The Boys Unleashes an Epic Surprise with a Live-Action Debut of Amazon's Alternative Spinoff Supes
Gen V introduces a surprise character from The Boys Presents: Diabolical, expanding the interconnected universe The revelation sparks speculation about the shared continuity between Gen V and Diabolical, while also hinting at the possibility of more crossover characters in future installments
Summary
The Boys spinoff series Gen V is connected to the main show, and its events directly impact the young Supes at Godolkin University.
Gen V alludes to a character from The Boys Presents: Diabolical, hinting at the possibility of crossovers between the animated and live-action shows.
Despite The Boys Presents: Diabolical existing in a different universe from the live-action shows, the inclusion of Diabolical characters in Gen V expands the potential for crossover appearances and a potential second season of Diabolical.
The Boys is expanding its universe with Gen V, incorporating a Supe from its spinoff series into the live-action canon. This raises inquiries about the interconnectedness of all the projects. Gen V is clearly intertwined with the main show, showing the consequences of Starlight and Hughie revealing the truth about Compound V. The young Supes at Godolkin University in Gen V are still reeling from the impactful revelation in Season 2 of The Boys. If they survive their own spinoff, some of them may make appearances in Season 4 of The Boys.
In addition, several characters from The Boys appear in the initial episodes of Gen V, including A-Train, The Deep, and Ashley Barrett. More characters are expected to follow, further linking Prime Video's two shows in true superhero franchise fashion. Furthermore, Episode 4 of Gen V hints at the possibility of a connection between the live-action shows and The Boys' other spinoff by mentioning a Supe who has yet to appear in the live-action canon.
Gen V References A Character From The Boys Presents: Diabolical
In episode 4 of The Boys' fifth season, Tek Knight (played by Derek Wilson), a comic character, makes an appearance at Godolkin University. He seeks to uncover the truth behind the tragic death of Golden Boy (played by Patrick Schwarzenegger). However, his arrival at the university sparks conflict with Indira Shetty (played by Shelley Deborah Conn), the dean. Throughout the episode, tensions between Tek Knight and the dean escalate. In one conversation, the dean reveals that a well-known and wealthy superhero, Supe, named Ironcast was once killed by another Supe.
While Gen V doesn't provide many details about Ironcast or his demise, his name-drop holds significance. Ironcast has not been featured in the live-action universe of The Boys or the comics. However, he does appear in The Boys Presents: Diabolical, an animated spinoff series that premiered in 2022. This marks the first instance of a character exclusive to The Boys Presents: Diabolical crossing over into the live-action canon. Ironcast's inclusion in Gen V raises questions about the potential appearance of other elements from the animated series in future episodes or even in The Boys' fourth season.
Do Gen V & Diabolical Take Place In The Same Universe?
With a character from The Boys Presents: Diabolical appearing in Gen V, viewers may question if the animated spinoff is connected to the live-action shows. According to showrunner Eric Kripke, the answer is no. In an interview with Variety, Kripke confirmed that the finale of The Boys Presents: Diabolical is part of the live-action universe, but the rest of the animated spinoff seems to exist in a separate universe. The finale revolves around the relationship between Homelander and Black Noir, who also have a bond and backstory in the original series.
This is further reinforced by the fact that Ironcast's fate is different in The Boys Presents: Diabolical. Instead of dying at the hands of Tek Knight as in the animated series, Ironcast is killed by The Boys team when the Great Wide Wonder accidentally flies through him while drugged. These events do not happen in the live-action show, suggesting that the two spinoffs exist in different universes. However, it should be noted that the episode of The Boys Presents: Diabolical featuring Ironcast, titled "I'm Your Pusher," is written by the original comic writer, Garth Ennis, so it is technically canon to the source material.
Gen V Paves The Way For More The Boys Presents: Diabolical Characters
The Boys and The Boys Presents: Diabolical may exist in different universes, but the inclusion of Ironcast in Gen V opens the door for other Diabolical characters to appear in the live-action shows. These characters may have different stories and personalities compared to their animated counterparts, but they can still be enjoyable Easter eggs for fans who have seen all three The Boys series. Additionally, their inclusion could generate excitement for a potential second season of The Boys Presents: Diabolical.
Several Diabolical characters, such as Laser Baby, Sky, Sun-Hee, and the newcomers from "An Animated Short Where Pissed-Off Supes Kill Their Parents," would be interesting additions to The Boys' live-action universe. While the latter group would particularly suit the story of Gen V, some of the standout Supes from The Boys Presents: Diabolical also have the ability to significantly impact the dynamics within The Boys. As the series progresses, these characters could play a crucial role, making it wise for the writers to draw material from the animated spinoff.
