The Boys: A Parody of Marvel & DC Characters in Amazon's Series

Article Overview

"The Boys" cleverly parodies popular Marvel and DC superheroes, mocking their iconic status and subverting their tropes.

"The Boys" cleverly takes a dig at the progressive transformation of the superhero genre, specifically focusing on the wholesome content produced by Marvel and DC. With its satirical undertones and a playful approach, the show effortlessly highlights its astute critique of the behemoths in the comic book industry.

The Boys stands out as an exceptional dark superhero show on its own. However, what adds to its charm is that it satirizes the downfall of Marvel and DC superheroes. The original comic book series by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson offers a blood-soaked and grotesquely humorous take on the superhero genre. It cleverly subverts established conventions and plays with readers' expectations. Additionally, the story takes direct jabs at the comic book giants, Marvel and DC. In The Boys, many of the larger-than-life, outrageous superheroes are clever parodies of the industry's biggest names, offering a humorous critique of the superheroes' world.

Amazon's The Boys follows suit and elevates the satirical elements to a whole new level. Notably, the original comic series originated back in 2006, and since then, the superhero genre has undergone significant changes, particularly in its transition to the big screen. This new landscape opens up new targets for The Boys, allowing the Amazon series to mock numerous well-known figures from the genre's more family-friendly content. The series has become so popular that it has even spawned a spin-off called Gen V. Set at Godolkin University School of Crimefighting, this spin-off explores how young superhumans learn to harness their powers. While The Boys primarily parodies DC, especially in the comic books, it doesn't spare Marvel either. However, the show approaches these parodies with a lighthearted tone and a playful wink, rather than any ill will. This approach continues in the spin-off series, Gen V.

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Homelander - Superman (DC) /Captain America (Marvel)

Homelander, the leader of the Seven, draws inspiration from America's beloved Kryptonian superhero, incorporating elements of both Superman and Captain America. In The Boys, Homelander's character brilliantly combines Clark Kent's extraordinary abilities, such as flight, heat vision, and X-ray vision. However, this twisted adaptation takes a sinister turn with his X-ray vision. Additionally, Homelander visually pays homage to Captain America with the incorporation of Cap's Stars and Stripes motif. Furthermore, his blatant exploitation of patriotism surpasses anything Superman, with his Kryptonian background, could ever achieve.

The Deep - Aquaman (DC) / Namor (Marvel)

One of the most direct parodies in The Boys is Chase Crawford's The Deep, a clear riff on DC's Aquaman. The Boys explore the darker side of Aquaman's fish communication powers and highlight the potential challenges of aquatic anatomy. The series also capitalizes on the notion that Aquaman has long been ridiculed by comic fans for his appearance and unusual abilities, although Jason Momoa's portrayal has helped improve his reputation. The Deep attends therapy sessions to address his own feelings of inferiority, a path that Aquaman would likely have taken had he realized he was mocked. While the parody is not as overt, there are also evident parallels with Marvel's Namor, another underwater hero who converses with fish.

Queen Maeve - Wonder Woman (DC)

Queen Maeve and Wonder Woman, two powerful female characters, share a striking resemblance. Both draw inspiration from ancient mythology - Maeve from Irish legend and Wonder Woman from Greek lore. Their mythical essence is emphasized through their elaborate metallic armor and swords, although Maeve's weapon pales in comparison to Diana's in terms of combat prowess. Similar to Wonder Woman, Maeve stands as a moral beacon among the Seven, contrasting the vices and immorality exhibited by the rest of the group.

Black Noir - Batman (DC)

Starlight - Stargirl/Northstar & Aurora (Marvel)

Black Noir in The Boys is portrayed as the equivalent of Batman to Homelander's Superman, despite their differences in the comics. While Homelander represents the face of America for the team, Black Noir prefers to operate from the shadows. In comparison to Homelander, Black Noir is more willing to engage in hands-on, public endeavors and possesses a similar combat prowess to the famous Caped Crusader. Additionally, the Amazon Prime series deviates from the original comic storyline, further emphasizing Black Noir's resemblance to Batman rather than the source material.

Stargirl possesses unique superpowers, utilizing a staff to control energy, along with the ability to fly and unleash stellar projectiles. Conversely, Starlight emits powerful beams of light from her body, reminiscent of Marvel Comics' Northstar and Aurora. The appearance and concept of Stargirl strongly influence Starlight in The Boys. Both exemplify quintessential American icons and represent the more innocent aspects of their respective superhero groups. Physically, these two heroes bear striking similarities, and Stargirl is known for her relatively relaxed approach to unveiling her true identity, a characteristic that The Boys alludes to through Starlight.

Translucent - Emma Frost (Marvel) /Martian Manhunter (DC)

Any number of superheroes from both the DC and Marvel rosters have the ability to turn invisible. However, what sets Translucent apart is his unique carbon-based skin, reminiscent of Emma Frost from X-Men. Like Frost, Translucent's psychic powers allow him to transform his skin into an impenetrable carbon-based exterior. Another character with a similar ability is Jack From Jupiter, the comic counterpart of Translucent in Ennis and Robertson's The Boys. This is a not-so-subtle nod to DC's Martian Manhunter, who also possesses the power of invisibility.

Popclaw - X-23 (Marvel)

Popclaw's ability to grow claws through her skin, reminiscent of Wolverine, draws inspiration from the X-Men canon. While Wolverine had three prongs on each knuckle and X-23 reduced it to two, Popclaw has a single protrusion on each limb. Although the concept originates from Marvel, Popclaw's youth and female identity make her more closely comparable to X-23 than to Wolverine.

Kimiko - Wolverine (Marvel)

While Popclaw shares similarities in powers with Wolverine and X-23, Kimiko's abilities differ slightly when compared to these Marvel Comics icons. At times, Kimiko can become almost feral and can only maintain control when collaborating with specific individuals. Moreover, her enigmatic past has evolved into a perplexing puzzle that unfolded within The Boys. This exhibits a notable parallel with Wolverine, as both characters experience bouts of feral behavior and possess a mysterious past that ultimately results in danger. Kimiko's willingness to inflict severe harm in combat is another trait she shares with Wolverine, something he has consistently displayed throughout his superhero career.

Nubian Prince - Black Panther (Marvel)

Similar to how Black Panther is introduced as the prince of Wakanda, a fictional African state, Nubian Prince is recognized as the rightful heir of Nubia, an actual African region. Both characters further emphasize their connection by donning sleek black superhero suits with traditional African design elements. Adding a cynical twist, Madelyn Stillwell describes Nubian Prince as "not overly militant, appealing to Caucasians as well," which possibly hints at the scarce representation of Black lead characters in superhero movies.

A-Train - The Flash (DC)

In the world of The Boys comic, A-Train and the Flash share more than just super speed. A-Train's bold arrogance and lively persona serve as an exaggerated portrayal of his DC counterpart. However, this influence is less noticeable in the Amazon version of The Boys. Here, A-Train is a character torn between conflicting emotions, worried about his significance within the Seven and anxious that his involvement in the drug trade will be exposed. Nevertheless, the tragic loss of Robin serves as a powerful reminder of the potential horrors that could unfold if the Flash were truly whizzing across the globe in a blur of red spandex.

Blindspot – Daredevil (Marvel)

Ranking the heinous acts witnessed in The Boys' two seasons is a daunting task, yet Homelander's chilling encounter with Blindspot undoubtedly secures a prominent position. Blindspot, akin to Marvel's Daredevil, possesses remarkable combat skills as a blind superhero equipped with extraordinary sensory perception. Although appearing fleetingly in Season 2 of The Boys, Blindspot serves as yet another distressing demonstration of Homelander's prejudice and wickedness. Feigning admiration for Blindspot's abilities, Homelander ruthlessly incapacitates the valiant hero with a brutal strike to both ears.

Ezekiel - Plastic Man (DC)/ Mr Fantastic (Marvel)

Ezekiel, one of the lesser antagonists in The Boys' first season, is a Christian supe who serves as the primary organizer of the Capes for Christ group. Despite advocating for Christianity and traditional values, he hides his own homosexuality. In terms of abilities, he possesses elasticity powers, allowing him to stretch, twist, and contort his body to extraordinary lengths and proportions. This power resembles Reed Richards from Marvel Comics, but is more akin to Plastic Man from DC Comics as he can also compress his body into a compact shape or expand it as needed.

Eagle the Archer - Green Arrow (DC)/ Hawkeye (Marvel)

In The Boys season 2, Eagle the Archer makes an appearance as a Supe who comes to The Deep's rescue and later tries to recruit him into the Church of the Collective. The church claims to have the ability to assist him, but Eagle ultimately decides to leave when they demand he cut ties with his mother. This mirrors the controversies surrounding the real-life Church of Scientology. Eagle possesses remarkable accuracy and superior vision, making him one of the more impressive Supes. He genuinely strives to make a difference and is essentially a satirical version of Hawkeye, or perhaps more accurately, Green Arrow.

Doppelganger - Mystique (Marvel)

Soldier Boy – Captain America (Marvel)

Doppelganger, a Supe possessing the extraordinary ability to assume the likeness of anyone, played a significant role in The Boys. Initially, Doppelganger was hired by Madelyn Stillwell to masquerade as an alluring woman and seduce a Senator, thereby providing leverage for blackmail. However, what followed was even more disturbing: after Madelyn's demise, Doppelganger took on her appearance to engage in sexual acts with Homelander in an attempt to satisfy his desires. Undoubtedly, The Boys' portrayal of Doppelganger draws parallels to Mystique from The X-Men films. In those movies, Mystique skillfully impersonated and blackmailed government officials and even attempted to please Wolverine by assuming the form of Jean Grey.

While Homelander's outfit and fervent patriotism seem to draw inspiration from Marvel's Captain America, a direct parody of the iconic Star-Spangled Man can be found in The Boys' character Soldier Boy. Jensen Ackles portrays this alternate version of Soldier Boy in The Boys season 3. Contrasting with the original Soldier Boy from the comics, this iteration shares similarities with Captain America. Like the Marvel superhero, this Soldier Boy possesses superhuman strength, exceptional speed, advanced combat skills, and adept use of a shield. In the comic series, Soldier Boy is portrayed as idealistic and insecure, yet he wields great power in the show.

Andre Anderson - Magneto (Marvel)

In the Gen v, which follows a more coming-of-age style, there is a student who possesses powers similar to those of Magneto from The X-Men. However, unlike the villain, Andre Anderson exhibits none of the same personality traits. With Magnetism Manipulation abilities, he has the unique capability to control magnetic fields and manipulate magnetism using his hands. Furthermore, he even possesses the extraordinary power to reshape metal. While his backstory differs significantly from Magneto's, his powers serve as a clear parody.

Golden Boy - Human Torch (Marvel)

In Gen V, the beloved face of God U was Golden Boy, whose life was tragically cut short at the beginning of the series. Vought handpicked him for his stunning looks and irresistible charm to represent their prestigious institution. His extraordinary abilities mirrored those of The Human Torch from The Fantastic Four, as Golden Boy possessed Thermonuclear Powers that enabled him to engulf himself in a scorching aura and conjure fire. Like Johnny Storm, he embodied the image of a handsome hero, effortlessly assuming the role of the school's icon. Regrettably, his selfless sacrifice to rescue his brother marked the pivotal event that propelled the entire Gen V saga.

Sam Riordan - Superboy (DC)

Vought American - MCU

Not all of the teenage heroes introduced in Gen V have counterparts in the DC and Marvel universes. One such example is Marie Moreau, who possesses the ability to control and manipulate blood. This power brings a fresh and innovative element to The Boys universe. On the other hand, Sam Riordan, the younger brother of Golden Boy, has more fundamental abilities. He possesses superhuman strength and extraordinary durability. These powers, however, are of an immense magnitude. With a single punch, he can potentially kill someone, and he is capable of launching superpowered individuals through the air effortlessly. In addition, he is able to leap impressive distances, rivaling even the most seasoned jumpers. Although he lacks some of Homelander's other powers, he proves to be a formidable match in terms of sheer strength.

The Boys draws multiple parallels between Vought and the contemporary Marvel Studios machine. Seth Rogen makes a cameo appearance, revealing that the company possesses their own VCU - the Vought Cinematic Universe. Additionally, a company executive comically exclaims "everybody loves a team up," openly satirizing Marvel's crossover releases like Avengers and Captain America: Civil War. The show even references Vought's extension into theme parks outside of Paris (Disneyland Paris) and the production of the blockbuster hit G-Men: World War, which combines elements from X-Men and Civil War, generating billions of dollars in revenue.

The Seven - Justice League

While Vought may riff on Marvel in certain ways, the Seven unmistakably draw inspiration from DC's iconic Justice League. With their formal meetings, nationwide fame, and distinctive superhero representations, the Seven more closely resemble DC's premier team of superheroes than other collectives like the Avengers. The parallels persist in the comic books as well, where the Seven operate from a skybase instead of a conventional skyscraper, reminiscent of the Justice League's Watchtower space station.

Zack Snyder’s Justice League

In addition to satirizing the Justice League as a whole, The Boys season 2 also took a direct swipe at the controversy surrounding Zack Snyder's departure from 2017's Justice League and his replacement by Joss Whedon. In a scene where Maeve confronts Homelander about her unease with certains parts of their new movie, Dawn of the Seven, Homelander responds with the remark "This new Joss rewrite really sings, huh?" This line is a nod to Whedon's rewrites of Justice League and the subsequent movement to release the Snyder cut.

The Boys also satirizes real-life Marvel/DC movie culture by referencing Gal Gadot's refusal to film a scene from Justice League, which is highlighted in this moment.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have grown up watching superhero movies and TV shows. I have always been a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). However, I have also become increasingly critical of these franchises in recent years. I feel like they have become too formulaic and predictable. The Boys is a refreshing change of pace. It is a satirical take on the superhero genre that pokes fun at the conventions of these movies and TV shows.

The Boys is not afraid to be dark, violent, and gory. It also tackles some important social issues, such as racism, sexism, and homophobia. I appreciate that The Boys is not afraid to challenge the status quo. It is a show that is not afraid to make people uncomfortable. I think that The Boys is a great show for Gen Z netizens. It is a show that reflects our generation's cynicism and skepticism. It is also a show that is unafraid to challenge our expectations.