Marcus Cameron has issues. As a fireman, he already has the qualifications of a superhero with his ability to run towards danger, when the natural response is to flee. He’s trained to help people. But Marcus is also Titan, who has the ability to absorb limitless energy. It’s a cool power to have, but it doesn’t take away the troubles in his personal life. As a recovering alcoholic who is divorced from the love of his life and fighting to see his kids, Marcus must try to find a balance between hero and human being.
Issue one of ‘Titan’ has Marcus struggling in all aspects of his life. As a result of helping save the planet, he’s seen as a pariah by both his fellow firemen and superheroes. His rogue gallery consists of the antichrist and a scientist who’s put a hit out on him. Then there’s the court system. It’s difficult to say to family court that you missed a child visit because Lucifer and his minions are trying to take over Sky city. When he’s out saving his metropolis he gets it from other costumed heroes. But that’s what Marcus is faced with. Writer Tony Kittrell is portraying not only a man who is newly discovering how to be a hero but, someone, who for the first time is trying to live up to not being a stereotypical black man. He wants to be the father his kids can look up to the way children look up to Titan. The tension continues in issue two as the Mauler attempts to fulfill his contract, by killing Titan. It leads to a few shocking and comical moments. Just when you think it’s going to go one way, it completely flips. As a result Marcus goes into temporary seclusion. Still, he can’t stop the world from being out to get him or finding unwanted allies.
Essentially, the villains in both issues don’t stay with formulaic patterns. The antichrist owns a fortune 500 company and Mauler uses his brain. The plan he strategizes is worthy of the ‘Who Shot Jr.?’ cliffhanger in the 1980’s. Conversely, consistency is key in the artwork and with Austin Brooks overseeing issue one and Pow Rodrix on issue two the look, along with the attitudes of all the characters gives the reader a realistic setting. You can see how a city block can be obliterated by a super-powered fight, then have the residents try to figure out how to live amidst the rubble. Or their anger in having to pick up the pieces.
What readers can take away from Advent Comics’ ‘Titan: The Ultra Man’ is that he, like everyone else, is trying to figure out this thing called life. We all may try to be the best parent, or the best at our professions, but we can’t be the best of who we are for everyone at the same time. In an entertaining and difficult way, Marcus is learning how the life of a hero may not leave room for being a dad.
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