Comic Genius

8. Nemesis

Also known as Tom Tresser, an agent for the Department of Metahuman Affairs. He first appeared in Brave and the Bold #166 (September 1980). He was a former vigilante turned U.S. operative, and throughout the years has been a minor character in the DC universe and a member of the Suicide Squad. He became more of a mainstream character during the One Year Later storylines that followed the events of Infinite Crisis as Diana Prince’s (Wonder Woman) partner at the DMA.

My love of this character started when I started reading Wonder Woman. He was constantly doubting her (Diana’s) skills as an agent and a person in general. The funny thing about the whole situation was that he was totally enamored with Wonder Woman, pretending that he was buying her action figure at a fair for his nephew, when in fact he’s an only child. And then somewhere along the line, during the Love and Murder arc (written by Jodi Picoult), Nemesis was able to figure out that Diana was Wonder Woman. I have yet to read The Circle arc in WW, so I’m still trying to figure out if he remembers and still acknowledges the fact that Diana and Wonder Woman are one in the same.

I’m probably in the minority for being a Wonder Woman fan who likes Nemesis as a possible suitor for her more than Steve Trevor, the man most commonly recognizes as Diana’s love. Personally, I like the idea that Diana brings out the best in a guy who has made a living being deceitful. My personal favorite is his inner dialog in issue #19, where he questions his worthiness: “I didn’t ask to be ‘courted.’ I didn’t ask to be loved. Maybe this is part of it. Maybe I’m SUPPOSED to doubt. But no. Who am I trying to kid? I’m angry because I don’t DESERVE her. Because everything about her from the inside OUT…is about finding and uncovering the larger TRUTH. And YOU, sir–are a liar to your very SOUL.”

Despite what he might say, Mr. Tresser does in fact have some redeeming qualities. And that’s why he’s such an intriguing character, because to be a good guy he has to go against everything he’s ever known.

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