In a historic moment for DC, the Justice League Trinity ofSuperman,Wonder WomanandBatmanare following a fourth hero into battle as their leader. Both in-world and to fans, theTrinity are DC’s most iconic heroes, and the ones who take charge when all seems lost. However, as DC’s epicAbsolute Powerevent rumbles on, Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman have all stepped back, allowing a different hero to lead them and the rest of DC’s heroic superhumans.
In a preview of Mark Waid and Dan Mora’sAbsolute Power #4, the heroes are finally fighting back against Amanda Waller’s new regime. Despite having their powers stripped away byWaller’s Task Force VII Amazo robots, the heroes have equipped themselves with advanced tech and are moving against Waller’s forces. However,as they charge into battle, it’s not Batman, Superman or Wonder Woman calling the shots, even though all three are present. Instead, the iconic Trinity are shown followingNightwinginto battle.
Batman’s first Robin, Dick Grayson has become a major figure in the DC Universe over the last few years, with his Titans taking over as the world’s premier team after the Justice League temporarily disbanded. Over the course ofAbsolute Power, he’s acted as the leader of DC’s superhumans, with even Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman working according to his tactics. Seeing them follow him into battle places extra emphasis on howAbsolute Powerhas tested and proved Dick Grayson’s mettle.
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The Trinity Follow Nightwing into Battle in Absolute Power
Since the Superheroes Lost Their Powers, Nightwing Has Taken Charge
Absolute Powersees former Suicide Squad leader Amanda Waller hunting down the world’s superheroes and robbing them of their powers, having extended the emergency powers ofher Bureau of Sovereigntyintowhat’s essentially a coup on the United States. Waller has assembled an unstoppable team of Amazo robots who steal the powers of every hero they take down, working in concert with Batman’s misguided Failsafe robot and the alien Brainiac Queen, who she has brainwashed into acting as her daughter. At the same time, Green Arrow has betrayed the Justice League, helping Waller to track down and de-power his former allies.
The sudden nature of Waller’s attack coupled with Green Arrow’s betrayal and propaganda painting Earth’s superhumans as the aggressors threw DC’s superheroes into disarray, furthered by Waller having access to their methods of communication and many of their number being on the run from the Amazos. However,inAbsolute Power #2, Nightwing stepped up, taking command of a disorderly meeting in Superman’s Fortress of Solitude. Ever since then, he’s been the one holding the heroic alliance together, with Batman taking immense pride in his former sidekick’s leadership.
Despite Nightwing’s actions so far,anyhero leading Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman into battle is a startling image. Until now, it would have been hard to imagine the three heroes feeling comfortable putting any other vigilante in charge, especially with Batman’s trust issues. Earth’s heroes naturally turn to the Trinity for leadership in emergency situations, but with the Justice League deliberately disbanded, it was Nightwing who actively took charge, shouldering the responsibility of a global resistance movement.
This is particularly fitting, sincethe Trinity selected Dick Grayson to replace them at the conclusion of the priorDark Crisis on Infinite Earthsevent. The three heroes chose him as the hero who was capable of keeping the world safe while the Justice League got their individual houses in order. Now, they’re living up to that selection, taking Nightwing’s orders even when everything is on the line.
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Nightwing Has Always Been Part of the Trinity
Robin Has Worked with Batman, Superman & Wonder Woman from the Start
While Nightwing has grown immensely in recent years (much of it thanks to Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo’s celebrated run on his solo title), it’s worth recognizing that Dick Grayson has always been the Trinity’s unofficial fourth member. The idea of Superman, Wonder Woman and Batmanforming a unique Trinity of heroesis actually a relatively recent idea, arguably beginning with 1985’s iconic ‘For the Man Who Has Everything’ from Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.
Whilethis concept has since been retconned as a long-term fixture of Justice League lore, the truth is that the three didn’t even officially work together until 1947’sAll-Star Comics #36, seven years after Batman recruited Dick Grayson as his first Robin. This means that Robin has been around for as long as the Trinity has existed, and as Batman’s closest ally, he’s been present for their biggest moments. DC stressed this in the recentBatman/Superman: World’s Finest #30, from Mark Waid and Gleb Melnikov.
The story follows the Trinity’s first official mission asWonder Woman asks Batman and Superman to helpher with a murder committed on Themyscira, with the Dark Knight bringing Robin along for the ride. This story cemented that - since their first mission as a three-person team - Dick Grayson has actually been by the Trinity’s side. This makes Nightwing’s leadership to the Trinity even more impressive, since he’s gone from sidekick hanger-on to combat leader.
Batman,Wonder WomanandSupermanwill always be the A-list legends of DC lore, but it’s clear that their respect forNightwingknows no bounds as they follow him into battle against Amanda Waller.
Absolute Power #4is available October 2 from DC Comics.
Nightwing
Nightwing is the superhero moniker taken up by Dick Grayson, upon his aging out of the Robin role and becoming a superhero of his own. Inspired by the original Kryptonian hero of the same name, Grayson has risen to comic book immortality with the identity, earning respect as one of the greatest leaders in the DC Universe.
Superman
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is the superhero identity of Diana, Princess of the Amazons. Created on the island of Themyscira, Wonder Woman is a super-powered demi-goddess with extreme physical strength who utilizes magical gifts (like her famous Lasso of Truth) to defeat her foes. As mighty as her fellow heroes Superman and the Justice League, Wonder Woman is unmatched in her compassion and virtue.
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
