Kapitalist Kouriers

Inspired by a daring rescue at sea by the second Flash, Russian scientist Pyotr Orloff and his partner attempted to duplicate his super-speed abilities using steroids, electrode implants, and gene splicing. After his partner died from an imperfected serum, Orloff took charge of the first batch of human subjects, later code-named Blue Trinity (Flash #19). Though fast, they were also emotionally unstable and intellectually stunted. The second set of subjects—Anatole, Bebek, and Cassiopeia—could all exceed the speed of sound without side effects. As Red Trinity, they became agents of the Soviet military.

When the third Flash came to enlist Dr. Orloff’s aid in saving Jerry McGee’s life, the three of them chose to defect with Orloff (Flash #7–8). Blue Trinity was sent to prevent their escape, but failed. Red Trinity became infatuated with American culture. They chose to stay, and opened a business as super-speed messengers as “Kapitalist Kourier Service, Inc.” Cassiopeia has since died, the first casualty of Savitar’s reappearance. He was running up the side of a building on a delivery run when his speed vanished and he fell to his death (Flash #108).

Primary Sources

• “Red Trinity” - Flash (second series) #7 (December 1987), Mike Baron

Art

• Kapitalist Kouriers: Who’s Who Update ’88 #3 (October 1988) - Greg LaRocque and Vince(?) Letterio*
• Red Trinity: Flash (second series) #7 (December 1987) - Jackson Guice and Larry Mahlstedt

Profiles

• Who’s Who Update ’88 #3 as Red Trinity (October 1988)
• Flash Annual 3 as Kapitalist Kouriers (1989)

Significant Appearances

• Flash #7–8 (December 1987–January 1988): “Red Trinity” and “Purple Haze,” Mike Baron
• Flash #12 (May 1988): “Velocity 9,” Mike Baron
• Flash #14–15 (July–August 1988): “Wipe Out” and “Hitting Bottom,” Mike Baron and William Messner-Loebs (cameos)
• Flash #17 (October 1988): “The Adventures of Speed McGee Part 2” William Messner-Loebs
• Flash #19 (December 1988): “Blood Ties,” Hank Kanalz
• Flash #35 (February 1990): “Behold the Turtle!” William Messner-Loebs (cameo)
• Flash #36 (March 1990): “Running on the Edge,” William Messner-Loebs (cameo)
• Flash #44 (November 1990): “Balance Sheet,” William Messner-Loebs (cameo)
• Flash #51 (June 1991): “Rage of the Proletariat,” William Messner-Loebs
• Flash #55 (October 1991): “To Race With Gods,” William Messner-Loebs
• Flash #108 (December 1995): “Dead Heat Part 1: Flatfooted,” Mark Waid

Notes

*Red Trinity’s entry is the only page in the entire issue without art credits. The signature, however, reads “LaRocque/Letterio.” I know who Greg LaRocque is because he pencilled Flash for about five years (and it looks like his style). Thanks to Jeanine for pointing out that Vince Letterio was an inker at DC around this time.

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