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The Boys (comic book)
Encyclopedia
The Boys is an American creator-owned comic book
series
, written by Garth Ennis
and illustrated by Darick Robertson
. It was originally published by Wildstorm
before moving to Dynamite Entertainment
.
The series is set in a contemporary world where superheroes exist. However, most of the superheroes in the series' universe are corrupted by their celebrity
status and often engage in reckless behavior, compromising the safety of the world. For this reason, a superpowered CIA squad, known informally as "The Boys", is charged with monitoring the superhero community.
Ennis has said that the series will "out-Preacher Preacher", presumably referring to the extreme violence and sexuality that were that series' hallmark. In an interview, published in 2010 November, Ennis stated that the series may last up to 72 issues.
, starting in 2006. On January 24, 2007, the series was abruptly canceled with issue 6. Ennis later explained that this was because DC Comics (of whom Wildstorm was an imprint before it was dissbanded) were uneasy with the anti-superhero tone of the work. The planned collection of said issues was also canceled. Robertson said that "DC is being good about reverting our rights so we can find a new publisher and we're in the process of doing that now". Ennis then released a statement some other publishers had expressed interest, and that issue 7 and a trade
of the first six issues would be available. While Darick Robertson is on exclusive contract to DC, he has been given special dispensation to continue working on The Boys. In February 2007 the series was picked up by Dynamite Entertainment
and it resumed in May. A collected edition of the first six issues was also published by Dynamite, with a foreword by Simon Pegg
.
In February 2009 Dynamite announced a spin-off mini-series Herogasm, with art from John McCrea
, who Ennis has worked with numerous times before, and Keith Burns, a friend of McCrea's who has said "Keith's strengths are my weaknesses and vice versa." The series is The Boys version of the big 'event' storylines but, according to Ennis "while we're having a pop at the notion of mass crossovers within a shared universe, we're not picking on 'Crisis
' or 'Secret Wars
' or 'Countdown
' or whatever in particular." The idea for the mini-series came about because the first part of the story does not involve the team and focuses on the superheroes, but will have an impact on the main series:
, New York
. There, Butcher reveals that their first mission is to intimidate teen superhero group Teenage Kix. The Boys spy on the group, gathering dirt on each of its members. Butcher sends them surveillance images and a note telling them that he will expose all of them to the media if they do not choose their own sacrifice victim. During surveillance work on Teenage Kix, it is revealed that all superpowers come from a drug called Compound V, or "Blue", invented during the Second World War by Nazi scientists. If it is taken in its pure form, the drug gives permanent superpowers that can be passed on genetically. Judging that he is suitable to join the team, Billy injects Hughie with a specially formulated mix of Blue that gives him super-strength and durability - but Hughie doesn't take kindly to this. Meanwhile, Annie January, a.k.a Starlight, is recruited from the Young Americans to join the Seven, whom she soon discovers to be a lot less clean-cut than the press make out. Hughie encounters Starlight, although neither are aware of the others' team. The Teenage Kix are forced to boot a member, and decide that Shout Out will out
himself, on the grounds that nobody will publicly criticize a black homosexual and that his loss will hurt the team the least. Homelander informs the Kix that the Boys are responsible. Blarney Cock is killed in the ensuing fight.
parody), the "heroes" spend a weekend at an island resort running wild, having sex and taking drugs. Meanwhile, the Vought-owned Vice President joins the festivities, and the Boys learn more about the corporation's plans.
By other side, the unnamed Vought American Executive brings Jess Bradley up to speed on The Homelander's profile, including a unique incident occurring twenty years ago. The photos on this incident are the main weapon "The Boys" have against The Homelander.
Meanwhile, Wee Hughie learns about the superhero identity of his girlfriend's and finally dumps her.
collections on an ongoing basis (including those comics previously published by Wildstorm
). In addition, Dynamite also releases "Definitive" slipcased hardcovers, which contain two trade/hardcover collections to an "omnibus".
reported in February 2008 that Columbia Pictures
had optioned the comic for a film adaptation, to be produced by Neal H. Moritz
. Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay will be writing the screenplay. In August 2010, Adam McKay
said that he had been signed on to direct the film. McKay added, "They already have a script and we're doing a rewrite on it so hopefully getting the whole thing into shape in the Fall with maybe a shoot happening in January."
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
series
Ongoing series
The term "ongoing series" is used in contrast to limited series , a one shot , a graphic novel, or a trade paperback...
, written by Garth Ennis
Garth Ennis
Garth Ennis is a Northern Irish comics writer, best known for the Vertigo series Preacher with artist Steve Dillon and his successful nine-year run on Marvel Comics' Punisher franchise...
and illustrated by Darick Robertson
Darick Robertson
Darick W. Robertson is an American artist best known for his work as a comic book illustrator. Highly prolific, Robertson has illustrated hundreds of comics in his twenty plus years in the industry. His body of work ranges from science fiction characters of his own creation to headlining on...
. It was originally published by Wildstorm
Wildstorm
WildStorm Productions, or simply WildStorm, published American comic books. Originally an independent company established by Jim Lee and further expanded upon in subsequent years by other creators, WildStorm became a publishing imprint of DC Comics in 1999...
before moving to Dynamite Entertainment
Dynamite Entertainment
Dynamite Entertainment is an American comic book company that primarily publishes licensed franchises of adaptations of other media. These include adaptations of film properties such as Army of Darkness, Terminator and RoboCop, literary properties such as Zorro, Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, Alice in...
.
The series is set in a contemporary world where superheroes exist. However, most of the superheroes in the series' universe are corrupted by their celebrity
Celebrity
A celebrity, also referred to as a celeb in popular culture, is a person who has a prominent profile and commands a great degree of public fascination and influence in day-to-day media...
status and often engage in reckless behavior, compromising the safety of the world. For this reason, a superpowered CIA squad, known informally as "The Boys", is charged with monitoring the superhero community.
Ennis has said that the series will "out-Preacher Preacher", presumably referring to the extreme violence and sexuality that were that series' hallmark. In an interview, published in 2010 November, Ennis stated that the series may last up to 72 issues.
Publication history
The first six issues of The Boys were published by WildstormWildstorm
WildStorm Productions, or simply WildStorm, published American comic books. Originally an independent company established by Jim Lee and further expanded upon in subsequent years by other creators, WildStorm became a publishing imprint of DC Comics in 1999...
, starting in 2006. On January 24, 2007, the series was abruptly canceled with issue 6. Ennis later explained that this was because DC Comics (of whom Wildstorm was an imprint before it was dissbanded) were uneasy with the anti-superhero tone of the work. The planned collection of said issues was also canceled. Robertson said that "DC is being good about reverting our rights so we can find a new publisher and we're in the process of doing that now". Ennis then released a statement some other publishers had expressed interest, and that issue 7 and a trade
Trade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
of the first six issues would be available. While Darick Robertson is on exclusive contract to DC, he has been given special dispensation to continue working on The Boys. In February 2007 the series was picked up by Dynamite Entertainment
Dynamite Entertainment
Dynamite Entertainment is an American comic book company that primarily publishes licensed franchises of adaptations of other media. These include adaptations of film properties such as Army of Darkness, Terminator and RoboCop, literary properties such as Zorro, Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, Alice in...
and it resumed in May. A collected edition of the first six issues was also published by Dynamite, with a foreword by Simon Pegg
Simon Pegg
Simon Pegg is an English actor, comedian, writer, film producer, and director. He is best known for having co-written and stared in various Edgar Wright features, mainly Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and the comedy series Spaced.He also portrayed Montgomery "Scotty" Scott in the 2009 Star Trek film...
.
In February 2009 Dynamite announced a spin-off mini-series Herogasm, with art from John McCrea
John McCrea
John McCrea is a comic book artist best known for his collaborations with writer Garth Ennis.-Career:...
, who Ennis has worked with numerous times before, and Keith Burns, a friend of McCrea's who has said "Keith's strengths are my weaknesses and vice versa." The series is The Boys version of the big 'event' storylines but, according to Ennis "while we're having a pop at the notion of mass crossovers within a shared universe, we're not picking on 'Crisis
Crisis (DC Comics)
A crisis in the DC Universe is an event with potentially great consequences, often involving multiple universes and sometimes even threatening their existence....
' or 'Secret Wars
Secret Wars
Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars is a twelve-issue comic book crossover limited series published from May 1984 to April 1985 by Marvel Comics. The series was written by Jim Shooter with art by Mike Zeck and Bob Layton...
' or 'Countdown
Countdown to Final Crisis
Countdown, known as Countdown to Final Crisis for its last 24 issues based on the cover, was a comic book limited series published by DC Comics. It debuted on May 9, 2007, directly following the conclusion of the last issue of 52...
' or whatever in particular." The idea for the mini-series came about because the first part of the story does not involve the team and focuses on the superheroes, but will have an impact on the main series:
"The Name of the Game" (#1-2)
Billy Butcher learns of a directive made by The President of the United States to have the CIA monitor all superheroes and uses this to get the backing required to reform 'The Boys', a black-ops team designed to keep superheroes in their place. He brings together Mother's Milk, the Frenchman and the Female of the Species, but their fifth member, Mallory, refuses to return as his grandkids were murdered due to his involvement with the group. Requiring five in the team, Butcher recruits a Scottish conspiracy nut named Wee Hughie, whose girlfriend was accidentally killed by A-Train, a member of major superhero team the Seven."Cherry" (#3-6)
Wee Hughie meets the team for the first time in their new headquarters in the Flatiron BuildingFlatiron Building
The Flatiron Building, or Fuller Building, as it was originally called, is located at 175 Fifth Avenue in the borough of Manhattan, New York City and is considered to be a groundbreaking skyscraper. Upon completion in 1902 it was one of the tallest buildings in the city and the only skyscraper...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. There, Butcher reveals that their first mission is to intimidate teen superhero group Teenage Kix. The Boys spy on the group, gathering dirt on each of its members. Butcher sends them surveillance images and a note telling them that he will expose all of them to the media if they do not choose their own sacrifice victim. During surveillance work on Teenage Kix, it is revealed that all superpowers come from a drug called Compound V, or "Blue", invented during the Second World War by Nazi scientists. If it is taken in its pure form, the drug gives permanent superpowers that can be passed on genetically. Judging that he is suitable to join the team, Billy injects Hughie with a specially formulated mix of Blue that gives him super-strength and durability - but Hughie doesn't take kindly to this. Meanwhile, Annie January, a.k.a Starlight, is recruited from the Young Americans to join the Seven, whom she soon discovers to be a lot less clean-cut than the press make out. Hughie encounters Starlight, although neither are aware of the others' team. The Teenage Kix are forced to boot a member, and decide that Shout Out will out
Coming out
Coming out is a figure of speech for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's disclosure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity....
himself, on the grounds that nobody will publicly criticize a black homosexual and that his loss will hurt the team the least. Homelander informs the Kix that the Boys are responsible. Blarney Cock is killed in the ensuing fight.
"Get Some" (#7-10)
Butcher takes Wee Hughie to meet a man called "The Legend" - comic book magnate and a source for Butcher. The Legend has the Boys investigate the mysterious murder of a young gay man which was apparently at the hands of a superhero. The trail leads to Tek Knight, a man of machinery, who is suffering from an unusual problem that has left him without a butler, sidekick, superhero team and several inanimate objects. Hughie and Butcher's murder investigation delves deep into the Tek-Knight's background, as well as that of his former sidekick Swingwing. Hughie is the one who cracks the case, as well as being manipulated by Butcher into getting over his fear of killing another person in battle when he's forced to take down Swingwing. While the crime is solved and Swingwing dies in a jetpack accident (Butcher removed a screw from it and thus may have caused it, even though he was blackmailing the super into working for him at the time), Hughie is depressed that there is no real justice for the dead man. He is, however, able to bring a gay couple back together."Glorious Five Year Plan" (#11-14)
The Boys travel to Moscow, where the local supes are mysteriously exploding. Working with Vas and being targeted by Russian organised crime head Little Nina, they discover that Vought-American is working with Little Nina to engineer a coup - an army of 150 East European/Russian supers, organised by Nina, will ravage the country before she remotely detonates them all via their altered metabolisms and rises to power based on "saving" Russia (Vought are just using her as a pawn and have another figure they want in charge). The Boys stop this plot and Butcher detonates the supers, while Hughie bonds with Vas and is disgusted by the group's willingness to torture. However, when Butcher gives the information to the CIA, he finds Director Rayner isn't going to do anything about it - she's worried Vought-American will sic their superheroes on the CIA, and possibly even the US itself."Good For The Soul" (#15-18)
Hughie visits The Legend, determined to find out more about the Boys - their history, their personalities, and their mysterious hidden agenda. Annie January (alias Starlight) has her own doubts about membership of the Seven. Hughie must also deal with the return of Blarney Cock as a brain damaged zombie and his new romance with Annie January, as the Boys get closer to finding out about their relationship."I Tell You No Lie G.I." (#19-22)
Hughie learns the true origins of the Supers while the rest of the Boys meet with members of the Seven for a discussion. The Legend goes on to reveal the history of Vought-American, concerning their contributions to both WW2 and Vietnam. He then tells Hughie about their first major success regarding the Supes, the creation of the Homelander, the Seven, and his own past experiences working for Victory Comics, Vought-American's publishing company, specialising in fabricating VA's superheroes deeds. The Legend then reveals the Seven's part in the destruction of the Brooklyn Bridge on 9/11 and how it led to the creation of the Boys. Afterwards, The Legend elaborates on the death of Mallory's grandchildren and Lamplighter's death/resurrection as a brain-damaged zombie. Meanwhile, as the rest of the Boys meet with the Seven, A-Train attempts to rape Starlight, only to end up being blinded in one eye."We Gotta Go Now" (#23-30)
Following the very public suicide of an original G-Men team member, Silver Kincaid, The Boys are sent in to investigate the G-Men, Vought-American's most bankable team of outcasts. After a brief history of the team is given, the Boys send in Hughie undercover to G-Wiz, one of the junior teams in the franchise, with the Female and the Frenchman as back up in case anything goes wrong. Mother's Milk discovers that Silver Kincaid was abducted as a child from outside a store where her uncle had taken her for ice cream. It is later revealed that most, if not all of the G-Men were abducted as children, and not, as the G-Men claim, "orphans and outcasts". Meanwhile, the members of G-Wiz are instructed to kill Hughie, after Hughie is revealed to be a spy. Hughie's life is saved when the Frenchman and the Female intercede and murder most of the group. Through interrogation of a surviving member of G-Wiz it is revealed that the founder of the G-Men, Godolkin, abducts young children and injects them with Compound V in order to manifest powers within them. It is also revealed that Godolkin and other members of the G-Men sexually abuse the young recruits. This revelation spurs Hughie and the rest of the team to attempt to attack the entire G-Men forces at once. Before they can launch this potentially suicidal attack, Vought-American forces arrive and slaughter all of the G-Men before confronting Butcher, telling him that they are capable of clearing up their own mess. The team deals with this in many ways, while Vought-American gears up to try to destroy the Boys.Miniseries: "Herogasm" (#1-6)
This miniseries chronicles the Boys as they sneak into Vought's secret, exclusive annual superhero bacchanalia "Herogasm". Funded by the company on the premise of being a giant superhero battle to the public (a crossoverFictional crossover
A fictional crossover is the placement of two or more otherwise discrete fictional characters, settings, or universes into the context of a single story. They can arise from legal agreements between the relevant copyright holders, or because of unauthorized efforts by fans, or even amid common...
parody), the "heroes" spend a weekend at an island resort running wild, having sex and taking drugs. Meanwhile, the Vought-owned Vice President joins the festivities, and the Boys learn more about the corporation's plans.
"The Self-Preservation Society" (#31-34)
The Boys are battling the world's second most powerful team, Payback, in an all out brawl, The Female is beaten badly. She recovers at the end of the battle."Nothing Like It in the World" (#35-36)
Mother's Milk tells Hughie his life story."La Plume De Ma Tante Est Sur La Table" (#37)
Frenchie tells his life story to Hughie. This story gathers a collection of exaggerated clichès about the French culture. He finishes the story and jumps out of the window, leaving Hughie to question the tale's validity (such as the title itself, quoted often as "a notorious example of one such misleading statement that probably confused the student more than teaching them anything functional about the language", which may be a hint about the story). This is the first stand alone issue in the series."The Female of the Species is More Deadly Than the Male" (#38)
Frenchie gives an account of the Female's origin to Hughie, speaking from her point of view, which is required, as she literally never speaks. He explains that her mother left her unattended in a lab, and she ended up in a pail of Compound V waste, brutally attacked the doctors there, and was eventually captured. She grows up in captivity and learns, until she escapes. Eventually the original team of the Boys capture her and Frenchman teaches her. This issue is also a stand alone issue."What I Know" (#39)
Butcher learns of Wee Hughie's relationship with Starlight. On the other side, Jess Bradley, an executive of Vought American, shows the unnamed Vought Executive her eagerness to work for his department during the celebration on the new CEO of Vought American."The Innocents" (#40-43)
Not wanting to believe that Hughie is a double-agent, Butcher consults The Legend and assigns Hughie to watch a C-list team called "Superduper", which has got a new leader (Malchemical). The dangerous and extreme character of Malchemical should provoke a conflict where Wee Hughie would be severely endangered, unless Vought America warns Malchemical not to damage him. This would serve as a test for Butcher on the loyalty of Wee Hughie. As a result, Malchemical almost kills Wee Hughie, which provokes the first severe discussion between Mother Milk and Butcher.By other side, the unnamed Vought American Executive brings Jess Bradley up to speed on The Homelander's profile, including a unique incident occurring twenty years ago. The photos on this incident are the main weapon "The Boys" have against The Homelander.
"Believe" (#44-47)
The Homelander uses a Christian convention of superheroes and fans in New York, to gather all superheroes who are able to fight for Vought America in the case of an open conflict against the Government or the military of the USA. The content of this meeting remains unknown, but The Boys watch over the events.Meanwhile, Wee Hughie learns about the superhero identity of his girlfriend's and finally dumps her.
Miniseries: "Highland Laddie" (Highland Laddie #1-6)
After the events in Believe, Wee Hughie takes a vacation back to his family's house in Scotland to think about his life and whether he should leave The Boys or not."Proper Preparation and Planning" (#48-51)
The full story of Butcher's vendetta is revealed, and Vought American's part in the events of 9/11."Barbary Coast" (#52-55)
Greg Mallory tells Hughie about Vought-American's involvement during the Battle of the Bulge, and how he put together The Boys. This is the full story that The Legend offered to tell Hughie in "I Tell You no Lie, G.I.", but didn't."The Big Ride" (#56-59)
Hughie comes back to the fold as he and Butcher are trying to solve a case to find out if Jack from Jupiter of The Seven is responsible for the murder of a transsexual prostitute.Miniseries: "Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker"
Butcher returns to London, to view the body of his deceased father, and begins to reminisce on what lead him on the path of vengeance against superheroes. It's revealed during the series that the homelander was responsible for the rape, pregnancy and death of Billy's wife.Collected editions
Dynamite releases both hardcover and trade paperbackTrade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
collections on an ongoing basis (including those comics previously published by Wildstorm
Wildstorm
WildStorm Productions, or simply WildStorm, published American comic books. Originally an independent company established by Jim Lee and further expanded upon in subsequent years by other creators, WildStorm became a publishing imprint of DC Comics in 1999...
). In addition, Dynamite also releases "Definitive" slipcased hardcovers, which contain two trade/hardcover collections to an "omnibus".
| # | Title | TPB ISBN | TPB Release date | TPB page number | Collected material |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Name of the Game | ISBN 9133305463 | June, 2007 | 152 | The Boys #1-6 |
| 2 | Get Some | ISBN 1933305681 | March, 2008 | 192 | The Boys #7–14 |
| 3 | Good for the Soul | ISBN 1933305924 | October, 2008 | 192 | The Boys #15-22 |
| 4 | We Gotta Go Now | ISBN 1848562985 | July, 2009 | 192 | The Boys #23-30 |
| 5 | Herogasm | ISBN 160690082X | November, 2009 | 144 | Herogasm #1–6 |
| 6 | The Self-Preservation Society | ISBN 1606901257 | March, 2010 | 192 | The Boys #31–38 |
| 7 | The Innocents | ISBN 1606901508 | December, 2010 | 216 | The Boys #39-47 |
| 8 | Highland Laddie | ISBN 1606902075 | April, 2011 | 144 | Highland Laddie #1-6 |
| 9 | The Big Ride | ISBN 1606902202 | November 9, 2011 | 276 | The Boys #48-59 |
| I | The Boys: Definitive Edition I | ISBN 1933305800 | December, 2008 | The Boys #1-14 | |
| II | The Boys: Definitive Edition II | ISBN 1606900730 | December 23, 2009 | The Boys #15-30 | |
| III | The Boys: Definitive Edition III | ISBN 1606901656 | April 5, 2011 | The Boys #31-38 + Herogasm |
Awards
- 2008: Nominated, "Best Continuing Series" Eisner AwardEisner AwardThe Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, commonly shortened to the Eisner Awards, and sometimes referred to as the Oscar Awards of the Comics Industry, are prizes given for creative achievement in American comic books. The Eisner Awards were first conferred in 1988, created in response to the...
. - 2009: Nominated, "Comic Book of the Year Under $3.00" Diamond Comic Distributor Gem Awards.
- 2010: Nominated, "Best Comic Book or Graphic Novel" 2010 Scream AwardsScream AwardsThe Scream Awards is an award show dedicated to the horror, sci-fi, and fantasy genres of feature films. Originally only having Scream Queen and Heroic Performance awards for actors, the personnel awards have expanded to include actors and actresses of all three recognized genres. In addition,...
.
Film adaptation
VarietyVariety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
reported in February 2008 that Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
had optioned the comic for a film adaptation, to be produced by Neal H. Moritz
Neal H. Moritz
Neal H. Moritz is an American film producer. He is the founder of Original Film.-Life and career:He has over 70 films to his credit...
. Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay will be writing the screenplay. In August 2010, Adam McKay
Adam McKay
Adam McKay is an American screenwriter, director, comedian, and actor. He is most famous for his partnership with comedian Will Ferrell, with whom he co-wrote the films Anchorman, Talladega Nights, and The Other Guys....
said that he had been signed on to direct the film. McKay added, "They already have a script and we're doing a rewrite on it so hopefully getting the whole thing into shape in the Fall with maybe a shoot happening in January."
External links
- The message board for "The Boys" from Dynamite Entertainment
- Sex and Superheroes in "The Boys" from Playtime Magazine
Interviews
- Interview with Robertson about the series, March, 2006
- Darick Robertson: Just One of The Boys, November 21, 2006 interview
- "The Boys" Are Back in Town: Ennis & Robertson Speak, Comic Book ResourcesComic Book ResourcesComic Book Resources, also known as CBR is a website dedicated to the coverage of comic book-related news and discussion.-History:Comic Book Resources was founded by Jonah Weiland in 1996 as a development of the Kingdom Come Message Board, a message forum that Weiland had created to discuss DC...
, April 19, 2007 interview on the changeover in publishers and the future of the title