Top 10 Things The Boys Kept EXACTLY Like the Comics
#10: Who Compound V Was Originally Created For
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In “The Boys” universe, superheroes get their power from a formula called Compound V. This crucial chemical nearly changed the tide of World War II in both adaptations. In the comics, a scientist named Joseph Vogelbaum originally developed the serum in Germany during the early 20th century. Knowing that his formula could help the Third Reich win World War II, he emigrated to America and let Vought create superheroes instead. The show's Compound V creator followed the same path. Scientist Frederick Vought defected from Germany to produce supes for the USA. Although Vought and Vogelbaum had very different reasons for leaving Europe, they both prevented the Third Reich from getting a super-powered advantage.
#9: Queen Maeve’s Drinking
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Maeve is one of the few members of the Seven with a conscience. But after she's forced to do a number of terrible things for the team, she turns to drinking as a way to cope. Maeve’s struggles with alcohol got to the point where she was attending AA meetings while working in the Seven. Her comic counterpart has the same issue. Maeve is holding a drink in almost every single panel that she appears in. Her alcoholism was also tied to the trauma she endured during her hero career. In both adaptations, Maeve’s frequent and heavy drinking prevents her from dealing with deeper issues.
#8: Robin’s Demise
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When you give superpowers to irresponsible people, terrible things tend to happen. Hughie's girlfriend Robin paid the ultimate price for superhero recklessness. In the comics, she and Hughie were enjoying an innocent walk outside. All of a sudden, A-Train accidentally throws a supervillain in Robin’s direction at extreme speed. Unfortunately, she doesn’t survive the impact. This tragic incident was horrifyingly recreated for the tv adaptation. After A Train loses control of his powers, he accidentally runs down Robin in the blink of an eye. In both adaptations, the hero barely acknowledges what he’s done before running away and leaving Hughie to deal with her death. The “hero’s” recklessness sets Hughie down a dark path of violence and vengeance.
#7: The Episode Titles Are Taken From the Comics
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A lot of thought went into naming the series’ episodes. While some titles might be elaborate pop culture references or subtly hint at the story themes, there’s definitely a deeper meaning behind all of them. Within the comics, each story arc has its own title. The showrunners thought these significant sections of the source material would translate well to the tv series. As of Season 2, comic story arc names like “Self-Preservation Society,” “Good for the Soul,” and “Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker” have all been used as unique and memorable episode titles. This naming system is a great way to tie the show to its source material. It also makes it a lot easier for the showrunners to come up with episode titles.
#6: Starlight’s Risque Costume Redesign
Starlight’s original costume was a cool and functional superhero outfit that perfectly reflected the heroine underneath. But after she's hired by Vought, the company decides to redesign her threads so they have a lot fewer threads. Although Starlight doesn't like that her new costume is just about fan service, she's required to wear it in order to stay in the Seven. This storyline was identical in both the comics and TV show. Starlight’s uncomfortable costume storyline is a sobering commentary on the trend where superheroines are forced into skimpier outfits. But both the source material and show make it clear that heroes should always get to choose what they wear.
#5: Starlight & Hughie’s First Meeting
One of the brightest scenes in the grim comic book world of “The Boys” plays out on a park bench. After Hughie and Annie were both victimized by superheroes, they separately decided to visit a park bench. Once they strike up a breezy and laughter-filled conversation, it’s clear that they’re meant to be together. This scene was lovingly and carefully recreated in live-action. Annie and Hughie’s park encounter is made even better by the great chemistry between the actors. Although their relationship would go through many ups and downs after this scene, this bench meeting marked the first time that either of them had felt happiness in a while.
#4: Lamplighter's Cruel Crime
Before Hughie joined the Boys, the fiery superhero known as Lamplighter committed a chilling crime against one of its members. During a flashback sequence in Season Two, we learn that Butcher and CIA operative Grace Mallory wanted to get a mole in the Seven. They decided to blackmail Lamplighter into spying on the other supes. The fiery hero gets so angry that he tries to burn Mallory to death. But he accidentally unleashes his firepower on her grandchildren instead. Lamplighter’s fatal mistake and his motivations are directly taken from the comics. Although his ultimate fate differs between the source material and adaptation is widely different, the hero pays dearly for the young lives he took.
#3: Maeve Protects Starlight From the Seven
The disillusioned Queen Maeve doesn’t seem to care about anyone. But over the course of the comic series, she develops a soft spot for the idealistic Starlight. When Starlight tries to leave the Seven, Homelander threatens to hurt her. Maeve immediately steps in between the twisted superhero and his target. Although she isn’t able to take Homelander down for good, she buys enough time for Starlight to escape. The show adapted her heroic moment in Season 2’s penultimate episode. When Black Noir tries to kill Starlight, Maeve nearly takes him out by triggering his severe nut allergy. In both versions of the story, Maeve risks everything to save someone she truly cares about. Her sacrifice allows Starlight to keep on shining.
#2: Abandoning a Plane Full of People
If we tried to make a list of the worst things Homelander has done, we’d struggle to keep it under 50 entries. But we’d instantly know his most wretched act occurred in mid-air. In the comics, Homelander and the Seven try to save a hijacked plane. After botching the rescue attempt, he forces everyone to abandon the mission and allow the wreckage to fall into New York. Although the show wisely changed the location of the plane crash so the incident wouldn’t be identical to tragic real-life events, everything else about Homelander’s botched rescue made it into the show. Seeing people realize their hero is willing to abandon them is absolutely gut-wrenching. Homelander’s truly one of the most twisted superheroes in any medium. Before we fly to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Butcher Has a Dog Named Terror The Dog and His Vulgar Catchphrase Are On The Show Kimiko Is Mute Just Like in the Comics, This Character Never Speaks The Boys Lineup Is the Same The Five Core Members Were Not Changed M.M.’s Favorite Mug The Office Mug Is Still NSFW Heroes Are Owned by Vought The Heroes Are Controlled By the Same Corrupt Corporation
#1: Stormfront’s Twisted Origins
Once Aya Cash was cast as Stormfront, it looked like the comic character was being taken in a new direction. In the source material, Stormfront was a boy who was injected with Compound V in Nazi Germany. After leaving the country, he became a racist and violent superhero. By contrast, the show’s version was a woman in her 20’s who liked to go on Instagram. But after she got close to Homelander, Stormfront revealed she was born in Berlin during the Third Reich. Once her husband injected her with Compound V, she stopped aging, gained superpowers, and kept her racist beliefs. The decision to keep Homefront’s origins and hateful views while changing the character’s appearance made her the most shocking similarity to the source material.
