Triumph (comics)

Triumph
Triumph as depicted in Justice League International #68 (September 1994); art by Phil Jimenez (pencils), John Stokes (inks), Gene D'Angelo (colors).
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceJustice League America #91 (August 1994)
Created byMark Waid & Brian Augustyn (writers)
Howard Porter (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoWilliam MacIntyre
Team affiliationsJustice League International
Justice League Task Force
Justice League
AbilitiesAbility to control the electromagnetic spectrum

Triumph (William MacIntyre) is a fictional superhero in the DC Comics universe whose first full appearance was in Justice League America #92 (August 1994). He was created by Brian Augustyn, Mark Waid, and Howard Porter, though the character is primarily associated with writer Christopher Priest.

Years after Triumph's initial appearance, Priest revealed that the character was partially based on DC Comics creative director Neal Pozner: "His shtick was: Triumph was always right... it was what made him so annoying to his fellow heroes... He was. At the end of the day, Neal would be proven right. That fact, more than anything else, annoyed many staffers beyond reason".[1]

Fictional character biography

Triumph is a member of the Justice League who entered a dimensional limbo while saving Earth, erasing the world's memory of him. He later returns to Earth and rejoins the Justice League.[1][2][3][4][5] However, Triumph's arrogant nature causes him to be expelled from the group.[6] During this time, he loses his soul to the demon Neron.[4]

In JLA, Triumph becomes a destitute and resorts to selling stolen League items to supervillains to pay rent. He is influenced by the fifth-dimensional imp Lkz before the Justice League and Justice Society stop him. The Spectre later transforms Triumph into an ice statue that is stored in the Watchtower and later destroyed by Prometheus.[7] Several years after Triumph's death, it is revealed that he has a son named Jonathan. He battles the Teen Titans before Raven convinces him to stand down.[8][9]

In Trinity, Triumph is resurrected in an alternate reality before sacrificing himself to save Tomorrow Woman.[7][10][11]

Powers and abilities

Triumph can manipulate and sense the electromagnetic spectrum, enabling him to control electricity and sense television and radio signals.[12][13] He can also generate force fields and change the density of other objects.

References

  1. ^ a b Priest: "Triumph, the hero you love to hate" (Wayback Machine)
  2. ^ Triumph #4 (September 1995)
  3. ^ Justice League Task Force #32 (February 1996)
  4. ^ a b Justice League Task Force #37 (August 1996)
  5. ^ Triumph #1 (June 1995)
  6. ^ Justice League Task Force #28 (October 1995)
  7. ^ a b Trinity #32 (January 2009)
  8. ^ The Brave and the Bold (vol. 3) #17–18 (November–December 2008)
  9. ^ Justice League of America (vol. 2) #40 (February 2010)
  10. ^ Trinity #22 (October 2008)
  11. ^ Trinity #41 (March 2009)
  12. ^ JLA #28
  13. ^ JLA #31