The Boys Universe: Beyond the Bounds of Heroism, Between TV Series and Comics
The saga that challenges the limits between good and evil, between power and corruption, in a raw and provocative narrative.
In the collective imagination, superheroes embody the ideal of justice and morality, almost divine figures who stand as defenders of humanity. The Boys radically overturns this perception, introducing a universe where superheroes, far from being paragons of virtue, prove to be the real danger to society. Through a raw and uncompromising narrative, which does not hesitate to show extreme violence and explicit scenes, The Boys offers a deep and provocative examination of the concept of power.
Let's dive, then, into this journey through the dark universe of The Boys!
- The Comics
- The Prime Video TV Series
- Gen V, the spin-off
- The Boys Presents: Diabolical, the animated series
- Vought Rising
- The Boys: Mexico, the Spanish-language spin-off
- Will The Boys have other spin-offs?
The Boys, the comics
The narrative universe of The Boys comes to life through the comic book series created by Garth Ennis (also known for The Authority, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, The Darkness, Thor: Vikings) and drawn by Darick Robertson (Transmetropolitan, Justice League: A Midsummer's Nightmare, Fury).
The narrative focuses on the Boys, a group of individuals hired by the CIA with the goal of opposing the world's greatest threat: superheroes. The series – initially published by Wildstorm/DC Comics and then moved to Dynamite Entertainment – consists of 72 issues (plus some spin-offs).
- The Rules of the Game (issues 1 to 6);
- F***ed (issues 7 to 10);
- The Glorious Five-Year Plan (issues 11 to 14);
- Things That Make You Feel Good (issues 15 to 18);
- The Truth (issues 19 to 22);
- Now We Gotta Go (issues 23 to 26);
- Final Conflict (issues 27 to 30);
- Herogasm (issues 1 to 6 of the "Herogasm" spin-off);
- The Self-Preservation Society (issues 31 to 34);
- Nothing Like the World (issues 35 to 38);
- The Innocents (issues 39 to 43);
- Credo (issues 44 to 47);
- Highland Laddie ("Highland Laddie" spin-off);
- Good Preparation and Planning (issues 48 to 51);
- The Barbary Coast (issues 52 to 55);
- The Big Ride (issues 56 to 59);
- Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker ("Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker" spin-off);
- On the Hill with the Swords of a Thousand Men (issues 60 to 65);
- The Showdown (issues 66 to 72);
- Dear Becky (spin-off focused on Butcher's wife).
These adult comics are characterized by extreme violence and vulgar language. In Italy, the work was distributed by Panini Comics under the 100% Cult Comics label, achieving such high sales that the first volumes sold out and reprints were necessary. Since November 2012, Panini Comics has launched a monthly newsstand distribution.
The Boys, the TV series
With the television adaptation on Prime Video and the spin-offs that further enrich the narrative fabric, this saga has become a cultural phenomenon, questioning the thin line between good and evil.
In 2019, The Boys TV series, inspired by the comic of the same name and created by Eric Kripke for Amazon, debuted on Prime Video. The show currently consists of 5 seasons.
- First season (8 episodes) – from 2019;
- Second season (8 episodes) – from 2020;
- Third season (8 episodes) – from 2022;
- Fourth season (8 episodes) – from 2024;
- Fifth season (8 episodes) - from 2026.
The superheroes, treated as celebrities by the powerful Vought American, hide their flaws behind a constructed public image, generating enormous profits through marketing and rescue missions. Among the most known groups are the Seven, led by the wicked Homelander. With Lamplighter's retirement, Annie January joins the Seven, soon discovering the dark reality. Tragedy strikes Hughie when A-Train, one of the Seven, kills his girlfriend, Robin. Driven by revenge, Hughie allies with Billy Butcher to reform the Boys, a team that seeks to expose the Supes and their criminality.
The Boys is an extraordinary series that immerses viewers in a world where superheroes show a dark and distorted face. Through episodes full of brutality and sadistic humor, it addresses relevant themes, including industrial power, media influence, the concept of power, and the thin line between good and evil.
In the cast we find:
- Karl Urban: plays William "Billy" Butcher;
- Jack Quaid: Hughie Campbell;
- Antony Starr: John Gillman / Homelander;
- Erin Moriarty: Annie January / Starlight;
- Dominique McElligott: Maggie Shaw / Queen Maeve;
- Jessie Usher: Reggie Franklin / A-Train;
- Laz Alonso: Marvin Milk / Mother's Milk;
- Chace Crawford: Kevin Moskowitz / The Deep;
- Tomer Kapon: Serge / Frenchie;
- Karen Fukuhara: Kimiko Miyashiro / The Female;
- Nathan Mitchell: Earving / Black Noir;
- Elisabeth Shue: Madelyn Stillwell;
- Colby Minifie: Ashley Barrett;
- Aya Cash: Klara Risinger / Stormfront;
- Claudia Doumit: Victoria Neuman;
- Jensen Ackles: Ben / Soldier Boy.
»» The Boys is available on Prime Video. Click here to start your free trial!
Gen V, the spin-off
Created by Craig Rosenberg, Evan Goldberg, and Eric Kripke, Gen V (here you can find the review) is the second spin-off of The Boys. The first episodes arrived on Friday, September 29, 2023, on Prime Video; the series has been renewed for a second season (coming in September 2025).
Gen V, set in The Boys universe, narrates the adventures that unfold at Godolkin University, a prestigious college dedicated to aspiring superheroes. In this institution, students are prepared to become the heroic elite of tomorrow. Not all are seduced by the allure of corruption. Immersed in the typical dynamics of academic life, some students will be called to confront unprecedented challenges. The discovery of a dark and imposing conspiracy within the institute will test the group of young people with powers.
In the cast:
- Jaz Sinclair: Marie Moreau;
- Chance Perdomo: Andre Anderson;
- Lizze Broadway: Emma Shaw / Little Cricket;
- Maddie Phillips: Cate Dunlap;
- Derek Luh: Jordan Li;
- London Thor: Jordan Li;
- Asa Germann: Sam Riordan;
- Shelley Conn: Indira Shetty.
Gen V excels in deepening and expanding the themes introduced in The Boys, paying particular attention to issues that require detailed examination, such as the repugnant truths hidden behind the use of Compound V. The script, humor, characterization, and cast performances shine, constituting a fundamental addition to The Boys universe. To discover the ending, the connections with the main series, and anticipations for season 2, you can read our in-depth analysis.
In season 2 of Gen V, available from September 17, 2025 on Prime Video, Marie, Jordan, and Emma return to Godolkin University, now led by the new Dean Cipher. While America is under Homelander's control, the students find themselves involved in a mysterious secret program that could change everything. Cate and Sam are hailed as heroes, but old traumas and new threats test the group. The season will consist of 8 episodes, with cameos and direct connections to The Boys.
»» Gen V is available on Prime Video. Click here to start your free trial!
The Boys Presents: Diabolical, the animated anthology series
The Boys Presents: Diabolical! is an animated anthology series (here you can find the review) created by Eric Kripke, Seth Rogen (who appeared in numerous successful films, such as Superbad, The Green Hornet, 50/50, Neighbors, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Pineapple Express, This Is the End, The Interview, The Disaster Artist), Evan Goldberg (screenwriter of Sausage Party, The Interview, The Watch, Superbad), and Simon Racioppa (screenwriter of Invincible, Spliced).
The series is divided into eight episodes, each characterized by a distinctive animation style and an independent plot set within The Boys universe. The Boys Presents: Diabolical transforms the biting social critique of the parent series into an equally irreverent and entertaining animated format.
»» The Boys Presents: Diabolical is available on Prime Video. Click here to start your free trial!
Vought Rising, the prequel
On July 26, 2024, at San Diego Comic-Con, a new prequel series titled Vought Rising was announced, set in the 1950s, with Ackles and Cash in the roles of Soldier Boy and Stormfront. The series will be produced by Paul Grellong and Kripke.
The Boys: Mexico, the Spanish-language spin-off (unreleased)
The information on the project is limited, but Amazon is developing a spin-off titled The Boys: Mexico, which will tell of adventures in Latin America. Among the producers are Diego Luna (an actor involved in English and Spanish-language productions, including Frida, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, The Terminal, Mister Lonely, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Andor, Rudo y Cursi, Soldados de Salamina) and Gael Garcia Bernal (also known for Mozart in the Jungle, Y tu mamá también, The Motorcycle Diaries, Amores perros). We await additional details.
Will The Boys have other spin-offs?
It is unclear if further spin-offs will be made, but The Boys universe offers many interesting ideas. Therefore, it would not be surprising if Amazon announced new projects in the coming months or years.