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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gorey, gruesome, and in parts it is way too edgelord style humor and cynicism, but there's a charm to it that I cannot deny actually. I enjoyed it ultimately actually.
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
3.5 stars
The Boys Volume 1 kicks the door open with a bat to the knees and a wicked grin. It’s vulgar, violent, deeply cynical... and surprisingly engaging. This first volume is mostly table-setting, but it sets that table with blood, grit, and just enough emotional depth to keep you hooked.
The premise is sharp: Who watches the superpowered sociopaths when they go unchecked? Enter The Boys, a ragtag crew tasked with keeping superheroes in line by any means necessary. It’s a chaotic, darkly satirical ride that doesn't hold back, and while the over-the-top tone might not be for everyone, there's no denying the story has claws.
The characters are where this shines. They’re rough, raw, and compelling in their messy ways. Even if the art doesn’t always land for me, the energy and momentum carry the story forward.
Definitely feels like a prologue to bigger, bolder things to come. I’m curious enough to follow where the story is headed.
Brutal, crude, and undeniably entertaining, just don’t expect subtlety.
The Boys Volume 1 kicks the door open with a bat to the knees and a wicked grin. It’s vulgar, violent, deeply cynical... and surprisingly engaging. This first volume is mostly table-setting, but it sets that table with blood, grit, and just enough emotional depth to keep you hooked.
The premise is sharp: Who watches the superpowered sociopaths when they go unchecked? Enter The Boys, a ragtag crew tasked with keeping superheroes in line by any means necessary. It’s a chaotic, darkly satirical ride that doesn't hold back, and while the over-the-top tone might not be for everyone, there's no denying the story has claws.
The characters are where this shines. They’re rough, raw, and compelling in their messy ways. Even if the art doesn’t always land for me, the energy and momentum carry the story forward.
Definitely feels like a prologue to bigger, bolder things to come. I’m curious enough to follow where the story is headed.
Brutal, crude, and undeniably entertaining, just don’t expect subtlety.
There's some irony in a book that purports to take the piss out of superhero books containing no less than two fridged wives in its first volume. This, coupled with a mild instance of slut-shaming, turned me off to a far greater extent than the gratuitous nudity and perversion did when I first read it in 2007 and dismissed the book as "juvenile". It still is, of course, but I have grown as a person and am not apologetic about liking juvenile shit anymore. I probably thought the fridged wives were an example of "strong drama" back then or something!
Like a lot Ennis stuff though, it's lewd fun, helped by Darick Robertson's incomparably greasy style.
Most of all, this felt like a bunch of "first episode of HBO show" issues where they're all in your face with how edgy it's gonna be, with the actual theme of the story planted in the background somewhere. I have full faith my boy Garthy is gonna wring some pathos from this.
And oh boy, did Billy Butcher's disdain for superheroes resonate with me a decade into an MCU dominated landscape!
Like a lot Ennis stuff though, it's lewd fun, helped by Darick Robertson's incomparably greasy style.
Most of all, this felt like a bunch of "first episode of HBO show" issues where they're all in your face with how edgy it's gonna be, with the actual theme of the story planted in the background somewhere. I have full faith my boy Garthy is gonna wring some pathos from this.
And oh boy, did Billy Butcher's disdain for superheroes resonate with me a decade into an MCU dominated landscape!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia
Minor: Eating disorder
Absolutely not for children. But, an interesting story, thus far. I do happen to have volume 2 sitting around here so I may give it another volume to see where this all goes.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Graphic, crude and offensive...and I loved it! Definitely not for the faint of heart.