The Ultimate Guide to Compound V: Unveiling The Dark Secrets of The Boys

Highlights

Compound V is a dark blue liquid that, when injected at high dosages, grants superhuman abilities to humans, turning them into 'supes' like in The Boys.

The origin of Compound V can be traced back to Frederick Vought, a Nazi geneticist who developed the serum with the intention of forming a superhuman army for Nazi Germany.

Compound V possesses unpredictable effects and has the capability to augment pre-existing superpowers or provide temporary abilities. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that the substance is highly addictive and can result in perilous side effects, including fatality.

Compound V plays a crucial role in The Boys, but there is much confusion surrounding its origins and purpose. With the recent release of Gen V, a spin-off series, these questions have become even more prominent.

In line with its title, Gen V focuses heavily on the long-term consequences of Vought International's scandal involving Compound V. In the first season of The Boys, it was shockingly revealed that Vought had been injecting children with the serum to create superhumans. Despite its significant presence in both The Boys and Gen V, fans may have forgotten its dark history. So, what exactly is Compound V, where does it come from, and what is its purpose?

What Is Compound V?

Compound V, a dark blue liquid, is recognized by fans of The Boys. When administered in high doses, this serum can grant super-powered abilities to individuals, creating what the show refers to as 'supes'. Billy Butcher likens Compound V to steroids, describing it as a "booster or steroid" that greatly enhances the powers of Supes.

The show highlights the extreme danger of Compound V, as it is known to cause severe and unpleasant side effects. Additionally, it is highly addictive, as exemplified by A-Train's frequent usage of the serum, which ultimately resulted in his heart failure.

Where Did Compound V Come From?

Compound V was originally developed by Frederick Vought, a Nazi geneticist and the founder of Vought International. He was married to Stormfront, and both were devoted followers of Nazi ideology. Frederick's intention in creating Compound V was to provide a serum for German soldiers during World War II, with the goal of creating a military force of enhanced "super soldiers" to defend Nazi Germany.

To develop Compound V, Frederick conducted experiments on human prisoners, testing and refining the serum. Once he had successfully perfected it, he administered a dose of Compound V to his wife, Stormfront, making her the first successful recipient of the serum. With their strong commitment to Nazi beliefs, both Frederick and Stormfront had planned to utilize Compound V to ignite a global race war.

Germany's impending defeat in the war prompted Frederick to switch sides and join the Allies, bringing along Compound V. The American Military utilized Frederick's serum to transform Soldier Boy into a superhuman. Following the war, Frederick founded Vought International, which leveraged Compound V to assemble a team of supers. To deceive the public, they propagated the notion that a supe's powers were either divine gifts or the result of a natural genetic leap. However, unbeknownst to the public, Vought surreptitiously administered Compound V to newborns in an attempt to turn them into supers. When this revelation came to light, the production of Compound V was stopped indefinitely.

In The Boys' timeline, Frederick initially created a purer version of Compound V. However, Vought International later developed a less effective variation of the serum to cut costs. Consequently, patients required dangerously high doses of Compound V in the hopes of acquiring superhuman abilities. The morally reprehensible process extended to Vought secretly administering the serum to newborns in laboratory settings. Some parents willingly subjected their children to this perilous substance, hopeful that they would eventually manifest extraordinary powers. For instance, Vought paid Starlight's mother to administer the serum to her child, only to later deceive her by attributing the powers to a divine source. As expected, the survival rate of individuals exposed to Compound V, particularly adults, was exceptionally low.

What Is Compound V Used For?

Previously mentioned, Vought primarily used Compound V to create superhumans, but there was no guarantee of success. In order to increase the chances of developing superhuman abilities, young children were often given higher doses of the serum. This explains why both Homelander and Queen Maeve became such powerful superhumans.

Compound V does not determine the specific superpower a user will develop, resulting in a wide range of unique abilities in The Boys' universe. While the Seven possess remarkably strong powers, the animated spin-off series, Diabolical, explores the more unconventional superhuman abilities. In the second episode, a group of outcasts who did not receive "big-ticket powers" like flight or laser eyes are introduced. These individuals were abandoned by their parents and sent to a home specifically for children with less impressive powers. The episode showcases bizarre and often comedic abilities, such as extreme slow-motion or the ability to transform into a human tongue. Diabolical serves as a reminder of the extreme unpredictability of Compound V, amplifying its dangerous nature.

Instead, Compound V can be utilized to augment the existing powers of a supe. In Season 1 of The Boys, A-Train's dependence on the serum was explored due to this precise purpose. A-Train resorted to illegally taking Compound V in order to maintain his reputation as the fastest supe in the world, thereby securing his position in the Seven. However, while the serum provided a temporary enhancement of the supe's abilities, it ultimately caused him permanent damage, as evidenced by A-Train's heart attack in Season 3.

In Season 3, The Boys introduced Temp V or V24, a new variation of Compound V. This variant bestowed its subject with temporary superhuman abilities, although its effects were intended to last for a maximum of 24 hours. The development of Temp V was halted after the public disclosure of the truth about Compound V, leaving the full extent of its side effects unknown.

Billy Butcher initially took Temp V in order to defeat Soldier Boy in a battle. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Butcher has become dependent on the serum and relies on it to temporarily acquire superpowers. It is later revealed that Temp V can be lethal after 3-5 doses, which explains Butcher's sudden and dangerous illness.

In essence, Compound V is an extremely hazardous serum that can have severe side effects. With the release of season 4 of The Boys approaching, it is probable that the series will further delve into the repercussions of Compound V. Meanwhile, fans eagerly anticipate the unfolding of Gen V's narrative.