The day has finally come to find out how Trinity was born and who her father is in Wonder Woman #14. Tom King writes fun and interesting backup to flesh out Belen Ortega, but how she came to be remains a mystery. Until this week. As King and artist Daniel Sampere told me, they take that origin very seriously.
Wonder Woman #14 begins with Diana entering the ocean. The new supervillain, The Sovereign, continues to narrate, and on page two the reveal that Steve Trevor will be murdered is made. Sovereign has been trying to break Wonder Woman on multiple issues, and it appears her final attempt will be to kill the love of her life.
Thus begins an epic journey that leaves Wonder Woman grieving for days. As the story unfolds, it shows why Steve died, how he supported her until the end, and what Wonder Woman did in his death. Jumping around the story allows you to see the right moments, like Diana’s heart-to-heart with Bruce and Clark, and how the Wonder Girls are taking it. Her friends worry about her, but she has to make this journey alone.
That journey becomes a bit god-like, and while Trevor’s death probably isn’t permanent, Sampere and King make it feel very impactful and important in the moment. By the end of this issue, Diana and Steve’s bond has grown stronger, and it feels like they’re getting closer to true love. If you get too close, you’ll have babies.
Death of a hero.
Credit: DC Comics
I won’t give away any spoilers on what is ultimately revealed about how the Trinity comes into being, but suffice it to say that it fits into the Wonder Woman story. In the final emotional moments, Sampere shows us that Trinity is the culmination of complete love and devotion, and a means to healing from the loss of Steve. It’s a well-written and fittingly moving final moment.
Speaking of Sampere’s art, there are many great character performances that have become a staple this time as well. Even when Sampere shows Wonder Woman at her weakest, she’s somehow still as brave and stable as ever. Her tears and sadness are natural and part of her process of returning to her strongest state.
The colors by Tomeu Morey are also wonderful. They have a level of depth and detail that elevates Sampere’s art and makes it more realistic. For example, in the cemetery scene, you can see some nice changes in the grass and trees. The coloring of the T-shirt comes alive under Molly.
The plot structure of this issue works, but I have some reservations. Too much talk can be used to cover holes or get attention. Will this story function linearly? Probably, but there will be plenty of surprises with every turn of the page. Probably not.
Wonder Woman #14 beautifully depicts how the birth of the Trinity is shaped by true love and loss. This is a matter of mourning, and seeing how the hero grieves in order to rise stronger than ever. According to the last page, her loss of love only made her stronger.
Wonder Woman #14 is a moving issue of birth and mourning
Wonder Woman #14
Wonder Woman #14 beautifully depicts how the birth of the Trinity is shaped by true love and loss. This is a matter of mourning, and seeing how the hero grieves in order to rise stronger than ever. According to the last page, her loss of love only made her stronger.
A work in which the story structure bounces around
The moving gaze of a grieving hero
Sampere continues to play the character.
Steve Trevor’s death, while important to the story, still feels a little strange
