“The Most Successful Cartel in History”: Who are the Trust in 100 Bullets?

Founded by a group of powerful European families, 100 Bullets‘ formidable organization known as the Trust operated for centuries with brutal, unforgiving efficiency to lay claim to and control what they believed was rightfully theirs, namely the American nation. But who exactly are the members of this deep state cabal, and what fuels their centuries-old desire to complete history’s ultimate power grab?

In Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso’s 100 Bullets, the Trust plays a role in every major plot point. The Trust was first formed during the Colonial era, when 13 of Europe’s most powerful families grew tired of playing second fiddle to the royal elite. They saw a golden opportunity in the New World to finally free themselves from the indignities of European society and start over. Indeed, far from the interference of Europe’s kings and queens, the families believed they could rewrite society to fit their own purposes. Just like a trust, the members worked in the interests of the group or, at least, that was the silent promise of the plan. To this end, the Trust approached the European royals with “an offer they couldn’t refuse.”

But when they did refuse the offer, the Trust established the Minutemen – a special enforcement unit that used every means necessary to ensure that the Trusts got what it wanted. Indeed, while the families could not stop the royals from taking “their lands,” they worked from the shadows to make sure that they could still profit enormously. The nature of the Trust’s “business” meant there were rivalries between the families, and those rivalries only grew more intense as the centuries passed.

Related

100 Bullets: Everything You Need To Know About The Twisted Crime Comic

Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso’s 100 Bullets is an epic deconstruction of America’s love of crime fiction, beginning from an irresistible premise.

The Power Tier – The Most Prominent Families In The Trust

House Medici

While it is unclear what the distribution of power between the families was over the centuries since their founding, by the beginning of 100 Bullets, the House of Medici is clearly the first among equals – and its leader, Augustus Medici was the clear leader of the Trust. Indeed, while Trust decisions are all put to a vote, more often than not, the Trust’s decisions run through the House of Medici. While more than a few families are opposed to the concentration of power Medici has acquired within the Trust, for most of the story, they have little means and few opportunities to effectively remove him from power. Conversely, despite enjoying the immense power and influence of his individual family’s status, Augustus craves even more. In fact, he hopes to eliminate the other families of the Trust or get them to swear absolute fealty to his leadership and his families. In furtherance of that goal – working with House Vasco and Agent Graves, he sets into motion a multi-decade plan to put the Trust under the complete control of House Medici.

House Vasco

While few details have been provided about most individual families before the start of 100 Bullets, it’s made clear that the House of Vasco has historically been its most aggressive member – expanding its power, influence, and territory whenever it could, even if that meant creating tension and conflict with other families. Indeed, during the story, there is some tension between the Vasco family and House Nagel, which ultimately results in the House of Vasco’s benefit. Its head – Javier Vasco – is a famously brusque personality who has no compunctions when pushing for his family’s interests. As such, House Vasco’s influence on the Trust is quite strong, especially because it seems like the family with the most ability to counter Medici’s dominance. Unbeknownst to the Trust, however, the Vasco family at some point decides to work with the Medici, and Agent Graves to divide and conquer the Trust.

House Peres

Not much is known about the House of Peres on account of its leader – Daniel Peres – suffering an early exit from the story, and his family’s assets being quickly divvied among the remaining members of the Trust. However, based on Peres’ known interactions with the Trust and its members, he clearly seems to have had as much power and influence in the Trust as Medici. Indeed, Medici most likely saw him as one of the few who could stand in his way, which is one of the reasons why he is killed by the Minutemen. This not only eliminates a rival, but it also makes it clear to other Trust members that even the top-tier of the Trust can be killed, as well as removing his calming, level-headed counsel from the Trust’s future discussions. Peres also clearly seems to be the one Trust member who has the Trust’s interests in mind, rather than his own. He disapproves of the Minutemen’s continued connection to the Trust and believes that there is no longer a need for such drastic measures. He is able to connect with other members and is often seen as the key “go-between” among the different factions.

House Dietrich

The strength, power, and influence of the House of Dietrich is largely the result of its leaders, namely Megan Dietrich and her father, Roland Dietrich. To be sure, before his untimely death during the Atlantic City Incident, Roland is as influential in the Trust as Augustus and Vasco. In fact, his influence helps get Graves appointed Agent – a move that ultimately leads to his death. After that, the House of Dietrich suffers a dip in influence, as its new head, Megan, needs some time to “get up to speed.” However, once she figures it out, Megan – who often uses her sex appeal and attractiveness to bait men into blunders, proves every bit as intelligent and dangerous as her elder colleagues. Always on the lookout for opportunities to protect her family’s interests, she at first supports House Medici. But when it does not seem interested in reciprocating her feelings, she quickly connects with other families in opposition to the Medici control. Considering what happened to her father, Megan’s distrust of the traditional process seems reasonable.

House Nagel

While it might lack the influence and strength of the other “Power Houses” of the Trust, the House of Nagel under its leader Axel Nagel does retain a degree of respect and deference from its fellow Houses, who often seek his advice and counsel on issues of great importance. Indeed, Axel’s vote in making Graves the Agent is the crucial approval that convinces other members that it is a good move. However, his death – forced by an agreement he has with Javier Vasco – in effect eliminates whatever influence House Nagel has on the Trust, as his heirs, the twins Anna and Lars Nagel, have no experience running a Trust House or how to navigate the dangerous politics of Trust membership.

The Families Agitating For Change At The Top

House Madrid

When first introduced, the House of Madrid and its leader, Anwar Madrid, is happy with the status quo and does not oppose or actively support the House of Medici’s leadership of the Trust. That is, it remains focused on enhancing and improving its own territory. However, after learning of the actions and fate of Anwar’s daughter, Rose, the House of Madrid’s stance towards the Trust remains largely the same; however, its relationship with the Minutemen deteriorates. Not only is Rose romantically involved with the Minuteman Wylie Times, but she is also involved in a failed plot to kill Augustus Medici. Under the harsh rules of the Trust, this transgression cannot be allowed to go unpunished. As a result, Rose is killed by Mr. Times. The incident makes the Minutemen unwelcome in the House of Madrid, which is, in effect, a rebuke to the Trust. Naturally, House Madrid is a vocal supporter of the abolition of the Minutemen.

House D’Arcy

At first glance, the House of D’Arcy does not seem much different from the other Trust members, who are more concerned about their own ventures than the machinations of the Trust. However, as the Trust members are dying off and after she herself survives several attacks by the Minuteman Remi Rome, the House of D’Arcy’s head, Joan D’Arcy decides she needs to get ahead of the death curve and take proactive actions to protect herself and her House. She becomes convinced it’s time to make a move against Medici, his supporters on the Trust, and the Minutemen. To accomplish this, she hires a former Minuteman to take out Medici’s man on the inside, Javier Vasco, and the person who supplies Graves with his intel and briefcases. It’s a prescient move that seriously damages Medici’s plans. It also more than likely puts her in a position to attend the Trust’s final meeting at Medici’s headquarters.

House Carlito

Of all the Houses outside the Power tier, the House of Carlito and its head, Fulvio Carlito, is the one Trust member who believes it’s time to not just end Medici leadership, but completely dissolve their membership. That is, he wants to make a move against Medici, although there does not seem to be any actual bad feelings between the two houses. It is a pure power grab, perhaps because he resents the fact that Medici seemed to get the lion’s share of benefits that being a Trust leader brings. Unfortunately, Carlito’s plans to assassinate Benito Medici involves teaming up with the House of Vasco, which is already working with Medici to take over the Trust. As a result, not only is Carlito “ratted” out and killed, but his children are killed as well – thereby accomplishing what Carlito wished for Medici – the complete dissolution of his House.

House Kotias

Like Carlito, the House of Kotias, and its leader, Helena Kotias, are also for a move against Medici and a return to the balance of power the Trust used to share. However, unlike Carlito, her motivations are not due to her hatred of the Medici, but rather that she simply follows whatever Javier Vasco wants her to do. Her obedience to Vasco does not save her from Medici and Vasco’s plans to take control of the Trust.

Related

100 Bullets: Who Survived the Final Issue?

The DC/Vertigo series 100 Bullets amassed a prodigious body count over it’s 100 issue run, but some characters did make it to the finish line.

​​​​The ​​​Other Families

Not much is revealed about the House of Vermeer and its leader, Tibo Vermeer. However, his ability to survive the culling of the Trust’s houses suggests he and his house are skilled at staying off of everyone’s radar. If being the head of a criminal organization has any positives, the House of Vermeer seems to be the least evil and most progressive member of the Trust. If there’s any member who seems to focus on his concerns outside the Trust’s purview, it’s the House of Rhone’s leader, Sigmar Rhone. Sigmar operates a thriving casino and booming entertainment concerns that, in addition to making him a healthy profit, also allow him plenty of time to chase after women – two of whom, Constance Von Hagen and Helena Kotias, are House leaders who become his mistresses. His unconcern for Trust activities proves costly as he only learns at the last minute the true plans of Medici and Graves.

The House of Simone’s leader, Mia Simone, is one of the Trust’s older House leaders and seems more focused on running her businesses and helping the younger family heads acclimate to life in the Trust. A confidant and close friend of Daniel Peres, she does not seem to retain much influence on the Trust after his murder. The House of Von Hagen and its leader, Constance Von Hagen, is the Trust House with the least information provided about it. It clearly is a supporter, albeit passively, of the House of Medici, despite having what seems to be a friendly relationship with the House of Kotias.

As the old saying goes, “There is no honor among thieves.” Considering the criminal beginning of the Trust, it’s an idea that members of the Trust should have encoded on their DNA. And despite the Trust families’ long history of deviant behavior, 100 Bullets shows that criminality can become so commonplace that its barefaced presence is undetectable, even when it’s right in front of your face.

100 Bullets is available to read on comiXology.