Review by Ian Keogh

A problem with meeting your future counterparts as the Titans did in Titans of Tomorrow is that anything negative they let slip about their future sticks in the mind. Even if they’re proved to be murderous scumbags it’s very difficult to shake the nagging feelings about what may or may not be true. Sean McKeever exploits this well over the starting pages, with Miss Martian particularly affected, using it to widen divisions between team members and inflate some negative tendencies.

It leads to a good chapter exploring Kid Devil’s insecurities and how he tries to compensate, and that leads to the main challenge, a group of villains gathered by Clock King, here given a much-needed redesign by primary artist Eddy Barrows. Each succeeding chapter moves the bigger story forward while throwing another of the Titans into the spotlight. Some villains used to bring out their worse characteristics are on the lame side, but their purpose is largely as cannon fodder.

There aren’t as many artists as last time round, but three over six chapters is hardly anything to boast about. Eddy Barrows draws half the book, not great on any kind of subtlety, but delivering the action in the type of widescreen moments that stand the test of time. Jamal Igle on the opening chapter is fine as always, while Carlos Rodriguez is promising, but stylised.

In addition to ensuring the personalities of the Titans dictate their actions, McKeever also characterises the villains effectively, with a self-deluded Clock King shining, if too melodramatic at times. There’s a conclusion of sorts, but much more plays out in the pages of the connected Terror Titans graphic novel.

On the Clock ends with Blue Beetle and Kid Devil arguing rather than teaming, in what’s not a greatly convincing exploration of Kid Devil’s continuing insecurities. It’s a disappointing conclusion to what’s otherwise a page-turning collection, although the final pages come together. Changing of the Guard follows.