Tales of the Teen Titans #46
Published and © by DC, September 1984
Title: “Showdown!”
Synopsis: The Teen Titans take the fight to H.I.V.E. under the Atlantic – but all is not as it seems.
Writers (co-plotters): Marv Wolfman and George Pérez
Writer (script): Wolfman
Penciler: Pérez
Artist (finisher): Mike DeCarlo
Review: There’s nothing wrong with this issue of the Teen Titans, but a sense of “been there, done that” has settled in during the aftermath of “The Judas Contract.” The subplot about Raven’s struggles and the team fretting over their inability to help her has been playing out since the title’s inception. And the ongoing battle with H.I.V.E. has been dragging on almost as long. (What is H.I.V.E.’S actual purpose again? Besides jousting with the Titans and keeping henchmen employed?) This is still high-level superhero storytelling but it’s starting to feel like a rerun.
Grade: B+
Cool factor: The new H.I.V.E. Master is rather fun. Her flighty-but-deadly demeanor is off-putting and rather terrifying.
Not-so-cool factor: Would you like Raven as a teammate? Would you really?
Notable: Guest-starring Aqualad and Aquagirl.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 95¢ Canadian variant of this issue. … According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant.
Character quotable: “We have avoided discussing Terra’s death or even the fact that she was a quizling.” – Raven, probably not the best group therapist, but still …
Editor’s note: This review was written Sept. 10, 2025.
