Trinity War
Trinity War is a major crossover comic book storyline published by DC Comics in 2013, spanning 11 issues across multiple titles and pitting three distinct Justice League teams—the Justice League, the Justice League of America, and the Justice League Dark—against one another in a conflict triggered by the secrets surrounding Pandora's Box.[1][2] The event, written primarily by Geoff Johns with contributions from Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes, explores themes of trust, betrayal, and hidden evils within the DC Universe's New 52 continuity, introducing the "Trinity of Sin" characters Pandora and the Phantom Stranger as central figures cursed with immortality for ancient transgressions.[2] Illustrated by artists including Ivan Reis, Doug Mahnke, and Mikel Janín, the narrative unfolds through the main six-part arc in Justice League #22–23, Justice League of America #6–7, and Justice League Dark #22–23, supplemented by tie-ins in Constantine #5, Trinity of Sin: Pandora #1–3, and Trinity of Sin: Phantom Stranger #11.[1] The storyline builds on prior New 52 developments, such as the formation of the government-sanctioned Justice League of America, and escalates tensions when a mysterious death and the unleashing of a powerful artifact force the teams into confrontation, questioning loyalties and revealing deeper manipulations.[2] Key characters include Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Cyborg from the Justice League; Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, and Hawkman from the Justice League of America; and John Constantine, Zatanna, and Deadman from the Justice League Dark, with the immortal Pandora serving as a catalyst whose actions blur lines between hero and antagonist.[1] This event marked DC's first large-scale crossover since the 2011 Flashpoint reboot, emphasizing interconnected storytelling across its superhero lineup and setting the stage for subsequent arcs like Forever Evil.[2] Collected in a 320-page paperback edition released on November 26, 2014, Justice League: Trinity War received attention for its high-stakes drama and visual spectacle, though it was noted for serving more as a prologue to larger events rather than a standalone tale.[1] The arc's impact extended to reshaping alliances in the DC Universe, highlighting the fragility of heroism amid cosmic threats and moral ambiguities.[2]Background and Development
Creative Team
The creative team for Trinity War was led by Geoff Johns, who served as the primary writer for the core Justice League issues (#22–23), crafting the central narrative of conflict among the Leagues while drawing on his established vision for interconnecting DC's superhero titles. Johns, DC Entertainment's Chief Creative Officer at the time, emphasized the event's role in uniting the Justice League, Justice League of America, and Justice League Dark, a concept first teased in Justice League #12 and formally announced during DC's panel at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con.[3][4] Supporting Johns on the writing front, Jeff Lemire handled Justice League Dark #22–23, integrating supernatural elements and the team's occult perspectives into the crossover's escalating tensions. Geoff Johns and Jeff Lemire co-wrote Justice League of America #6–7. Ray Fawkes contributed scripts for Constantine #5, and Trinity of Sin: Pandora #1–3, focusing on character-driven intrigue and the psychological underpinnings of key players like Pandora and John Constantine. J.M. DeMatteis wrote Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger #11, exploring themes of divine judgment and the Stranger's cursed role amid the chaos.[1][5][6] On the art side, Ivan Reis provided pencils for Justice League #22–23 (with Joe Prado on inks), delivering high-energy action and detailed depictions of the Leagues' confrontations. Doug Mahnke illustrated Justice League of America #6–7, capturing the governmental team's tactical dynamics, while Mikel Janín handled Justice League Dark #22–23, emphasizing atmospheric horror and magical visuals. Renato Guedes penciled Constantine #5, adding gritty, noir-inspired flair to the magician's arc.[7][8] The crossover's production was overseen by senior editor Brian Cunningham, who coordinated the multi-title effort to maintain narrative cohesion across DC's New 52 lineup. Assistant editors, including Kate Stewart on select Justice League issues, supported the logistical integration of contributions from various ongoing series.[9][10]Prepublication Announcements
The buildup to Trinity War began with teasers at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con, where writer Geoff Johns positioned the event as the opening chapter of a larger arc reshaping the DC Universe in the New 52 continuity.[3] During the "DC Now!" panel, Johns described Trinity War as a highly secretive 2013 crossover, emphasizing its ties to ongoing Justice League storylines and hinting at escalating conflicts without revealing specifics.[3] This initial reveal framed the event as a pivotal escalation following the universe-wide reboot initiated by Flashpoint in 2011, setting the stage for interconnected narratives leading into subsequent major arcs like Forever Evil.[11] DC Comics formalized the event through monthly solicitations starting in April 2013, announcing Trinity War as a six-part crossover launching in Justice League #22 that July.[12] The solicitation highlighted a conflict pitting the Justice League against the Justice League of America and Justice League Dark, triggered by the discovery of a mysterious artifact known as Pandora's Box, which would drive alliances to fracture and heroes to clash.[13] This setup was presented as a direct continuation of New 52 themes of division and hidden threats, building on the government-formed Justice League of America introduced earlier that year.[14] Promotional materials amplified the hype with variant covers, including a triptych design by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado across Justice League #22, Justice League of America #6, and Justice League Dark #22, visually uniting the three teams in opposition while centering the enigmatic Pandora's Box.[15] Additional tie-in variants and previews in DC's catalogs underscored the box as a symbol of impending doom, encouraging fans to collect issues from multiple series to follow the war's progression.[13] These efforts positioned Trinity War as a cornerstone event in the New 52's second year, promising universe-altering consequences.[14]Synopsis
Lead-Up Events
The lead-up to the Trinity War in the DC New 52 continuity centered on the parallel development of three Justice League teams, each with distinct roles and oversight, which sowed seeds of rivalry and suspicion. The primary Justice League, formed in the wake of the 2011 relaunch, comprised core members including Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, operating independently as Earth's premier superhero team to combat global threats like Darkseid's invasion. Meanwhile, the Justice League Dark, established in September 2011, specialized in supernatural and magical perils, featuring occult experts such as John Constantine and Zatanna to address threats beyond conventional heroism. These teams represented the heroic ideal but operated without formal government accountability, fostering underlying tensions over power and autonomy.[16] A pivotal escalation occurred in early 2013 with the creation of the Justice League of America (JLA), a government-backed squad assembled by A.R.G.U.S. director Amanda Waller to serve as a check on the main Justice League's unchecked influence. Comprising heroes like the Flash (Barry Allen), Green Arrow, and Hawkman, the JLA was explicitly designed for oversight, with Waller leveraging A.R.G.U.S. resources to monitor and potentially neutralize perceived threats from the original team. This formation highlighted growing institutional distrust, as A.R.G.U.S. viewed the Justice League's independence as a national security risk, embedding spies like the Atom within the group to report back. The integration of Shazam into the Justice League further complicated dynamics; after his origin unfolded in backup stories across Justice League #14–19 (late 2012 to early 2013), the young hero officially joined in #19, bringing raw power but also youthful impulsiveness to an already strained roster. Central to the brewing conflict was Pandora's box, an ancient artifact tied to the immortal Pandora, who had unleashed the Seven Deadly Sins upon the world millennia ago by opening it in a moment of curiosity.[17] In Trinity of Sin: Pandora #1 (June 2013), Pandora recounted this cataclysmic event and embarked on a quest to reclaim the box—now in A.R.G.U.S. custody—to reseal the sins and atone for her curse.[18] A.R.G.U.S. tensions intensified as Waller weaponized the artifact's potential, storing it in secure facilities while plotting its use against superhuman elements, which clashed with the Justice League's protective instincts.[19] Early conflicts crystallized around the box's allure and the heroes' fracturing alliances. In Justice League #20–21 (May–June 2013), Wonder Woman, driven by concerns over team vulnerabilities exposed during a Despero assault on the Watchtower, pursued the box from A.R.G.U.S. custody, viewing it as a tool to safeguard her comrades but risking accusations of theft and insubordination.[20] This act strained relations with Waller, who saw it as defiance, while Superman grappled with weakening solar absorption and cryptic visions of betrayal among allies, symptoms of an unidentified malaise that amplified his isolation.[21] The Phantom Stranger amplified these omens through prophecies issued in prior encounters, foretelling a cataclysmic war sparked by misplaced trust and the box's corrupting influence, as hinted in Justice League backups and his own series. These developments, unfolding from late 2012 through mid-2013, eroded trust across the teams, portraying a heroic community divided by secrecy, oversight, and supernatural portents, priming the narrative for outright confrontation.[7]Central Plot
The Trinity War erupts in Kahndaq after Shazam violates the country's no-fly zone to scatter Black Adam's ashes, drawing the Justice League to intervene and retrieve him. The Justice League of America arrives to enforce their departure, escalating tensions into a brawl between the teams, exacerbated by Doctor Light's accidental injury to Wonder Woman during the chaos. In a shocking turn, Superman's eyes glow red, and he unleashes heat vision that incinerates Doctor Light's face, seemingly murdering the JLA's newest recruit. This act fractures the fragile alliance, with the JLA arresting Superman for murder while the Justice League demands his release, leading to further clashes as accusations of corruption from the box fly between the groups.[22] As the conflict intensifies, Superman, wracked with guilt, voluntarily submits to imprisonment in a high-security cell at A.R.G.U.S. headquarters, where his deteriorating condition—marked by graying skin and coughing—hints at an underlying influence. Wonder Woman, convinced the box is the source of the turmoil, seeks aid from the Justice League Dark, recruiting John Constantine and his team despite their reluctance to involve themselves in "hero politics." Constantine's involvement proves pivotal, as he uses his magical insight to navigate the box's corrupting power, but the Dark team soon finds themselves drawn into the fray when Wonder Woman, under the box's sway, grows a third eye and attacks her allies with enhanced ferocity. Meanwhile, Batman and Steve Trevor coordinate efforts to contain the escalating war, while the Question whispers to the imprisoned Superman about a hidden truth behind Doctor Light's death. Investigations reveal deeper manipulations: Superman's team pursues Doctor Psycho, suspected of mind-controlling the Man of Steel, only to uncover evidence of the Secret Society of Super-Villains' involvement in framing the Leagues. The Atom, embedded as a mole in the Justice League, exhibits suspicious behavior, culminating in her possession by the Outsider, a mysterious entity who plants a kryptonite sliver in Superman's brain to provoke his violent outburst. This betrayal extends to the mystical front, where Constantine and Zatanna confront the box's true nature as a portal rather than a mere container, unleashing chaotic magic that blurs the lines between justice and vengeance. The Phantom Stranger attempts to intervene but is ensnared by the Crime Bible, a relic tied to the Trinity of Sin, while Pandora's quest to reclaim her box leads to her own unwitting complicity in the escalating betrayals.[23][24] In the climactic convergence, the fractured Leagues temporarily unite in the ruins of A.R.G.U.S. to confront the Outsider's machinations and the box's secrets, but the revelation shatters them: the portal opens to Earth-3, unleashing the Crime Syndicate—evil counterparts including Ultraman, Owlman, and Superwoman—who swiftly overpower the heroes. The Atom is exposed as Atomica, a Syndicate infiltrator, and the Outsider is unmasked as an alternate Alfred Pennyworth from the anti-matter universe. Betrayals compound as the Phantom Stranger and Pandora, members of the Trinity of Sin alongside The Question, face judgment for their roles in unleashing ancient evils. The event culminates in Justice League #24 with the Leagues defeated and presumed dead by the world, their Watchtower broadcasting a false signal of victory; however, Cyborg detects an ominous boom tube signature in space, hinting at Darkseid's impending involvement in the unfolding crisis.[25][26][27]Immediate Aftermath
Following the climactic battle over Pandora's Box in Justice League #23, the Justice League, Justice League of America, and Justice League Dark temporarily disbanded amid widespread distrust and physical casualties. Superman, appearing to murder Dr. Light during the confrontation at A.R.G.U.S. headquarters, was arrested and subjected to a trial for manslaughter, with the incident reported prominently in The Daily Planet. The accusation stemmed from Superman's heat vision fatally injuring Light, though investigations later uncovered manipulation via a Kryptonite sliver implanted in Superman's brain by the Atom, exacerbating his vulnerability and leading to his near-death state requiring immediate medical intervention.[25][28][29] Wonder Woman, having briefly possessed the box in an attempt to save Superman, entered a period of self-imposed exile to grapple with the moral fallout of the war and her role in escalating the conflict. Meanwhile, the Atom's betrayal was confirmed when she revealed her true allegiance to the Secret Society, infecting Superman before vanishing into the chaos surrounding the box's activation. This disappearance left the heroes reeling, as the Atom's actions not only framed Superman but also deepened the rifts within the teams.[30][31] In tie-in stories, Pandora's pursuit of the box intensified her ancient curse, binding her further to its malevolent influence, while the Phantom Stranger's failed attempt to resurrect Dr. Light resulted in his erasure from existence by divine forces, amplifying his eternal penance. The Justice League Dark, led by John Constantine, fractured under the strain, with members like Deadman questioning Constantine's secretive manipulations during the war, leading to internal divisions that persisted beyond the event.[25] The box's opening inverted reality, creating a gateway that summoned the Crime Syndicate from Earth-3 and set the stage for their invasion in the Forever Evil event launching in September 2013. This transition left the DC Universe vulnerable, with heroes like Batman openly questioning Superman's reliability and the overall stability of their alliances, fostering an atmosphere of suspicion that hindered immediate recovery efforts.[11][28][23]Publication Details
Title and Naming
The title "Trinity War" encapsulates the central conflict of the 2013 DC Comics crossover event, referring primarily to the convergence of the three distinct Justice League teams—Justice League, Justice League of America, and Justice League Dark—whose members clash amid escalating suspicions and manipulations.[13] Additionally, the "Trinity" alludes to the "Trinity of Sin," a trio of ancient, cursed figures—Pandora, the Phantom Stranger, and the Question—who play pivotal roles in unraveling the event's mysteries and influencing the heroes' actions.[13] This dual layering of the term highlights the narrative's focus on division and moral ambiguity within the DC Universe's heroic ranks. The name was coined by writer Geoff Johns, the event's primary architect, to evoke the imagery of a sacred or religious trinity while underscoring the internal strife among Earth's protectors, positioning it as a metaphorical "holy war" that pits allies against one another.[14] Johns first teased the title in DC's Free Comic Book Day 2012 special edition, using cryptic artwork by Jim Lee to hint at an impending conflict, with full solicitations in subsequent months building anticipation through 2012 previews.[14] In marketing, the title was prominently featured on variant covers and promotional materials, such as those for Justice League #22, to emphasize the unprecedented scale of hero-versus-hero confrontation and differentiate it from prior events like Blackest Night, which centered on a villain-led apocalypse rather than intra-hero division.[13] This branding helped frame Trinity War as a pivotal turning point in The New 52 continuity, drawing readers with promises of high-stakes revelations tied to the Justice Leagues' foundational dynamics.[32]Release Schedule and Issues
The Trinity War crossover event consisted of a six-part core miniseries published across three ongoing Justice League titles between July and August 2013.[33] The following table outlines the core issues and their on-sale dates:| Part | Issue | On-Sale Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Justice League (Vol. 2) #22 | July 10, 2013 |
| 2 | Justice League of America (Vol. 3) #6 | July 17, 2013 |
| 3 | Justice League Dark (Vol. 1) #22 | July 24, 2013 |
| 4 | Justice League of America (Vol. 3) #7 | August 14, 2013 |
| 5 | Justice League Dark (Vol. 1) #23 | August 21, 2013 |
| 6 | Justice League (Vol. 2) #23 | August 28, 2013 |