10 Hilarious The Boys Characters You Didn’t Know Were Mocking DC Superheroes

by

In the TV series known as “The Boys,” there’s an abundance of humorous superhero spoofs, many of which serve as sharp critiques of the DC Universe. Some characters, like Homelander who embodies the evil Superman archetype, openly display their influence. However, other satirical representations of DC characters might not be immediately apparent. These hidden jabs at DC’s “Distinguished Competition” can be found in characters with names or costumes that seem more reminiscent of Marvel, while others are subtly mentioned or appear briefly. We’re here to help you identify the numerous joke characters on “The Boys,” revealing which ones are secret digs at Marvel’s main rival.

As a dedicated movie enthusiast and comic book aficionado, I’ve uncovered some intriguing characters that go beyond imitating Superman and Batman. We’re diving into the obscure, based on lesser-known DC Comics staples. The creative minds behind The Boys, who have become masters at hiding Easter Eggs, have crafted these characters as a wink to the devoted followers of Detective Comics. Let me introduce you to 10 characters from The Boys that you might not have realized were poking fun at DC’s iconic figures. Enjoy the ride!

1) Tek Knight is NSFW Batman

In a different perspective, some viewers consider Black Noir from ‘The Boys’ as the series’ equivalent to Batman; however, he bears more resemblance to Snake Eyes, G.I. Joe’s stealthy ninja. The true embodiment of Batman in this show is none other than Tek Knight. Tek Knight is essentially what Batman would be if all the rumors about him and Robin were factual. From his hidden subterranean base to his faithful butler, every aspect of Tek Knight mirrors the essence of the Dark Knight…but instead of a traditional brooding hero, he delves into perversion and sexual deviancy.

2) Laddio is the Physical Embodiment of Every Robin Joke

In 1954, Fredric Wertham published the book “Seduction of the Innocent“, suggesting that Batman and Robin’s relationship went beyond friendship. This sparked jokes among fans about their secret romantic involvement. The show The Boys escalated this idea, depicting Tek Knight as a morally corrupt individual and reducing his “Robin”, Laddio, to a submissive figure dressed in leather, suggesting a more complex and adult theme.

In the thrilling Season 4 of “The Boys,” titled “Dirty Business,” I, a devoted movie enthusiast, step onto the scene for the first and only time, draped in an unforgettable gimp suit – complete with a ball gag and choker. This striking ensemble, reminiscent of a certain Quentin Tarantino classic, underscores the lingering disregard many creators still seem to have for Batman, even decades after Dr. Wertham’s influential book.

3) Translucent’s Powers are Straight out of the Martian Manhunter Playbook

In the original “The Boys” comic series, a character within The Seven, known as Jack from Jupiter, was a clear reference to DC Comics’ Martian Manhunter, J’onn J’onzz. However, when transitioning “The Boys” for television, Jack from Jupiter was replaced by Translucent, who seems to be a pointed dig at Marvel’s Invisible Woman, or possibly not?

Translucent has abandoned his comic character’s alien mannerisms, but his abilities are remarkably similar to those of the Martian Manhunter. They both have the ability to become invisible on command due to their genetic structure, and they can adjust their density so extensively that they become resistant to most physical assaults, with one notable exception – electricity for Translucent, while the Martian Manhunter is vulnerable to fire.

4) Payback’s TNT Twins are Just the Wonder Twins Without the Pet Monkey

Two sets of twins, who gain their abilities through touch, and have catchphrases? It’s clear that the TNT Twins are modeled after none other than the Wonder Twins. Originating from DC’s famous Super Friends animated series, the Wonder Twins, Zan and Jayna, were a humorous, yet ineffective team often used for comic relief. Over time, they became official members of the DC Universe. Similarly, the TNT Twins, Tommy and Tessa, were designed exclusively for The Boys TV show and served a comparable role in Season 3, although their portrayal was decidedly more adult-oriented than the original pair known for their family-friendly charm.

5) Supersonic Gives Off a Familiar Vibe

Vibe from DC Comics isn’t as well-known as other top-tier heroes due to lower recognition of his name. This Mexican-American superhero, who can create destructive shockwaves and is believed to be the first ever, was introduced in 1984 and met his end twice before being reintroduced with a renewed mission during DC’s The New 52 reboot in 2012. In a similar tribute to his inspiration, Supersonic – another Mexican-American superhero with the same powerset – meets an untimely demise after just four episodes.

6) Blue Hawk is a Racist Version of Gangbuster

Although Metropolis might initially bring Superman to mind for many, there are other DC heroes who call this city home. For instance, Gangbuster, a relatively unknown vigilante, dons riot gear and often thwarts criminals with a pair of nunchucks. On the other hand, Blue Hawk takes the concept of a riot police/vigilante and infuses it with cultural relevance. While Gangbuster has the advantage of being impartial in choosing which gangs to confront, Blue Hawk focuses solely on patrolling minority communities as part of The Boys, reflecting their narrative about the brutal and racially biased encounters that many people of color have with law enforcement.

7) Big Chief Apache is a Satirical Take on the Already Problematic Apache Chief

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: In my world of cinema, Apache Chief was a Native American superhero who graced our screens as part of the Super Friends animated series. Similar to the Wonder Twins, he was tailor-made for the show, but unlike them, his character wasn’t originally designed for comic relief. Instead, he was an ill-conceived effort to add some diversity to the Super Friends team. The term “ill-conceived” here implies a lack of cultural sensitivity, as Apache Chief was always voiced by white actors employing a stereotypical Hollywood depiction of Native American speech.

It’s quite appropriate that the character Big Chief Apache from The Boys was depicted as a white superhero disguising himself as a Native American. This was hinted at in a quick clip from an anti-littering public service announcement. In this way, Big Chief Apache served a dual purpose, mocking not only the Apache Chief character but also Iron Eyes Cody, a well-known Italian-American actor who starred in a similar real-life PSA.

8) Gunpowder Really Hits the Mark as a Deadshot Parody

Among numerous characters boasting unerring accuracy, only one is distinguished by wearing a helmet and carrying dual pistols: Deadshot. Although Gunpowder’s helmet resembles Judge Dredd, a comic book character known for his aggressive nature, his consistent precision with twin Desert Eagles mirrors that of the DC assassin perfectly.

Just like the other characters on this list, Gunpowder significantly amplifies the traits of his DC counterpart. Gunpowder isn’t just an adept sharpshooter; he is absolutely obsessed with guns. His love for firearms is so intense that if he were to ever meet his role model, Deadshot, I’d wager a bet that Deadshot would advise Gunpowder to tone down his gun enthusiasm a bit.

9) Sister Sage Bears More Than a Striking Resemblance to Ozymandius from Watchmen

Initially, Sister Sage might seem as dissimilar to Ozymandius as she does to Rorschach. However, upon closer examination, one cannot help but notice that there is no other character whom The Boy’s smartest woman on Earth could be modeled after more than Watchmen’s smartest man, Ozymandius. Not only do these two intellectual titans orchestrate intricate schemes that are understood by none other than themselves, but they achieve this by influencing the most formidable superheroes existing in their respective universes.

Should you require further persuasion, take a look at the Eye of Horus adorning Sister Sage’s attire. This Egyptian emblem is famously associated with none other than Ozymandias.

10) Butcher is the Spitting Image of Manchester Black

English flair? Affirmed. Dark Trenchcoat? Confirmed. A brutal methodology in handling disputes? Verified twice over. Billy Butcher and Manchester Black share striking similarities. Initially, they both embodied the role of antiheroes, only to later transform into adversaries. These characters were conceived with the sole purpose of challenging their respective Super-beings.

Butcher’s actions can be seen as having some basis, given that he portrays Superman as a villain akin to Hitler, albeit in a cape. Conversely, Black is mainly used to contrast with the authentic Superman and highlight his virtues by presenting an unattractive counterpart to contemporary viewers.

Read More

2025-05-31 06:42