The Importance of the Trinity

In both DC and Marvel, we have a core trinity, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman on one side, with Iron Man, Thor and Captain America on the other. It is also the case that these six heroes can be distilled into three key aspects.

Technology/Intelligence of the time - Batman and Iron Man.

Strong Morality/Principles - Captain America and Superman.

Mythological/Spiritual - Thor and Wonder Woman.

These can change somewhat depending on your choice of words but are all pretty much consistent with the above. So why do they exist? Why are these three aspects consistent in mainstream comics? Could it possibly be that these three aspects are what we connect most to, are what are a solid basis for a civilization, even person....probably not, I'm sure its just coincidence.....but still... conspiracy? Are these comics really the first stepping stones in a Marvel/DC attempt at social engineering? I feel we may be on the brink of a new civilization designed and modelled on such characters.

So lets take a quick peek behind the curtain of what such a society could be based on these three aspects.

First up we have embracing the technology of the time or intelligence which allows for progress. Through this society would grow, quality of life could improve through the use of technology and all its applications. However, science and technology unchecked could run away from us, with out a system of ethics or a positive moral code it could become monstrous (anyone else thinking of Otto Octavius?). Consider how far Batman and Iron Man would go if they weren't keep in check on occasion, so much like these techy heroes such a society would also need to be kept in check, through strong morals, Captain America and Superman in other words.

So we now have this solid moral basis that keeps us in check, prevents us and technology from going too far.  We keep in mind the ideals of good and evil, right and wrong, but is this enough? No, it could lead to a very cold and calculated society, everything is carefully measured in terms of its moral value, life would be lived according to a strict code. This is why we need the third part of the trinity, Thor and Wonder Woman, the mythological aspect.

This deeper 'spiritual' nature provides us with the realisation of there being something greater be it a god or the universe itself. Thus allowing for a more romantic view of life which prevents things becoming 'cold' or calculated which would be the consequence of having the previous two only.

You can leave now, and read the Justice League/Avengers crossover.

The drunken rambles of a comic fangirl

Definitely a less philosophical tone than the last post...awks...

Just a general lovelorn appreciation of one of the most hated men in the Marvel universe...the one and only Hank Pym. A genius and a douche at the same time. How the hell is this possible. Marvel makes us adore and despise their most important characters at the same time...Iron Man (the registration act), Scott Summers (Crazy arsed Phoenix control, but the list goes on), Magneto (the mind and metal boggles), Punisher, Tigra (turncoat...can you see the theme emerging?)...and Pym definitely sits at the top of this list in whatever costume he has chosen to wear. But yet...he evokes a sense of pride, perhaps a shameful one, but who can seriously hate a character that has spent most of his superhero career trying to redeem himself.

I still don't think that his character has been fully addressed, and he and his actions have been left in a state of limbo, as a result the readers have been unable to move on also...either way...there was wine, therefore Hank Pym is an absolute LAD.

I proper sober review to follow...

The Duality of Human Nature as Expressed Through the Batman

Just to show we here at 'What would Doom do?' are in no way guilty of favouritism, this article will be focusing on Batman.

There are two key aspects to us all, our ability and our drive. On the one hand we have what we are capable of, our ability, actions we are able to make or simply put, our bodies. On the other hand we have our will, our drive and motivation to act, or in other terms our mind. Two aspects that are shared by everyone, aspects that can be best exampled through Batman, through the Batman we can see how well these aspects can work together when taken to their highest points.
He has his drive and motivation (mind) from his parents death (and if that's a spoiler then really, what have you been doing with your life?). His mind is forcing him on, driving his actions.
Actions that come from his body, his ability to act on what his mind wants due to the extensive training of his body to increase his capabilities.
With both these aspects  we can achieve what is needed, we can act, not necessarily successfully but we at least have a chance.


An example of how crucial both these aspects are can be found in the JLA story arc Divided We Fall by Mark Waid and Bryan Hitch, in which members of the JLA find themselves quite literally split into two beings, the superhero and the secret identity. Again I suppose this could be seen as a spoiler, but considering the age of the story arc I don't think its too much trouble, but if you haven't read it, go read it now, you'll thank me.
Batman is split into two beings, the Batman (body) and Bruce Wayne (mind), and we see how neither can function to its fullest extent without the other. The capability with no drive leads to stagnation, the ability to act but with no motivation to do so. There is the Batman, with all his power and skill, but with no drive to use it, no motivation to act, what use is this skill with no drive behind it?
Then we have the drive without capability which leads to an endless struggle, the constant striving to act but without the ability to do so. Bruce Wayne with all his torment and motivation to act lacks the sufficient capability, or 'body'. No matter how driven you are, without the appropriate capability you will only struggle against your own inability to act.
And so we see that it is only through the combination of drive and capability that we can truly act, only with a balance of the two is it possible for us to escape stagnation or an eternal struggle with ones self.

The point of all this? None, I just thought it was interesting.
Now go read Divided We Fall, and if you've already read it go read it again.