The Boys (comics)
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The following work contains material and themes that may include coarse language, sexual references, and/or graphic violent images that may disturb some viewers. Mature articles are recommended for those who are 18 years of age or above. If you are 18 years old or above, or are comfortable with mature content, you are free to view this page; otherwise, you should close this page and view another one. Reader discretion is advised. |
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The Boys is an American comic book series created by writer Garth Ennis and artist Darick Robertson, spanning 72 issues between 2006 to 2012. Serving as a deconstruction of the superhero genre, the plot follows a secret CIA group that targets superheroes who have been corrupted by their celebrity status and committed acts of evil without consequences.
Why It Rocks
- Though written by Garth Ennis, who made the infamously mean-spirited Crossed series, this one is a direct antithesis of that series in just about every way, maintaining a level of sex and violence while being entertaining because of it and not feeling exploitative or mean-spirited.
- Instead of focusing on violence or darkness, the series has a darkly hilarious tone, with more focus on comical aspects at times. For example, one story has a character called the Tek-Knight, basically a technologically advanced version of Batman, who has sex with just about any orifice he sees and cannot control his own actions, which is just plain hilarious.
- The superheroes are self-aware knockoffs of popular ones, only they're clearly villains, like Homelander, who's Superman if he exploited his powers to get what he wants and engage in violent acts without fear of being punished or defeated.
- Fantastic and unique artwork throughout.
- Likeable characters, all of the Boys, Hughie, Billy Butcher, Mother's Milk, Frenchie, and The Woman, have their own quirks (no MHA pun intended) and are very interesting and well-developed. They also contribute to a lot of the humor in the series, like Billy's violent and self-destructive nature, Mother's Milk's anal retentiveness and germaphobia, Hughie's inexperience about the world, and the relationship between Frenchie and The Woman that belies their violent-when-provoked nature.
- Not all the heroes are evil, say like Starlight for example, who's the only one of the Seven that's morally straight and doesn't stand for her co-worker's corruption.
- Shows much more restraint with its imagery, making it clear as to what's happening, but not showing sex graphically in any way and also having violence that avoids feeling overly brutal.
- The TV adaptation, though it had to tone down the content a little, still maintains the dark hilarity that made the comic great and also goes off on its own interesting path while still being faithful to the source material.
- The series is separated into interesting story arcs, which makes the series easy to follow.
- Interesting social commentary on a lot of contemporary issues, like homophobia, corrupt church organizations, illegal experimentation, and the like, which all fit in surprisingly well with the overall plot thanks to the overtly satirical writing.
- Funny and clever dialogue.
- Lots of spin-offs by Garth Ennis himself (albeit with different artists).
Bad Qualities
- While not Ennis's most messed up work (that dishonor goes to Crossed), some parts can still be a little much for an unprepared reader.
- Some sex scenes feel unnecessary, even in context.
- Black Noir's identity as Homelander's clone in issue 65 was rather anticlimatic, and only exists to reveal who Black Noir really is.
- Six words: The Infamous Homelander eating a baby.
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