This is a dark, violent tale which reads more like a crime story than a superhero adventure. Captain Cold, Weather Wizard, Heat Wave and the new Trickster are being hunted by the villain Libra who is trying to recruit them as part of is big FINAL CRISIS scheme. He lures the villains out into the open by pitting them against a younger group of bad guys who have taken the old gimmicks of the Flash rogues. Well, we all knew the originals would make short work of the new guys but to see them do it with such viciousness is rather shocking. And yet, every one of the rogues remains true to their past characterizations. The story and art just make it clear that they have always been this dangerous. They have just been pushed to extremes.

This issue isn't all just violence and gore. More details behind Libra's plot are revealed and more surprises are sprung upon the reader. More amazingly, this rather complicated scheme actually makes sense. One almost wishes the actual FINAL CRISIS story was written with such clarity.

The art helps build the tension and adds to the atmosphere of sordid desperation while still making the story easy to follow. It is rare to see such detailed art that isn't "shiney" or confusing. All in all, this miniseries contributes greatly to the FINAL CRISIS event while standing on its own as an exciting tale and a turning point in the lives of its leading characters.