It is difficult to imagine all of the superhero franchise fiction that currently dominates our mainstream cultural consumption appearing good decades from now. This is coming from a person who appreciates such things: It is amazing when metaphors take on human form to fight or find competent answers to larger-than-life issues, and it is even more amazing when they are permitted to be odd cosmic tapestries that are both related and different.
These storylines, on the other hand, have not come to dominate our streaming services and films as a result of creative brilliance — they are an act of corporate supremacy, a concerted effort to ensure that, no matter who you are, you will have a corporate mascot to connect with and spend time and money on.
The Boys, Amazon’s adaptation of Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s comic of the same name, tries to spit in the superhero beverage we are all sipping while collecting a colossal corporate check.
Even though the program criticizes celebrity culture, right-wing media, and the Trump presidency, it is not best interpreted as a critique of superheroes — or as a violent caricature of current events.
Its third season begins with three episodes on Friday. The Boys is about the rot that existed before all of that clogged our newsfeeds, back when there were no news feeds at all. It is about how many things may go wrong when we let ourselves be swept up in the belief that a hero will save us — and as a result, the third season of The Boys is centered on the past.
We are all aware of Seven’s characters and the Boys themselves, but with three episodes already released, there are plenty of new supes to discover. So, without further ado, let us get started without giving anything away.
Soldier Boy
This figure has been referenced several times in the show as a significant Supe in Vought’s early history. Soldier Boy, a spoof of Captain America even more than Homelander, has been mentioned in the series as having a link to Stormfront and Black Noir, having been the commander of super-team Payback. Soldier Boy in comics takes the Captain America satirization a step further. He is comparable to DC’s Peacemaker but much more unlikable, with a genuine dedication to patriotism despite being a dishonest, cowardly murderer.
Jensen Ackles of Supernatural portrays the role. He was the face of Vought International long before Homelander.
According to Eric Kripke, showrunner for The Boys, Ackles’ character “was the very first superhero from World War II.” He was Homelander before Homelander, the most beloved hero for decades—until he unexpectedly vanished, assumed dead, in the 1980s. So, when Butcher realizes that his most excellent chance to assassinate Homelander is caught up in this Soldier Boy mystery, he proceeds to chase it down, with disastrous consequences for everyone.
This superhero is amazingly strong and bulletproof; also, he is immortal.
Gunpowder
Gunpowder is the most self-explanatory figure on our list, and it’s fitting that The Boondock Saints’ star, Sean Patrick Flannery plays the gun-wielding Supe. He is a skilled marksman with a soft spot for gun rights and the lack of gun regulation. He employs weapons, firearms, and more guns to his advantage. He was also the sidekick of Soldier Boy and was with him during the former’s apparent death in the 80s. A very obvious psychopath who, like the rest of the cast, is a humorous yet scary caricature of American civilization.
Keep an eye out for him in the second episode, and I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Crimson Countess
This character had already been addressed in The Boys, but she is now coming to the foreground in the current season. Laurie Holden’s Crimson Countess, like Stormfront and Soldier Boy, was an active hero throughout WWII.
An obvious parody of Scarlett Witch, her powers have typically been centered on heat and fire manipulation. Aside from that, she was a minor character in the comics, so it will be fascinating to see how her position in Payback and relationship with Soldier Boy play out.
It is evident from the 3 episodes that after Soldier Boy, the most essential superhero from Payback is Countess. It will be interesting to see how her arc is handled in the upcoming episodes.
Victoria Neuman
Victoria Neuman appeared to be the government assistance that the Boys required to bring down Vought, but the season 2 cliffhanger showed that she was not who she seemed to be.
Fans of the show were left wondering who the Supe was that was able to blow up the brains of participants of Neuman’s anti-supe committee, and the last episode of season 2 revealed it was her all along. Her motives and who she works for were unknown until Season 3.
Now I am not the one to give out spoilers, but she plays a titular role in season 3 until now. Those who haven’t seen the episodes might have their minds blown when they find out her true identity or not if they had already predicted.
Supersonic
A new hero vying to join the Seven, Supersonic, is played by Miles Gaston Villanueva. Supersonic, formerly known as Drummer Boy, is already connected to the superhero squad because he is Starlight’s ex-boyfriend. Yes, you heard that right. So it won’t be a spoiler if I say that; yes, he creates a bit of tension and jealousy in Hughies life. We see him from the first episode as he competes in ” American Hero,” a reality show to select the next 2 members of Seven as Deep was banished and Stormfront was injured and kicked out because of who she was.
Will he get a chance to join the Seven? I guess we just have to wait and see?
Little Nina
Frenchie had a tough start to The Boys season 3. His issues worsen when Cherie, Frenchie’s lover introduced in season one, seeks assistance after upsetting a legendary Russian criminal known as Little Nina.
Little Nina is based on Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s original The Boys comic series, although as is typically the case with Amazon’s version, many things are modified in translation.
Aside from the name, Katia Winter’s Little Nina is very different from the comic version. The character in The Boys season 3 is Russian, she’s a mobster, and her name has a dangerous reputation that even Frenchie is afraid of. That’s about where the similarities end.
While the comic Nina is still situated in Russia, the live-action persona is based in New York City. And while Nina from The Boys clearly has an extensive criminal enterprise, she’s still just a typical mafia drug trafficker rather than the all-powerful coup plotter from the comics. The “Little” element of Little Nina is merely symbolic, and the famed black bowl cut of the comic books has been replaced with a more socially acceptable haircut.
Oh, and she’s a wonderful pop singer as well.
Swatto
Swatto is a minor character in Season Three. He is a member of the superhero team Payback. He possessed two sets of retractable insect-like wings that allowed him to fly like a dragonfly. He could hover and achieve speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. That’s it; I can’t say anything else about him. He doesn’t have much to do, or does he? I mean, technically, he does something significant which leads to a major plot point. You’ll see it in episode 3.
Mind Droid
Mind-Droid is a minor enemy and a member of Payback; at least in the comics, he is also in a romantic relationship with Crimson Countess. He is portrayed as a robotic superhero, although he is actually a person disguised in a robotic costume. We don’t know much about him yet as he only appeared once in a flashback without any significant dialogue.
Here’s a fun fact: he’s a spoof of Marvel’s Vision. He also resembles Jango/Boba Fett from Star Wars.
TNT Twins
The TNT Twins (actual names Tommy and Tessa) are sidekicks. They are fraternal twin supes who were Payback members in the 1980s.
We don’t know much about them except that the two share a power that they activate by holding hands. When they do so, they may fire lasers from their other hands.
Termite
Fifteen minutes into the 1st episode of Season 3, you will be introduced to Termite and be traumatised forever. Termite is a supe with the ability to decrease in size. Yes, like Ant-Man or Captain Atom.
Why will you get traumatised, you ask? It’s because you will witness one of the most messed up diabolical shit in the history of Television. Am I exaggerating? Hell NO!
No Spoiler Alert! Let’s just say I am stating a fact. Termite can lose control of his abilities by sneezing, causing himself to shrink back to his natural size Just stating this as a piece of trivia and nothing else. *Wink Wink*
Honourable Mentions
Two more supes have been mentioned with somewhat of a focus as they are also contestants of American Hero.
They are Moonshadow, who is a body-positive model, and Silver Kincaid, who Starlight suggests to be the next member of The Seven by emphasising that she has the most remarkable rescue statistics among the finalists and is a Unicef ambassador, making her the most qualified contender without a doubt.
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