Terrifics #24: Apocalypse Factory!

“The One Where Bizarro Screws Up Time” has reached its conclusion in Terrifics #24! This issue is a wild ride to say the least, but amid the chaos we also find one of the most shocking and epic developments surrounding the team so far. Ms. Terrific can soar through time!

While the issue starts rather predictably with the team’s arrival at the end of time, it doesn’t take long for the wacky twists and turns this series has done so well to make their way into the story. With the return of Noosphere giving them additional time through an extended simulation, we see the Terrifics and the Terribles both fight against visualizations of the end time like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. This continues the long-lasting fight on into the final issue, but it also sets up one hell of a final act.

While the two teams battle it out in the end times, Ms. T who was displaced through time in the prior issues makes her angelic return. With wings that can fly all over history and a sword that can cleave time itself, the time problems the team finds themselves in give way rather quickly. Her new powers are convenient, maybe a bit too convenient, but they are just AWESOME. It makes for an epic sci-fi twist to the arc that really adds to how enjoyable the issue really is.

All of these developments are made grand by the spectacular visuals as well. The panel layout remains a bit to scattered for my own liking, but it’s easy to see how even that plays into the overall aesthetic. Due to By the time we reach the arrival of Ms. T, the visuals explode with vivid brilliance, ending the arc on a true high note.

While the end of time concept has certainly been done before, this issue takes the premise in new directions with a fourth wall breaking element steeped in whimsy. It has been slightly more tedious than necessary to reach this point, but the payoff is 100% worthwhile. This team’s unique quirkiness and Doom Patrol-level escapades have helped this book to stand out, and Terrifics #24 is a prime example of why this series has outlasted all of the other New Age of Heroes books.

If you didn’t keep up with this rather bizarre arc, be sure to stay on the lookout for the collected trade edition. It’s well worth any DC fan’s collection!