Paperback, 152 pages
English language
Published June 29, 2007 by Dynamite Entertainment.
I binge watched the show on Prime, and wanted to check out the original story to see how they compared. It is just as graphic as the show, but not as bad as Book 6 of The Walking Dead (which is my standard for judging violence in a graphic novel). Looking forward to the other volumes.
The Boys are a CIA backed gang of sociopaths who knock superheros down a few pegs when they need it. An interesting premise which is undercut by the endemic misogyny and homophobia throughout.
Garth Ennis is a genius, this series is super violent and at times hilarious. I laughed my arse off at the beginning with what happened with Wee Hughie's girlfriend, so sudden I couldn't help it.
The true stories about the superheroes and the depraved stuff they get up to in their own time is so believable, luckily Butcher and his boys are up for the challenge of bringing them under control.
Hoping soon to get some background on the other characters in the gang.
Bring on Volume 2!!
This comic exists in a similar sort of realm as Alan Moore's Watchmen. Superheroes exist, and they are flawed human beings. Sometimes extremely so. When young Scotsman Hughie's girlfriend is carelessly and callously killed by a Flash-like superhero, he gradually becomes involved with a CIA-sponsored anti-superhero group known only as "The Boys." Who watches the Watchmen? The Boys.
This being a Garth Ennis comic, there's quite a bit of gore and depravity. DC also dropped this series fairly on in its run for its relentlessly negative take on superheroes, but you'd think they'd know what they were getting into. Some bits are over the top, but I have no problem rolling with it. I see the Ennis name on the cover and adjust my expectations accordingly, but there are always some people who get upset by gratuitous sex and violence, so if that's not your thing, this comic book will …
This comic exists in a similar sort of realm as Alan Moore's Watchmen. Superheroes exist, and they are flawed human beings. Sometimes extremely so. When young Scotsman Hughie's girlfriend is carelessly and callously killed by a Flash-like superhero, he gradually becomes involved with a CIA-sponsored anti-superhero group known only as "The Boys." Who watches the Watchmen? The Boys.
This being a Garth Ennis comic, there's quite a bit of gore and depravity. DC also dropped this series fairly on in its run for its relentlessly negative take on superheroes, but you'd think they'd know what they were getting into. Some bits are over the top, but I have no problem rolling with it. I see the Ennis name on the cover and adjust my expectations accordingly, but there are always some people who get upset by gratuitous sex and violence, so if that's not your thing, this comic book will also not be your thing.
The artwork is excellent. The only distracting thing is that Hughie's appearance is based on actor Simon Pegg. This decision was made before he became the international star he is today, and is acknowledged in the book's introduction, but it's still a little strange.
This first volume is a little slow moving, as Ennis takes his time introducing the characters and their motivations. The series is headed in a very interesting direction, however, and I'm eager to see what happens next.
