Review by Ian Keogh

Over two previous collections Sean McKeever has made considerable changes to the Teen Titans membership, with several departures, and so far only Blue Beetle as a replacement. McKeever’s played fair by not instantly dismissing the cast he inherited, but the losses continue over what in places is a horrifying opening chapter following on from On the Clock in presenting further departures. There’s greater horror in the following chapter as McKeever reconfigures the villain Bombshell, giving her more than enough motivation to go postal.

Eddy Barrows is again the primary artist, and his enthusiasm for superhero action is along the lines of Ed McGuinness, big and bold, which in most respects is ideal, but he’s a bit too keen on brutality, which the sample art typifies. Much trouble is caused by a dog early on, and the version Barrows designs is a terrifying beast, but as before, character scenes aren’t his strength, and emotions are always cranked right up. A few other artists are involved, but as this collection’s not monopolised by one big story that isn’t a great problem. Allan Goldman on the final chapter’s not very good at drawing people, but his layouts work, while Fernando Dagnino’s second story improves on his first, an atmospheric solo beginning in Hell for old Titans foe Brother Blood confronting his demons.

While the remainder of the book is the usual solid superhero deal from McKeever, the final three chapters really come alive. He delves into the deal Kid Devil, Red Devil now, made with Neron, returns Kid Eternity to the living and via him arranges a series of cameos bound to appeal. If you’ve any plans to read the Terror Titans graphic novel it’s probably better read before the final chapter, which deals with the fallout and continues the theme of bolstering the Titans membership. By the end there’s a new line-up selected from dozens just in time for Deathtrap.

There’s always something interesting going on in McKeever’s Teen Titans, the stories constructed skilfully around their characters, and even if the art’s not always what you’d want it to be, McKeever’s good enough to raise the ranking above average.