Fans are waiting for the next “The Boys” episode, but let’s not forget it started in comics. The1 comic series ran for 72 issues from 2006 to 2012. It also had spin-off miniseries2. The TV show’s gritty take on superheroes is different from the comic’s ending.
In Altoona, Pennsylvania, friends talk about comic book news. Sarah, a huge “The Boys” fan, is excited about the finale. She leans in, her eyes shining.
“The comic book ending is different from the show,” Sarah says. “The3 comics ran from 2006 to 2012. The ending is bold and unexpected. It changes everything.”
Key Takeaways
- The original “The Boys” comic series spanned 72 issues from 2006 to 2012, with definitive ends for characters like Homelander and The Seven12.
- The comic’s ending involves the shutdown of official superhero groups and the use of chemical weapons to eliminate Compound V from the gene pool3.
- In the comics, Homelander is defeated by a combination of the military and his clone, Black Noir, rather than the drawn-out conflict seen in the TV series3.
- The TV adaptation of “The Boys” has deviated significantly from the source material, leaving the ending uncertain for viewers1.
- The “Boys: Dear Becky” epilogue series provided additional closure to the comic book storyline1.
Homelander’s Downfall and the Death of Superheroes
In the thrilling conclusion of the Boys comic series, Homelander, the seemingly unkillable terror, faces a sudden and unexpected demise4. His death comes at the hands of his own secret weapon, Black Noir, a more powerful Homelander clone4. Homelander’s failed coup, lasting less than a day, shows his immaturity and insignificance compared to the more complex villains in the series4.
Homelander’s Unhinged Rampage and Coup Attempt
As Homelander’s grip on reality slips, he descends into an unhinged rampage, blacking out and committing horrific crimes that he cannot remember4. This instability pushes him to act more violently when he is “in control.”4 Homelander eventually organizes a massive army of superhumans and storms the White House, killing the president4.
The Final Battle and the Fall of The Seven
The U.S. Military, armed with weapons designed to kill Supes, annihilates Homelander’s army4. It is then revealed that Black Noir, Homelander’s secret clone, has been the one committing the atrocities and sending Homelander photos of his crimes4. Noir kills Homelander, but is then gunned down by the military and ultimately killed by Butcher4. With Homelander and Black Noir dead, the only surviving members of The Seven are The Deep and Starlight, both of whom go into hiding4.
Butcher, not satisfied with the outcome, discovers a new strain of Compound V that can remotely kill any superhumans who’ve taken it. To prevent them from stopping him, Butcher kills the remaining members of The Boys, including Frenchie, The Female, and Mother’s Milk4. Hughie tries to stop Butcher, leading to a confrontation on the Empire State Building, where Butcher is paralyzed, and Hughie ultimately kills him4.
The Boys comic portrays Homelander as an unkillable terror with the maturity of a teenager, and his death being anticlimactic but fitting4. The final defeat of Homelander is quick and lacks grandeur, contrasting with his perceived invincibility throughout the series4. The Amazon series The Boys will need to ensure that Homelander’s TV show death mirrors the uneventful demise portrayed in the comics4.
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| First Appearance | Homelander made his first appearance in The Boys comic series in October 20065. |
| Death | Homelander’s death occurred in The Boys Issue 655. |
| Race | Homelander is identified as a Caucasian-American5. |
| Superhuman Abilities | Homelander was experimented on with Compound V before birth, leading to the development of several superhuman abilities5. |
| 9/11 Incident | During the 9/11 Incident, Homelander and the Seven were involved in a rescue mission that resulted in further casualties due to his actions5. |
| Weaknesses | Homelander’s weaknesses include psychological and biological vulnerabilities5. |
| Abilities | There is a mention of Homelander’s ability to hear heartbeats as an indicator of emotions5. |
| Political Involvement | Homelander had a conversation with James Stillwell regarding potential leaks to the White House, indicating a level of political involvement5. |
| Truce with The Boys | Homelander was involved in setting up a truce with The Boys to prevent a conflict between the Seven and the CIA5. |
“Homelander’s death is a fitting end to his character – an anticlimactic and uneventful demise that underscores his true insignificance in the grand scheme of things.”
How Does the Boys Comic End?
As we wait for the end of “The Boys” TV series, it’s interesting to see how the comic book ends6. The comic will end with its fifth season, Eric Kripke shared on social media6. The TV show has changed some things, like character stories and plot twists6. But the finale of seasons 4 and 5 might still surprise us6.
In the comic, Homelander is even crazier than on TV6. Butcher’s plan involves betrayal and violence, leading to big changes for The Boys6. The story ends with Hughie and Annie together, and Vought’s superheroes falling apart6.
The comic’s ending is different from the TV show in many ways6. For example, The Boys all take Compound V, causing big problems6. The TV show also killed off characters like Black Noir in season 36.
| Comic Ending | TV Adaptation |
|---|---|
| Homelander is depicted as more unhinged6 | Homelander’s portrayal is slightly less extreme6 |
| Butcher’s complex plan involves betrayal and violence6 | The Boys team’s dynamics and conflicts may differ6 |
| Hughie ends up with Annie6 | The fate of the characters may diverge6 |
| Vought’s superhero division crumbles6 | The handling of Compound V may vary6 |
As “The Boys” finale gets closer, fans are excited to see the TV creators’ take on the ending6. The comic gives a special view, but the TV show will likely offer a thrilling twist6.
The Aftermath and Dear Becky Epilogue
The world was left reeling after Homelander’s rampage in The Boys comic series7. The public lost faith in superheroes, and the CIA worked to stop any comeback7. Even those who created the superhero world knew it was over7.
The Dear Becky epilogue, set a decade after the main series, wraps up The Boys’ story8. Hughie goes on a final mission to uncover the Boys’ origins7. The story shows that, though superhumans still exist, the public no longer trusts them7.
After Homelander’s fall, Butcher aimed to get rid of anyone with Compound V, except Hughie9. Superhero teams disbanded as they were no longer seen as heroes9. Homelander’s death, at the hands of a clone, changed how people saw superhumans9.
| Key Details | Description |
|---|---|
| The Boys Comic Series | The Boys comic series by Garth Ennis ran from 2006 to 2012, spanning 72 issues8. |
| The TV Adaptation | The TV adaptation of The Boys was announced in 2016 and aired on Amazon Prime Video in 20198. |
| The Sequel Series | The sequel series, The Boys: Dear Becky, started in June 2020, set 12 years after the original comic8. |
| The Board Game | In late 2020, 1First Games conducted a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund The Boys: This Is Going To Hurt The Board Game8. |
The public’s trust in superheroes was broken, leading to the end of superhero teams9. Hughie took on Butcher’s mission to eliminate Compound V users9. The sequel comic Dear Becky shows a world a decade later, where heroes are no more9.
The Boys comic series and its aftermath delve into the dark side of superheroes8. Homelander’s actions and the end of the superhero industry have lasting effects9.
Conclusion
The end of The Boys comic series is both definitive and compelling. It ensures that no superhero like Homelander will ever gain power again10. The comics show a harsh end to the superhero era, unlike the TV series that still explores their complex relationship with the public11.
The ending of the comics makes it clear that the superhero era is over. This solidifies The Boys’ legacy as a harsh critique of the genre.
The epilogue, “The Boys: Dear Becky,” reinforces this idea. It suggests that no evil superhero like Homelander will return, hinting at a future without them10. The world in The Boys is determined to prevent superpowered beings from gaining too much power. This ensures a future where they can’t dominate like Homelander did10.
As the comic storyline blends with the TV series, we can expect a new but fitting ending. This will delve deeper into the superhero mythos and The Boys’ lasting vision.
In summary, The Boys comic series ends with a thought-provoking conclusion. It cements its status as a groundbreaking exploration of the superhero genre and its societal impact1110. The ending leaves a lasting impression, making readers question the role of heroes in today’s society.
FAQ
How does the Boys comic end?
What happens to the members of The Seven in the comics?
How does Homelander become increasingly unhinged in the comics?
How does the final battle play out in the comics?
What happens after Homelander and Black Noir’s deaths?
What happens in the Dear Becky epilogue?
Source Links
- How Does The Boys Comic End? – Looper – https://www.looper.com/1587392/the-boys-comic-book-series-ending-explained/
- The Boys (comics) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boys_(comics)
- Why ‘The Boys’ Should End the Same Way as the Comics – https://collider.com/the-boys-comics-ending/
- The Boys’ Homelander Death Is Perfect Because It Refuses to Respect Him – https://screenrant.com/boys-how-homelander-dies-black-noir-kill-meaning/
- Homelander/Comics – https://the-boys.fandom.com/wiki/Homelander/Comics
- How Far Will Prime Video’s ‘The Boys’ Stray From the Comic Book Ending? – https://www.themarysue.com/the-boys-comic-ending-explained/
- How Does The Boys End in the Comics? – https://www.escapistmagazine.com/how-does-the-boys-end-in-the-comics/
- The Boys – TV Tropes – https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/ComicBook/TheBoys
- What Happens To Homelander At The End Of The Boys Comic Book Series – SlashFilm – https://www.slashfilm.com/1672317/homelander-the-boys-comic-book-series-ending/
- The Boys’ Ending Shows Why There’ll Never Be Another Homelander – https://screenrant.com/boys-ending-explained-homelander-butcher-hughie/
- The Boys Comics Ending Explained – https://beebom.com/the-boys-comics-ending/