Trigger Twins
Encyclopedia
The Trigger Twins are the names of two sets of fictional Western
themed comic book
characters published by DC Comics
.
#58 (May 1951), the first issue of that title under its new name (previously known as All Star Comics
), and was one of the features that replaced the previous stars, the Justice Society of America
. The series was created by Robert Kanigher
and Carmine Infantino
.
The series feature the adventures of a pair of twin brothers, Walt and Wayne Trigger. Walt is a sheriff, while Wayne is a civilian. The series' running theme has Wayne covering for Walt on various adventures as needed, through secretly wearing identical clothes and using a twin of Walt's horse, so that no one suspects that Wayne was covering for Walt.
The series ran through All Star Western #116 (1961) after which they were replaced by another feature, and were unseen until Showcase #72 (February 1968) when a story was reprinted under the banner, "Top Gun", a oneshot filler issue. In 1973 they were given a short-lived title. The Twins last appeared in All-Star Squadron
during the Crisis on Infinite Earths
, at which point it is revealed they reside on Earth-Two.
The two heroes known as The Trigger Twins have been reanimated as Black Lanterns. They were seen in Weird Western Tales
#71.
#667 (October 1993). They are Tom and Tad Trigger, a pair of criminals who resemble their Old West counterparts, although it is unknown if they are actually related. They first meet when they both decide, separately, to rob the same bank at the same time. Though shocked and confused at seeing how they look alike (in a move which exposes their faces to the bank customers) they decide to work together in finishing the robbery and escaping.
They later try and make more money by robbing a local mafia numbers runner; despite two of his men being killed by the duo, the boss of the organization talks the twins into working for him. They soon set to work killing the man's adversaries.
Later, the two encounter the Azrael
Batman during a heist of a Gotham Subway train.
A blonde, female criminal rescues them from a chain gang. She fools them into believing she is their long lost sister; this is a ruse to ensure their help in her plans. Robin and many other heroes, including modern day versions of Pow Wow Smith
and Nighthawk
help take them down. Much of the action takes place in a recreation of a classic wild west town/Gotham City tourist attraction in Robin Annual #6 (1997).
Around this time, they are hired by the super-powered villain Roland Desmond, operating out of the city of Blüdhaven
.
. As part of an army, they are sent to destroy the city of Metropolis. Another army of superheroes face them. During what is called Battle of Metropolis, the twins are shot down in the street by a group of vigilantes that include the current Vigilante
and Wild Dog
who were perched on a nearby rooftop. This battle takes place in Infinite Crisis
#7.
.
American Old West
The American Old West, or the Wild West, comprises the history, geography, people, lore, and cultural expression of life in the Western United States, most often referring to the latter half of the 19th century, between the American Civil War and the end of the century...
themed comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
characters published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
.
Heroes
The Trigger Twins first appear in All-Star WesternAll-Star Western
All-Star Western was the name of three American comic book series published by DC Comics, each a Western fiction omnibus featuring both continuing characters and anthological stories. The first ran from 1951 to 1961, the second from 1970 to 1972 and the third is part of the DC New 52 released in...
#58 (May 1951), the first issue of that title under its new name (previously known as All Star Comics
All Star Comics
All Star Comics is a 1940s comic book series from All-American Publications, one of the early companies that merged with National Periodical Publications to form the modern-day DC Comics. With the exception of the first two issues, All Star Comics primarily told stories about the adventures of the...
), and was one of the features that replaced the previous stars, the Justice Society of America
Justice Society of America
The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. Conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox, the JSA first appeared in All Star Comics #3 ....
. The series was created by Robert Kanigher
Robert Kanigher
Robert Kanigher was a prolific comic book writer and editor whose career spanned five decades. He was involved with the Wonder Woman franchise for over twenty years, taking over the scripting from creator William Moulton Marston. In addition, Kanigher spent many years in charge of DC Comics' war...
and Carmine Infantino
Carmine Infantino
Carmine Infantino Carmine Infantino Carmine Infantino (born May 24, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York is an American comic book artist and editor who was a major force in the Silver Age of Comic Books...
.
The series feature the adventures of a pair of twin brothers, Walt and Wayne Trigger. Walt is a sheriff, while Wayne is a civilian. The series' running theme has Wayne covering for Walt on various adventures as needed, through secretly wearing identical clothes and using a twin of Walt's horse, so that no one suspects that Wayne was covering for Walt.
The series ran through All Star Western #116 (1961) after which they were replaced by another feature, and were unseen until Showcase #72 (February 1968) when a story was reprinted under the banner, "Top Gun", a oneshot filler issue. In 1973 they were given a short-lived title. The Twins last appeared in All-Star Squadron
All-Star Squadron
The All-Star Squadron is a DC Comics superhero team that debuted in a special insert in Justice League of America #193 . Created by Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler and Jerry Ordway.-The concept:...
during the Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
, at which point it is revealed they reside on Earth-Two.
The two heroes known as The Trigger Twins have been reanimated as Black Lanterns. They were seen in Weird Western Tales
Weird Western Tales
Weird Western Tales is a Western genre comic book title published by DC Comics which ran from June-July 1972 to August 1980. It is perhaps best known for featuring the adventures of Jonah Hex until #38 when the character was promoted to his own eponymous series...
#71.
Villains
A modern pair of Trigger Twins are introduced in Detective ComicsDetective Comics
Detective Comics is an American comic book series published monthly by DC Comics since 1937, best known for introducing the iconic superhero Batman in Detective Comics #27 . It is, along with Action Comics, the book that launched with the debut of Superman, one of the medium's signature series, and...
#667 (October 1993). They are Tom and Tad Trigger, a pair of criminals who resemble their Old West counterparts, although it is unknown if they are actually related. They first meet when they both decide, separately, to rob the same bank at the same time. Though shocked and confused at seeing how they look alike (in a move which exposes their faces to the bank customers) they decide to work together in finishing the robbery and escaping.
They later try and make more money by robbing a local mafia numbers runner; despite two of his men being killed by the duo, the boss of the organization talks the twins into working for him. They soon set to work killing the man's adversaries.
Later, the two encounter the Azrael
Azrael (comics)
Azrael is the name of several fictional characters in the DC Comics universe. They are a group of assassins who were created by The Order of St. Dumas to "enforce god's will"...
Batman during a heist of a Gotham Subway train.
A blonde, female criminal rescues them from a chain gang. She fools them into believing she is their long lost sister; this is a ruse to ensure their help in her plans. Robin and many other heroes, including modern day versions of Pow Wow Smith
Pow Wow Smith
Ohiyesa "Pow Wow" Smith is a fictional Western hero published by DC Comics. Created by writer Don Cameron and penciler Carmine Infantino, he is a Sioux who is the sheriff of the small Western town of Elkhorn, where he is known as a master detective...
and Nighthawk
Nighthawk (DC Comics)
Nighthawk is a fictional character, a cowboy in the DC Comics universe. His real name is Hannibal Hawkes and he first appeared in Western Comics #5. In his secret identity, he worked as a traveling repairman...
help take them down. Much of the action takes place in a recreation of a classic wild west town/Gotham City tourist attraction in Robin Annual #6 (1997).
Around this time, they are hired by the super-powered villain Roland Desmond, operating out of the city of Blüdhaven
Blüdhaven
Blüdhaven is a fictional city in the . Created by Chuck Dixon and Scott McDaniel in 1996, it was originally intended to serve as a backdrop for the Nightwing comics series.-Fictional geography:...
.
Infinite Crisis
As with many other villains, the twins join up with the Secret Society of Super VillainsSecret Society of Super Villains
The Secret Society of Super Villains is a group of comic book supervillains that exist in the DC Universe...
. As part of an army, they are sent to destroy the city of Metropolis. Another army of superheroes face them. During what is called Battle of Metropolis, the twins are shot down in the street by a group of vigilantes that include the current Vigilante
Vigilante (comics)
Vigilante is the name used by several fictional characters appearing in DC Comics. The original character was one of the first DC Comics characters adapted for live-action film, beating Superman by one year.-Greg Saunders:...
and Wild Dog
Wild Dog (comics)
Wild Dog is a fictional vigilante based in the Quad Cities published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Wild Dog #1 , and was created by Max Allan Collins and Terry Beatty.-Publication history:...
who were perched on a nearby rooftop. This battle takes place in Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis is a 2005 - 2006 comic book storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous, seven-issue comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Ivan Reis, and Jerry Ordway, and a number of tie-in books...
#7.
Blackest Night
During the Blackest Night crossover, the Trigger Twins are among the many deceased villains that receive a black power ring, reanimating them into Black LanternsBlack Lantern Corps
The Black Lantern Corps is a fictional organization of revenants appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The group is composed of deceased fictional characters that seek to eliminate all life from the DC Universe.-Publication history:...
.