"Trinity" #44 on sale now

"Out mistake was being human." - BatmanWelcome to TRINGENUITY, CBR's ongoing commentary of DC Comics' weekly superhero series, "Trinity." The title is divided into two features; the first focuses on Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, while the second feature portrays background or tangential events that relate to the ongoing lead storyline. "Trinity" is a weekly series that is promised to be epic in scale and help define the trio of heroes' mythical place in the DC Universe.PREVIOUSLYOur lead feature started with the Trinity attacking the Troika stronghold at Castle Branek. Along with the JSA and JLA, the Trinity drove back the chaos that the Troika had used to transform the Earth. Deep within the Castle, our native reality began to be restored while Morgaine Le Fey remained at cross-purposes with her allies, Enigma and Xor. The feature ended as Despero, Kanjar-Ro, and the Crime Syndicate erupted into the main chamber.Elsewhere, the Companions recovered from their own journey to another world, a journey that freed the Trinity and brought them home. But not all of the Trinity came back, and the heroes remained highly-powerful beings. Determined to bring their friends home, the Companions went back into the fray, this time joined by Tomorrow Woman, ready to confront the god-like beings. TRINITY #44 The issue begins within the depths of Castle Branek, where the Dreambound are witness to the invasion of Despero, Kanjar-Ro, and the Anti-Trinity. Surprisingly, the initial conflict ends quickly as Morgaine appeals to Despero's lust for power. Enigma, on the other hand, is less than thrilled with the idea of working with the Crime Syndicate, the villains that slew his family. The Syndicate, likewise, have no desire to work with the Troika, until Morgaine offers them the power possessed by the no God-Like Trinity. The feature concludes as the new allies plot, Kanjar-Ro fumes about his thwarted revenge, Enigma and Xor take their leave, and the Dreambound escape from Morgaine's lair.Confronting the Trinity, Nemesis, Donna Troy, Supergirl, Lois Lane, Alfred Pennyworth and Nightwing try to reach out the more human parts of the world's greatest heroes, only to be rejected once again. Fighting to save her own life, Tomorrow Woman hurls herself (and her powers) at the Trinity, channeling the Companions' emotions into the three godlike beings and forcing them to confront their families. However, it was to no avail, as the Trinity spoke to the idea of removing themselves entirely from humanity in the hopes of saving the world. And while the Companions want the heroes back, Nemesis wonders if the Trinity has the right idea. COMMENTARYBrian Eason: Things are ramping up quickly here. With eight weeks left, the confrontations are fast and furious, but very little Krona.Justin Eger: I was just thinking the same thing. We expected him to be a huge focus near the end, here.BE: I think the Dreambound have the right idea. The time for leave-taking is long past.JE: Absolutely. Getting in the middle of some of these fights is just a bonehead play.

Chaos in Castle Branek

BE: I love this double page spread. Bagley is on the mark.JE: Wow, Mark Bagley on the mark? While I agree, I know you can do better than that pun. BE: I call 'em like I see 'em. It seems that Morgaine can work better with Despero and company than her allies in the Troika.JE: If we've learned anything, it's that Morgaine is willing to ally herself with whoever she thinks will help her win, and forget her current allies. BE: I love this confrontation between Enigma and the Crime Syndicate. Kurt Busiek has the voice of these characters down to a science.

Enigma confronts the Crime Syndicate

JE: One of my favorite pages. Enigma has really evolved, and having a chance to confront the CSA made for a memorable moment. That the CSA was willing to start killing once again at the drop of a hat was also well-written.BE: This is the confrontation that I have been looking for.JE: Absolutely. Now that Enigma has some power of his own, there's payback brewing.BE: I can hear the glee in your voice. Busiek does a brilliant job of making the CSA so easy to hate. JE: And, despite his villainy so far, Enigma is still a sympathetic character. BE: And in typical CSA fashion, they are eager for any path to power, and the path Morgaine has in mind will make them Gods.JE: Stealing creation energy from the Trinity? That's an interesting plot, but I wonder if it's even possible. BE: I don't think that matters to Morgaine. JE: As long as the CSA buys it, what more matters?BE: I like that when the CSA and Enigma were about to face off, that Xor has his back.JE: Hey, the CSA just threatened Xor's new friend, SPHERE. No way he wouldn't jump in, and both Xor and Enigma have had some regrets about their own choice in allies. BE: Kanjar-Ro can never get a break.JE: This bothers me very little. In fact, I quite enjoyed seeing him get tied up and forgotten about. BE: Looks like Enigma and Xor have had their fill of Morgaine.JE: Morgaine brought it on herself. She's changed allies once more, and abandoned the people that got her this far. BE: And the Dreambound make their overdue exit.JE: But not without regret. They had to leave Tarot behind in order to make thier own escape.BE: Of course. How else can Jose rescue her? JE: With the help of some new friends, perhaps?BE: I like where you're headed, though "Gangbuster and the Dreambound" has 1990s DC comic book written all over it. JE: That's my kind of book, right there. BE: The Trinity continues to be dismissive of mere mortals, including their companions.JE: The Companions, mind you, don't take that too lightly. I mean, come on, Lois used Clark's full name and threatens to call his mom. That's all kinds of angry, right there. BE: Threatening to call his mother was priceless and entirely appropriate. JE: No man likes his mama involved in his marriage. BE: While this is true, I was going to say that Clark is defined, in many ways, by his parentage. JE: Ah, I see your point. Without Jonathan and Martha, Kal-El would not have become the hero he is today.BE: As reality reasserts itself, Tomorrow Woman begins to fade, but before she does, she drops the hammer on the Trinity.

Tomorrow Woman unleashes her telepathic powers

JE: She channels her powers and uses the emotions of her new companions to strike out at the hearts (literally) of the Trinity. BE: Looks like it makes the Trinity come to terms with their pasts. JE: Or at least more willing to talk about the choices they've made, which are quite drastic.BE: It's interesting to finally hear the Trinity's perspective on why they need to be Gods.JE: They've decided that, as mortals, they let a lot of evil happen. As gods, they can correct that, no matter how much they have to sacrifice. BE: It seems that the Trinity's viewpoint may have merit.

Godly logic and a parting gift

JE: They make a good argument. After all, what if they could create a utopian world with this power? Would that be worth giving up the people they care about?BE: Interestingly enough, this was very similar to what Lex Luthor suggested.JE: Yes, but Luthor has his own ends in mind, I think. BE: No doubt, but I imagine if the God-like Trinity were to examine their choices in the light of their mortality, they would counsel against playing god. JE: Exactly. They would warn that no being should have access to that much power. Checks and balances, if you will. We have to mention one other thing: The gift given to Tomorrow Woman, who was almost lost to the shifting reality around the Trinity.BE: They make her "real."JE: Looks that way, and since we've been hoping to see some of the characters from this book stick around, I think we may have had our wish granted. BE: That would thrill me to no end.