The Boys’ New Villain Twist Changes Everything About Supes, V & Beating Homelander

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Everything we thought we knew about superheroes, Compound V, and powers in *The Boys* might be wrong. Up until now, superpowers have mostly followed a consistent pattern: people gain abilities after being injected with Compound V. Homelander, the incredibly powerful and menacing version of Superman, has always been at the top of the power hierarchy, and he’s now aiming to take over the world. But recent events suggest this established understanding could be completely changing.

Things are heading towards a big change because the upcoming fifth season of *The Boys* will be the last, and Homelander needs to be stopped. We’ve seen hints about how that might happen: Billy Butcher is searching for a virus that could eliminate Supes, and the series *Gen V* suggests Marie Moreau might actually be more powerful than Homelander. Now, *Gen V* has added another surprising twist with the character Dean Cipher, which could be the biggest shock yet. Spoiler alert: This refers to events in Season 2, Episode 4 of *Gen V*.

How Does Gen V’s Cipher Have Powers Without Compound V?

Marie can use her powers to detect Compound V, and she discovers Cipher doesn’t have any in his current form. She initially believes this means he’s powerless and fully human, but she’s wrong. In the final moments of Gen V Season 2, Episode 4, Marie is forced to battle Jordan Li, only for Cipher to seize control of Jordan. Despite being far away and observing from above, Cipher completely takes over Jordan’s mind and body, using her as a puppet to carry out his will.

If we can rely on Marie’s perceptions, it seems there’s no Compound V in his system, which begs the question of how he’s developing powers. One possibility is Project Odessa, a secretive program started by Thomas Godolkin. We know this project involved Marie, Homelander, and Cipher, and appeared to aim at creating a new type of superhuman. Perhaps Cipher is a successful result of the project, given something different from Compound V that Marie can’t identify.

It’s also possible Cipher was naturally born with powers, like Homelander’s son, Ryan. Ryan didn’t need the Compound V injection to develop abilities, so it could be that Cipher was the very first ‘natural’ Supe. However, I’m hesitant to believe this, as Ryan’s unique case was a major event, and this explanation would diminish its significance.

There Could Be Another Twist To Cipher’s Powers

I’ve been thinking about Cipher, and honestly, maybe Marie is right – what if he’s just a person, no powers involved? There’s this interesting idea floating around that he’s *not* the one doing the mind control, but is actually being controlled himself. It all goes back to that creepy, scarred man they found at his house, the one he claimed was his father. Something about that story feels really off, and I can’t shake the feeling that Cipher’s dad – or whoever that guy really is – might be the one pulling the strings. It just feels like there’s a lot more to that connection than we’ve seen so far.

Cipher’s ability to control minds is already exceptionally strong, making him one of the most powerful individuals we’ve encountered. However, if someone else is actually controlling *him* from a distance, that’s far more concerning. It would mean he can not only control people remotely, but also be controlled *through* another person, creating a complex chain of control. We have no idea how far this reach could extend, or how many people could ultimately be affected. This raises questions about Cipher’s true role – is he simply being used, and is he even still alive? The fact that he’s easily controlled and doesn’t seem to feel pain could suggest he’s a reanimated corpse.

This revelation feels incredibly significant, especially considering its potential implications – and it suggests the situation isn’t as simple as it seems. Whether it’s Cipher or the older man, this development could position them as a genuine threat to Homelander, potentially even giving them the power to control him. Regardless of the truth, whether Cipher has powers without needing Compound V or there’s another surprise in store, this could be a pivotal moment for *The Boys* heading into Season 5, dramatically altering the balance of power and how the heroes plan to defeat Homelander.

As a big fan of these shows, I’m excited to share that new episodes of *Gen V* Season 2 are dropping every Wednesday on Prime Video. And if you’re waiting for *The Boys* Season 5 like I am, the latest news suggests we’ll be seeing it around 2026!

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-09-24 19:13