The seventh issue of The Flash proves to be a bit surprising, as we’re still wrapped up in the Speed Demon’s story, but we’re also introduced to a brand new menace. This is a smart way to continue a single arc while merging it with another, and the creative team behind this particular series seems prepared to bring a vast story to readers.

The Flash heads deep into the snowy Siberian Mountains on the hunt for something that will cure Tina’s husband, and hopefully transform him from the menacing Speed Demon back into the ambitious gentleman he once was.

While embarking on this mission The Flash finds himself with enough free time to really contemplate the situation. He becomes very humanized as he recognizes not only the faults of Tina’s husband, but his own wrongdoings, such as the obvious cheating with a married woman. Again, it makes the character much more relatable, and that is successfully accomplished thanks to some sharp writing from Mike Baron.

Eventually Flash makes it to his location, but the scientist on hand isn’t eager to travel with the Flash back to a safe haven where they can get to work at developing a cure for Speed Demon. And we quickly learn precisely why: he’s looking after a trio of Speedsters who seem to have some form of a connection to the Flash. This group is known as the Red Trinity, and only one question remains: are these truly heroes, or is there something more sinister going on. Could Flash have unknowingly just sped into the faces of danger?

It turns out Red Trinity is more confused than anything else. Initially, they’re far from prepared to welcome the Flash with open arms. But after the heat of a brief battle slows, the group – along with the focal scientist – look prepared to accompany Flash and attempt to right a very serious wrong.

That doesn’t mean we the reader, or Flash the hero, should trust this group. They’re clearly a little… off, in regards to common sense and singular goals. To be blunt, this isn’t an in sync group, at all.

Eventually all Hell breaks loose and Flash, along with Red Trinity, find themselves tangling with the compounds guards – all fighting for the same cause.

While bolting on a new and unexpected mission, Flash learns of another group of speedsters that are holed up somewhere in the nearby area. This group, known as Blue Trinity are fast, but not quite as fast as Flash or Red Trinity, but they’re powerful brutes with criminal minds. In other words, they’re the polar opposite of Red Trinity, and as the final page arrives, we see that they’re clearly interested in tangling with our protagonists.

We’re going to have to wait for issue seven to see this war unfold. The cliffhanger here is quite successful, and I’m aching to se what the Blue Trinity brings to the table.

Mike Baron and Jackson Guice have yet again given us a book that’s both entertaining and memorable. Wally West certainly hasn’t enjoyed the easiest transition from Kid Flash to Flash, and that’s great. Baptisms by fire come with the super crowd, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. As Flash continues to abuse his villains, he’ll slowly prepare himself for showdowns with villains of a much greater threat. Baron’s patience in building up to that is superb, and Guice hasn’t let down with the sharp visuals for a moment.

On to issue eight, which promises some snowy chaos, something I can get into with the greatest of ease.

Rating: 4/5