Comic Title: Flash #19
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: December 1988
On Sale Date: August 16, 1988 Shipping Date August 16, 1988
Source: Direct Currents, #7

Shipping Date August 18, 1988
Source: Amazing Heroes, #147

Newsstand Date September 10, 1988
Source: Amazing Heroes, #147

Copyright Date August 16, 1988
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1988

Cover Price: $1.00
Page Count: 48
Editor: Barbara J. Kesel (Randall)

See Also: The Guide to DC Giants

Notes:
Contains Bonus Book #9

Title: "Blood Ties"
Pages: 14

Writer: K. Hank Kanalz
Penciller: William Knapp
Inker: Jerry Acerno
Letterer: Helen Vesik
Colorist: Matt Webb

Feature Character(s)

• Blue Trinity (last appearance in Flash #8; next appearance in Invasion #3)

Guest Star(s)

• Red Trinity (last appearance in Flash #17; next appearance in Flash #35)

Supporting Character(s)

• Pytor Orloff (last appearance in Flash #16; no further appearances)

Villain(s)

• Krulik (a Soviet scientist; dies in flashback; no further appearances)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Flash (Barry Allen; in flashback; last appearance in Secret Origins Annual #2; next appearance in Secret Origins Annual #2)

Flashback Appearance(s)

• Blue Trinity (earliest chronological appearance; next appearance in Flash #7)
• Red Trinity (earliest chronological appearance; next appearance in Flash #6)
• Pytor Orloff (earliest chronological appearance; next appearance in Flash #7)

Comments:
This story is presented as Bonus Book #9, a program designed to showcase the work of promising newcomers.

The date given on the flashback in this story is 1968. However, it shows Barry Allen as the Flash. 20 years have not passed in story since Barry got his powers, so the date here is an anachronism.

Synopsis:
Years ago, the Flash (Barry Allen) rescued a group of Russian sailors in the Bering Sea. This inspired the Soviets to begin their own research into super-speed led by Dr. Orloff. While Orloff was a cautious researcher, his assistant Krulik was impatient and pushed for human test subjects. He himself was the recipient of the original test formula, which he stole from Orloff.

Three young subjects were recruited for Krulik's experiments: Gregor, Boleslaw, and Christina. When the original test formula resulted in Krulik's death, Orloff returned to help the young trio and their successors: Bebeck, Anatole, and Cassiopeia. The originals would eventually graduate and became Blue Trinity. Their successors became Red Trinity.

In the present, Orloff is confronted by Blue Trinity who believe the scientist is a traitor for defecting. They also blame him for Krulik's death. Red Trinity comes to Orloff's defense. Orloff is able to stop the fight. Blue Trinity then departs without completing their mission to kill Orloff.