The Boys’ 7 Best Copycat Heroes, Ranked

I was totally hooked on The Boys – it really took the superhero genre by storm! After five seasons, it’s sadly over, but I get why it blew up when it did. Everyone was obsessed with those perfect Marvel heroes, and then this show came along showing what superheroes would really be like if they had all that power without any responsibility. They weren’t saving anyone; they were just awful people! It was so clever how the characters clearly mirrored famous heroes, making the whole thing feel like a really dark and biting parody. And even though it started as a comic, the show definitely took things in its own direction – there were tons of changes!

The comic book The Boys first introduced the idea of heroes who are clearly imitations of well-known figures, and in some cases, the comics explored this concept even more effectively than the TV show. We’re now going to examine seven of the best characters from the comic who parody famous heroes, ranking them based on how successful they are. Some are hilarious exaggerations, while others take a more serious approach. Let’s dive into these clever copies and see which ones work best.

7) Jack from Jupiter / Martian Manhunter

Jack Jupiter claimed to be an alien escaping his home planet, and could create an impenetrable shield by saying a single word – a power similar to Captain Marvel’s magical abilities. Despite seeming harmless, Jack wasn’t inherently good; he was just less awful than the rest of the team. He didn’t try to stop their destructive behavior and mostly just indulged in his own selfish desires, making him ultimately rather pitiful.

6) The Deep / Aquaman

The Deep was created in a lab by Vought, and they gave him a fake history – claiming he was a king from the sea cursed to forever wear a diving suit due to Atlantean magic. What’s unique about The Deep is that he actually started believing his own made-up story. He became so immersed in the character that he genuinely thought he was cursed and never took off the suit. Unlike many others, he truly supported Vought’s goals, even trying to convince A-Train to do the same, and remained loyal during Homelander’s attempt to take over. The Deep might have been the most consistently dedicated member of the Seven, and his self-deception is surprisingly compelling.

5) Black Noir / Batman

Initially, Black Noir appeared to be The Seven’s version of Batman – a silent, skilled ninja. However, it was later discovered he was actually a Homelander clone, designed as a failsafe to eliminate the original if he became uncontrollable. He turned out to be the story’s real antagonist, secretly orchestrating events so he could fulfill his mission: killing Homelander. While this reveal was surprising and had potential, it didn’t quite fit with the initial Batman-like portrayal. Black Noir only shares a superficial resemblance to Batman, and becomes more compelling when he moves away from that comparison entirely.

4) Queen Maeve / Wonder Woman

Initially, Maeve was the most hopeful member of the Seven, disapproving of her teammates’ self-indulgent ways. But after they failed to prevent the events of 9/11, she became deeply cynical and turned to alcohol. She remained with the team solely for financial support and because she feared Homelander, though her resentment eventually led her to secretly help The Boys by planting bugs in the Seven’s headquarters. Unlike the other members, Maeve wasn’t purely villainous; she was more of an anti-hero – damaged by trauma and frustrated with being treated as a superficial image. Her decision to rebel gave her character much needed depth.

3) Starlight / Mary Marvel

While many compare Starlight to Stargirl because of their shared optimism and similar names, her character is more closely inspired by Mary Marvel, particularly in her appearance and connection to a problematic group. She stood out as the only genuine hero within the Seven, consistently striving to do what’s right despite the increasing corruption and villainy of her teammates. Ultimately, she remained true to her values, making her a unique figure in the show. Her relationship with Hughie created some of the series’ most compelling drama and offered the only real path to a hopeful conclusion. Throughout the series, she evolved from being objectified and treated as a joke into a remarkably complex and well-developed character.

2) Homelander / Superman

Homelander is the most compelling character on the TV show, but his portrayal in the comic books is quite different. While he’s always been selfish, corrupt, and does whatever he pleases, he didn’t initially aim for world domination. He began as a disturbing, uncaring individual, but his slide into full-blown madness only started when Black Noir falsely accused him of increasingly terrible acts. The comic version of Homelander shows how absolute power corrupts, but in an unexpected way – he was a problem for most of his life, but only became a global threat after being manipulated. Ultimately, Homelander serves as a frightening example of what could happen if a corporation created their own Superman and exerted total control.

1) Billy Butcher / The Punisher

Garth Ennis isn’t a fan of most superheroes, but he really likes the Punisher. That’s why, in his satirical series, one of the main characters, Butcher, is heavily inspired by the Punisher. Like Frank Castle, Butcher is driven by a deep need for revenge and is portrayed as someone completely consumed by it. A major storyline involves Butcher influencing the rest of the Boys, especially Hughie, which creates a compelling and escalating conflict. Butcher is essentially a version of the Punisher, though perhaps slightly more stable.

2026-06-13 23:45