Summary
Unlike other superhero content, such as Marvel and DC, Amazon Prime Video's Gen V is unapologetically explicit, tackling sexual, gory, and disgusting themes.
The Gen V storyline delves into narratives that Marvel doesn't touch, presenting the concept of a superhuman character gaining immense strength during a sexual encounter, creating a stark contrast in terms of realism.
The Shehemoth storyline in Gen V highlights the lack of authentic representations of intimate relationships in Marvel's She-Hulk, underscoring the distinct focuses of the two franchises.
Amazon Prime Video's Gen V, based on The Boys, takes a refreshingly explicit approach in showcasing its superhuman characters and their abilities. This new series is unafraid to delve into the sexual, gory, and downright disgusting aspects that often come with being a superhero. Unlike popular Marvel and DC productions, Gen V refuses to hold back, highlighting both the pros and cons of this approach. By daring to explore the unfiltered realities of the superhero world, Gen V sets itself apart from the rest.
Gen V's Shehemoth Retells She-Hulk's MCU Storyline (With A Gross Twist)
Gen V explores a storyline that Marvel does not touch upon - the concept of a hero gaining strength in a sexual scenario. In episode 4 of Gen V, The Boys' character, Tek Knight, visits the Godolkin campus to handle a scandal. This is his primary duty as a true crime TV host, to present controversies in a favorable light for Vought. Throughout the episode, one of Tek Knight's past stories is revealed. It revolves around Shehemoth, a supe who becomes immensely strong and crushes her partner during sex. This joke echoes Marvel's She-Hulk but with a more repulsive outcome.
In 2022, Marvel introduced a new series titled She-Hulk: Attorney At Law. The show follows Jennifer Walters, also known as She-Hulk, as she searches for love. One aspect of Jen's storyline is that she realizes she has better luck with dating when she is in her She-Hulk form rather than her human form. Although Jen eventually learns to embrace her human self and prioritize it over her superhero alter ego, the show does not explicitly address how Jen can be intimate with someone while in her She-Hulk form. While this is not crucial to the storyline, Gen V's blatant answer to that question highlights She-Hulk's unanswered query.
Gen V Admits What The MCU Never Could About She-Hulk
Ultimately, Gen V's Shehemoth joke reveals something that Marvel could never quite capture about a super strong, super-sized character. While She-Hulk touched on Jen's dating life, the show didn't fully explore the realistic aspects of dating as She-Hulk. Instead, it shifted focus to a storyline involving Jen being blackmailed with a sex tape. Though it was left unsaid in She-Hulk, Gen V addresses the fact that a character like She-Hulk would most likely not unintentionally harm their partner during intimate moments.
Marvel doesn't necessarily need to delve into these logistics, especially considering their tendency to avoid inappropriate content. However, Gen V's portrayal highlights the absence of these realistic considerations in Marvel's storytelling. It raises questions about other aspects of everyday life that Marvel tends to overlook. This is not to say that Gen V is superior or inferior to Marvel or DC, but rather, it encourages audiences to think more critically about what these franchises prioritize when portraying superhero stories. In the case of Shehemoth and She-Hulk, Gen V aimed for realistic humor while She-Hulk focused on romance and identity.
Shehemoth's Story Is A Callback To The Boys Season 1
The Gen V Shehemoth storyline not only references Marvel's She-Hulk but also draws inspiration from a specific aspect of The Boys season 1. In this season, a character named Popclaw, who possesses cat claws and superhuman strength, is involved in a relationship with A-Train. However, when A-Train refuses to make their relationship public, she resorts to taking Compound V and engages in a sexual encounter with her landlord. Tragically, her heightened strength unintentionally leads to the landlord's death during their encounter. This storyline, resembling that of Shehemoth, further illustrates The Boys franchise's commitment to depicting realistic and complex sexual situations.