WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for ZERO HOUR 30TH-ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1!Over the years, DC has introduced various incarnations of the Justice League’s next-gen Trinity to replace Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. However, many of these versions have fallen short, with successors often feeling forced or simply not fitting well. Now, DC has presented a next-gen Trinity that most fans will undoubtedly be able to get behind.
Although there is a strong argument that Batman and Superman should be succeeded by their sons, it feels more fitting for Clark and Bruce to be replaced by Supergirl and Batgirl.
Dan Jurgens and Ron Marz’s Zero Hour 30th-Anniversary Special #1 sees Green Lantern Kyle Rayner transported—more accurately, Flash-napped by Wally West—to an alternate timeline vastly different from his own. In this bizarre new world, the Parallax-infected Hal Jordan has created a reality where his beloved Coast City survived its original destruction by Cyborg Superman. However, in saving Coast City, Hal’s actions have led to drastically different outcomes and consequences for key events in the DCU, with one aftereffect being the emergence of Supergirl, Batgirl, and a former Wonder Girl as DC’s new Trinity.
Supergirl, Wonder Girl, and Batgirl Become the Justice League’s New Trinity
Wonder Woman and Superman Die In the Parallax-Made Universe, While Batman Never Heals From Bane
Alongside Kyle, fans quickly discover that Barbara Gordon, Kara Zor-El, and Donna Troy are the premier heroes in the Parallax-created world, stepping up after the death or incapacitation of their mentors. In this alternate universe, it’s revealed that the events of Batman: Knightfall still occurred, but with a drastically different outcome. Unlike in Kyle’s universe, Bruce Wayne never recovered from his encounter with Bane, ultimately giving up and becoming a recluse. Additionally, a passing comment reveals that Dick Grayson is now the city’s police commissioner. Hence, Batgirl’s role as Gotham’s primary—if not sole—Bat is clear.
Similarly, it’s revealed that a key event in Superman’s history has also been altered in this Parallax-created world: The Death of Superman. Fans know that in this storyline, Superman fought and fell to Doomsday, but eventually returned. However, in this alternate universe, Clark never returned, having been permanently killed by the creature, leaving Supergirl as Metropolis’s sole defender. Likewise, it is revealed with limited details that Diana Prince was also killed, prompting Donna Troy to step in as the new Wonder Woman.
Supergirl, Batgirl, and Donna Troy Are DC’s BEST Next-Gen Trinity Line-Up
Unpopular Opinion, But Supergirl and Batgirl Are DC’s Strongest Candidates to Replace Batman and Superman
Supergirl, Batgirl, and Donna Troy stepping in as DC’s next-gen Trinity is an exceptionally strong lineup. Each of these long-established characters has served as a direct mentee to the hero they are replacing, making their rise to these roles a natural fit. While some might argue that Batman has many male successors worthy of being his primary replacement, most of Bruce’s sons have developed their own distinct hero personas and show little desire to become the “next Batman.” Damian Wayne, though a notable exception, is still quite young and might be better suited as the next-next-gen Dark Knight. Thus, Batgirl—whether Barbara Gordon or Cassandra Cain—emerges as the top candidate to replace Batman.
Superman, on the other hand, has Jon and Conner Kent as successors, with Jon even having already stepped into the role of the Man of Steel. Despite their popularity and widespread affection, these characters aren’t as well established as Supergirl and lack the same impact and wow-factor as Kara and Clark. Moreover, the personal history between Supergirl and Superman makes their bond feel more developed than Clark’s relationship with his own son. Although there is a strong argument that Batman and Superman should be succeeded by their sons, it feels more fitting for Clark and Bruce to be replaced by Supergirl and Batgirl on both a historical and emotional level.
Wonder Woman and Supergirl Debut New Costumes In Zero Hour 30th-Anniversary Special
Donna Troy Gets a Bold New Look While Supergirl Dons Her Version of Superman’s Recovery Suit
It’s particularly striking that as Kara and Donna step up to fill the void left by the deaths of Superman and Wonder Woman, they also debut new costumes. Supergirl dons a female version of Superman’s all-black recovery suit, which he wore after his battle with Doomsday in the main universe where he did return. Similarly, Donna adopts a new costume, trading her iconic black and star-dusted outfit for a striking blue bodysuit with yellow stars along the sides. Regardless of the debate over whether Batgirl, Supergirl, and the former Wonder Girl are the true successors of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, one thing is undeniable: the new costumes are fire.
Zero Hour 30th-Anniversary Special #1 is available now from DC Comics!