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The Boys (Trade Paperbacks) #3
The Boys, Vol. 3: Good for the Soul
In "Good For The Soul" (issues 15-18): Hughie visits The Legend, determined to find out more about The Boys- their history, their personalities, and their mysterious hidden agenda. Meanwhile, Annie January (alias Starlight) has her own doubts about membership of The Seven. This storyline also reveals a little more about the other members of the team- beginning with Butcher, and his relationship with CIA director Susan Rayner. In "I Tell You No Lie, G.I." (issues 19-22): Wee Hughie sits down with The Legend to get the lowdown on the Boys and their enemies from the very beginning. All will be revealed, or at least that's what Hughie's expecting- who started it all, who did what to whom, why the Twin Towers are still up and the Brooklyn Bridge is down. Meanwhile, Butcher and the others meet their sparring partners... and deep down in the bowels of their hovering headquarters, Annie and A-Train discover the Seven's darkest secret. Also includes a complete cover gallery! Recommended for Mature Readers.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2008
316 people are currently reading
1298 people want to read
About the author
Garth Ennis
2,624 books3,170 followersEnnis began his comic-writing career in 1989 with the series Troubled Souls. Appearing in the short-lived but critically-acclaimed British anthology Crisis and illustrated by McCrea, it told the story of a young, apolitical Protestant man caught up by fate in the violence of the Irish 'Troubles'. It spawned a sequel, For a Few Troubles More, a broad Belfast-based comedy featuring two supporting characters from Troubled Souls, Dougie and Ivor, who would later get their own American comics series, Dicks, from Caliber in 1997, and several follow-ups from Avatar.
Another series for Crisis was True Faith, a religious satire inspired by his schooldays, this time drawn by Warren Pleece. Ennis shortly after began to write for Crisis' parent publication, 2000 AD. He quickly graduated on to the title's flagship character, Judge Dredd, taking over from original creator John Wagner for a period of several years.
Ennis' first work on an American comic came in 1991 when he took over DC Comics's horror title Hellblazer, which he wrote until 1994, and for which he currently holds the title for most issues written. Steve Dillon became the regular artist during the second half of Ennis's run.
Ennis' landmark work to date is the 66-issue epic Preacher, which he co-created with artist Steve Dillon. Running from 1995 to 2000, it was a tale of a preacher with supernatural powers, searching (literally) for God who has abandoned his creation.
While Preacher was running, Ennis began a series set in the DC universe called Hitman. Despite being lower profile than Preacher, Hitman ran for 60 issues (plus specials) from 1996 to 2001, veering wildly from violent action to humour to an examination of male friendship under fire.
Other comic projects Ennis wrote during this time period include Goddess, Bloody Mary, Unknown Soldier, and Pride & Joy, all for DC/Vertigo, as well as origin stories for The Darkness for Image Comics and Shadowman for Valiant Comics.
After the end of Hitman, Ennis was lured to Marvel Comics with the promise from Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada that he could write The Punisher as long as he cared to. Instead of largely comical tone of these issues, he decided to make a much more serious series, re-launched under Marvel's MAX imprint.
In 2001 he briefly returned to UK comics to write the epic Helter Skelter for Judge Dredd.
Other comics Ennis has written include War Story (with various artists) for DC; The Pro for Image Comics; The Authority for Wildstorm; Just a Pilgrim for Black Bull Press, and 303, Chronicles of Wormwood (a six issue mini-series about the Antichrist), and a western comic book, Streets of Glory for Avatar Press.
In 2008 Ennis ended his five-year run on Punisher MAX to debut a new Marvel title, War Is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle.
In June 2008, at Wizard World, Philadelphia, Ennis announced several new projects, including a metaseries of war comics called Battlefields from Dynamite made up of mini-series including Night Witches, Dear Billy and Tankies, another Chronicles of Wormwood mini-series and Crossed both at Avatar, a six-issue miniseries about Butcher (from The Boys) and a Punisher project reuniting him with artist Steve Dillon (subsequently specified to be a weekly mini-series entitled Punisher: War Zone, to be released concurrently with the film of the same name).
Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_Ennis
Another series for Crisis was True Faith, a religious satire inspired by his schooldays, this time drawn by Warren Pleece. Ennis shortly after began to write for Crisis' parent publication, 2000 AD. He quickly graduated on to the title's flagship character, Judge Dredd, taking over from original creator John Wagner for a period of several years.
Ennis' first work on an American comic came in 1991 when he took over DC Comics's horror title Hellblazer, which he wrote until 1994, and for which he currently holds the title for most issues written. Steve Dillon became the regular artist during the second half of Ennis's run.
Ennis' landmark work to date is the 66-issue epic Preacher, which he co-created with artist Steve Dillon. Running from 1995 to 2000, it was a tale of a preacher with supernatural powers, searching (literally) for God who has abandoned his creation.
While Preacher was running, Ennis began a series set in the DC universe called Hitman. Despite being lower profile than Preacher, Hitman ran for 60 issues (plus specials) from 1996 to 2001, veering wildly from violent action to humour to an examination of male friendship under fire.
Other comic projects Ennis wrote during this time period include Goddess, Bloody Mary, Unknown Soldier, and Pride & Joy, all for DC/Vertigo, as well as origin stories for The Darkness for Image Comics and Shadowman for Valiant Comics.
After the end of Hitman, Ennis was lured to Marvel Comics with the promise from Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada that he could write The Punisher as long as he cared to. Instead of largely comical tone of these issues, he decided to make a much more serious series, re-launched under Marvel's MAX imprint.
In 2001 he briefly returned to UK comics to write the epic Helter Skelter for Judge Dredd.
Other comics Ennis has written include War Story (with various artists) for DC; The Pro for Image Comics; The Authority for Wildstorm; Just a Pilgrim for Black Bull Press, and 303, Chronicles of Wormwood (a six issue mini-series about the Antichrist), and a western comic book, Streets of Glory for Avatar Press.
In 2008 Ennis ended his five-year run on Punisher MAX to debut a new Marvel title, War Is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle.
In June 2008, at Wizard World, Philadelphia, Ennis announced several new projects, including a metaseries of war comics called Battlefields from Dynamite made up of mini-series including Night Witches, Dear Billy and Tankies, another Chronicles of Wormwood mini-series and Crossed both at Avatar, a six-issue miniseries about Butcher (from The Boys) and a Punisher project reuniting him with artist Steve Dillon (subsequently specified to be a weekly mini-series entitled Punisher: War Zone, to be released concurrently with the film of the same name).
Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_Ennis
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 351 reviews
May 30, 2023
Another volume of two halves. The first half sees Hughie tasked with his first ever solo mission - will he make the grade? He also sees more of Annie who is looking at her life before and after joining The Seven, and asking herself who she is.
The second half is a comic writing masterpiece as Ennis juxtaposes The Boys/Vought Americans history over are reality to create a thoroughly convincing alternate timeline that unquestionably calls out the American Military-Industrial complex. Alongside t this we get the first meeting between The Seven and the rest of the Boys! You ain't seen nothing like - wonderful scripting and art creates such an intense, yet also darkly comedic scene. The greatest comics ever written always tell the backstory/story as organically as possible. Ennis throws that away, goes old school and does four issues of exposition, and it works! Five Star Read, FIVE STARS!
2019 and 2017 read
The second half is a comic writing masterpiece as Ennis juxtaposes The Boys/Vought Americans history over are reality to create a thoroughly convincing alternate timeline that unquestionably calls out the American Military-Industrial complex. Alongside t this we get the first meeting between The Seven and the rest of the Boys! You ain't seen nothing like - wonderful scripting and art creates such an intense, yet also darkly comedic scene. The greatest comics ever written always tell the backstory/story as organically as possible. Ennis throws that away, goes old school and does four issues of exposition, and it works! Five Star Read, FIVE STARS!
2019 and 2017 read
May 1, 2025
This is continuing to be a great story, and I'm definitely excited for more.
Hugie finds out a bit more about the beginnings of The Seven and Vought American, and Annie starts to doubt her faith in God.
As a couple, they have one of the better, funnier, maybe more realistic, sex moments I've read in a comic. Worth reading for that alone.
I like the comic book angle of this world, too. Using the issues as pro-superhero propaganda that spins a darker truth? Brilliant!
The entire concept of The Boys is just cool and fun. Can't wait to read more!
Definitely recommended! <--for mature readers
March 3, 2015
Ennis continues his obsession with shit in this 3rd installment of his vindictive parody. the underground team known as "The Boys" continues to keep a watch on various super-powered groups like "Teenage Kix" and "The Seven". mysteries are deepened, some questions are answered but more are not, a slain character comes back as a revolting zombie, the most enjoyable character - the naïve heroine Starlight - continues to evolve, there's a slice of graphic hate sex for a couple of characters, and there's also a surprisingly touching love story at the center of it all (explicit joke about cunnilingus during menstruation notwithstanding). my two favorite things: a fascinating standoff between the leader of The Boys and the leader of The Seven ("Homelander", ha!) and most of all, a brilliant depiction of The Seven failing to rescue an airplane hijacked by terrorists.
and then there's the shit. Ennis and illustrator Darick Robertson surely do love the inclusion of feces whenever possible. it is all over the page due to the excessively detailed and revoltingly gross renderings of two slavering, excreting superheroes-turned-zombies. but it's more than just a reader gross-out, shit is there as a regularly recurring metaphor and analogy. it is frequently used as such by the characters and it is also clearly the author's touchstone when viewing the world and its history and the rationale behind why things happen in the way that they do, in the way that the most banal of motivations always win out, crushing the spirits of the unlucky and the disposable. per Ennis, The World Is Shit. well, okay.
and then there's the shit. Ennis and illustrator Darick Robertson surely do love the inclusion of feces whenever possible. it is all over the page due to the excessively detailed and revoltingly gross renderings of two slavering, excreting superheroes-turned-zombies. but it's more than just a reader gross-out, shit is there as a regularly recurring metaphor and analogy. it is frequently used as such by the characters and it is also clearly the author's touchstone when viewing the world and its history and the rationale behind why things happen in the way that they do, in the way that the most banal of motivations always win out, crushing the spirits of the unlucky and the disposable. per Ennis, The World Is Shit. well, okay.
September 19, 2017
Ennis continues his send up of superhero comics in this the third volume of The Boys (A CIA-backed group monitoring the supes), with two basic storylines: Some back story by Billy Butcher told to Wee Hughie about the Vought Corporaation’s support for the Superhero group The Seven who botched a rescue attempt of a plane during 9-11. Yes, it’s that nasty. Billy is a kind of a twisted Stan Lee parody, who has his own personal reasons for resentment against the supes especially after supporting them and producing them for all these years.
As happens with superhero comics, superheroes that are dead come back to life again, kill them again and again, superhero zombies, yes literally is the case in one issue here. That’s a good point, and fun.
Wee Hughie is the central character in this one, talking with Butcher about Vought’s ugly history of supremely vain and brainless and destructive superheroes beloved by a comics public brainwashed by the comics and mainstream media. At the same time, Wee Hughie is developing a sweet relationship with Annie as this darker political story works its way out. Ennis balances the sweet with the vulgar and dark, definitely, but he can be very funny, with a heart beating in there somewhere and some good satirical work. Ennis has a juvenile (shall we say Boyish?) obsession with bodily fluids as a basis for his humor (and especially in his commentary on the supes!). I still have not warmed up to this one as much as The Preacher, but it is good comics work from Ennis.
As happens with superhero comics, superheroes that are dead come back to life again, kill them again and again, superhero zombies, yes literally is the case in one issue here. That’s a good point, and fun.
Wee Hughie is the central character in this one, talking with Butcher about Vought’s ugly history of supremely vain and brainless and destructive superheroes beloved by a comics public brainwashed by the comics and mainstream media. At the same time, Wee Hughie is developing a sweet relationship with Annie as this darker political story works its way out. Ennis balances the sweet with the vulgar and dark, definitely, but he can be very funny, with a heart beating in there somewhere and some good satirical work. Ennis has a juvenile (shall we say Boyish?) obsession with bodily fluids as a basis for his humor (and especially in his commentary on the supes!). I still have not warmed up to this one as much as The Preacher, but it is good comics work from Ennis.
September 30, 2022
Muy buen volumen. La historia ha pegado un subidón de locos.
Compuesto por dos historias. Bueno para el alma y No digo mentiras, G.I.
En Bueno para el alma. Annie más conocida como Starlight entra en conflicto con sus creencias religiosas y sobre su entorno, después de un episodio traumático y horrible que vivió en el primer volumen, se cuestiona si Dios en realidad existió para ella, si lo que está haciendo con The Seven aporta algo para las personas.
No pude evitar sentirme triste por ella, pero también es algo que la hace evolucionar como personaje, tener carácter y destacar entre tanto personaje detestable que se encuentra en esta historia.
Por otro lado, Hughie debe enfrentarse a un problema del pasado que no quedó resuelto totalmente, pero en la búsqueda de hacerlo a su manera, se da cuenta que cuando se ensucian las manos, no hay vuelta atrás.
Algunas escenas sangrientas que no pueden faltar. Una historia que explora la psicología de los personajes y les da más desarrollo, me ha gustado mucho.
En No digo mentiras, G.I.
Nos cuenta la historia de Vougth como empresa desde la segunda guerra mundial, su ascenso y como sus superhéroes entraron a formar parte del mundo.
Algo curioso, es que desde el primer volumen nos muestran el puente de Brooklyn destruido, y aquí nos cuenta el por qué está así. También el acontecimiento entre Mallory y Lamplighter en el pasado, el inicio de la relación entre Annie y Hughie y el primer cara que nos muestran entre Butcher y Homelander. Todo un coctel de emociones increíble, me ha encantado este volumen, y el final te deja con muchas ganas de leer el siguiente en corto.
Debo destacar al personaje de La leyenda, me ha encantado como entra a formar parte importante de la historia, y como es vital para Los muchachos. Un viejo algo despreciable pero que tiene su gracia.
Compuesto por dos historias. Bueno para el alma y No digo mentiras, G.I.
En Bueno para el alma. Annie más conocida como Starlight entra en conflicto con sus creencias religiosas y sobre su entorno, después de un episodio traumático y horrible que vivió en el primer volumen, se cuestiona si Dios en realidad existió para ella, si lo que está haciendo con The Seven aporta algo para las personas.
"Me entristece, porque hay personas en el mundo que piensan que 'bueno' debe significar 'estúpido', y siempre estuve segura de que las cosas no tenían que ser de esa manera. Pero...Aquí estoy. Mis amigos, mis héroes, la gente que amaba todas las cosas que creía acerca del mundo: Todo son mentiras, todo está destrozado. Así que mi Dios es una mentira también, ¿Así es como son las cosas?"
No pude evitar sentirme triste por ella, pero también es algo que la hace evolucionar como personaje, tener carácter y destacar entre tanto personaje detestable que se encuentra en esta historia.
Por otro lado, Hughie debe enfrentarse a un problema del pasado que no quedó resuelto totalmente, pero en la búsqueda de hacerlo a su manera, se da cuenta que cuando se ensucian las manos, no hay vuelta atrás.
Algunas escenas sangrientas que no pueden faltar. Una historia que explora la psicología de los personajes y les da más desarrollo, me ha gustado mucho.
En No digo mentiras, G.I.
Nos cuenta la historia de Vougth como empresa desde la segunda guerra mundial, su ascenso y como sus superhéroes entraron a formar parte del mundo.
"La gente le gusta la fantasía. Le gana a la mierda de la realidad cualquier día de la semana"
Algo curioso, es que desde el primer volumen nos muestran el puente de Brooklyn destruido, y aquí nos cuenta el por qué está así. También el acontecimiento entre Mallory y Lamplighter en el pasado, el inicio de la relación entre Annie y Hughie y el primer cara que nos muestran entre Butcher y Homelander. Todo un coctel de emociones increíble, me ha encantado este volumen, y el final te deja con muchas ganas de leer el siguiente en corto.
Debo destacar al personaje de La leyenda, me ha encantado como entra a formar parte importante de la historia, y como es vital para Los muchachos. Un viejo algo despreciable pero que tiene su gracia.
July 9, 2019
I wasn’t sure if I was gonna continue this series after q very disappointing second volume. However I decided if I really like the first book in a series but really dislike the second, I should try the third, give it another shot. Also the TV show looks pretty bad-ass!
I’m really glad I gave it another try!
What’s it about?
Hughie finds out more things about how the world works and deals with the results of the events of volume 2. Starlight struggles with her faith and life as a superhero in general. Butcher fixes to piss The Homelander off.
Pros:
The story is interesting and surprisingly complex. It’s surprising to say that about an egdy satire of superheroes but yeah.
The art is very well done. It suits the book very well.
The characters are interesting. The most interesting in this volume is probably Starlight (which is sorta humorous as she’s not one of The Boys) but the other characters are pretty interesting too.
The action scenes are fantastic. Definitely for fans of bloody, intense stuff.
There’s some great humor throughout!
This comic is fairly suspenseful.
There is some fun stuff for comic nerds that sorta pokes fun at a lot of things in superhero comics. I know some people point at this and say that Ennis must hate superheroes but I’d say they’re wrong. As a fan of superheroes this is extremely clever and fun for fans of superhero comics.
I like the dog!
The romance is very well done and interesting.
Cons:
This comic tries too hard to be edgy. I don’t mind the graphic content in this, I read (hell sometimes even write) stuff more explicit than this but some of it tries too hard (example: undead guy covered in shit).
Some parts are a tad confusing. Keep in mind that this volume has a lot to take in all at once and that is probably the reason but nonetheless, this gets confusing.
I can’t understand what the french guy’s saying. You’d think they could maybe translate it.
Overall:
This comic may not be for everyone and it’s not quite a masterpiece, but it’s damn fun.
It’s a good story with interesting characters, gory action, lots of humor and clever satire.
Recommended for superhero fans who have a high tolerance for graphic content.
4/5
I’m really glad I gave it another try!
What’s it about?
Hughie finds out more things about how the world works and deals with the results of the events of volume 2. Starlight struggles with her faith and life as a superhero in general. Butcher fixes to piss The Homelander off.
Pros:
The story is interesting and surprisingly complex. It’s surprising to say that about an egdy satire of superheroes but yeah.
The art is very well done. It suits the book very well.
The characters are interesting. The most interesting in this volume is probably Starlight (which is sorta humorous as she’s not one of The Boys) but the other characters are pretty interesting too.
The action scenes are fantastic. Definitely for fans of bloody, intense stuff.
There’s some great humor throughout!
This comic is fairly suspenseful.
There is some fun stuff for comic nerds that sorta pokes fun at a lot of things in superhero comics. I know some people point at this and say that Ennis must hate superheroes but I’d say they’re wrong. As a fan of superheroes this is extremely clever and fun for fans of superhero comics.
I like the dog!
The romance is very well done and interesting.
Cons:
This comic tries too hard to be edgy. I don’t mind the graphic content in this, I read (hell sometimes even write) stuff more explicit than this but some of it tries too hard (example: undead guy covered in shit).
Some parts are a tad confusing. Keep in mind that this volume has a lot to take in all at once and that is probably the reason but nonetheless, this gets confusing.
I can’t understand what the french guy’s saying. You’d think they could maybe translate it.
Overall:
This comic may not be for everyone and it’s not quite a masterpiece, but it’s damn fun.
It’s a good story with interesting characters, gory action, lots of humor and clever satire.
Recommended for superhero fans who have a high tolerance for graphic content.
4/5
February 8, 2022
Tomo interesante donde se explican los orígenes de los super en general y de los 7 en particular.
Igual de gamberra y de explícita.
8/10
Igual de gamberra y de explícita.
8/10
March 25, 2021
En este volumen se explican algunas cosas importantes del origen de The Boys y su relación con el grupo de los 7, los cuales son presentados como una banda de ineptos.
May 3, 2018
When did Garth Ennis become a Soap Opera author?
June 13, 2022
Loving the tv show and loads of Easter eggs from this comic on it. Love what they’ve done so far.
May 2, 2014
Third volume into this great series, and nothing yet makes me want to stop reading. This one has a lot more about the characters, history, and background info that led us to where things sit here: a sort of Cold War stalemate between the Seven (Think JLA) and the Boys. Hughie gets more ink than anyone else, and I think that's a great idea because he's easily the one that most can relate with.
We get a glimpse into the history of Vought-American, the uber-corporation that supports (and more) the Seven, and Supes in general, as well as a look into the alternate 9-11 tragedy in this world.
There's definitely some funny bits here too, especially as things pick up with Hughie and Annie, and neither one knows the other all that well...definitely setting up for some interesting stories to follow.
I also loved how Butcher stayed so quiet and stoic during his meeting with his counterpart. Makes me really excited for the eventual throw-down that is no doubt going to be bloody.
We even get the return of a character thought dead, and I can't say it's joyful...
Well done, looking forward to the next installment!
We get a glimpse into the history of Vought-American, the uber-corporation that supports (and more) the Seven, and Supes in general, as well as a look into the alternate 9-11 tragedy in this world.
There's definitely some funny bits here too, especially as things pick up with Hughie and Annie, and neither one knows the other all that well...definitely setting up for some interesting stories to follow.
I also loved how Butcher stayed so quiet and stoic during his meeting with his counterpart. Makes me really excited for the eventual throw-down that is no doubt going to be bloody.
We even get the return of a character thought dead, and I can't say it's joyful...
Well done, looking forward to the next installment!
January 7, 2023
Conspiracy theories! This is my first 4 rating for the series and oddly, it has the least action. It’s almost entirely dialogue. Long conversations prevail, and Ennis almost feels like he’s writing a book. We learn the horrible history of Vought, the plots for Starlight and Homelander slowly begin to take shape. And the climactic plane crash scene is genuinely unsettling. All this power uncontrolled, a sense of dread permeates the pages. One might as well be up against an invincible, amoral animal than the military industrial complex. The alternate universe is well-defined, George Bush junior apparently accidentally killed himself with a chainsaw. Tons of dark humor, but less juvenile (for the most part). Some good writing, and Ennis is really laying the foundation for something bigger. The art is beefed up as well, in the middle ground between the purposely ugly early stuff and something more palatable for the average reader. There are moments where it’s really quite impressive. Starting to look like Steve Dillion’s Preacher stuff actually. It’s increasingly hard to compare the series to the show as only once in a while a passing thing is shared, but often represented very differently.
January 12, 2019
I consider this the best installment so far. The formula is: put Watchmen and Planetary in a blender, add several pounds of f---s and c---s, and several cups of degradation (sex and violence, and not always separately), garnish with "underground" flair.
I'm starting to like it, and that bothers me.
I'm starting to like it, and that bothers me.
February 24, 2016
Still a fun series. 3.5 stars.
July 30, 2019
A short review of The Boys Vol. 3: Good for the Soul. This one lets us into a lot of the history of Vought-American. This is the corrupt company that created the V Compound that makes the supes. We also see more of Wee Hugie’s developing relationship with Annie/Starlight. At this point neither of them realize their “secret” identities of each other. And the last thing it really touches on is how supes don’t really die.
So, let’s discuss the main themes. The first and largest part of this book is about Hughie sitting with the Legend and getting the real story on how supes were made by Vought. He gets a whole history lesson about how Vought changed over the years from making shitty guns that caused a lot of deaths in war by not working. They later move onto making the V compound that causes some people to become supes. We learn that one of the Legend’s son’s was killed in Vietnam due to his group using those shitty guns. We also learn about how the money for Vought comes from the comic PR teams and merchandising that goes with it.
One of the big reveals is how the supes were the ones that caused the destruction of the Brooklyn Bridge on 9/11. In this history two of the jets were shot down by the Air Force. But when the last jet was heading to the Twin Towers the Air Force were called off for the supes to deal with it. Naturally they fuck it up and everyone in the jet and on the bridge die. We also learn that Blarney Cock was his other son. Which leads to the second theme.
Hughie also learns that supes don’t really die. The V compound in their system can cause them to come back to life. But, that “life” is pretty brain dead and they have to be hidden behind the scenes until they can destroy the body. Hughie had killed Blarney Cock in the first volume, and he comes back to his apartment one night and finds BC there wanting his gerbil back. He then attacks Hughie who has to kill him a second time. Billy finds out, as he finds out everything. He watches as Hughie burns the body to destroy it. The discuss after how Hughie has to clean up his own messes and has to get his hands dirty to truly be one of The Boys.
The last theme is the growing romance between Hughie and Annie. Both are lying to each other about their “jobs”. Annie is going through a lot I regards to her role in the Seven, and how she no longer believes in God. This is a huge break for her, and she really no longer like the Seven. But both she and Hughie are hurt by life and finding each other has helped them both heal. But will they eventually what each other does? I really hope they don’t hate each other when they do.
I am still really enjoying this series. It is such a “dark” comic series. So many anti-heroes on all sides. I just hope that things work out for Hughie. He is such a good guy and I am sorry to see him go down this dark path. I just hope he and Annie are able to make it work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2022
Bullet Review:
This one is mostly backstory - also a random “joke” about periods, an almost rape, and zombies pissing in buckets and trying to retrieve hamsters.
This one is mostly backstory - also a random “joke” about periods, an almost rape, and zombies pissing in buckets and trying to retrieve hamsters.
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January 23, 2022
After you Get Some random adventures in book two, The Boys return to the basics of what they do so well – watching the supers; and The Boys comics return to what they do best, continue to unravel the backstory behind the world of superpowered menaces.
This volume once again employs the format of two self-contained stories and sees a lot of scenes and storylines from season one of the tv show, specifically the creation of supers and the notorious plane scene. Plus, there’s the blossoming young romance and violence, violence, buckets of it. Terror gets some nice scenes too, personal favorite.
The art changes once again here, but this time it isn’t in the wrong direction, in fact, it makes a wee lad more handsome, but overall, it’s very similar to the original style.
There’s all the raunchy amorality and glib jocularity you’ve come to expect, in technicolor. Overall, loads of fun. Recommended.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
This volume once again employs the format of two self-contained stories and sees a lot of scenes and storylines from season one of the tv show, specifically the creation of supers and the notorious plane scene. Plus, there’s the blossoming young romance and violence, violence, buckets of it. Terror gets some nice scenes too, personal favorite.
The art changes once again here, but this time it isn’t in the wrong direction, in fact, it makes a wee lad more handsome, but overall, it’s very similar to the original style.
There’s all the raunchy amorality and glib jocularity you’ve come to expect, in technicolor. Overall, loads of fun. Recommended.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
June 26, 2022
I am very confused about all the political stuff, but still really enjoyed this.
I think reading it online on dodgy websites that keep trying to redirect me to spam sites tainted my experience with this a little, so I'm officially switching to hard copy. I just feel like I'm not getting as much as I should be.
This volume takes us deeper into supe background and there is some seriously messed up sh*t in there. I really enjoyed the bit about the Seven's first mission - that was fantastic and really built their characters.
There's also a little more insight into the relationship between Billy and Homelander, which I'm really looking forward to discovering further.
Not quite as gratuitous as the first couple volumes thankfully - now we're finally starting to get a bit more story through and it's really fleshing out this sordid world. Very keen to continue!
I think reading it online on dodgy websites that keep trying to redirect me to spam sites tainted my experience with this a little, so I'm officially switching to hard copy. I just feel like I'm not getting as much as I should be.
This volume takes us deeper into supe background and there is some seriously messed up sh*t in there. I really enjoyed the bit about the Seven's first mission - that was fantastic and really built their characters.
There's also a little more insight into the relationship between Billy and Homelander, which I'm really looking forward to discovering further.
Not quite as gratuitous as the first couple volumes thankfully - now we're finally starting to get a bit more story through and it's really fleshing out this sordid world. Very keen to continue!
April 20, 2017
I swear, sometimes it seems as though this book would more accurately be titled Wee Hughie, Co-Starring the Boys. I'm not really complaining, mind you. He's the New Guy, and gives us an outsider's perspective on the team. It gives Butcher and/or Mother's Milk someone to explain things to without sounding too exposition-y. In any case, this volume is decidedly Hughie-centric as he deals with his guilt over Blarney Cock's death, makes progress in his relationship with Annie, and gets filled in on some of the secrets behind Vought American. Still loving this series.
December 22, 2012
Why might I warn people away from the series? For the same reason they might find any of Ennis's work off-putting: Graphic ultraviolence. Graphic sex. Perversity. The usual.
That said, in some of Ennis's books, (Preacher, for example) the depictions of sex and violence sometimes (bordering on regularly) feel gratuitous.
I never felt that way with The Boys. Yes, it was over-the-top a lot of times, but it always felt fitting to the story being told.
(Continued in book four.)
July 31, 2010
3.0 stars. This is the third volume of this ground-breaking series by Garth Ennis. For the most part, I thought the story-line was just okay and the sex and violence seemed to be a bit more pointless than in the previous two volumes. That said, the infamous 9/11 tie in plot-line in the last story arc was gutsy and very well done. Apart from that, this would have gotten two stars.
September 4, 2011
This time around we're getting to know everyone - the characters, the supes, the world and even the Stan Lee-on-testosterone parody. I really like this kind of writing by Ennis - gives the story and characters a chance to breathe, lets us take a closer look and understand why these crazies did or will do what they do.
I'm thrilled we're getting some details (finally!) about the Vought-American Corp and the supes they funded, and Ennis has a hilarious take on how they intervene in the 9-11 fiasco.
It's moving slower than the previous two books, granted - and I can see why some folks would feel disappointed when they just came off two fast-moving, shocking and balls-out funny books.
I've been with Ennis long enough to know this is part of his style, and it means that once he's done setting the pieces in place and get them shined up, we're going to see some crazy funny shit come fast and furious.
I'm thrilled we're getting some details (finally!) about the Vought-American Corp and the supes they funded, and Ennis has a hilarious take on how they intervene in the 9-11 fiasco.
It's moving slower than the previous two books, granted - and I can see why some folks would feel disappointed when they just came off two fast-moving, shocking and balls-out funny books.
I've been with Ennis long enough to know this is part of his style, and it means that once he's done setting the pieces in place and get them shined up, we're going to see some crazy funny shit come fast and furious.
July 6, 2022
I love me some conspiracy stories, and man oh man do I love me some superhero conspiracy stories. Though the last half of this volume could totally be classified as an exposition dump, I care not. The despicable shenanigans of these deplorables were too trainwreck-ish, too Corpomerican Nightmareish for me to put the book down. I’d laugh and I’d grimace. Then I’d laugh, and then I’d grimace. Power corrupts all. Love of profits makes you objectively evil because you will justify evil for the dollar. How would wearing a cape and having your own comic book run exempt you from this?
No, I will not elaborate. Go read some Commie literature like the New Testament if you wanna learn more.
No, I will not elaborate. Go read some Commie literature like the New Testament if you wanna learn more.
April 14, 2015
This volume has some real nasty scenes, all I can say is poor poor Hughie, that's not what you want to wake up to. Haha
Some interesting concepts in this issue, which is mainly focused on giving you some background on the boys and the seven. Alternate reality stuff on 9/11 was really messed up. Why are super heroes so dumb?
On to volume 4!
Some interesting concepts in this issue, which is mainly focused on giving you some background on the boys and the seven. Alternate reality stuff on 9/11 was really messed up. Why are super heroes so dumb?
On to volume 4!
October 27, 2010
Guilty pleasure...or maybe sick obsession is a better explanation. As with all Garth Ennis books, I cannot with good conscience recommend them to anyone.
September 10, 2019
i can say that this series starts to grow on me, and i start to enjoy reading it away from the TV.
the story is much different with many Easter eggs.
in this vol there is 2 story arcs
1st is good for the soul. it spots on Hughie and Annie's 2nd meeting and the start of their relationship, and hughie with an old problem comes to hunt him.
2nd is I tell you no lie GI. the origin of Vought-american.
both arcs was really good, and the art remains not to my liking but i start to get used to it.
the story is much different with many Easter eggs.
in this vol there is 2 story arcs
1st is good for the soul. it spots on Hughie and Annie's 2nd meeting and the start of their relationship, and hughie with an old problem comes to hunt him.
2nd is I tell you no lie GI. the origin of Vought-american.
both arcs was really good, and the art remains not to my liking but i start to get used to it.
July 28, 2022
This volume focuses mostly on lore-building and the relationships between many characters. It's still interesting, but not too much actually changes throughout this volume. And having seen the show, it was all expected -- whereas the other two volumes thus far had many differences. The issues here are necessary, they just aren't all that exciting.
July 11, 2019
There is no way in the world I am going to miss Amazon TVs version of The Boys. Sometime the end of this month I am sure. Each issue is getting weirder and graphic. How much of this will transtition to the Amazon Prime series? I know it is cable, but that is asking a lot. I think I have access to 3 more Volumes thanks to my Comixology Unlimited subscription.
Read
April 15, 2021Ennis got his start in the mid to late 90s, establishing a reputation as an extremist in the comics community alongside Warren Ellis, though Ennis would become the Grant Morrison to Ellis' Alan Moore, with Ennis sometimes going to extremes without letting his story threads come together in a natural way. Does that mean Ennis is a bad writer? Of course not. He wouldn't be a favorite of mine if that were the case. While The Boys doesn't entirely reach the heights of some of Ennis' finer outings like Preacher or Punisher MAX, The Boys proved itself to be another interesting series in Ennis' catalogue.
Garth Ennis is never one for the easily offended, the copious amounts of sex, violence and mayhem that inhabits this series can test even the most mentally and physically strong of people, as I said earlier Ennis is rather extreme with his content. Though luckily, Ennis does know how to pace himself and provide a good plot to keep you invested unlike some of the other artists and writers from the uber grimdark period of comics (cough cough, Rob Liefeld, cough cough, Frank Miller). Ennis, much like Alan Moore, makes a point to show that if superhumans were to exist in our world, they would bring about an apocalyptic sense of change to the world. Though unfortunately, I'm not quite as sure that Ennis is as thorough in his exploration as Moore was. He never fully goes deeper in his critique of superheroes, which is rather unfortunate. Though unlike Moore, Ennis pulls no punches when taking shots as superheroes, this is unsurprising given his well known disdain for the superhero genre, yet again, I don't find that his satire nearly goes far enough to make a grand point of it all.
While The Boys' satire is admittedly simplistic unlike something that is more nuanced like Watchmen, we see Ennis' reputation for characterization shine through, with Billy Butcher being a standout and even Ennis himself lamenting that he was his favorite character to write. Most of the characters in The Boys are strongly developed and their depth and likability is reminiscent of Preacher, but we also see how they change over time. Wee Hughie in particular changes from a mild mannered normal person into a hardened, but still well intentioned person. The satire of The Boys, while sometimes going overboard and becoming crude, usually does its job, with targets being of corporatism, crony capitalism, and the incompetence of government, in particular the Bush era.
I have often complained about how many modern comics have problems with pacing. But luckily Ennis doesn't have this issue, and I would lobby him alongside Ed Brubaker as having a mastery of pacing, as Ennis knows when he should slow things down and when to let things speed up. It is nice to find someone else to use as an example of how to pace your stories in a way to where you won't lose your audience, and Ennis definitely knows how to keep his audiences attention, for better or worse.
Few problems come through in the series, Ennis's writing teeters in quality near the end, with some unexpected twists coming in that shakes up the story at hold and not in a way that feels natural. Though luckily Ennis manages to make it work as best as he can and manages to wrap his story up in a satisfying way. While Ennis is ruthless in his mockery of the superhero genre and its conventions, some of his edgy, extreme humor doesn't really seem to go anywhere, which is a problem that pervades through much of his work. Though unlike Preacher or Punisher MAX where he manages to tamper it with volumes of excellent story, The Boys sometimes does get brought down by its over the top extremes. The art from Derrick Robertson, while very good and well drawn, I often compare to his extraordinary work on Transmetropolitan, and I found that he hasn't ever surpassed the strange and surreal visuals from that series.
Cruel and crass as The Boys may be, Ennis rarely forgets character motivation or good plotting to keep readers invested, while he may lose some of his steam by the end of the series, The Boys remains a strong and enjoyable outing from Ennis' catalogue.
Garth Ennis is never one for the easily offended, the copious amounts of sex, violence and mayhem that inhabits this series can test even the most mentally and physically strong of people, as I said earlier Ennis is rather extreme with his content. Though luckily, Ennis does know how to pace himself and provide a good plot to keep you invested unlike some of the other artists and writers from the uber grimdark period of comics (cough cough, Rob Liefeld, cough cough, Frank Miller). Ennis, much like Alan Moore, makes a point to show that if superhumans were to exist in our world, they would bring about an apocalyptic sense of change to the world. Though unfortunately, I'm not quite as sure that Ennis is as thorough in his exploration as Moore was. He never fully goes deeper in his critique of superheroes, which is rather unfortunate. Though unlike Moore, Ennis pulls no punches when taking shots as superheroes, this is unsurprising given his well known disdain for the superhero genre, yet again, I don't find that his satire nearly goes far enough to make a grand point of it all.
While The Boys' satire is admittedly simplistic unlike something that is more nuanced like Watchmen, we see Ennis' reputation for characterization shine through, with Billy Butcher being a standout and even Ennis himself lamenting that he was his favorite character to write. Most of the characters in The Boys are strongly developed and their depth and likability is reminiscent of Preacher, but we also see how they change over time. Wee Hughie in particular changes from a mild mannered normal person into a hardened, but still well intentioned person. The satire of The Boys, while sometimes going overboard and becoming crude, usually does its job, with targets being of corporatism, crony capitalism, and the incompetence of government, in particular the Bush era.
I have often complained about how many modern comics have problems with pacing. But luckily Ennis doesn't have this issue, and I would lobby him alongside Ed Brubaker as having a mastery of pacing, as Ennis knows when he should slow things down and when to let things speed up. It is nice to find someone else to use as an example of how to pace your stories in a way to where you won't lose your audience, and Ennis definitely knows how to keep his audiences attention, for better or worse.
Few problems come through in the series, Ennis's writing teeters in quality near the end, with some unexpected twists coming in that shakes up the story at hold and not in a way that feels natural. Though luckily Ennis manages to make it work as best as he can and manages to wrap his story up in a satisfying way. While Ennis is ruthless in his mockery of the superhero genre and its conventions, some of his edgy, extreme humor doesn't really seem to go anywhere, which is a problem that pervades through much of his work. Though unlike Preacher or Punisher MAX where he manages to tamper it with volumes of excellent story, The Boys sometimes does get brought down by its over the top extremes. The art from Derrick Robertson, while very good and well drawn, I often compare to his extraordinary work on Transmetropolitan, and I found that he hasn't ever surpassed the strange and surreal visuals from that series.
Cruel and crass as The Boys may be, Ennis rarely forgets character motivation or good plotting to keep readers invested, while he may lose some of his steam by the end of the series, The Boys remains a strong and enjoyable outing from Ennis' catalogue.
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