The Prime Video series “The Boys” doesn’t hold back in poking fun at Marvel superheroes. Although the source material of the show satirizes both Marvel and DC equally, the streaming version leans more towards Marvel characters. Many of the superheroes in “The Boys” share distinct similarities with Marvel Comics and Marvel Cinematic Universe characters. While some parodies are straightforward – Soldier Boy is clearly a vulgar Captain America – others aren’t as apparent.
In “The Boys,” certain superheroes exhibit characteristics that seem like they’re poking fun at multiple characters, while others share names and abilities reminiscent of specific heroes. Additionally, there are those like Sister Sage from Season 4 who embody a typical superhero archetype rather than a specific character. Putting on our detective caps, we delved into the show to identify which superheroes were subtly spoofing Marvel’s creations. The outcome is our compilation of 10 “The Boys” characters you didn’t know were taking jabs at Marvel.
1) Blindspot is a Spot-on Satire of Daredevil
Visually, Blindspot doesn’t resemble the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen in the least, but as a blind individual with heightened hearing and athletic prowess on par with an Olympian, there’s no other character he could possibly be modeled after. In typical fashion of the series The Boys, Blindspot was a one-dimensional character designed to demonstrate what would transpire if Daredevil faced a threat as powerful as Superman.
A single strike to his ears by Homelander left the pretender, the false Man Without Fear, powerless, thereby underscoring yet again that Daredevil is best suited to tackle street-level criminality.
2) A-Train is Just Quicksilver Under a Different Name
Initially, A-Train may appear to be a satirical take on DC’s The Flash, but upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that he shares more similarities with Marvel’s Quicksilver, the mutant speedster. For instance, both characters initially served as antagonists before transitioning into heroic roles. Quicksilver originally belonged to Magneto’s Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, but later reformed and joined the Avengers after a change of heart.
In The Boys Season 4, after many years of following Homelander’s orders, A-Train developed a sense of morality and began secretly working for Billy Butcher and his team. It’s evident that A-Train is modeled after Quicksilver rather than The Flash, as his costume is a striking blue, much like the outfit of a particular Marvel speedster, hinting at his inspiration being Magneto’s son.
3) Eagle the Archer Shares a Fashion Sense With MCU Hawkeye
In simple terms, Eagle the Archer shares resemblance with Hawkeye from the Marvel Cinematic Universe as portrayed by Spirit Halloween, featuring similar hues and textures, yet distinct enough to avoid copyright issues. Although some viewers might associate him with Green Arrow, we should note that his name, “Eagle,” is close to “Hawk” and he originally donned a bird mask in the comics. If there’s any humor intended in this character, it seems to be directed at Marvel’s Hawkeye himself, Clint Barton.
4) Termite Took an Ant-Man Meme and Made it Into A Stomach-Churning Gag
Occasionally, even the series “The Boys” can overstep boundaries. For example, their take on Ant-Man, called Termite, was quite a stretch. If you were online during the release of “Avengers: Endgame”, you likely encountered the meme depicting Ant-Man vanquishing Thanos by shrinking and ascending… well, let’s just say, up Thanos’ intestines. It’s clear that someone from “The Boys” team was inspired by this humorous internet sensation.
In the first episode of Season 3, the series introduced Termite, a character capable of shrinking like Ant-Man, who entered another character through their front door by mistake and then expanded himself, leading to one of the show’s most disturbing jokes ever. Despite its grotesque nature, this scene demonstrated that the concept of shrinking for combat, as seen in Ant-Man and Thanos, could indeed be feasible.
5) Firecracker is the Alt-Right Jubilee
In the series “The Boys,” the writers often focus more on political satire than traditional superhero stories. This sometimes causes viewers to overlook the fact that Firecracker in Season 4 is not merely mocking certain conservative commentators, but also one of the less celebrated X-Men, Jubilee. When Firecracker demonstrates her power to create sparks from her fingers, other superheroes dismiss it as “underwhelming,” which reflects how fans have long undervalued Jubilee’s ability to shoot “fireworks” from her fingers for years.
As Jubilee’s abilities grew stronger and impressive over time, it seems less likely that Firecracker will experience such a significant development of power any time in the near future.
6) Black Noir Took His Cues From the Marvel Comics Version of G.I. Joe Ninja, Snake Eyes
Many spectators believe that the character Black Noir resembles Batman when paired with Homelander’s Superman, but in reality, the figure shares many traits with Snake Eyes from G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. From his black attire to his katana and silent demeanor, Black Noir embodies Snake Eyes, except for the name.
It seems there’s some confusion about G.I. Joe being a Marvel character. While it isn’t officially part of the Marvel Universe, Marvel did request Larry Hama, the editor, to create characters like Snake Eyes and other Joes for Hasbro in the 1980s. These characters were developed further by Hama during his work on the “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” comic book series from 1982-1994. This extensive development, including Black Noir’s traits, makes it plausible for Black Noir to be included in this list, considering Marvel’s significant role in shaping the G.I. Joe universe.
7) Lamplighter’s Whole Portrayal Pokes Fun At The X-Men Films
The ability of the character known as the Lamplighter lies in pyrokinesis – he has the mental power to manipulate fire, yet he neither generates it nor is invulnerable to it. This power set shares a striking resemblance to that of the malevolent Marvel mutant Pyro. Now, let’s ponder who was chosen to embody the Lamplighter in ‘The Boys’. The answer: none other than Shawn Ashmore, famously recognized for his role as Bobby Drake/Iceman from the Fox X-Men series.
One of the most clever casting choices ever made was selecting an actor known for portraying a frosty superhero to take on the role of a fire-wielding hero, modeled after his icy hero’s archenemy. This joke has multiple levels that resonate powerfully if you’re reminiscent of the Hugh Jackman X-Men films.
8) Kimiko’s Berserker Rage Reminds Us of Wolverine
Kimiko, often referred to as “The Female,” might not physically resemble a female version of Wolverine, but her behavior certainly mirrors it. Her aggressive tendencies and propensity for explosive outbursts of violence are reminiscent of Wolverine’s traits, coupled with an extraordinary healing ability. After decades of imprisonment and brutal scientific testing, both characters have developed a primal nature that borders on being more animalistic than human.
In Season 3, Kimiko temporarily lost and then reacquired her healing abilities, similar to Wolverine’s frequent comic book transformations. By this stage, not even Logan himself would dispute that, much like him, Kimiko excels in her unique skills.
9) Crimson Countess is Two Marvel Heroes Rolled Into One
In a less straightforward manner than it initially seems, Crimson Countess is not just a satire of Marvel’s Scarlet Witch; she also incorporates elements of the lesser-known mutant character, Firestar. As a result, Crimson Countess stands out among Vought-created superheroes by referencing more than one Marvel character. The Countess’s red cape and flamboyant name clearly evoke Wanda Maximoff, but her mask and fire-based abilities are more suggestive of Firestar from the Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends series.
10) Starlight Takes Her Cues From Dazzler
Evidence shows that even the more serious superheroes in ‘The Boys’ continue to make fun of their peers through subtle means. Contrary to being a comical character, Starlight does emulate certain aspects of Marvel’s Dazzler. Just like the mutant pop sensation, Starlight transforms surrounding energy into light. However, unlike Dazzler who uses sound, Starlight’s abilities are powered by electricity instead.
Similar to Dazzler, Starlight possesses musical talents and employs her light abilities to enhance her performances. Just as Dazzler found herself entangled in a conflict due to her relationship with Longshot in the Mojoverse, Starlight becomes embroiled in a struggle between her partner, Hughie, and The Boys against Vought and The Seven, reflecting a grittier, darker version of Dazzler’s story set within the universe of ‘The Boys’.
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2025-05-25 15:41