The Boys' Enigmatic Enforcer: Unmasking the Complexity of A-Train

The Boys is a rare example of a live-action adaptation that surpasses its source material. Released in 2019, it surprised audiences with its fresh take on superhero cinema, challenging the notion of superhero movie fatigue.

The quality of The Boys has consistently improved with each season. While all the members of the Seven are captivating in their own ways, with their unique morals and twisted personalities that range from murderous tendencies to a Nazi soldier turned hero, none shine brighter than A-Train, the narcissistic and egotistical speedster of the Seven.

Who Is A-Train In The Boys?

How has A-Train Changed Over 3 Seasons Of The Boys?

Reginald Franklin, popularly known as A-Train, is a member of Vought's elite group, the Seven, where he operates as the team's speedster, earning him the title of the fastest man alive. Throughout seasons 1 and 2 of The Boys, A-Train emerged as a prominent antagonist. Despite his portrayal as a superhero and renowned athlete, his true nature unveils a disturbing level of self-centeredness and narcissism, solely driven by the pursuit of being unmatched. A-Train's unexpected first appearance shocked viewers as he mercilessly ran through Hughie's girlfriend during the opening scene of The Boys' inaugural episode. This heart-wrenching incident motivated Hughie's quest for revenge against the corrupt supes, leading him to join forces with Billy Butcher, eventually forming the anti-superhero ensemble known as The Boys. It is crucial to acknowledge that A-Train's actions were the catalyst for the creation of The Boys, instigating significant upheaval within Vought's Seven.

The consequences of A-Train's actions, built up over three seasons, were inescapable even for the world's fastest. A-Train's journey was marked by numerous setbacks and disasters, which unexpectedly evoked pity from some viewers despite his transgressions. As a result of his accelerated aging and excessive use of the V-Compound, a drug employed by supes, A-Train's body reached its breaking point, leading to heart problems. During his altercation with Starlight and Hughie in the first season, A-Train suffered a heart attack and fell into a coma. In the second season, Homelander fired A-Train upon realizing his heart could no longer withstand high speeds, replacing him with another speedster named Shockwave within The Seven.

Despite being demoted, A-Train harbors a deep fear of losing his fame and is determined to stay in the spotlight. In an effort to remain relevant, A-Train and his team completely overhaul his persona as a Supe. The new A-Train goes to great lengths to reconnect with his African heritage, even going as far as getting a new suit that showcases his roots.

Observing these changes, A-Train's brother and former coach, Nate, confronts him and encourages him to advocate for the Black community by exposing the unethical actions of Blue Hawk to the Seven. Blue Hawk is another corrupt Supe who claims to be fighting crime, particularly in the Black community. However, his actions demonstrate aggression and prejudice towards Black individuals.

Nate informs A-Train about an incident where Blue Hawk violently assaulted an innocent Black man, causing the pavement to shatter upon impact. Motivated by this revelation, a meeting is organized by Ashley, during which the group brainstorms potential solutions. Ultimately, they all agree that Blue Hawk should publicly apologize to those affected by his actions.

What is next For A-Train on The Boys

: However, the insincere apology of Blue Hawk, coupled with his refusal to acknowledge his mistakes, sparked anger within the Black community. This resulted in the crowd hurling insults at Blue Hawk, who retaliated with racist remarks. Consequently, tensions escalated, leading to physical altercations wherein Blue Hawk violently threw people around, including Nate, A-Train's brother. Devastatingly, medical professionals delivered the heartbreaking news to Nate that his injuries might render him unable to walk for the rest of his life. Shockingly, Blue Hawk faced no consequences, as the Seven dreaded any damage to their public reputation. These multiple factors ultimately caused a growing rift between A-Train and Nate, with Nate even severing all ties with A-Train.

The recent disasters have had a profound impact on A-Train's character. Losing everything he cared about, facing the consequences of his actions, and feeling powerless have all contributed to his transformation. Instead of remaining the cold-hearted Supe he once was, A-Train now exhibits limited empathy. Frustrated and full of rage towards Blue Hawk, A-Train attends Herogasm in order to find him and seek revenge for what happened to his brother. While searching for Blue Hawk, A-Train encounters Hughie, who confronts him about the death of his girlfriend, Robin. Surprisingly, A-Train apologizes and displays an unexpected level of sympathy, leaving Hughie speechless.

After Soldier Boy annihilates the site of Herogasm, A-Train finally locates and confronts Blue Hawk. In a moment of intense confrontation, A-Train seizes Blue Hawk by the neck, forcefully dragging him along a concrete road at breakneck speeds. The devastating impact results in Blue Hawk's face being obliterated and his life being extinguished. However, A-Train's fragile heart cannot endure the strain and he succumbs to a heart attack. Subsequently, A-Train awakens in a hospital, where Ashley spins a fabricated tale about A-Train's valiant efforts to rescue Blue Hawk from Soldier Boy. Furthermore, she reveals that A-Train has received Blue Hawk's heart, allowing him to restore his superhuman abilities. Despite the transformation, A-Train's facial expressions betray his discomfort with the situation.

With his powers now renewed, A-Train rejoins the ranks of the Seven and assumes a more prominent role in The Boys Season 4. This resurgence signifies the commencement of a redemption arc as A-Train endeavors to reconcile for his past transgressions. Having endured numerous betrayals from Vought throughout Season 3 of The Boys and frequently being sidetracked, it is not unforeseen that A-Train may oppose the Seven or contemplate aligning with a different faction. However, whether he follows through with these notions remains to be witnessed.