Tim Trench
| Tim Trench | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Wonder Woman v1 #179 (Nov.-Dec. 1968) |
| Created by | Denny O'Neil |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | Timothy Trench |
| Team affiliations | Hero Hotline The Croatoan Society |
Tim Trench is a fictional comic book detective in the DC Comics universe. He was first introduced in Wonder Woman v1 #179 (Nov.-Dec. 1968) and recently met his demise in 52 Week 18 (Sept. 2006)
History
Originally introduced as an ally of the pre-Crisis Wonder Woman, Timothy Trench's first appearance (seen as a shadowy figure on page 23) was in Wonder Woman v1 #179 (Nov.-Dec. 1968) and his first formal appearance was the next issue. A middle-aged tough guy and private eye, Trench carried a single gun, which he lovingly referred to as "Lulu". He was clearly intended as a knockoff of Sam Spade, from the Maltese Falcon, using the word "gunsel" as Spade did to refer to low-level hoodlums and mentioning his late partner Archie Miles (Spade's partner was Miles Archer). Tim aids Wonder Woman and I Ching to defeat the terrorist Doctor Cyber, but Wonder Woman's long-time boyfriend Steve Trevor was killed in the process. Trench exits with issue #182 (May-June 1969), taking with him a box of gems stolen from Doctor Cyber.
Trench is reintroduced in (June 1976) with a two-part back-up feature in Detective Comics. Appearing considerably younger, the tough-talking gumshoe Trench is located in St. Louis with an office above a repetory theatre, overseen by Box-Office Sadie, that consistently screens Humphrey Bogart films. Trench has abandoned "Lulu" for twin .357 Magnums housed in shoulder holsters.
Twenty years later, Trench resurfaces having joined the superhero team Hero Hotline. Trench is costumed in brown hat and gloves, green jacket, domino mask and a shirt with a big red "T" on it. The only chronicled mission Trench underwent as a member of the team was witnessed in the Vertigo title Swamp Thing and Trench was absent from all the action, having been caught in traffic.
52
After his death in 52 Week 18, Trench was revealed to have been a member of The Croatoan Society. It's members include Ralph Dibny, Detective Chimp, Edogawa Sangaku and Traci Thirteen. It was at a scheduled meeting of these detectives at the House of Mystery that his body was discovered, wearing the helmet of Doctor Fate. When his body is touched, it turns to liquid.
Investigation by Dibny, Detective Chimp and the Shadowpact, reveal that Trench's death came as a result of his attempt to assume the mantle of Dr. Fate without paying due sacrifice first. Later, this was revealed to be a deception by Felix Faust, who intentionally killed Trench to lead Dibny on a quest.
Appearances
- Wonder Woman v1 #179 (Nov.-Dec. 1968): "Wonder Woman's Last Battle"
- Wonder Woman v1 #180 (Jan.-Feb. 1969): "A Death for Diana"
- Wonder Woman v1 #181 (Mar.-Apr. 1969): "The Wrath of Dr. Cyber"
- Wonder Woman v1 #182 (May-June 1969): "A Time to Love, a Time to Die"
- Detective Comics #460 (June 1976): "The Cold-Fire Caper"
- Detective Comics #461 (July 1976): "The Moneybag Caper"
- Who's Who in the DC Universe #24 (1986)
- Swamp Thing v2 #162 (Jan. 1996): "Telephone Calls From the Dead"
- 52 Week 18 (Sept. 2006)