7 The Boys Characters Improved by the Prime Video Series

by

The huge popularity of *The Boys* on Prime Video proves how effective a well-done adaptation can be. The show has grown into a larger franchise with animated series and a college-based spinoff, and its creators realized simply copying the original comics wouldn’t work. The comics by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson were a harsh critique of superhero comics from the early 2000s, known for their violence and negativity. The TV show kept the main idea but smartly updated what it was making fun of, moving beyond comic books to target today’s celebrity culture, big media companies, and the often-chaotic world of political news. This change is what makes *The Boys* one of the most important shows on television right now.

As the show *The Boys* explored new themes, many of its characters needed to be reworked. While almost everyone changed, these alterations often made the characters *better*. By giving lesser-developed characters interesting pasts, adding layers of sadness to comedic figures, and completely reinventing the villains, *The Boys* created characters that are much more complex and unforgettable than those in the original comics.

7) The Deep

The Deep started as a minor, almost unnoticed character in the comics – a silent figure in a diving suit who rarely played a role in the story. He’s mostly known for causing one big accident, but otherwise lacks a distinct personality. The TV show reimagines him as Kevin Moskowitz (Chace Crawford), turning him into a darkly comedic look at the pressures of fame. By having him assault Starlight (Erin Moriarty), the series quickly establishes him as a villain, then follows his sad descent into public disgrace, involvement with a strange cult, and constant, futile attempts to regain popularity. This version of The Deep is a funny and sharp critique of fallen celebrities and harmful ideas about masculinity, making him a much more compelling and important character.

6) A-Train

In the original comic books, A-Train is a typical, quickly defeated villain whose main purpose is to kickstart the plot. However, the Prime Video series significantly expands his role, turning him into a major character with a compelling and ongoing storyline. The show uses A-Train’s story to offer a critical look at professional sports, focusing on his reliance on Compound V to boost his performance, the damaging effects of his powers, and the intense pressure to stay relevant. Importantly, the series also delves into themes of identity, portraying A-Train’s struggle with Vought’s insensitive attempts to capitalize on his race, ultimately leading to a thoughtful exploration of self-discovery and redemption.

5) Frenchie

As a huge fan of ‘The Boys,’ I was really struck by how they handled Frenchie. In the comics, he’s basically a one-note, hyper-violent guy with a ridiculous accent – fun, maybe, but not exactly deep. But the show? They completely reinvented him as Serge, played brilliantly by Tomer Capone. He’s still incredibly capable and dangerous, absolutely, but he’s also…broken. They gave him a past, a real weight of guilt from his life as a mercenary, which explains *why* he does what he does. And honestly, his connection with Kimiko is the heart of the whole series. It’s a beautiful relationship, and it makes him so much more than just a caricature. They took a potentially silly stereotype and turned him into someone I genuinely care about.

4) Queen Maeve

In the original comic books, Queen Maeve is a sad character who mostly stands on the sidelines. She’s deeply affected by her experiences with The Seven and ends up a disillusioned alcoholic who has lost all hope. Though she has one brave moment, she’s largely portrayed as defeated. However, the television series reimagines Queen Maeve (Dominique McElligott) as a much more dynamic and involved character. The show still shows her as hardened and exhausted from years of abuse by Homelander (Antony Starr), but it gives her a strong inner struggle between wanting to stay safe and her hidden desire to be a hero. Her transformation from someone who goes along with things to an active rebel, driven by her feelings for Elena (Nicola Correia-Damude), is a highlight of the show. Ultimately, she makes a heroic sacrifice that offers her the possibility of a normal life.

3) Kimiko

The original comic book version of Kimiko was simply known as “The Female of the Species” and functioned mostly as a silent, powerful fighter for The Boys. She lacked a personality or detailed history, beyond being made violent by Compound V as a child. The TV series wisely changed this, creating Kimiko Miyashiro as a fully realized character. By giving her a name, the ability to communicate through sign language, and a tragic past as a child soldier, the show explores themes of trauma and the fight to regain one’s humanity. Her connection with Frenchie is a central emotional element of *The Boys*, and her struggle to manage her anger and forge her own destiny gives her a level of independence and choice that the comic book character never had.

2) Stormfront

The comic book version of Stormfront is a typical, flatly-drawn Nazi villain – a simple strongman. But the show made a brilliant move by changing the character’s gender and casting Aya Cash. This transformed Stormfront into a truly frightening villain for today’s world. She’s not an outdated, stereotypical figure, but a clever manipulator who uses social media, internet memes, and public frustration to promote her hateful beliefs. By giving fascism a friendly, relatable, and tech-savvy face, *The Boys* created a villain who is far more dangerous and relevant to what’s happening in politics today, making her a much more intelligent and threatening enemy.

1) Black Noir

One of the biggest improvements the TV show *The Boys* makes over the original comic books is the character of Black Noir. In the comics, Black Noir’s true identity is a late-story reveal: he’s a secret, incredibly powerful clone of Homelander created as a backup plan, and he’s actually responsible for many of the terrible things blamed on the hero. The show throws all of that out and reimagines Black Noir (played by Nathan Mitchell) as Earving, a tragic figure. He was a pioneering Black superhero on the original Payback team whose career was ruined and body severely injured by Soldier Boy (Jensen Ackles), leaving him mute and with brain damage. Despite his silence, the show reveals a wealth of hidden trauma through heartbreaking hallucinations of cartoon animals. This change turns Black Noir from a simple plot twist into a deeply sympathetic character, giving him one of the most captivating storylines in the series.

Who do you think is the most improved character on *The Boys*? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-boys-deadliest-characters-kill-count-ranked-totals/embed/#

Read More

2025-09-16 13:11