The Boys (comics): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 18:46, 27 October 2006

Latest revision as of 03:56, 26 August 2025

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{{Short description|American superhero comic book series}}

{{future comic|Boys, The}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}

{{Infobox comic book title

{{Supercbbox| <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->

<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->

title = The Boys

| title = The Boys

| comic_color = background:#8080ff

| image = [[Image:The -Boys -1Volume One.jpg|225px]]

| caption = Cover of ''The Boys Volume 1: The Name of the Game'' (June 2007), depicting the titular group (clockwise from top left: The Frenchman, [[Mother's Milk (character)|Mother’s Milk]], The Female, [[Hughie Campbell|Wee Hughie]], and [[Billy Butcher]].)

| caption = Cover of The Boys #1. By [[Darick Robertson]] and [[Tony Avina]]

Clockwise from the lower left-hand corner: Billy Butcher, The Frenchman, Mother's Milk, The Female, Wee Hughie

| schedule = Monthly

| multigenre = y

| format = ongoing series

| Superhero = first

| publisher = [[Wildstorm]]

| ongoing = Y

| date = [[2006 in comics|2006]]

| publisher = [[WildStorm]]/[[DC Comics]] ([[The Name of the Game (comic book)|#1–6]])<br>[[Dynamite Entertainment]] (#7–72, ''[[Dear Becky]]'')

| writers = [[Garth Ennis]]

| date = October 2006&nbsp;– November 2012

| artists = [[Darick Robertson]]

| pencillersissues = 72

| main_char_team = {{ubl|[[List of The Boys characters#The Boys|The Boys]]|[[List of The Boys characters#The Seven|The Seven]]|[[G-Men (comics)|The G-Men]]|[[Vought-American]]|[[List of The Boys characters#United States government|The U.S. Government]]}}

| inkers =

| creators = [[Garth Ennis]]<br>[[Darick Robertson]]

| colorists = [[Tony Avina]]

| writers = Garth Ennis

| creative_team_month =

| artists = Darick Robertson<br>[[Peter Snejbjerg]] (#13–14)<br>[[John Higgins (comics)|John Higgins]] (#26, #28)<br>[[Carlos Ezquerra]] (#31–32, #34)<br>Richard P. Clark (#42–43, #72)<br>Russ Braun (#44–51, #56–71)

| creative_team_year =

| pencillers = [[John McCrea (comics)|John McCrea]] (#33, #39, #52–55, #65)<br>Keith Burns (#33, #39, #52–55, #65)<br>Russ Braun (#65)

| creators = [[Garth Ennis]]<br/>[[Darick Robertson]]

| inkers = Rodney Ramos (#11–12)<br>Matt Jacobs (#22)<br>Hector Ezquerra (#31–32, #34)<br>John McCrea (#33, #39, #52–55, #65)<br>Keith Burns (#33, #39, #52–55, #65)<br>Russ Braun (#65)

| letterers = Greg Thompson (#1–6)<br>Simon Bowland (#7–72)

| colorists = Tony Aviña

| editors = [[Ben Abernathy]] (#1–6)<br>Kristy Quinn (#1–6)

| TPB = [[The Name of the Game (comic book)|The Name of the Game]]

| ISBN = 91-33-30546-3

| TPB1 = [[Get Some (comic book)|Get Some]]

| ISBN1 = 19-33-30568-1

| TPB2 = [[Good for the Soul (comic book)|Good for the Soul]]

| ISBN2 = 19-33-30592-4

| TPB3 = [[We Gotta Go Now]]

| ISBN3 = 18-48-56298-5

| TPB4 = [[Herogasm]]

| ISBN4 = 16-06-90082-X

| TPB5 = [[The Self-Preservation Society]]

| ISBN5 = 16-06-90125-7

| TPB6 = [[The Innocents (comic book)|The Innocents]]

| ISBN6 = 16-06-90150-8

| TPB7 = [[Highland Laddie (comic book)|Highland Laddie]]

| ISBN7 = 16-06-90207-5

| TPB8 = [[The Big Ride]]

| ISBN8 = 16-06-90220-2

| TPB9 = [[Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker]]

| ISBN9 = 16-06-90264-4

| TPB10 = [[Over the Hill with the Swords of a Thousand Men]]

| ISBN10 = 16-06-90341-1

| TPB11 = [[The Bloody Doors Off]]

| ISBN11 = 16-06-90373-X

| TPB12 = [[Dear Becky]]

| ISBN12 = 15-24-11990-3

| subcat = Wildstorm Publications

| sort = Boys

}}

'''''The Boys''''' is an [[Adult comics|adult]] [[superhero comic book]] series, co-created, and written by [[Garth Ennis]] and co-created, designed, and illustrated by [[Darick Robertson]]. The [[The Name of the Game (comic book)|first volume]] was published by [[WildStorm]], which canceled it after six issues; the series was picked up by [[Dynamite Entertainment]], which published the following eight volumes: ''[[Get Some (comic book)|Get Some]]'', ''[[Good for the Soul (comic book)|Good for the Soul]]'', ''[[We Gotta Go Now]]'', ''[[The Self-Preservation Society]]'', ''[[The Innocents (comic book)|The Innocents]]'', ''[[The Big Ride]]'', ''[[Over the Hill with the Swords of a Thousand Men]]'', and ''[[The Bloody Doors Off]]''.<ref name="The Boys">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robsalkowitz/2020/10/17/inside-the-boys-publisher-dynamite-entertainments-risky-bet-on-the-series-success/?sh=24a51df478aa|date=October 17, 2020|access-date=August 30, 2021|website=[[Forbes]]|title=Inside The Boy's publisher Dynamite Entertainment after the series success}}</ref> Debuting in October 2006, the series concluded in November 2012 after 72 issues were published. In the [[We Gotta Go Now|fourth volume]], the series is revealed to be set in the same [[fictional universe]] as Ennis' previous 1995–2000 [[Vertigo Comics|DC Vertigo]] series, ''[[Preacher (comics)|Preacher]]'', with former vampire [[Proinsias Cassidy]] cameoing as a bartender. Three 6-issue spin-off [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]] were also produced during the series' original run: ''[[Herogasm]]'', ''[[Highland Laddie (comic book)|Highland Laddie]]'', and ''[[Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker]]'', with an 8-issue epilogue series, ''[[Dear Becky]]'', published from June–December 2020.

The book was adapted by [[Amazon MGM Studios|Amazon Studios]] and [[Sony Pictures Television]] into a five-season [[The Boys (TV series)|television series]] that premiered July 26, 2019 on [[Amazon Prime Video]], from which a [[The Boys (franchise)|franchise]] was launched comprising the [[web series]] ''[[Seven on 7|Seven on 7 with Cameron Coleman]]'', which premiered July 7, 2021, the [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] [[Adult animation|animated]] [[anthology series]], ''[[The Boys Presents: Diabolical|Diabolical]]'', which premiered March 4, 2022 (of which the third episode, "I'm Your Pusher", is set in the same [[Continuity (fiction)|continuity]] as the comic series), and the live-action spin-off series ''[[Gen V]]'', which premiered September 29, 2023.<ref name="The Boys" /><ref name=Deadline11.8.17>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/11/amazon-the-boys-superhero-drama-series-eric-kripke-evan-goldberg-seth-rogen-1202204073|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108201726/http://deadline.com/2017/11/amazon-the-boys-superhero-drama-series-eric-kripke-evan-goldberg-seth-rogen-1202204073/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 8, 2017|title=Amazon Orders 'The Boys' Superhero Drama Series Based On Comic From Eric Kripke, Evan Goldberg & Seth Rogen|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|publisher=Deadline|date=November 8, 2017|access-date=November 9, 2017}}</ref>

==Publication history==

'''''The Boys''''' is a [[comic book]] series, written by [[Garth Ennis]] and illustrated by [[Darick Robertson]]. It is published by [[Wildstorm]]. The series is set in a contemporary world very much like our own, with one notable exception: hundreds of thousands of people have some form of [[superpower]]. The series follows a [[CIA]] squad, known as the Boys, whose job it is to keep watch on these superheroes and, if necessary, intimidate or kill them. Ennis has said that the series will "out-Preacher [[Preacher (comic)|Preacher]]" <ref>[http://www.cinescape.com/0/editorial.asp?aff_id=0&this_cat=Comics&action=page&obj_id=52055 Hanging with the Boys: Ten Questions for Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson], interview from [[August 23]], [[2006 in comics|2006]]</ref>, presumably referring to the extreme violence and sexuality that were that series's hallmark. He has also stated that he expects the series to last for approximately 60 issues.

The first six issues of ''The Boys'' were published by [[Wildstorm]], starting in 2006. On January 24, 2007, the series was abruptly canceled with issue 6. Ennis later explained that this was because [[DC Comics]] (of which Wildstorm was an [[Imprint (trade name)|imprint]] before it was disbanded) were uneasy with the anti-superhero tone of the work.<ref>{{cite news|title=Garth Ennis talks The Boys and more (interview)|first=Heidi|last=MacDonald|author-link=Heidi MacDonald|url=http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/02/09/exclusive-garth-ennis-talks-the-boys-and-more|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714172404/http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/02/09/exclusive-garth-ennis-talks-the-boys-and-more/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2012|magazine=[[Publishers Weekly]]|date=February 9, 2007|access-date=February 12, 2007 }}</ref> The planned collection of said issues was also canceled. Co-creator Darick Robertson said that "DC is being good about reverting our rights so we can find a new publisher and we're in the process of doing that now".<ref>[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=98812 The Boys Ends At Wildstorm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207022517/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=98812|date=February 7, 2007}}, [[Newsarama]], January 24, 2007</ref> Ennis then released a statement that some other publishers had expressed interest, and that issue 7 and a [[trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]] of the first six issues would be available. While Robertson was on exclusive contract to DC, he was given special dispensation to continue working on ''The Boys''.<ref>{{cite news|title=So long, Boys — Ennis's Statement|first=Heidi|last=MacDonald|author-link=Heidi MacDonald|url=http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/01/24/so-long-boys-enniss-statement|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070128043305/http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/01/24/so-long-boys-enniss-statement/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 28, 2007|magazine=[[Publishers Weekly]]|date=January 24, 2007|access-date=January 26, 2007}}</ref> In February 2007 the series was picked up by [[Dynamite Entertainment]]<ref>{{cite news|title=The Boys Lands @ Dynamite Entertainment|first=Matt|last=Brady|url=http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=100616|work=[[Newsarama]]|date=February 7, 2007|access-date=February 8, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217001646/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=100616|archive-date=February 17, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> and it resumed in May, Dynamite also publishing a collected edition of the first six issues, ''[[The Name of the Game (comic book)|The Name of the Game]]'', with a foreword by [[Simon Pegg]], the model on whom the character Wee Hughie was based in how he was drawn by Robertson.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a28481482/the-boys-amazon-simon-pegg|title=Why *that* cameo in Amazon's ''The Boys'' is more significant than it looks|first=Chris|last=Longridge|date=July 26, 2019|work=Digital Spy}}</ref>

In February 2009, Dynamite announced a [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] [[Limited series (comics)|miniseries]], ''[[Herogasm]]'', with art from [[John McCrea (comics)|John McCrea]] and Keith Burns; subsequent miniseries include ''[[Highland Laddie (comic book)|Highland Laddie]]'' and ''[[Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker]]'', with the three series each later being compiled as volumes of ''The Boys''.<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=20215 Ennis & McCrea Bring You to Herogasm] (press release), [[Comic Book Resources]], February 27, 2009</ref>

==Characters==

After ''The Boys'' was completed, Ennis told [[CBR.com]] that the comic had benefitted from Wildstorm cancelling it, in that Dynamite gave him far more freedom than DC ever would have, saying, "We'd have died on the vine [at DC]. The book would have been chipped and chipped away at until writing it was pure frustration." He also admitted to "a sigh of relief" as Wildstorm had been dissolved as an imprint not long after the move.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=41185|title=Saying Goodbye To "The Boys" with Garth Ennis, Part 1|publisher=[[CBR.com]]|date=September 25, 2012}}</ref>

{{spoilers}}

An eight-issue [[epilogue]] series, ''[[Dear Becky]]'', was published from June to November 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.superherohype.com/comics/486605-garth-ennis-hints-at-new-discoveries-in-the-boys-dear-becky|title=Garth Ennis Hints at New Discoveries in ''The Boys: Dear Becky''|last=Abbate|first=Jake|date=September 20, 2020}}</ref>

The characters include:

===The Boys===

*'''Billy Butcher'''. He led the original Boys, though they were disbanded for as-yet-unstated reasons. At the beginning of the series, he is planning to reassemble the old team, but with a new member to replace Mallory. He is physically large and incredibly violent, and may possess super strength. Connections between him and an as of yet unnamed hero referred to as "the legend" have been mentioned, and are quite likely the source of a future plot twist. A [[bulldog]] named Terror is his constant companion.

*'''Wee Hughie'''. A Scotsman whose real name is Hugh Campbell. His girlfriend was accidentally killed by a superhero named 'A-Train' who was travelling faster than the speed of sound. Butcher plans to recruit him for the Boys, and to that end, injects him with Compound V, without permission. He resembles [[Simon Pegg]].

*'''Mother's Milk'''. Large African-American man. One of the original Boys, he quit to perform community work and raise his dysfunctional daughter, whose mother was incapable of raising her due to her rampant drug abuse. He has now returned to the team, where he acts as Butcher's second in command.

*'''The Frenchman'''. First seen in issue #2, he is one of the original Boys, and displays a penchant for extreme violence within a few frames of his first appearance. He takes an immediate like to "Petit Hughie".

*'''The Female of the Species'''. One of the original Boys. She is known for her brutality. When not working for the Boys, she freelances for the [[Mafia]]. Her nickname is derived from the [[Rudyard Kipling]] poem of the same name. Her appearance is similar to [[Yelena Rossini]] from Darick Robertson's previous long-running series ''[[Transmetropolitan]]''. She is in the habit of "explosively eviscerating" her victims and it is implied in issue three that she can do so merely by touching someone.

*'''Mallory'''. Not yet seen, he is one of the original Boys. He researches the heroes for weaknesses, though he will not be returning to the team, as his involvement the first time got his grandchildren murdered.

==Plot==

===The Government===

The series is set between 2006 and 2008<ref>{{cite web|last=Ennis|first=Garth|title=Garth Ennis Commentary On The Boys #66|date=May 3, 2012|url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/05/03/garth-ennis-commentary-on-boys|publisher=Bleeding Cool|access-date=May 3, 2012}}</ref> in a world where [[superhero]]es exist, and [[9/11]] had marked the destruction of [[the Brooklyn Bridge]] [[Alternate history|instead of]] [[the Twin Towers]]. However, most of the superheroes in the series' universe are corrupted by their [[celebrity]] status and often engage in reckless behavior, compromising the safety of the world. The story follows a small [[Clandestine operation|clandestine]] [[CIA]] squad, informally known as "The Boys", led by [[Billy Butcher]] and comprising [[Mother's Milk (character)|Mother's Milk]], the Frenchman, the Female, and new addition [[Hughie Campbell|"Wee Hughie" Campbell]], who are charged with monitoring the superhero community, often leading to gruesome confrontations and dreadful results; in parallel, a key subplot follows [[Annie January|Annie "Starlight" January]], a young and naive superhero who joins the [[Vought-American]]-sanctioned superhero team called The Seven, the most prestigious—and corrupt—superhero group in the world and The Boys' most powerful enemies.

*'''Kessler'''. A nebbish businessman whom Butcher uses to acquire information. The Boys refer to him as "Monkey".

*'''Susan L. Rayner'''. Director of the CIA. She despises Butcher but knows that she needs him. She is sexually involved with him, even though she loudly professes her hatred of him during their encounters.

*'''"Dakota Bob"'''. President of the United States and responsible for signing off on an order for the [[CIA]] to monitor all superheroes - an order that ultimately results in the reformation of The Boys.

===Superheroes=Characters==

{{main|List of The Boys characters}}

====The Seven====

The Seven are the heroes the others look up to. Underneath their image, the group bicker about popularity, and early on, three members coax Starlight into giving them oral sex. The Seven are based on the [[Justice League]], and like the [[DC Universe]], they have a triumverate forming the core members.

*'''The Homelander'''. Real Name John. Leader of The Seven, a group of superheroes. Sexual predator. Powers include heat vision, which he uses to keep the junior members in line. Based on [[Superman]].

*'''Black Noir'''. One of The Seven; powers unknown. Sexual predator. Based on [[Batman]].

*'''Queen Maeve, Empress of the Otherworld'''. Based on [[Wonder Woman]]. Powers Unknown. It is unknown if she actually comes from another world.

*'''A-Train'''. A [[Speedster (comics)|speedster]] whose carelessness was responsible for the death of Wee Hughie's girlfriend in the first issue. Sexual predator. Was a member of the Teenage Kix. Based on [[The Flash]].

*'''Starlight'''. Real name Annie January; the newest member of The Seven and a [[conservative Christian]]. Powers unknown.

*'''The Deep'''. One of The Seven; powers unknown. Based on [[Aquaman]].

*'''Jack from Jupiter'''. One of The Seven; powers unknown. Based on [[Martian Manhunter]].

*'''The Lamplighter'''. A former member of the Seven, his current whereabouts are unknown. Based on [[Green Lantern]]. He has been replaced by Starlight.

==Collected editions==

====Young Americans====

Dynamite releases both hardcover and [[trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]] collections on an ongoing basis (including those comics previously published by [[Wildstorm]]). In addition, Dynamite also releases "Definitive" slipcased hardcovers, which contain two trade/hardcover collections to an "omnibus."

One of the two major teenage superhero teams, the Young Americans are clean-cut and patriotic; they have ties to the [[Young Republicans]], Christian youth groups and other conservative organizations. Starlight was previously a Young American.

{|class="wikitable"

====Teenage Kix====

|-

The other major teenage group, Teenage Kix has a more rebellious, [[Generation X]] image. Butcher is planning his first operation against them. The team frequently goes to prostitution houses to "celebrate" after a victory, but only one place accepts the group. The Boys spy on the group, gathering dirt on its members. The Kix are an amalgam of several teenage superhero teams.

!#!!Title!!TPB ISBN!! TPB Release date!!TPB page number!!Collected material

|-

|1

|''[[The Name of the Game (comic book)|The Name of the Game]]''

|{{ISBN|91-33-30546-3}}

|June 2007

|152

|''The Boys'' #1–6

|-

|2

|{{Anchor|Get Some}}''Get Some''

|{{ISBN|1-933305-68-1}}

|March 2008

|192

|''The Boys'' #7–14

|-

|3

|''{{Anchor|Good for the Soul}}Good for the Soul''

|{{ISBN|1-933305-92-4}}

|October 2008

|192

|''The Boys'' #15–22

|-

|4

|''[[We Gotta Go Now]]''

|{{ISBN|1-84856-298-5}}

|July 2009

|192

|''The Boys'' #23–30

|-

|5

|''[[Herogasm]]''

|{{ISBN|1-60690-082-X}}

|November 2009

|144

|''[[Herogasm]]'' #1–6

|-

|6

|''{{Anchor|The Self-Preservation Society}}The Self-Preservation Society''

|{{ISBN|1-60690-125-7}}

|March 2010

|192

|''The Boys'' #31–38

|-

|7

|''{{Anchor|The Innocents}}The Innocents''

|{{ISBN|1-60690-150-8}}

|December 2010

|216

|''The Boys'' #39–47

|-

|8

|''[[Highland Laddie (comic book)|Highland Laddie]]''

|{{ISBN|1-60690-207-5}}

|April 2011

|144

|''[[Highland Laddie (comic book)|Highland Laddie]]'' #1–6

|-

|9

|''[[The Big Ride]]''

|{{ISBN|1-60690-220-2}}

|November 9, 2011

|276

|''The Boys'' #48–59

|-

| 10

|''[[Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker]]''

|{{ISBN|1-60690-264-4}}

|March 6, 2012

|144

|''[[Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker]]'' #1–6

|-

|11

|''[[Over the Hill with the Swords of a Thousand Men]]''

|{{ISBN|1-60690-341-1}}

|June/July 2012

|152

|''The Boys'' #60–65

|-

|12

|''[[The Bloody Doors Off]]''

|{{ISBN|1-60690-373-X}}

|December 2012

|170

|''The Boys'' #66–72

|-

|13

|''[[Dear Becky]]''

|{{ISBN|978-1524119904}}

|February 23, 2021

|176

|''[[Dear Becky]]'' #1–8

|}

===Definitive Editions===

*'''Big Game'''. The leader of the group. [[Bisexual]]. Has sex with Shout Out and DogKnott.

{|class="wikitable"

*'''DogKnott'''. Canine appearance.

|-

*'''Shout Out'''

!#!!Title!!THB ISBN!! THB Release date!!THB page number!!Collected material

*'''PopClaw'''. Retractable claws. Practices [[Self-harm|self mutilation]] by cutting herself with her blades. Similar to [[X-23]].

|-

*'''Blarney Cock'''

|1

|''The Boys: Definitive Edition 1''

|{{ISBN|1-933305-80-0}}

|December 2008

|344

|''The Boys'' #1–14

|-

|2

|''The Boys: Definitive Edition 2''

|{{ISBN|1-60690-073-0}}

|December 23, 2009

|384

|''The Boys'' #15–30

|-

|3

|''The Boys: Definitive Edition 3''

|{{ISBN|1-60690-165-6}}

|April 5, 2011

|552

|''The Boys'' #31–38 + ''[[Herogasm]]''

|-

|4

|''The Boys: Definitive Edition 4''

|{{ISBN|1-60690-340-3}}

|July 2012

|370+ pages

|''The Boys'' #39–47 + ''[[Highland Laddie (comic book)|Highland Laddie]]''

|-

|5

|''The Boys: Definitive Edition 5''

|{{ISBN|978-1606904121}}

|July 2013

|430 pages

|[[The Big Ride|''The Boys'' #48–59]] + ''[[Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker]]''

|-

|6

|''The Boys: Definitive Edition 6''

|{{ISBN|978-1606904350}}

|February 2014

|320 pages

|''The Boys'' #60–72

|}

=== Oversized Hardcover Omnibus ===

{{endspoiler}}

== Storylines ==

{{spoilers}}

{| class="wikitable"

!#

!Storyline!!Issues||Summary

!Title

!THB ISBN

!THB Release date

!THB page number

!Collected Material

|-

|1

|The Name of the Game||1-2||Billy Butcher learns of a directive made by [[The President of the United States]] to have the [[CIA]] monitor all superheroes and uses this to get the backing required to reform 'The Boys', a black-ops team designed to keep superheroes in their place. He brings together Mother's Milk, The Frenchman and The Female of the Species, but their fifth member, Mallory, refuses to return as his grandkids were murdered due to his involvement with the group. Requiring five in the team, Butcher recruits a Scottish [[conspiracy nut]] named Wee Hughie, whose girlfriend was accidentally killed by A-Train, a member of major superhero team The Seven.

|The Boys: Oversized Hardcover Omnibus Volume 1

|{{ISBN|978-1-5241-2177-8}}

|April 27, 2022

|792

|''The Boys'' #1–30

|-

|2

|Cherry||3-6||Wee Hughie meets the team for the first time in their new headquarters in the [[Flatiron Building]], [[New York]]. There, Butcher reveals that their first mission is to intimidate teen superhero group Teenage Kix. Meanwhlie, Annie January, AKA Starlight, is recruited from The Young Americans to join The Seven, whom she soon discovers to be a lot less clean-cut than the press make out. It's revealed that superpowers are sourced from a drug named Compound V, or "Blue", which alters D.N.A., which can be passed on to offspring, and gives the user temporary enhanced strength and durability.

|The Boys: Oversized Hardcover Omnibus Volume 2

|{{ISBN|978-1-5241-2180-8}}

|June 22, 2022

|792

|''The Boys'' #31–47 + ''[[Herogasm]]'' + ''[[Highland Laddie (comic book)|Highland Laddie]]''

|-

|3

|The Boys: Oversized Hardcover Omnibus Volume 3

|{{ISBN|978-1-5241-2183-9}}

|July 20, 2022

|800

|''The Boys'' #48–72 + ''[[Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker]]''

|}

{{endspoiler}}

== References Awards==

* 2008: Nominated, "Best Continuing Series", [[Eisner Award]].<ref>[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=153595 2008 Eisner Award Nominees Named] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125140525/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=153595|date=January 25, 2009 }} (press release), [[Newsarama]], April 14, 2008</ref>

<references/>

* 2009: Nominated, "Comic Book of the Year Under $3.00", Diamond Comic Distributor Gem Awards.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100107060559/http://www.newsarama.com/comics/100104-diamond-gem-awards.html Diamond Announces 2009 GEM AWARD Nominees] (press release), [[Newsarama]], January 4, 2010</ref>

* 2010: Nominated, "Best Comic Book or Graphic Novel", [[Scream Awards]].<ref>[http://www.comicsbeat.com/2010/09/03/scream-awards-nominees-announced/ Scream (awards) nominees announced] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100906211447/http://www.comicsbeat.com/2010/09/03/scream-awards-nominees-announced/|date=September 6, 2010 }}, ComicsBeat.com, September 3, 2010</ref>

==Adaptations==

{{further|The Boys (franchise)}}

===Scrapped film===

''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' reported in February 2008 that [[Columbia Pictures]] had [[Option (filmmaking)|optioned]] the comic for a film adaptation, to be produced by [[Neal H. Moritz]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Columbia, Moritz call on 'The Boys'|first=Tatiana|last=Siegel|url=https://variety.com/2008/film/features/columbia-moritz-call-on-the-boys-1117981219/|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Reed Business Information]]|date=February 20, 2008|access-date=August 7, 2010}}</ref> and [[Phil Hay (screenwriter)|Phil Hay]] and [[Matt Manfredi]] writing the screenplay.<ref>{{cite news|first=Borys|last=Kit|title=Two men will adapt 'Boys'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i066557ae265766afc0a702001f757a80|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|publisher=[[e5 Global Media]]|date=August 26, 2008|access-date=August 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701033254/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i066557ae265766afc0a702001f757a80|archive-date=July 1, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> In August 2010, [[Adam McKay]] said that he had been signed on to direct the film. McKay added, "They already have a script and we're doing a rewrite on it so hopefully getting the whole thing into shape in the Fall with maybe a shoot happening in January."<ref>{{cite news|title=Q&A with 'The Other Guys' director Adam McKay|first=Stuart|last=Oldham|url=http://www.boffo.com/2010/08/qa-other-guys-director-adam-mckay.html|work=Boffo on [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Reed Business Information]]|date=August 6, 2010|access-date=August 7, 2010|archive-date=March 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309184924/http://www.boffo.com/2010/08/qa-other-guys-director-adam-mckay.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Columbia Pictures reported in February 2012 that it had dropped its option regarding a film adaptation of ''The Boys''.<ref>{{cite news|first=Borys|last=Kit|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/columbia-drops-the-boys-adaptation-289381|title=Columbia Pictures Drops Comic Book Adaptation 'The Boys' (Exclusive)|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> However, Adam McKay said in a Twitter response that [[Paramount Pictures]] had picked it up, and that it was still in the works.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/GhostPanther/status/235886031864492032|title=Adam McKay on Twitter}}</ref> On April 30, 2013, Manfredi and Hay were hired by Paramount to write the film,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/the-boys-movie-matt-manfredi-phil-hay-interview/|title=Screenwriters Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay Talk THE BOYS Movie, Adam McKay's Vision, the Involvement of Garth Ennis, and More|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=April 30, 2013}}</ref> though the project never came to fruition.

===Television series===

{{Main|The Boys (TV series)}}

In October 2015, it was reported that [[Cinemax]] greenlit a television series adaptation of ''The Boys'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/04/the-boys-drama-series-comic-book-cinemax-seth-rogen-evan-goldberg-eric-kripke-original-film-sony-1201732097|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407020838/http://deadline.com/2016/04/the-boys-drama-series-comic-book-cinemax-seth-rogen-evan-goldberg-eric-kripke-original-film-sony-1201732097/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 7, 2016|title='The Boys' Drama Based On Comic Book Set At Cinemax With Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Eric Kripke, Original Film & Sony|publisher=Deadline|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=October 12, 2015}}</ref> and that [[Seth Rogen]], [[Evan Goldberg]] and [[Eric Kripke]] were producing the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2015/10/12/seth-rogen-is-shopping-an-adaptation-of-the-boys-to-cable-nets|title=Seth Rogen Is Shopping An Adaptation Of THE BOYS To Cable Nets|publisher=Birth.Movies.Death|last=Farchi|first=Devin|date=October 12, 2015}}</ref> In September 2017, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' reported that [[Amazon Studios]] had picked up the series.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Cynthia Littleton|author2=Daniel Holloway|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/amazon-armisen-rudolph-wong-1202552683|title=Amazon Orders Fred Armisen-Maya Rudolph Comedy, Wong Kar-wai Drama, 3 Other Projects (EXCLUSIVE)|access-date=September 17, 2017|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=September 8, 2017}}</ref> The series premiered its [[The Boys season 1|first season]] on July 26, 2019.<ref name=Deadline11.8.17/> The [[The Boys season 2|second season]] premiered on September 4, 2020,<ref>[https://tvline.com/2020/06/26/the-boys-season-2-premiere-date-amazon/], Season 2 release date.</ref> while the [[The Boys season 3|third season]] premiered on June 3, 2022, and the [[The Boys season 4|fourth season]] premiered on June 13, 2024.<ref name="S3Premiere">{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2022/01/07/the-boys-season-3-premiere-date-amazon-prime-video|title=''The Boys'' Season 3 Gets Premiere Date — Watch Announcement Video|website=TVLine|first=Vlada|last=Gelman|date=January 7, 2022|access-date=January 7, 2022}}</ref> In May 2024, the series was renewed for a fifth and final season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/the-boys-season-5-final-season-1236033418|title='The Boys' to End with Season 5 on Amazon|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|last=Maas|first=Jennifer|date=June 11, 2024|access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref>

===Audiobook series===

All 98 issues of the comic series have been adapted into 7 audiobooks produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music by [[GraphicAudio]]. Volume 1 was released on May 4, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.graphicaudiointernational.net/the-boys-volume-1.html|title=The Boys Volume 1|date=May 1, 2020}}</ref> Volume 7 adapts the ''[[Dear Becky]]'' epilogue series and concluded the audiobook production on May 20, 2022. The entire series lasts 31 hours, retains the 2006–2008 setting and the dialogue is a very close match to Garth Ennis' original scripts. The content rating is Ages 18+.

===Animated series===

{{Main|The Boys Presents: Diabolical}}

An animated [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] series of ''The Boys'', ''[[The Boys Presents: Diabolical]]'', was released on March 4, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/the-boys-diabolical-premiere-date-spinoff-animated-series-1234913890/|title=''Diabolical'': Amazon Sets Premiere Date For ''The Boys'' Spinoff Animated Series|first=Alexandra|last=Del Rosario|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 18, 2022|access-date=January 18, 2022}}</ref>

==="We Gotta Go Now" adaptation===

{{Main|Gen V}}

A live-action [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] series of ''The Boys'', ''[[Gen V]]'' (formerly ''The Boys Presents: Varsity''), serving as a stand-alone adaptation of the "[[We Gotta Go Now]]" arc from the comic series, focused on [[The Innocents (comic book)|Marie]] and the [[List of The Boys characters#G-Men|G-Men]] and inspired by ''[[The Hunger Games (film series)|The Hunger Games]]'', was announced on September 20, 2020, and premiered on [[Amazon Prime Video]] on September 29, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=September 27, 2021|title='The Boys' Spinoff Series Developed by Amazon with Michele Fazekas & Tara Butters as Showrunners|url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/the-boys-spinoff-series-greenlighted-amazon-michele-fazekas-tara-butters-showrunners-1234845449|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927224623/https://deadline.com/2021/09/the-boys-spinoff-series-greenlighted-amazon-michele-fazekas-tara-butters-showrunners-1234845449/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2021|access-date=January 19, 2022|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Maas|first=Jennifer|date=October 2, 2020|title=''The Boys'' Supe College Spinoff Is 'Loosely Inspired' by ''X-Men'' Parody From Comics, Eric Kripke Says|url=https://www.thewrap.com/the-boys-spinoff-superhero-college-series-gmen-comics-xmen-parody-eric-kripke|access-date=October 2, 2020|website=[[TheWrap]]}}</ref>

==References==

{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==

* Sullivan, Michael Patrick (April 19, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20201104002755/https://www.cbr.com/the-boys-are-back-in-town-ennis-robertson-speak/ "The Boys" Are Back in Town: Ennis & Robertson Speak]. [[CBR.com]].

* [http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=5734 DC's page for the first issue], with links to entries for the other installments, as well as extra material like a [http://www.dccomics.com/media/excerpts/5734_x.pdf seven page sample] and a [http://www.dccomics.com/downloads/popup_downloads.php?i=The_Boys-Darick%20Robertson_Trailer trailer]

* {{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/hanging-boys-ten-questions-for-garth-ennis-darick-robertson_article_52055.html|title=Hanging with the Boys: Ten Questions for Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson|author=Kurt Amacker, columnist|date=August 23, 2006|work=Mania.com (ref article originally at cinescape.com)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327232751/http://www.mania.com/hanging-boys-ten-questions-for-garth-ennis-darick-robertson_article_52055.html|archive-date=March 27, 2008|url-status=dead}}

* [http://www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=36;t=004890 Interview with Robertson about the series]

* [http://www.darickr.com/ Darick Robertson's web address]

{{The Boys}}

[[Category:DC Comics titles|Boys, The]]

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