Traci Thirteen

Traci Thirteen (also known as Girl 13 and Traci 13) is a fictional superheroine featured in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Superman #189 (February 2003), and was created by writer Joe Kelly and artist Dwayne Turner.[1] She is notably one of DC Comics's Asian superhero and LGBT characters, portrayed in separate continuities as a love interest to Jaime Reyes and Natasha Irons.

Traci Thirteen
Traci Thirteen in a promotional image for Flashpoint, art by Brett Booth.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceSuperman #189 (February 2003)
Created byJoe Kelly
Dwayne Turner
In-story information
Alter egoTraci Thirteen (comics)
Tracy Thurston (select media)
SpeciesHomo magi
Place of originMetropolis
Team affiliationsThe Supergirls
Croatoan Society
Coven of Three
Young Justice
Justice League Queer
Team 13
Oblivion Bar
Night Force
Sisterhood of the Sleight Hand
PartnershipsNatasha Irons
Cir-El
Jaime Reyes
Supporting character ofSuperman
Teen Titans
Blue Beetle
Justice League Dark
Notable aliasesTraci 13, Girl 13
Abilities
  • Mystical abilities which enable her to tap into the magic of a city, to perform a wide array of magical acts.
  • Keen detective skills

A young sorceress, Traci is among the homo magi race in the DC Universe and the daughter of renown mystical skeptic and investigator, Doctor Thirteen. Rejecting her father's disapproval of her magical abilities, she uses them in tandem with detective skills instill into her from her father and training from Elongated Man in order to become a superhero, her specialitiy being supernatural occurances.

Traci 13 has made several animated media appearances, appearing in Teen Titans: The Judas Contract and debuting in the third season of Young Justice voiced by Lauren Tom. This version is named Tracy Thurston, retaining her homo magi heritage both through her mother and as a descendant of Arion.

Fictional biography

The latest in the long line of "Homo Magi", humans born with innate powers of sorcery, Traci is forbidden by her father, Doctor Thirteen, to practice magic, since her mother, Meihui Lan, died due to magical influences.[2] Traci moved to the Suicide Slum of Metropolis, determined to live on her own (with her pet iguana Leeroy). There she began to tap into the "urban magic" of Metropolis, and assumed the name of Girl 13, becoming a super hero of sorts. She met Superboy, who was attracted to her, but the feeling was not mutual. She used her magic to defend an injured Superman from a ghostly female ninja, along with fellow "Supergirls", Natasha Irons and Cir-El, with whom she formed a friendship. The Spectre's attack on magic during the Day of Vengeance mini-series does not seem to have had an effect on her powers.

Day of Vengeance

In the one-shot Day of Vengeance: Infinite Crisis Special Traci joined a large group of mystical heroes, including Doctor Occult, the Phantom Stranger, and Rex the Wonder Dog in cleaning up one of the Spectre's many rampages. The Rock of Eternity had exploded over Gotham City, unleashing multiple mystical horrors. The group soon recreated the rock, trapping the demons again.

One Year Later

Currently she resides with her father in Doomsbury Mansion, the ancestral home of her family, annoyed by his skepticism and boring outlook.[3] Blue Beetle #16 established that Traci was raised and trained by Ralph Dibny and his wife Sue some time after her mother's death. A member of the Croatoans, the paranormal detective organization shown in 52, she travels around the world, sometimes with her father, and sometimes solo, fighting paranormal menaces with her growing magical abilities. She has recently started a relationship with Jaime Reyes, the current Blue Beetle. As a result of Jaime becoming a full-time member of the Teen Titans, she has also begun interacting with his teammates, such as during a recent Christmas adventure. For a period of time, Red Devil appeared to feel annoyed by Traci's presence as she distracted his new friend Blue Beetle. However, after she bought him a series of much desired video games, she became quickly accepted by Eddie. She is also featured on the cover of Teen Titans #66 as a potential new member.[4][5] She opted not to join however, feeling it would be too weird to be on a team with her boyfriend, despite how much fun it would be to mess with his head. She does remain an ally of the Titans, helping them when they need it, especially during the prison riot caused by Shimmer and Jinx, using her magic to disable Jinx's connection to the Earth, thus undoing her barrier spell.

Beginning in May 2010, Traci began co-starring in a back-up feature in Teen Titans alongside Black Alice and Zachary Zatara.[6] The feature ended in September 2010, when Teen Titans reverted to a standard 22-page format.

Post-Flashpoint

Traci is once again a young superhero and a bartender at The Oblivion Bar. She was in a relationship with Natasha Irons, but they broke up.[7]

Powers and abilities

A skilled sorceress of the Homo Magi race, Traci 13's specialzies in "urban magic", a type of magic that allows her to tap into magical forces residing within a city, allowing her to perform a variety of magical feats such as spell-casting, teleportation, fire blasts of magic energy, create mystic force shields, and can even transform her pet iguana into a dragon.

Her magical abilities can be bolstered through the mystic artifact, the Staff of Arion, created by the aformentioned sorcerer. Through concentration, she can manipulate it's immense arcane energies in order to perofrm magical feats.[8]

Other versions

52

A character named Terri Thirteen briefly appeared in the series 52 as a member of the Croatoan Society. It is believed this character was actually Traci, but misnamed Terri due to editorial oversight.[9]

Flashpoint

Traci appears in the 2011 Flashpoint crossover event, as revealed on DC's blog.[10] In this reality, Traci rescues her father from Paris before it is destroyed by the Atlanteans, though she feels guilty she was unable to save her mother and siblings. She discovers that her father and superheroes from around the world are preparing to take drastic action to stop the Amazons and Atlanteans. She still remembers details of how reality should be, and meets Madame Xanadu for advice. When she tries to stop the heroes from launching nuclear weapons, her father drugs her and proceeds to start the countdown.[11] Traci teleports to find help, but is unsuccessful, and returns to face her father. Doctor Thirteen magically attacks her, apparently having learnt the art of black magic.[12] Failing to defeat her father, Traci decides to teleport to Western Europe to sacrifice herself. Doctor Thirteen arrives and finally accepts his daughter back. But when Traci is impaled by Amazons, Doctor Thirteen becomes enraged and begins a killing spree. Traci is restored to life from her spiritual connection to Earth and manages to stop her father by showing him the planetary consciousness. As the nuclear weapons are about to be activated, Doctor Thirteen uses his magic to destroy them. Traci rescues her father and teleported them back to Earth. It is revealed that they have both used up all of their magic.[13]

In other media

Television

  • Traci Thirteen appears in the third season of Young Justice, subtitled Outsiders,[14] voiced by Lauren Tom. Here, she is referred to as Traci Thurston. She is also in a relationship with Jaime Reyes, just like how she was portrayed Post-Crisis. Traci appears in the fourth season in where she is being trained by Zatanna as one of the Sentinels of Magic. In the episode "Teg Ydaer!", Beast Boy wanted her to join the Outsiders, but she turned it down.
  • In October 2017, The CW announced to develop a one-hour drama series based on Traci Thirteen and her father Dr. Terrance Thirteen, titled Project 13, with Elizabeth Banks attached as an executive producer.[15] The project never came to fruition.

Film

Traci appears in the animated film Teen Titans: The Judas Contract, voiced by Masasa Moyo. She works at a soup kitchen that Jaime Reyes volunteers at and he develops a crush on her. Traci also wears a T-shirt that says "13" on it.

References

  1. Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 311. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
  2. Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. p. 438. ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.
  3. Tales of the Unexpected #1
  4. Blue Beetle #17
  5. "TEEN TITANS #66". Archived from the original on December 17, 2008. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
  6. "TEEN TITANS #83". Archived from the original on March 7, 2010. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
  7. Superwoman #5
  8. Rogers, John (2007). Blue Beetle. Road trip. Keith Giffen, Cully Hamner, Rafael Albuquerque, Duncan Rouleau, Casey Jones, Guy Major. New York, NY. ISBN 978-1-4012-1361-9. OCLC 144226063.
  9. "Traci Thirteen - Girl 13 - DC Comics - Blue Beetle ally". Writeups.org. 28 February 2015.
  10. Hyde, David (8 April 2011). "FLASHPOINT FRIDAY: Why is Traci 13 the most important girl in the world?". The Source. DC Comics. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  11. Flashpoint: The World of Flashpoint #1 (June 2011)
  12. Flashpoint: The World of Flashpoint #2 (July 2011)
  13. Flashpoint: The World of Flashpoint #3 (August 2011)
  14. Melrose, Kevin (July 21, 2017). "Who Is Young Justice's Mysterious New Member, Thirteen?". Comic Book Resources. Valnet Inc. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  15. Otterson, Joe (October 19, 2017). "CW Developing DC Comics Adaptation 'Project 13' With Elizabeth Banks Producing (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
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