This trilogy closer sends Keeper, sidekick Toby Boggs, and distracted (if ever resourceful) associate Y into a series of misadventures after they agree to help recover an important but fragmented message. Though returning fans of the series might find the joke has worn a bit thin, they’ll still enjoy seeing what offbeat powers the author can concoct for the members of her rival but not very different organizations: H.E.R.O. and E.V.I.L. (for example, Y’s mom turns out to be Vogue, a superhero with fashion powers). Readers also see supposed villain Keeper, whose developing skill is perfectly evident to everyone except him, save the day again and again. Meanwhile, narrow escapes, high-speed chases, and other potentially hazardous situations lead to a violent, if nonfatal, fracas with some ominous new players—one with a chilling ability to authoritatively spout incorrect facts (“the capital of Vermont is Burlington”). Y’s laudably persistent efforts to corner Keeper into a prom invite provide material for soul searching, personal sacrifice, real suspense and, at last, an upbeat epilogue. The cast largely presents white.
