial artist. Current chairperson of the Justice League of America.

Red Arrow, real name Roy Harper. Formerly known as Speedy (I) and Arsenal. First appeared (as Speedy) in More Fun Comics #73, (as Arsenal) in New Titans #99, and (as Red Arrow) in Justice League of America (second series) #7. He previously appeared as a future Red Arrow in the Kingdom Come mini-series. Currently appears in Justice League of America and The Titans. An exceptional marksman proficient with a wide variety of weapons, especially bows.

The Flash (III), real name Wallace West. He’s the nephew of the second Flash, Barry Allen, and formerly known as Kid Flash. First appeared (as Kid Flash) in The Flash (first series) #110, and (as the Flash) in Crisis on Infinite Earths #12. Currently appears in The Flash, Justice League of America and The Titans. Able to move as superhuman speed.

Vixen, real name Mari Jiwe McCabe. First appeared in Action Comics #521. Currently appears in Justice League of America. Able to mimic the abilities of any animal using her Tantu Totem. Currently, however, she is only able to drain powers from other individuals, similar to the android Amazo. It is unknown if Vixen is mimicking animal abilities here, or if she is absorbing her teammates’ powers.

Firestorm (II), real name Jason Rusch. He inherited the “Firestorm matrix” after the first Firestorm, Ronald Raymond, died. First appeared in Firestorm (second series) #1. Currently appears in Justice League of America. Able to fly, restructure matter, absorbs energy and radiation and alter his density.

It’s good to see Black Canary actually leading the JLA for a change. Granted, it’s been a while since we’ve seen the whole team together, but she’s actually standing up for herself and taking charge. I like it.

So, on Page One, Konvikt was menacingly holding the tank. On Page Two, he puts the tank down so he can wave his arms all scary-like at Hawkgirl, and then he picks up the tank and throws it? I was just a little bit confused when Black Canary told Flash to make sure than no one was under the tank, because we didn’t actually see it thrown.

Page 4

Aaaaand we still don’t see the tank when it lands. I guess it went really, really far outside of town. Yeah, that’s the ticket.

Poor Flash. He’s got to do a damage assessment, worry about a tank, and evacuate hundreds of people from the town. Good thing he’s the fastest man alive.

While I like the buccaneer-style boots that Red Arrow is sporting, they aren’t his usual footwear. I guess he changes boots when he goes to the Berkshires to battle giant purple creatures of unknown origin.

Page 5

So, it seems that Graak has a purpose after all. He’s an “official mediary and speaker advocate for designate: Konvikt.” In plain English? He’s Konvikt’s mouthpiece. You know, C3PO to R2D2. However, I get the feeling from this page that Graak’s intentions and goals don’t exactly match up with what Konvikt really wants.

Page 6

He may be annoying, but Graak is pretty funny with the nicknames, calling Red Arrow “Stick Shooter” and Black Lightning “Lightningoid.”

“The League doesn’t quit.” I’m reminded of a quote from Identity Crisis #3 that summarizes what the JLA is all about:

“Like I always say, the JSA may teach you how to be a hero, and the Titans may teach you how to be a family, but the League – sure, it teaches you how to protect, but from the very start the League teaches you how to fight.”

That was Kyle Rayner, by the way.

Page 7

It’s cute to see Vixen and Firestorm calling each other “Stormy” and “Vee.” It promotes a sense that these heroes aren’t just teammates, but friends as well.

Page 9

Well, it’s about time you three decided to show up…

Page 10

Ah yes, Morgaine Le Fay and Enigma, watching from afar. Not the types to get their hands dirty, are they? Of course, it’s only been three issues, so who am I to give these guys a hard time yet?

“Quickly, Batman! We need to get them out of the Danger Zone.” I had this vision of Batman jamming out to a little bit of Kenny Loggins right there, but it’s probably out of character.

Does Enigma have a man-crush on Batman? I mean, really, who doesn’t, but is it appropriate to express it when in the company of a centuries-old Arthurian sorceress? I don’t think she’d appreciate the love.

Page 11

Yeah, Konvikt, you show Superman!

Page 12

Wow.

Consider him showed.

Sorry. Having a Bring It On flashback. My apologies.

“KPLOW” Refers back to the title of the story.

Page 13

“Paramore” is a rock band from Tennessee that released its debut album in 2005. Their second album, released in 2007, went gold in the United States and the U.K.

First appearance of Tarot, real name Margarita Arroya Covas, a.k.a Rita. Able to read tarot cards and get mixed up in a lot of trouble involving gangs, former busters of gangs, and mysterious woly creatures.

Page 14

Good to see that the Daily Planet’s circulation extends all the way out to Los Angeles. But why is an L.A. bank robbery on the front page of a Metropolis newspaper? Slow news day on the East Coast? Or is this the California edition of the Planet?

Nightwing foiled a robbery at the Cloisters, a museum in Manhattan, back in Nightwing #140.

Tarot’s quite jittery. Perhaps she needs to switch to decaf?

Page 15

“Earth to Rita…” Refers back to the title of the story.

Drum roll please….

DRUM DRUM DRUM DRUM DRUM DRUM

Presenting, the reappearance of…Jose Delgado, a.k.a. Gangbuster! Yaaaaaaaaaayy….

Sorry, time to compose myself.

Jose Delgado first appeared in Adventures of Superman #428. He began fighting crime as Gangbuster in Adventures of Superman #434. His last appearance was in Power of Shazam! #47. Welcome back, Jose, it’s been a while.

(Gangbuster art by Jerry Ordway & Mike Machlan.)

What’s with the “Spanky ‘86” graffiti?

That “fist” tag on the wall in the background is similar to Gangbuster’s chest emblem.

Page 16

Note the “Jerky Boyz” graffiti in the background. They were a comedy duo whose routine consisted of prank telephone calls and other related skits. I remember listening to them in college. To be honest, I didn’t know that they were still around until I Googled them.

Page 18

“Okay – been a while since I did this…” Yeah, Jose, it has, but get your mind back into the game already!

Sorry, just trying to give him a pep talk. Seems like he needs it.

Page 19

Who’s the little wolfy creature in the alleyway? Anyone we know, or someone brand new?

“She is not for you.” So, is that the little wolfy creature speaking here? Or someone else entirely?

Page 20

“She is meant for the three who are to rise.” Who are these three? Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman? Despero, Morgaine Le Fay and Enigma? Or three others?

Page 21

“I’ve had some experience with…well, with weird stuff.” You know, if this was a live-action Batman film, this is the moment where Batman would stupidly tear off his cowl and reveal to hot girl of the week that he is really Batman. “Movie” Batman really has no common sense.

Anyway, I am glad that Jose doesn’t just outright tell Tarot “I used to wear a costume and fight alongside Superman until I got crippled but then I got better but soon I got exiled from Metropolis and…” Well, it’s a long story for him to explain at this moment. A little awkward, too.

Trinity #2

2008-06-16T13:29:00.001-07:00

“A Personal Best at Giant Monster Smashing”

Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: Mark Bagley
Inker: Art Thibert

“It’s Gonna Throw the Car”

Writers: Kurt Busiek & Fabian Nicieza
Artist: Tom Derenick
Inker: Wayne Faucher

Cover: Carlos Pacheo

Previously, in Trinity

Clark Kent, Diana Prince and Bruce Wayne meet to discuss similar dreams that they have been having, unaware that an evil trinity of its own begins to gather in direct opposition to them…

Synopsis

Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman each encounter an alternate reality, a version of Earth that should not exist, courtesy of Morgaine Le Fay. The heroes agree that their encounters have a connection to their shared dreams, and agree to meet to compare notes. However, a fellow Justice Leaguer requires their assistance…

Meanwhile, Green Lantern John Stewart tracks an alien pod to the Berkshires, where he battles the monstrous Konvikt and his companion, Graak. Despite his power, Green Lantern finds himself overwhelmed by Konvikt, and can only send out a distress call to the Justice League…

Notes

Page 1

This story picks up where the events of last issue left off.

“I have set matters in Los Angeles in motion.” And what matters would those be, hmmm Ms. Le Fay?

Pages 2-3

Superman is hovering above Metropolis. Yeah, it’s Metropolis, despite the presence of a miniature solar system in the immediate vicinity.

Page 4

This alternate Gotham reminds me of Earth-33, as seen in Countdown to Adventure #3, which was home to mystical versions of the denizens of the DC Universe. I am pretty certain that this is not that Earth, but the similarity is interesting.

Fun little details include the “carrier bats” and the mystical streetlights.

Page 5

You just don’t see Wonder Woman fighting enough giant insect robots anymore. I don’t know why, you just don’t…

And Wonder Woman is fighting in Washington, D.C., in case you didn’t know.

Page 6

The “photosphere” is the sun is the region from which externally perceived light comes. It extends into the surface of the sun until the superheated gases become opaque.

The “convection zone” of a sun is the range of radii in which energy is conveyed primarily though convection, which is the movement of molecules through fluids. In a sun, convection consists of mass movement of plasma that forms a circular convection current, with the heated plasma ascending and the cooled plasma descending.

The “radiation zone” is the middle zone of the sun’s interior. Energy travels out of the core into the radiation zone in the form of electromagnetic radiation. Waves bounce around the radiation zone because it is so dense, which is why Superman assumed he could grab it.

Like all Kryptonians, Superman is powered by solar radiation. Because he does not feel supercharged while in the sun, he concludes that it must be from another universe. As seen in both JLA/Avengers and Infinite Crisis, the laws of physics do not always apply when traveling from universe to universe. For example, the size and geography of the DC Universe Earth was different from that of the Marvel Earth, and Kryptonians are not affected by Kryptonite from other universes.

Page 8

Not sure if there’s any hidden meaning to “the runes of ash and thorn”…but browed through the “Runes” entry on Wikipedia and found a section of “Macromannic runes.” Two of them are called “asch” and “thorn.” My Microsoft Works program doesn’t have “Macromannic runes” as part of its font program (which, in my opinion, it should), but if you want a look at the runes, they are located here -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Marcomannic.PNG

Batman was able to dispel the illusionary Gotham with just one word, “No.” It reminds me of the story from JLA #8-9, in which the Kay trapped the JLA in dreamlike worlds of his own design. Batman discerned that he was living in a fantasy world, and was able to overpower the illusion and find his teammates through sheer force of will.

Page 9

Yay! Wonder Woman takes care of the giant insect robots…on her own!!! Without help from anyone else! Boo-ya!

Page 10

Wonder Woman’s explanation to Superman about why she felt the need to complete the battle on here own goes along way towards differentiating between the two.

What’s important to remember is, not only are these three heroes the most important in the DC Universe, but that they are also very different. Batman is no more a non-powered Superman than Wonder Woman is a female Superman. Too often, writers remember that Superman and Batman are different, but they attempt to align Wonder Woman with one or the other. What Busiek is doing here (and successfully, I might add) is show how Wonder Woman has her own unique point of view and way of dealing with threats. It doesn’t make her better or worse than Superman or Batman, just different.

“You wanted to go for a personal best at giant robot smashing?” Refers back to the title of the story.

Page 11

“These events are clearly connected with the dreams we’ve all had.” The only connection I can see is that they all heard the voice crying out for freedom before they were attacked. But did Superman and Wonder Woman discuss this? If not, then what makes them think that this is connected?

And, supposedly, Morgaine Le Fay was behind this recent warping of reality. Thus, these attacks had nothing to do with the dreams, correct?

Page 12

This scene occurs at the same time as the last page of the second story in this issue.

Page 13

Green Lantern III, real name John Stewart. First appeared in Green Lantern (second series) #87. Currently appears in Green Lantern and Justice League of America.

The “heliopause” is the theoretical boundary where the Earth’s solar wind is stopped and is no longer strong enough to push back the stellar winds of the surrounding stars. It’s really, really far out there, like far beyond Pluto, and with the way gas prices are these days, it would cost a lot to get there.

“Call me sentimental, but it’s still a planet to me.” On August 24, 2006, the International Astronomical Union defined the term “planet” for the first time, and Pluto was excluded from this definition. On June 11, 2008, Pluto was characterized as a “plutoid,” which is a trans-Neptunian dwarf planet.

That green-colored caption box is the Green Lantern power ring, conversing with Green Lantern and giving him information.

“The Berkshires” is a region in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut, which refers to both its highland region and its cultural region. Sir Francis Bernard named this area “Berkshire” to honor his home county in England.

Page 14

First appearance of Konvikt and Graak. Their appearance last issue was in a future scene.

Page 15

“It’s gonna throw the car at us!” Refers back to the title of the story.

Why does Konvikt have Wonder Woman’s emblem tattooed on his forehead? (I know, I know, it’s an “M,” not a “W”, but it is interesting.)

Page 16

Konvikt and Graak are the like R2D2 and C3PO of Trinity. One speaks in whirrs/growls, and the other translates and acts like a worry wart.

Page 17

Not sure if Green Lantern is trying to be funny here, but “Grape Ape” was a Hanna-Barbera cartoon character that starred in The Great Grape Ape Show in the late 1970s. He was a 40 foot tall purple gorilla who responded “Grape Ape, Grape Ape” to anything that was said to him. Pure genius, I must say.

“Oan” refers to the planet Oa, home of the Guardians of the Universe. The Guardians founded and administer the Green Lantern Corps.

Page 18

Graak knows what a Green Lantern is, but the Oan primary database has no information about Konvikt or Graak? Talk about things that make you go, “Hmmmm?”

Scratch the C3PO comparison. Graak reminds me more of Jar-Jar Binks. I actually read his lines out loud in my Jar-Jar voice, and it works perfectly.

Page 20

Whoa! Why did Green Lantern manifest those huge-honking guns right there? And what’s with the speaking in binary code? The guns reminded me of Guy Gardner’s short-lived “Warrior” phase, during which time his previously-unknown Vuldarian powers manifested, allowing him to transform his body into a weapon. Mercifully, the 1990s are over, and Guy is back to being a Green Lantern.

Page 21

“Blew my concentration.” A Green Lantern’s power ring is powered by his or her willpower. It becomes ineffective when they cannot concentrate.

Page 22

Man, for a little guy who hasn’t contributed anything at all to the fight thus far, that Graak really does talk a big game, doesn’t he?

Trinity #1

2008-06-12T13:23:00.001-07:00

“Boys and Their Games…”

Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: Mark Bagley
Inker: Art Thibert

“In the Morrows to Come”

Writer: Kurt Busiek & Fabian Nicieza
Artist: Scott McDaniel
Inker: Andy Owens

Synopsis

In Keystone City, Clark Kent, Diana Prince and Bruce Wayne meet to discuss a dream that each of them has had – that of a being, be it a cosmic entity, an ancient god, or a prisoner, yearning to be free of its imprisonment. None of their fellow heroes has had the dream, leading Clark, Diana and Bruce to wonder why it was only the three of them. They head home, agreeing to stay alert and to keep in touch, but they are all overwhelmed by unearthly voices. Superman and Wonder Woman find themselves under attack…

Meanwhile, the mysterious Enigma enlists the aid of Morgaine Le Fay band asks her about the dreams that they have been having. They realize that their fates are entwined with that of Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman, and seek out the third member of their own trinity – the alien conqueror Despero…

Notes

Page 1

Space…the final frontier…

Wait, sorry, wrong universe…

This reminds me of the first page to DC Universe #0? Coincidence?

Yeah, probably.

Pages 2-3

There it is, the classic “giant-face-in-the-cosmos” shot. Anyone betting on who this guy is?

Knowing Kurt Busiek, it’s probably someone who appeared in a background shot of a lost issue of Justice League of America that never saw the light of day, but he found a torn and tattered copy in a filing cabinet somewhere and has decided to revive the character as a cosmic threat. He’s a crafty man, that Busiek is…

Page 4

Keystone City is the home of the original Flash, Jay Garrick, and the current Flash, Wally West. It’s a blue-collar city, similar to Detroit. Exactly where in the country it is located is up for debate; Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Kansas are all contenders. In Flash (second series) #188, Wally West builds a bridge between Keystone City in Kansas and Central City, Missouri, thus placing the cities on the borders of the two states.

This seems to be the first appearance of the Keystone Coffee Pier.

This story’s title, “Boys and Their Games…” refers to Clark and Bruce’s habits with regards to their secret identities.

Page 5

Batman, real name Bruce Wayne. First appeared in Detective Comics #27. Currently appears in Batman, Detective Comics, Batman Confidential, Justice League of America, Superman/Batman and Batman and the Outsiders.

Superman, real name Clark Kent, a.k.a. Kal-El from Krypton. First appeared in Action Comics #1. Currently appears in Superman, Action Comics, and Justice League of America.

The Allegheny Mountain Range is part of the Appalachian Mountain Range in the eastern United States and Canada. Presumably, Clark went over the Alleghenies when flying from Metropolis to Keystone.

“Lois” refers to Lois Lane, Clark Kent’s wife.

Bruce and Clark’s ordering styles reflect their personalities..

Bruce is a control freak, specifying everything down to the last detail…

…while Clark is happy with whatever he can get, as long as it isn’t too much trouble.

Speaking as someone who has worked in the food service industry, Clark is what you hope for in a customer, but I have a funny feeling that Bruce is a fairly good tipper…

Page 6

Wonder Woman, real name Diana Prince, a.k.a. Princess Diana of Themyscira. First appeared in All-Star Comics #8. Currently appears in Wonder Woman and Justice League of America.

Bruce really does lay it on thick with this public disguise of his. He’s positively gushing over Diana.

“Listen to you two. Boys and their games…” Refers back to the title of the story. Even Diana thinks that he’s going overboard.

Diana’s direct with her order. She knows what she wants, even though it’s incredibly simple. She’s a sort of middle ground between Clark and Bruce.

Note that this meeting between the three of them at this riverside café seems to combine two other such meetings of the trinity – the “post-Crisis farewell” at the end of Infinite Crisis #7, in which they agree to take some time off, and the lunch in Planet Krypton in the Kingdom Come hardcover. I like both of those scenes, and it’s cool to see these three just sitting around in their civilian identities, talking shop.

Diana makes her case that “Diana” and “Wonder Woman” are essentially, the same person; she’s just not telling the world this. Bruce and Clark, on the other hand, transform themselves into different people.

Page 7

As of Wonder Woman Annual #1, Wonder Woman loses her powers when she is “Diana.”

Diana doesn’t see her Wonder Woman attire as a “costume.” As a warrior, she thinks of it as battle armor.

Clark, Diana and Bruce each saw the events depicted on pages 1-3 in their own way, depending on their world view.

The “Kitchen” refers to the training facility in the Watchtwoer, the Justice League of America’s satellite headquarters.

Page 8

The Flash, real name Wally West. First appeared (as Kid Flash) in Flash (first series) #110. After the death of Barry Allen, Wally became the Flash in Crisis on Infinite Earths #12. He disappeared in Infinite Crisis #4, but came back to Earth in Justice League of America (second series) #10. Currently appears in The Flash, Justice League of America, and The Titans.

Iris West and Jai West, Wally’s children. First appeared (as infants) in The Flash (second series) #225. They vanished with Wally in Infinite Crisis #4, but reappeared as teenagers in Justice League of America (second series) #10. They age really quickly, in case you don’t know.

Clayface…okay, look, I pride myself on being quite knowledgeable about the DC Universe. Really, I do. However, I can’t for the life of me figure out which Clayface this is supposed to be. There have been seven versions of him! Her! It! Whatever…

Okay, it’s definitely not Preston Payne (Clayface III), because the appearance and powers are completely different. Sondra Fuller (Clayface IV) was a woman, so I guess she’s excluded. There was Johnny Williams (Clayface VII), who appeared in Batman: Gotham Knights, but I think he's dead. And Matt Hagen (Clayface II) died in Crisis on Infinite Earths #12, so he’s out…I think. Who knows, maybe he came back to life?

So that leaves us with Basil Karlo (Clayface I); Cassius Payne (Clayface V), Preston and Sondra’s son; or the Claything (Clayface VI), which was a symbiote-like part of Claything. I’m betting on Karlo, but he acts more like Hagen. Oh, my brain hurts.

Page 9

“Linda” refers to Linda West, Wally’s wife and Iris & Jai’s mother.

Iris is able to vibrate her molecules so that she can pass through solid material.

Page 10

Jai is able to temporarily superaccelerate his muscle fibers, allowing him to grow in size and strength.

Page 11

“Iron Heights” is a prison used to incarcerate metahuman villains, located outside of Keystone City.

The Combines are Keystone City’s hockey team.

“Jordan, Queen, Stewart, Lance, Hall” refers to Hal Jordan (Green Lantern II), Oliver Queen (Green Arrow), John Stewart (Green Lantern III), Dinah Lance (Black Canary II) and Carter Hall (Hawkman), other members of the trinity’s illustrious fraternity.

Page 12

Batman’s “batwing” resembles the craft seem in 1989’s Batman, starring Michael Keaton.

Page 13

What’s the deal with the Themysicran Embassy? It closed up shop after Diana killed Maxwell Lord in the “Sacrifice” storyline. As seen in 52 Week Three, Khandaq took over the vacated Themysciran Embassy in Manhattan. Has one reopened in Washington, D.C.?

Page 16

Castle Branek first appeared in The Demon (first series) #1. It was “destroyed, not so long ago, in a fiery explosion of unknown origin” in Blood of the Demon #17.

Page 17

Morgaine Le Fay first appeared in The Demon (first series) #1.

Enigma, as he comes to be known later on in this story, seems to be making is first appearance here. I get the impression that he is a pre-established DC character, but who exactly I do not know yet.

Page 18

“Accolon’s blood” refers to Accolon who, in Malory’s Le Morte D’Arthur, was Morgaine’s lover. Accolon battled Arthur and was killed by a blow from Excalibur.

Page 19

So Enigma and Morgaine had the dreams, just like Clark, Diana and Bruce did. How is this gathering of villains connected to the heroes?

Page 20

“You want the Keystones.” As Enigma notes, these keystones are, ironically, in Keystone City. This also implies that the two stories in this issue happen concurrently.

Page 21

“…in the morrows to come!” Refers back to the title of this story.

Page 22

Note that while Nicieza and McDaniel are responsible for the framing sequence of this story, Busiek and Bagley did the flashback/brazier scenes.

The young lady doing the tarot card readings is supposedly known as…Tarot. I wonder how she got that funky name?

Interesting to see how Clark, Diana and Bruce relate to the major arcana.

Page 24

This scene appears to take place in an alternate reality.

Green Arrow, real name Oliver Queen. First appeared in More Fun Comics #73. Currently appears in Green Arrow/Black Canary and Batman and the Outsiders.

Speedy (II), real name Mia Deardon. First appeared (as Mia) in Green Arrow (third series) #2, and (as Speedy) in Green Arrow (third series) #44. Currently appears in Green Arrow/Black Canary.

Note the “Arrow Signal” in the background, alerting Green Arrow and Speedy to the fact that “the Commissioner” needs them. The bow-wielding duo has become a Silver Age version of Batman and Robin.

“Arkham” refers to Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane, where all the not-quite-so-mentally healthy folks in the DC Universe go for rest and relaxation. It’s located outside of Gotham City.

Ragman, real name Rory Regan. First appeared in Ragman (first series) #1. Most recently appeared in Shadowpact.

Ragman’s youthful partner is…um, Ragboy? Kid Tatters? The Ragamuffin? Darned if I know who he is…

It seems that, in this alternate world, Lois Lane is a “hard as nails, tough on crime” news reporter for Superstation WGBS who smokes and has three piercings in her ear.

Also, please note that I have a defective copy of this issue. The pages of this second story are out of sequence, so if for some reason my notes don’t match up with your copy, it’s my fault, not yours. I am just trying to make heads or tails of it.

Page 25

This scene seems to take place sometime in the near future.

This is the first appearance of Konvikt (the big guy) and Graak (the little guy). They kind of remind me of Psi-Phon and Dreadnaught, who appeared years ago and battled Superman. They first appeared in Superman (second series) #19. Anyone besides me remember them?

Page 26

Enigma seems scarred under that half-mask. Did the circumstances that lead to his disfigurement result in this quest for power?

Page 27

Nice statue. Can I get one of those for my back yard?

Who are those six individuals with their backs to us that are looking up at it?

Page 28

Morgaine and Enigma realize that their fates are entwined with that of Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman, and that they need to form their own “trinity.”

Despero, first appeared in Justice League of America (first series) #1. He looked much different then, more human-sized and his fin went from ear-to-ear across his head. He was more of a schemer and strategist back them. He is currently appearing in Booster Gold in that form. In Justice League America #38, he metamorphosed into his current, bestial and Mohawk-fin form.

Page 30

Ooooh, whatever that is, it doesn’t look good…

Under Construction

2008-02-09T10:27:00.000-08:00

Coming June 2008