The Boys' Universe Outshines Marvel in a Key Aspect

Article Summary

The Boys manages to effectively incorporate current societal concerns and challenges within its storyline, resulting in a profound and far-reaching impact that surpasses the achievements of other superhero series, such as Marvel.

The Boys, being a newer franchise, takes advantage of its creative freedom to seamlessly integrate peculiar and satirical elements from the comics into the TV series.

Unlike Marvel, which leans towards an idealistic approach, The Boys skillfully incorporates real-world elements into its narrative, serving as a satirical commentary on the superhero genre and effectively addressing similar issues in its movies and TV series.

Currently, we find ourselves in a fortunate time for superhero enthusiasts. We have the pleasure of witnessing new episodes of both Gen V and Loki consecutively. These shows are receiving praise for their intriguing, unconventional stories, which greatly captivate us. The superhero genre's dominant forces, the MCU and The Boys, have emerged as the frontrunners (hopefully, DC will soon find its footing under James Gunn as well). However, these two entities couldn't be more disparate in their storytelling approaches, even when they do explore similar narratives.

When discussing the appeal of The Boys, it is common for people to highlight how this particular universe successfully incorporates real-world issues and problems into its storytelling. Numerous other franchises, particularly Marvel, have attempted to address these topics in their films and series; yet, they often struggle to generate the same impact and consequences that The Boys consistently achieves. Why is this the case? Why is it that despite Marvel's extensive roster of superheroes, they can't evoke meaningful discussions on current events in the same way that The Boys accomplishes in practically every new episode?

The Boys

A group of vigilantes set out to take down corrupt superheroes who abuse their superpowers.

Release Date: July 26, 2019

Cast: Karl Urban, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Dominique McElligott, Laz Alonso, Chace Crawford, Colby Minifie, Aya Cash

Genres: Superhero, Action, Sci-Fi, Drama, Crime

Rating: TV-MA

Seasons: 4

Studio: Amazon Studios

‘The Boys’ Has More Freedom With Being a Relatively Newer Franchise

Image via Prime Video

Adapting well-known material from comics and beloved characters into movies or television series can be incredibly daunting. However, The Boys doesn't face any of that pressure these days. Unlike Marvel, The Boys comics are relatively new, having emerged in 2006. Additionally, the comics had more creative freedom since they were published by Dynamite, a smaller brand that allowed co-creators Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson to explore their story without constraints. Consequently, the TV series has access to a vast array of weird and unique elements. This isn't necessarily better or worse than working with a big brand—it's just different. Nonetheless, this approach worked seamlessly when bringing the comics to the small screen.

The Boys is widely recognized for its flagship series on Prime Video, along with its spinoff shows, The Boys Presents: Diabolical and Gen V. These television adaptations have the advantage of more creative freedom compared to the original comics, allowing them to find success by deviating from the original storylines. Led by Eric Kripke, the franchise takes a unique approach by incorporating real-world elements into its satirical nature. While the concepts from the comics are present, they are not simply replicated but rather adapted to serve the series' purpose.

One example of this adaptation is Stormfront's storyline. In the comics, her character does not have a relationship with Homelander, making her Nazi past less relevant. However, in the TV series, her past becomes a significant aspect of Season 2. Through Stormfront, the audience witnesses influential figures making Nazi references and dog whistles on television, which has a profound impact on the series' narrative. These alterations are necessary for the TV adaptation, as the comics already explore such themes. Stormfront's character is crucial as she is responsible for shaping Homelander's belief that Supes are superior to ordinary people. This leads to the emergence of the "Supes Lives Matter" movement in Gen V, reflecting real-world issues. In contrast, Stormfront's role in the comics is limited to being the Nazi character who gets punched, typically not by the female members of the group. This showcases how the TV series makes the comics work for them, rather than the other way around, as we will explore with Marvel.

‘The Boys’ Wouldn't Work As Well If It Didn't Incorporate Real-World Elements Into Its Story

Image via Prime Video

The central concept of The Boys, in both the comics and the TV show, poses the question: What if superheroes truly existed? The answer is that they would coexist in our world, observing the same events and being influenced by the same everyday occurrences. They would be famous figures who openly express their distorted thoughts, in a constant pursuit of public attention and adoration, feeling entitled to it for their service, without seeing it as a responsibility.

This approach serves as a form of satire, as this question has been explored extensively in the superhero genre, both in comic books and on-screen. While The Dark Knight is often regarded as realistic due to its dark and gritty portrayal of superheroes, it is somewhat naively idealistic. In reality, the notion of a billionaire utilizing their resources to assist ordinary individuals is nearly unimaginable. Spider-Man's core premise revolves around the idea that having superpowers comes with a responsibility towards the community, which itself is an ideal concept, but lacks practical application. In truth, Batman would most likely incarcerate Peter Parker, and Miles Morales would find himself in a juvenile detention center.

As a mockery of the genre,

The MCU Is a Problem in Itself When Addressing Real-Word Issues

aims to present a reflection of the superheroes' concept — beings meant to embody our aspirations. It exposes how this notion would appear if scrutinized. Marvel, on the other hand, lacks the ability to accomplish this as they are not a satire. They are the ones responsible for creating these ideals. Although they do have satirical characters like Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), even he recognizes that he is merely a cog in a larger machinery that operates differently.

Image by Marvel Studios

Adapting decades of well-known comic material, along with beloved characters, into movies or TV shows comes with immense pressure. Marvel understands this completely, or else fans would go wild. Over time, their comics have become the gold standard in superhero storytelling because they portray something unattainable yet admirable. Swinging through buildings, super soldier serums, and armor that enables flight may not exist, but if they did, this is how superheroes would behave, and that's truly remarkable. As flawed individuals, we need role models who embody perfection. That's why characters like Captain America and Superman, despite sounding mundane, are actually extraordinary.

Marvel has always excelled at exploring real-world issues in their comics, but their movies and TV series have struggled to replicate that success. For instance, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier attempted to address racial and social issues, but it felt more like a conversation than a meaningful exploration. Despite its efforts, the series' greatest accomplishment was transforming Sam Wilson into a symbol, as even in the MCU, they rely on ideals and role models. The MCU presents an idealistic comic book world, showcasing how things should be rather than how they truly are. Nevertheless, it does touch on racial issues, particularly evident in the opposition to a Black Captain America. Ultimately, the series concludes with the message of striving to be better by remaining true to our ideals.

Additionally, the MCU faces a predicament when it comes to tackling real-world problems: the stakes. As Marvel encompasses various planets and realms, all storylines converge to combat a common threat. This was seen in the Infinity Saga with Thanos and will continue in the Multiverse Saga with Kang. This approach prioritizes the larger overarching narrative, making it difficult to fully emphasize the significance of characters like Isaiah Bradley. Despite his importance and suffering, his story merely serves as a stepping stone towards the ultimate multiversal battle. While these superhero tales have their strengths on-screen, the world of The Boys triumphs in ways that Marvel has yet to grasp.

The Boys is available for streaming exclusively on Prime Video in the U.S.

Watch on Prime Video

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I find "The Boys" to be a refreshing take on the superhero genre. Unlike Marvel, which often shies away from addressing real-world issues, "The Boys" tackles them head-on. This makes the show more relatable and thought-provoking. I appreciate that the show doesn't shy away from difficult topics, and I think it's important for superhero media to reflect the world we live in.

I also appreciate the show's humor. It's often dark and satirical, but it's also very clever. The show does a great job of poking fun at the superhero genre, and it's clear that the writers have a lot of fun with the material. Overall, I think "The Boys" is a great show that offers something different from the typical superhero fare. I'm excited to see where the show goes in future seasons.