Warning: The following contains SPOILERS for Titans season 4, episode 5, "Inside Man."A curious scene in The Boys share one major character trait in common. Superheroes are big business and The Boys has taken a generous amount of satirical jabs at how heroes are used as crass marketing tools both within its own fictional setting and in the real world. It seems this is also true in Titans, where Superman may be closer in temperament to Homelander than most depictions, especially considering other information Titans season 4 has revealed about its Man of Steel.
The Titans are keeping Joseph Morgan's Sebastian Sanger hidden from Church of Blood leader Mother Mayhem in Titans season 4, episode 5, "Inside Man." Sebastian takes shelter with Raven in a special panic room at STAR Labs, and the hideout is stocked with Superman-branded board games and jigsaw puzzles. This prompts Raven to remark on how Nightwing "really needs to talk to someone about the Titans' merchandising," adding that she can barely find a mug with their picture on it, let alone the variety of swag sporting Superman's logo. The glut of Superman-themed merchandise and Raven's comment are both highly reminiscent of how superheroes are portrayed in The Boys.
Who Makes Money From Superman's Merch In Titans?
While Raven's remark in Titans season 4, episode 5 is made largely in jest, the scene does raise questions regarding how superhero merchandising is handled on Earth-9. This subject invites further comparison to The Boys, where Homelander and the Seven are deeply invested in the marketing of their brand, getting into heated boardroom arguments over earnings. This sort of business seems completely out of character for most incarnations of Superman, who offers his help freely without trying to profit financially off his powers and image. It would also be impossible for Superman to copyright his logo or trademark his name without revealing his secret identity.
In DC comic lore, Superman had the foresight to establish a non-profit charity that handles the business of managing his likeness rights. Superman #674 revealed this when Clark Kent discussed how embarrassing it was buying merchandise with his face on to decorate a young boy's bedroom. He comforted himself with the knowledge that the "license fees do go to charity, after all." It is unclear whether the Titans version of Superman has made similar arrangements, but the money from the Man of Steel's licensed gear going to charitable causes makes more sense than landing in Kal-El's pocket.
Titans Season 4 Proves The Boys Was Right About Heroes
Regardless of how he markets himself, Titans' Superman may not be the paragon of virtue he is in DC comics. When Raven and Sebastian first enter the STAR Labs panic room, Bernard notes that both Superman and John Constantine tried and failed to breach the bunker. Precisely why Superman would need to break into a STAR Labs facility is not explained, although it is possible both heroes agreed to help test the room's safeguards. This seems likely given that Titans season 4 already confirmed Superman works with STAR Labs scientists, and a statue of Superman sits in front of the building.
With STAR Labs already having Kryptonite-powered safeguards in place to hold Superboy after he was arrested for the murder of Lex Luthor, however, it is possible that Superman might endure an antagonistic relationship with the authorities of the Titans universe. This makes it more plausible that Titans' version of Superman, like Homelander, might be profiting off his likeness, if only for publicity purposes. Whether it be Superman having his own brand or Raven wishing she could sell more t-shirts and mugs, Titans season 4 proves The Boys is absolutely right about the slippery relationship between superheroes and commercialism.
Titans continues Thursday on HBO Max.