Unraveling the Boys Season 4 Timeline: Insights into the Explosive Gen V Season 1 Finale According to the Creator

Article Overview

The upcoming season of The Boys will take place just a few days after the explosive finale of Gen V season 1.

Eric Kripke, the creator, prefers to maintain a straightforward timeline, comparing it to a train with cars rather than a tangled plate of spaghetti. The interconnected universe will adhere to a modular timeline, where The Boys season 4 will be succeeded by Gen V season 2.

The timeline for the next season of The Boys has been clarified in relation to Gen V season 1. The Boys is a Prime Video superhero show that follows a group of vigilante citizens determined to bring down the corrupt superhero organization known as The Seven. Meanwhile, Gen V is a spinoff series that focuses on a group of aspiring supes at the Godolkin University School of Crimefighting. The recently concluded season 1 of Gen V featured crossover characters and revealed a game-changing revelation with far-reaching consequences.

In a recent interview with Variety, creator Eric Kripke discussed the timeline of The Boys season 4 in relation to Gen V season 1. Kripke revealed that the upcoming season will take place just a few days after the intense finale. He emphasized his desire for a straightforward timeline in the interconnected universe, likening it to a train of cars rather than a tangled plate of spaghetti. Below is his complete statement:

How The Boys’ Timeline Compares to Other Superhero Franchises

Our approach to the timeline is simple; we keep it streamlined without delving into intricate folding-in-on-itself scenarios that can be perplexing for viewers. Imagine it as a modular structure. First, there's Season 3 of The Boys, followed by the events of Gen V. Then, The Boys Season 4 unfolds, succeeded by Gen V Season 2. It's akin to cars on a train rather than a tangled web of spaghetti.

In the realm of interconnected superhero universes, it is uncommon to find a timeline as simplistic as the one outlined by Kripke for the spinoff Gen V. Interestingly, a similar metaphor involving spaghetti was recently employed by a character in a DC film, specifically Michael Keaton's Batman in The Flash. While the timeline of the DC franchise generally follows a linear progression (except for the Wonder Woman movies), the timeline of its rival franchise, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is notably more intricate.

Wonder Woman takes place during World War I, while its sequel is set in 1984.

The MCU has a complex timeline with various movies that occur before the main events of the ongoing timeline. These films include Captain America: The First Avenger (which is set during World War II), Captain Marvel (set in the 1990s), and Black Widow (which takes place between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War). As the franchise enters the new era called The Multiverse Saga, the inclusion of multiple universes and timelines further complicates movies such as Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Kripke's simplification of The Boys timeline also aligns with the show's fundamental concept of subverting the superhero genre. Both the main series and Gen V incorporate plenty of satirical allusions to other superhero franchises. By offering a more streamlined timeline compared to other prominent superhero properties, the universe can further taunt and parody these other superheroes.

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of The Boys, I am thrilled about the upcoming season and the insights provided into the show's timeline. Eric Kripke's approach of maintaining a straightforward timeline is refreshing compared to the increasingly complex timelines of other superhero franchises. The analogy of a train with cars rather than a tangled plate of spaghetti resonates with me, as it suggests a clear and cohesive progression of events. This approach not only enhances the viewing experience but also allows for better storytelling and character development.

Moreover, the fact that The Boys season 4 will take place just days after the explosive finale of Gen V season 1 creates an exciting sense of continuity and urgency. It indicates that the events of Gen V will have immediate repercussions for the main storyline, deepening the interconnectedness of the universe. This approach also allows for the exploration of the fallout from the game-changing revelation in Gen V season 1, keeping viewers engaged and eager for answers. Overall, I appreciate Kripke's commitment to a streamlined timeline and believe it will contribute to the overall strength and coherence of The Boys universe.