New Teen Titans #30 (1983)

Phobia wakes up and forces the teens to face their worst fears, before she and the rest of the Brotherhood take them out… take a lock of Fran’s hair… and take their leave.

We shift to a ratty apartment in Brooklyn where Terra had been held against her will by the terrorists.  Gar is less than impressed with the digs, and isn’t all that shy about it… he asks Terra why she didn’t just use her powers against her captors, and she sidesteps the question… before debuting her new and improved superhero costume.

Terra asks if Gar thinks she’s “Titans material”, and he’s too afflicted with puppy love to notice how pushy she’s getting on the subject… instead he’s just like… it’s not my call, doll.

We join Robin, Starfire and District Attorney Adrian Chase as they enter the television set for Bethany Snow’s news program “Snow Storm”.  She requested an audience with them, and they cannot help but think they’re about to climb right into a spider’s web.  Inside, they are taken aback by Snow’s change of heart when it comes to the Church of Brother Blood.  She’s now opposed to them and terrified for her own safety.

She begins sharing damning photographs of what goes on beyond the walls of the church, when a gunman begins firing into the studio.  Starfire gives chase, but to no avail.  At this point, Snow is frantic, and swears that she’ll spill the beans so long as she’s protected.

We shift scenes to Cyborg.  He’s visiting his “friend” Sarah from the Special School… boy is he surprised when it’s not Sarah but her fiance Mark who answers the door.  Vic never knew Sarah was even involved with somebody else, and after a few moments of uncomfortable banter he excuses himself.  As he heads across town he blames himself for misreading Sarah’s signals… mistaking her complete acceptance of him as something more.

We briefly return to observe Adrian Chase deliver Bethany Snow safely back to her apartment.  She enters alone, to find a member of Brother Blood’s church waiting for her.  Snow smiles, and informs her “sister” that they “bought” it.

Back at the Tower, the Titans assemble.  Speedy shares what had gone down between the Brotherhood and Raven.  Gar gleefully introduces the team to their newest member… Terra.  You can almost feel about a dozen eyes roll at once.  Robin gives her the “you can come along, but don’t break anything” treatment… and makes mention of Wonder Girl’s absence.


Where oh where can Donna be?  Why, she’s getting ready to dine at the famous Rainbow Room with her special friend, Terry Long.  He promises this will be a night to remember, and I can feel the pastrami sandwich I had for lunch rising in my throat.

Next up, Raven.  She is at St. Patrick’s Cathedral… which is a strange place for her, indeed.  She is approached by a Priest who offers to help her, even though she refers to herself as “Satan’s Daughter”.  Their conversation is cut short by the sudden appearance of the Brotherhood of Evil.  Phobia challenges Raven to “take it outside”, as fighting in a house of worship is a bridge too far, even for a supervillain team with “Evil” in their name.

Back at the Tower, the Titans are watching the “big ball” descend in Time Square on this New Year’s Eve.  Terra and Gar watch as the globe hits the sign… and nothing happens!  Does that mean it’s still 1982?

Moments later, Raven’s soul-self emerges from the sign… finally illuminating the big 1-9-8-3.  Happy New Year, Titans… hope you survive the yadda yadda yadda.  At that moment, the Brotherhood’s hit the streets… amid the thousands of New Yorkers ringing in the new year.  Trouble’s a brewin’…

Luckily, the Titans are quickly on the scene.  The battle is pretty even, with both teams getting in some good shots on the other.  It isn’t until Frances Kane makes her presence felt, using her magnetic powers to wrap a water pipe around Phobia.

Phobia realizes trying to mess with Kane’s mind may not be in her best interests at the moment… and instead heightens the fear levels of several thousand New Yorkers!  Pretty solid escape plan, if I do say so!  The Titans weave their way through the crowd, as Robin begs Starfire not to do anything stupid… I love it!

We wrap up our issue by checking in with Donna and Terry… and it happens… Terry presents Ms. Troy with a diamond, and pops the question.