Random TV Show Review - The Boys (Seasons 1-2)

Outside of the traditional superhero story, we've come to know and enjoy superhero stories that are a bit different. Some explore the consequences of a superhero's actions and others pit them against one another. This is why I enjoy the stories that are different to the norm. It allows for great storytelling and gives us something different and original instead of the usual hero comes to save the day kind of story. Now The Boys is based on what is arguably a highly controversial comic book series that was once published by DC under their Wildstorm imprint. While I haven't read the comics as such, I am aware of its existence due to the popularity that this TV series has had. So let's take a look:

Season 1

The world we are introduced to is one where the superpowered heroes are recognized by the general public and work for some kind of "evil" corporation that monetizes and markets them as genuine heroes. But outside of their public image, these people are nothing more than arrogant and corrupt individuals. The series focuses on two teams of people. The first is The Seven who are the premier superpowered team working for this "evil" corporation. The other is the titular Boys who are a group of vigilantes working to bring an end to The Seven, motivated by the leader Billy Butcher (played by Karl Urban) wanting revenge for the death of his wife at the hands of the Seven's leader Homelander (played by Antony Starr) or so he claims. The first season depicts the initial conflict between the two teams who at first are unaware of each others' existence, but soon things start to happen to put them against one another. It's clear from the get go that Homelander combines Superman and Captain America together, but twists the values and principles they have to make this guy pretty antagonistic and someone you want to hate. The other "heroes" also very clearly look like twisted versions of the more heroic characters DC and Marvel would typically have. It's a good series that makes us question who the real heroes are and should we as the general public be in awe of them or be afraid of them. Well we don't know yet, but it's good that a series like this is making me question that. 9/10

 

Season 2

Following the last season, The Boys are now wanted criminals by the government. But nevertheless, continue their efforts to bring down the evil corporation while Butcher learns that his wife may in fact still be alive and the Seven fight for world domination. This season manages to up the ante on the action and development of its complicated characters while making us lean towards one side over the other. The more I watch, the more I realize that superheroes are still not as good as they may seem to make out. But another great season and I look forward to seeing the third when that arrives. 9/10

I would go as far as to say that any superhero story that goes against the norm and makes us question everything, are without a doubt the best stories. Perhaps better than what DC and Marvel bring out, though those two giants also explore those things as well. Guess superhero stories have come a long way now that the genre is more mainstream in all media these days. 9/10