10 Supes From The Boys And Their Marvel Counterparts

13 years after writer Garth Ennis and artist Darick Robertson brought “The Boys” to life as a comic book series in 2006, this gripping tale found its way onto live-action screens via Amazon Prime, quickly becoming one of the most captivating series to stream on the platform. In this universe, superheroes, or “supes,” are not the selfless saviors they initially appear to be; instead, they’re riddled with corruption, recklessness, and a twisted sense of morality because no one dares to stand up to them. That is, until a covert CIA-backed group called “The Boys” emerges to hold these supes accountable by any means necessary. However, it’s not always an easy task, as not all supes possess equal power. So, who are the most impressive supes in “The Boys”?

The show “The Boys” presents a variety of eccentric characters, some endowed with extraordinary speed, while others can converse with specific creatures, making for an intriguing ensemble with equally captivating backgrounds. Interestingly, the series was initially conceived as a satirical critique on superhero culture and our society’s blind adoration of celebrities. Consequently, several prominent characters in “The Boys” share striking similarities with Marvel counterparts. However, which ones have been included?

Homelander

Without a doubt, the standout character from “The Boys” is Antony Starr’s Homelander. His incredible abilities and charisma make him unmatched among the supers. Despite his powers having inflated his ego, Homelander possesses the most impressive skills and an almost mythical aura. It’s hard to find someone who can match his capabilities, such as shooting lasers from his eyes and flying. However, his volatile temper and extensive record of inhumane acts are issues that cannot be ignored. Yet, for good reasons, Homelander is the most memorable super character in the series. He’s like an unstoppable force capable of causing immense destruction.

Homelander is a satirical version of Superman, let’s not deny that fact. However, if we were to compare him with his Marvel equivalent, Captain America would be the more fitting choice (though Hyperion could also be considered). Unlike Homelander, who is depicted as a psychopathic and sadistic narcissist, Captain America is overflowing with empathy and a strong desire to improve the nation he has pledged to protect. Unlike Homelander, who was forced into his role due to a traumatic birth, Captain America consciously chose the superhero path. Granted with extraordinary strength and otherworldly abilities, he remains humble throughout it all. While he may wear the title of Captain America, he will always be Steve Rogers at heart.

The Deep

Every team has its vulnerable spot, yet that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s an insult. Just like not everyone can emulate Michael Jordan in the Dream Team or possess Homelander’s top-notch abilities among The Seven, being part of Earth’s most remarkable team isn’t something to be dismissed lightly.

The Deep (Chace Crawford) might not showcase his impressive talents on land like his strongest comrades, but when a battle heads into deep waters, he ranks among the best supes in The Boys. Plus, imagine having the power to communicate with sharks – now wouldn’t that be something!

Among all characters, The Deep most closely resembles Aquaman. However, if we’re sticking with a Marvel theme, Namor the Sub-mariner is another suitable match. While Namor isn’t as popular as Aquaman, they have many similarities. Yet, The Deep and Namor differ significantly in their interactions with marine life. The Deep might even get kicked out of every aquarium due to certain circumstances, but Namor doesn’t share the same deep bond with sea creatures that The Deep does.

Starlight

Initially, Starlight appears as an utterly virtuous character, hailing from a devout Midwestern family and possessing a gentle, soft-spoken demeanor. As a brunette, she is naturally inclined to aid others, having been brought up to embody the principles of a superhero since her youth. Although her perspective on life might be somewhat narrow, she can be considered innocent or unassuming upon joining The Seven. Armed with powers that are often overlooked, Starlight swiftly adapts to the complexities of the contemporary world.

Starlight bears a striking resemblance to Dazzler in many ways. While it’s important to note that Dazzler doesn’t possess the ability to fly like Starlight, their shared power to manipulate and project energy is too conspicuous to overlook. Additionally, both are athletically proficient, demonstrating remarkable self-defense skills when thrust into combat situations.

Stormfront

In isolation, Aya Cash’s character Stormfront in ‘The Boys’ stands among the top superpowered individuals. Beyond her impressive physical strength and durability, she possesses extraordinary abilities like longevity and manipulation of charged particles, which border on being excessively powerful. Furthermore, her charisma is remarkable, allowing her to easily influence people. However, it’s important to note that Stormfront is an unrepentant Nazi who seeks to advance the terrible ideologies of the Third Reich.

When considering their unique abilities, both Storm and Thor are notable choices, although each has distinct ways of utilizing their powers. However, the fact that they can produce electric beams is undeniably striking. Pitted against an adversary, all three characters would unleash devastation from afar without exerting much effort.

A-Train

As a movie enthusiast, if you’ve got a task that needs to be handled swiftly and effectively, would you call someone slow and leisurely who might take their sweet time or the fastest person in existence who can arrive in an instant? A-Train (Jessie T. Usher), though not the most skilled fighter on The Boys, is a speedster par excellence. With the ability to move at breakneck speeds, he doesn’t exactly need to perfect his punching technique.

Much like other superhumans on the show, A-Train has his own set of issues and struggles, but when he focuses solely on doing good, there’s simply no stopping him.

In a hypothetical race involving A-Train, Quicksilver, and The Flash, who do you suppose would emerge victorious? Each character is centered around rapid movement, but A-Train serves as a satirical exploration of what might occur if Quicksilver succumbed to corruption and began exploiting his powers for personal gain. An early instance of this is when A-Train runs through Hugh’s (Jack Quaid) girlfriend without pause, transforming her into a human slushie. Although this event propels the narrative of The Boys forward significantly, it also distinguishes A-Train from other speedsters like Quicksilver.

Kimiko

Kimiko (Karen Fukuhara) appears petite and innocent, but be cautious not to cross her. Endowed with superhuman strength, rapid healing abilities, and an intense thirst for violence, she was engineered by Vought as nothing more than disposable muscle for The Seven, to boost their popularity. However, much like a well-rounded character, she manages to overcome her primal instincts and use them for beneficial purposes instead.

When an animal that’s been unjustly confined for an extended period is released, it typically reacts with agitation and self-defense. This behavior is reminiscent of both Kimiko and Wolverine. Though Kimiko lacks the lethal adamantium claws that her counterpart possesses, she does exhibit a comparable zest for crushing her adversaries. Similarly to Wolverine, Kimiko also conceals a tender heart within her.

Soldier Boy

A more straightforward way of expressing this might be: “Showing unwavering loyalty to one’s country is best demonstrated through a name like Soldier Boy (Jensen Ackles). Known as the most renowned superhero before Homelander, Soldier Boy possesses extraordinary physical strength and agility. During World War II, he played a significant role in the propaganda efforts of Vought, contributing to the victory against the Axis of Evil. However, after being betrayed by his comrades, Soldier Boy was subjected to years of experimentation at the hands of Russian scientists, which had lasting effects on his outlook and life.

Connecting Homelander and Soldier Boy, it’s worth noting that Soldier Boy serves as a direct Marvel analogue to Captain America. The parallels are deliberate and thought-provoking. Soldier Boy functions as a warning of the potential consequences when characters like Captain America are manipulated for covert purposes. In addition to Captain America, Soldier Boy could also be likened to Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier, who endured similar cruel scientific experiments by malevolent scientists, much like Soldier Boy.

Black Noir

In quiet and covert fashion, Nathan Mitchell’s character, Black Noir, is the superhero you summon when it’s necessary to eliminate a multitude of people without a trace. Armed with extraordinary strength and heightened senses, he functions like a contemporary ninja, authorized to take any life. His ferocity on the battlefield and knack for blending into the shadows make him an intimidating figure. However, following a severe assault by Soldier Boy, his intellectual faculties have significantly declined. Yet, this seemingly didn’t hinder him from transforming into a spectral assassin under Vought’s command.

This analysis might need some time to be fully understood, but Black Noir shares more similarities with the darker version of Deadpool from X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Unlike the popular Deadpool, this character was heavily altered, losing his ability to communicate and turning into a ruthless killing machine with little remorse. He bore no resemblance to his comic book counterpart in terms of personality.

Queen Maeve

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but relate to Queen Maeve (Dominique McElligott) in The Boys. You know those times when you’re out with friends, and they’re all having a blast, while you’re the one left playing the role of the responsible one, keeping things under control? That’s exactly what Queen Maeve does in this series – she’s the voice of reason amidst chaos.

In her prime, Queen Maeve was an unstoppable force and a tireless crusader for justice. She refused to back down from any challenge, even going head-to-head with Homelander, one of the most powerful superheroes out there. And let me tell you, she more than holds her own against him. Queen Maeve is undoubtedly one of the strongest and most compelling superheroes The Boys has to offer.

Queen Maeve can be likened to Wonder Woman, as there are many similarities between them. In terms of Marvel characters, Captain Marvel would be the most fitting comparison, given their numerous shared traits. Both superheroes possess incredible strength, swift agility, unwavering endurance, and the ability to fly. Moreover, they both have a strong dedication to helping people. Both characters are equally independent-minded and unwilling to be told what to do or how to act. However, they both know when it’s time to take action without hesitation, doing what is right in every situation.

Billy Butcher

Among all characters on this list, Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) stands out as the most complex and malevolent figure. Initially, there are few beings in the universe who detest supers more than him. His loathing stems from the tragic loss of his wife at the hands of a supe. This event fuels his lifelong quest to control supers and prevent them from causing chaos among humans. However, pushed to his limits, Butcher resorts to regular injections of V24, gaining superhuman strength and durability. Unfortunately, this comes at a cost as he develops a serious health issue due to the rapid deterioration of his body. Desperate for a solution, Butcher eventually injects himself with Compound V, transforming into his ultimate form.

In many aspects, Frank Castle (The Punisher) shares striking similarities with Billy Butcher. Both are relentless in their pursuit, functioning more like one-man armies than ordinary individuals. Their internal turmoil serves to intensify their anger and propel them forward on their respective missions, regardless of the sacrifices involved.

Similarly, Butcher’s rage towards superhumans is profound. Compare this to the Vought interpretation of a Marvel hero, and you’ll understand the depth of his hatred. Nothing seems capable of deterring either character from their path. They disregard friends, family, and even rational advice that might otherwise soothe their tempestuous spirits.

Both characters are known for their preference for loud and aggressive approaches to their objectives.

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2025-02-14 04:40