Summary        

     Getting old is bad enough, but what if you were a beloved, world-famous superhero who must come to terms with the fact that you are approaching retirement?  Finding himself nearing the end of his career, stuck in the middle of a love triangle involving two younger heroes, still suffering from the heartache of the breakup with the love of his life, and ridden with guilt over the loss of previous super-students, The Patriot faces his greatest threat yet. 

     An old nemesis has returned and is poised to use a brand new energy source in a twisted crusade to save the human race... even if it means destroying the planet in the process.  His plans have been in effect for decades, and the threat he presents is far beyond anything The Patriot has faced before.  In response, The Patriot has no choice but to form, and learn to rely on, a new team of young heroes.

Notes About The Characters

The Patriot:

     This character and I go way back.  I created him when I was 12, and he has gone through many transformations and name changes.  In 1989, he made his debut in the first issue from Massena Comics under a different moniker.  I never really felt that his former name truly reflected his spirit. 

     In the stories that ran in the 90’s, he might have been classified as bi-polar, going from happy-go-lucky and free-spirited to volatile and violent to very somber and sullen in a blink of an eye.  His outbursts of rage earned him the nickname “The Mad Man.”  Now, however, he is mostly serious and moody with a greater sense of self-control.  It was a series of very traumatic events, both professional and personal, that brought about these changes.  In many ways, he was forced to grow up.  It is through our experiences that we, as human beings evolve, so it is only natural that the characters will evolve as well.

Ghost:

     Sandy Whitfield is a reflection of what The Patriot used to be: a fun and jovial prankster with a lot of passion, hope, and optimism.  She provides a stark contrast between who The Patriot is and who he used to be.

Future-Shock:

     If Sandy is a reflection of the past, Future-Shock is the presage of things to come.  The inspiration for this character comes from a book of the same name that was written in the 1970’s by Alvin Toffler.  It deals with the stresses in industry, family, and personal existence due to rapid technological advancement. 

     For The Patriot, Future-Shock is a sign of what’s to come and what is needed to deal with the new generation of villain.  He represents a future where The Patriot is obsolete and no longer useful or needed. 

     For the reader, Future-Shock presents a big mystery.  But I have big plans for this character that are only touched on in Situation Critical.  Being a savior is new to him, and he truly has no idea how powerful he is and what he can do.  I am very excited to see him evolve.

Brandon “Brouha” Mauvais:

     He used to be the self-centered jerk who’d just as soon cut your throat to get one step ahead.  That mentality has made him a very powerful man as Chief Executive Officer of Tech-Troxx Chemicals and Designs. But as he has aged, he has mellowed quite a bit.  Now, he’s a really nice guy who is simply mislead.  I always thought the most realistic villains were those who either think they are doing what is right or at least think they are justified in their actions.  For Mauvais, he honestly thinks he’s saving the human race.  His actions, though, are only carrying out someone else’s hidden agenda… an agenda that will lead to humanity’s ultimate extinction.

     In Massena Comics’ fifth issue, Mauvais ordered his employees to bury his company’s toxic waste near a popular playground.

The Pile-Driver:

     A mercenary-for-hire, he has strong ties to The Patriot’s past.  His armor allows him to repel any object, large or small, living or inanimate, with great and deadly force… just like The Patriot pushes away anyone who tries to get close.  He’s the villain that could never be defeated; he was just too powerful. 

     Readers of Massena Comics will instantly recognize this character from the second issue where he murdered The Patriot’s mother right before his eyes. 

Magmatars:

     Powerful, brainless, and fueled by anger, hatred, and intense pain, they are the personification of horror and destruction.  Once again, they mirror the violent outbursts of rage The Patriot was known for in the early days.  In fact, some of Situation Critical comes out of an unused short story I once wrote about a Magmatar titled “The Man, The Myth & The Monster.”  All three parts of the title actually referred to The Patriot.

     Massena Comics fans will recall a past Magmatar from the first issue of Massena Comics where it was called “Monster X.”

Knock-Out:

     He’s the beloved savior that met the tragic ending.  He’s the reminder of how things can go seriously wrong.  He was the leader of the F.I.S.T. (Federally-Deputized Indestructible Superhero Team), a world-famous government-sanctioned super-group.  In his absence, the rest of the team was wiped out by the Pile-Driver.  He’s the sole survivor.  It’s one of those situations where he is doomed to wonder ,‘What would have happened if I had been there?’  Would his friends have survived or would he have died with them?   There’s only so long a man can live with that kind of cloud hanging over him all the time, and then he’s going to crack.

     Massena Comics fans will recognize Knock-Out and his team from the third issue of Massena Comics.  The team was wiped out in Book II of Massena Comics’ two-issue limited series “Inner Evil.”

Senator Matthew Walker:

     He’s many things to The Patriot: an anchor, helping to keep him emotionally grounded; the watchdog that oversees his federal position as a peacekeeper; a father figure; counselor; and friend wrapped up in one. 

     Back in the days of Massena Comics, this role was filled by a local political figure.  I felt for the purposes of this story, it was important to develop a fictional character as a replacement.  I really can’t discuss the character any further without divulging how he plays into the plot of Situation Critical.