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The Boys Omnibus
The Boys Omnibus Vol. 2 - Photo Cover Edition
As the excitement for Prime Video's new series continues to build for Garth Ennis' & Darick Robertson's The Boys - Dynamite presents a special edition of the Omnibus Volume 2 featuring a fantastic photo cover from the series!
Contains The Boys Volume 3: Good for the Soul & The Boys Volume 4: We Gotta Go Now.
In The Boys, Vol. 3: Good for the Soul, everyone has something to get off their chest: Frenchie and the Female are up to something nasty with the Mafia, Mother's Milk goes to see his mom, Annie January wants a word with God himself, and Butcher enjoys yet another ghastly tryst with CIA Director Rayner. The Legend, meanwhile, offers to tell Hughie everything he wants to know about The Boys - all Hughie has to do is take a walk with the dead.
In the fourth Dynamite collection, "We Gotta Go Now," all is not well with mysterious millionaire John Godolkin's band of misfits. Silver Kincaid, one of the original G-Men, has just committed suicide in the most public and grotesque way imaginable. That's not good news for Vought-American's number one franchise, with G-Force, G-Coast, G-Style, G-Wiz, the G-Brits and the G-Nomads all depending on their slice of the G-pie. There's far too much at stake for anyone to go poking around the G-Mansion now. Who knows what dirty secrets might be waiting down there in the dark?
Contains The Boys Volume 3: Good for the Soul & The Boys Volume 4: We Gotta Go Now.
In The Boys, Vol. 3: Good for the Soul, everyone has something to get off their chest: Frenchie and the Female are up to something nasty with the Mafia, Mother's Milk goes to see his mom, Annie January wants a word with God himself, and Butcher enjoys yet another ghastly tryst with CIA Director Rayner. The Legend, meanwhile, offers to tell Hughie everything he wants to know about The Boys - all Hughie has to do is take a walk with the dead.
In the fourth Dynamite collection, "We Gotta Go Now," all is not well with mysterious millionaire John Godolkin's band of misfits. Silver Kincaid, one of the original G-Men, has just committed suicide in the most public and grotesque way imaginable. That's not good news for Vought-American's number one franchise, with G-Force, G-Coast, G-Style, G-Wiz, the G-Brits and the G-Nomads all depending on their slice of the G-pie. There's far too much at stake for anyone to go poking around the G-Mansion now. Who knows what dirty secrets might be waiting down there in the dark?
376 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2009
259 people are currently reading
726 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
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
December 25, 2022
This omnibus covers 2 volumes - The Boys, Volume 3: Good For The Soul starts off with Butcher sending Hughie out on a solo undercover mission investigating a young (and wild) super hero team; the second half sees The Legend provide the full history (well most of it) of Vought American's relationship with America's military-industrial complex! In The Boys, Volume 4: We Gotta Go Now both MM and Hughie investigate this realities' X-Men, rather lazily called the G-Men, after a team member has a very public suicide. Garth Ennis and co. use pretty interesting stories as holding vehicles as they slowly begin to unpeel the bandages off of this series-wide conspiracy and begin to flesh out its length and depth!
The creative team spins a dark yarn on the comic book trope of an older single science man 'discovering' kids and training them in the use of their power; they also takes the whole team bonding ideal to a another level. I can see how some may find his work needlessly over the top, until one looks at the behaviours of the Republican Party under Trump, and can see that Ennis' point(?) that if people think they can get away with it, they will do the darkest deeds for their own self satisfaction / benefit! The art is a bit better in these volumes, but this series is all about story and character development - 9 out of 12, Four Star read.
2022, 2019 and 2017 read
The creative team spins a dark yarn on the comic book trope of an older single science man 'discovering' kids and training them in the use of their power; they also takes the whole team bonding ideal to a another level. I can see how some may find his work needlessly over the top, until one looks at the behaviours of the Republican Party under Trump, and can see that Ennis' point(?) that if people think they can get away with it, they will do the darkest deeds for their own self satisfaction / benefit! The art is a bit better in these volumes, but this series is all about story and character development - 9 out of 12, Four Star read.
2022, 2019 and 2017 read
November 8, 2020
This was gritty, dark, poignant, and even funny at times. The shock factor is not as noticeable as the first, or it could also be possible that I've just become numb to it. As always, I love Petit Hughie and The Frenchman. I'd like to learn more about MM and The Female. We get teased about double lives getting uncovered, someone goes undercover, and we even get a peak at the much darker inner workings--if that's possible--of one of the characters. The ending was great but at the same time left me feeling a little cheated. So while this was not overly exciting, it definitely had it's moments. Four more volumes to go. See you at the next juncture.
June 13, 2022
This is build up. Vol 3 has some great bits and butcher is definitely the biggest bad ass.
September 9, 2020
This is the spoiler free review of the first three Omnibus volumes of the graphic novel series The Boys. If you would like to read the spoiler full review complete with all the sex and violence please visit https://amanjareads.com/2020/09/09/th...
The Boys is a graphic novel series in 6 huge omnibus volumes. It is also now a show on amazon prime streaming. I have not yet watched the show, I've heard good things.
The graphic novel is just as violent as I was expecting it to be but it's also a lot more. It has WAY more graphic sex and sexual violence than I was prepared for, for one. But it also is way smarter and more profound than I thought it would be as well.
The basic premise is that this team called The Boys needs to be established in order to keep the other teams of super heroes in check. They've let power and fame throw them into hedonism and sadism that is rampantly out of control. They are doing far more harm than good.
The whole series is a commentary on a dense web of corruption that we can see paralleled in our own societies. Commentaries on the military industrial complex, the corruption of power and fame, and the true price of capitalism.
It's a smart book. It balances the ultra violence with satire and well informed politics. However, that makes it all very dense.
I was expecting a lighter read. These first three volumes made for a tough binge. It's going to be better to space it out a bit. There is some really rough material in these pages, lots of trigger warnings could be applied.
Although the book overall is smartly written and has a lot to say the structure leaves something to be desired. It's episodic and becomes repetitive. The main plot takes a back seat to meandering side missions that ultimately don't add much to the experience.
Many of these missions are entertaining but when read back to back they start to blend into each other. It becomes a melange of sex and violence that looses individual flavors.
The standout of the book, in my opinion, is a young naive new superhero named Annie, aka Starlight. She is the most interesting character in the whole book and deserves even more page time. Honestly, she is why I will even finish the series.
Her story is tragic and, although extreme, unfortunately relatable for any woman who's ever been in a male dominated field. She's the star of the book, not any member of The Boys or any other team of super heroes.
I do intend to finish the other three volumes of this series. It is definitely entertaining and interesting. But I can't do it all in one go. It's a big bite to chew and needs a few palate cleansers as I go.
If you do decide to venture into the corruption of this universe bring along some light reading for in between volumes. There's only so much the average reader can take at once.
The Boys is a graphic novel series in 6 huge omnibus volumes. It is also now a show on amazon prime streaming. I have not yet watched the show, I've heard good things.
The graphic novel is just as violent as I was expecting it to be but it's also a lot more. It has WAY more graphic sex and sexual violence than I was prepared for, for one. But it also is way smarter and more profound than I thought it would be as well.
The basic premise is that this team called The Boys needs to be established in order to keep the other teams of super heroes in check. They've let power and fame throw them into hedonism and sadism that is rampantly out of control. They are doing far more harm than good.
The whole series is a commentary on a dense web of corruption that we can see paralleled in our own societies. Commentaries on the military industrial complex, the corruption of power and fame, and the true price of capitalism.
It's a smart book. It balances the ultra violence with satire and well informed politics. However, that makes it all very dense.
I was expecting a lighter read. These first three volumes made for a tough binge. It's going to be better to space it out a bit. There is some really rough material in these pages, lots of trigger warnings could be applied.
Although the book overall is smartly written and has a lot to say the structure leaves something to be desired. It's episodic and becomes repetitive. The main plot takes a back seat to meandering side missions that ultimately don't add much to the experience.
Many of these missions are entertaining but when read back to back they start to blend into each other. It becomes a melange of sex and violence that looses individual flavors.
The standout of the book, in my opinion, is a young naive new superhero named Annie, aka Starlight. She is the most interesting character in the whole book and deserves even more page time. Honestly, she is why I will even finish the series.
Her story is tragic and, although extreme, unfortunately relatable for any woman who's ever been in a male dominated field. She's the star of the book, not any member of The Boys or any other team of super heroes.
I do intend to finish the other three volumes of this series. It is definitely entertaining and interesting. But I can't do it all in one go. It's a big bite to chew and needs a few palate cleansers as I go.
If you do decide to venture into the corruption of this universe bring along some light reading for in between volumes. There's only so much the average reader can take at once.
August 30, 2019
I honestly cannot decide how I feel about this series. To say I enjoy it might not be quite right -- it's violent, and gross, and sad, and most of the people in it are awful. But I feel driven to see how it turns out. And Hughie as a counter to the toxicity of the people around him is so welcome, and I feel like I want to stick with him.
September 11, 2020
This series is just getting more gruesomely outlandish. As Hughie tries to find his place in Butcher’s inner circle, he learns about Vought’s dark history and goes undercover in one of their superhero teams to find the ugly truth about how they find their super lab rats. A- (91%/Excellent)
December 30, 2021
This review contains no spoilers.
There is a specific tone to The Boys that I really enjoy. It's an unspoken promise from the author and artist that I am going to experience things I've never seen in a graphic novel before. It's the same promise Ennis delivered back when he wrote Preacher. And I really do enjoy that level of manic-ness that's present in both that series and The Boys. But there's a careful balance that needs to be struck in such an environment, one that preserves that breakneck pace without sacrificing - for lack of a better term - the sanity of the overall plot. Without careful modulation, the crazy stuff starts to feel a little shrill. And there were some places in this installment of the Omnibus that tipped over the edge for me, from a carefully orchestrated circus to the discordant squawking of a bunch of unrelated lunatics. And while I was generally pleased with the story line of this second volume, there were a couple of threads that drifted across that line for me. Viewers of the show will recognize a couple of key scenes in a slightly modified state on these pages, and I thought that was cool, but I kind of had to slog through some of the more wild sections. Still a good series overall.
There is a specific tone to The Boys that I really enjoy. It's an unspoken promise from the author and artist that I am going to experience things I've never seen in a graphic novel before. It's the same promise Ennis delivered back when he wrote Preacher. And I really do enjoy that level of manic-ness that's present in both that series and The Boys. But there's a careful balance that needs to be struck in such an environment, one that preserves that breakneck pace without sacrificing - for lack of a better term - the sanity of the overall plot. Without careful modulation, the crazy stuff starts to feel a little shrill. And there were some places in this installment of the Omnibus that tipped over the edge for me, from a carefully orchestrated circus to the discordant squawking of a bunch of unrelated lunatics. And while I was generally pleased with the story line of this second volume, there were a couple of threads that drifted across that line for me. Viewers of the show will recognize a couple of key scenes in a slightly modified state on these pages, and I thought that was cool, but I kind of had to slog through some of the more wild sections. Still a good series overall.
November 27, 2020
Stick to the TV version kids. It's less misogynist, racist, and homophobic than the comics.
I thought this series might be trash after I read book 1, but this book made it an open and shut case.
Thus ends the terrible road into the brains of men who who hate women and think it is funny and edgy to be racist and homophobic. And I would put money on it that, when you call them out on their trashness-- they would probably try to explain all the reasons that they and their work are in fact NOT these things, because it is SO over the top-- don't you get it, we're making fun of those who ARE those things. But that's just not going to be true, now is it?
I thought this series might be trash after I read book 1, but this book made it an open and shut case.
Thus ends the terrible road into the brains of men who who hate women and think it is funny and edgy to be racist and homophobic. And I would put money on it that, when you call them out on their trashness-- they would probably try to explain all the reasons that they and their work are in fact NOT these things, because it is SO over the top-- don't you get it, we're making fun of those who ARE those things. But that's just not going to be true, now is it?
April 3, 2024
These audiobooks are so good so far. I highly recommend them if you’re a fan of the TV show The Boys.
August 9, 2019
Rereading because of the show. 5 stars.
March 4, 2021
First DNF of 2021. After being underwhelmed by the first volume I queued this from the library as I saw hints of redemption, and I'd heard good feedback about the show...
"The Boys" is the title. I think "The {17 year old} Boys" is the audience. I don't think I got more than 40 pages before the edginess got to me.
NEXT!
"The Boys" is the title. I think "The {17 year old} Boys" is the audience. I don't think I got more than 40 pages before the edginess got to me.
NEXT!
September 6, 2022
Okay, so this omnibus was better than the first. I felt like this one wasn't as forceful with the shock factor attempts. My fave volume in this omnibus was "We Gotta Go Now", which was pretty much parody of the X-Men but gritty and dark. The finale with all the G-Men... Wow.
I'm enjoying Starlight more in this than the TV show so far in this, I still very much love Hughie, Butcher, M.M, and The Female (Even if she hasn't done much which I'm hoping will change), Frenchie is funny and alright, too.
But overall, I feel this collection had more story, more foreshadowing and hints to the future, as opposed to the first collection that just fell a little flat (I did still enjoy the first though). The last volume did really boost it up a little bit for me, and gave it that extra star.
I'm enjoying Starlight more in this than the TV show so far in this, I still very much love Hughie, Butcher, M.M, and The Female (Even if she hasn't done much which I'm hoping will change), Frenchie is funny and alright, too.
But overall, I feel this collection had more story, more foreshadowing and hints to the future, as opposed to the first collection that just fell a little flat (I did still enjoy the first though). The last volume did really boost it up a little bit for me, and gave it that extra star.
December 26, 2019
The Boys are back, and they find themselves being drawn into a mystery centering on the G-Men (think X-Men and all the related teams). It all starts when on of the original members of the team commits suicide. The Boys, and Hugh and Mother's Milk, find themselves being pulled into the details as they are working on different takes. Hughie ends up going undercover in G-Wiz, the teen group for the G-Men, while Mother's Milk ends up going to the site of the suicide. The result of what they learn is disturbing and may just explain why the members of the G-Men are so messed up.
This definitely picks up the story of the Boys and their quest to face the various supes in their world. In a way, it is a refreshing tale as it definitely explores characters and stories beyond what is found in the television show.
While the content is certainly mature in both visual and writing, it is just as well-done as the first omnibus volume. The lines between good and bad are just as blurred, and the stories are certainly interesting. I am definitely looking forward to volume 3.
This definitely picks up the story of the Boys and their quest to face the various supes in their world. In a way, it is a refreshing tale as it definitely explores characters and stories beyond what is found in the television show.
While the content is certainly mature in both visual and writing, it is just as well-done as the first omnibus volume. The lines between good and bad are just as blurred, and the stories are certainly interesting. I am definitely looking forward to volume 3.
July 6, 2022
I don't even know how to describe this one to be honest.
If you've ever been a tad suspicious of Charles Xavier, this book will definitely confirm your suspicions. Hughie has seen some stuff, poor laddie.
If you've ever been a tad suspicious of Charles Xavier, this book will definitely confirm your suspicions. Hughie has seen some stuff, poor laddie.
November 20, 2022
The Boys is one of my favorite television shows, even though it's gnarly as hell. The content is incredibly graphic and every single actor is a bonafide smokeshow. I wanted to read the source material while I wait for the new season to be filmed. I really enjoyed the majority of the first volume of the omnibus, but that unfortunately didn't extend to the second volume. I loved all the digs to the X-Men and the shady parallels to Professor Xavier's special school for gifted youngsters. Some of the story went on too long and the students had really gross extracurricular activities. It wasn't as compelling as the first collection, but it was still packed a punch. I hope we get more action in the third omnibus and I discover more content too grisly for the television show. This series is definitely keeping on my toes and I can't wait to continue with this crazy bunch.
December 9, 2019
I can only presume that there is now a renewed interest in the "Boys" due to the tv show. So be it. While I have read some of the "Boys" before, the show caused me to go out and purchase the Omnibus series. I am glad I did. If anything, the comic is far more shocking, offensive and subversive than its tv iteration.
Following the event of the first volume, we are thrust into a volume that expands on the main characters. Without getting spoilery- the gist of this volume is Frenchie and the Female are up to something nasty with the Mafia, Mother's Milk goes to see his mom, Annie January wants a word with God himself, and Butcher enjoys yet another ghastly tryst with CIA Director Rayner. The Legend, meanwhile, offers to tell Hughie everything he wants to know about The Boys - all Hughie has to do is take a walk with the dead.
There are also issues with the Seven. One of the original heroes, Silver Kincaid, has just committed suicide and Vought American is trying to minimize the damage.
Ennis' subversive take on superheroes ever fails to entertain. If there is one complaint, a minor one, it is to point out Ennis' fixation with the scatological for much of his humor. It's not particularly offensive, to me, but I find his fixation on the 'disgusting" repackaged as humor to be his "thing" as it is evidenced in much of his signature comedic style from Punisher to Crossed and now the Boys. Some people might be offended, but then, some people are offended by everything.
Overall, a good comic. The art is solid, the humor out there and the story is one, for all its zaniness, has some true merit in characters that grow on you, a weird story and Ennis' penchant for adding in strange and bizarre events into the story arc.
While not for everyone, this is a great comic for those who enjoy subversive superhero comics and appreciate Ennis' unique storytelling style. Count me in for volume 3.
Following the event of the first volume, we are thrust into a volume that expands on the main characters. Without getting spoilery- the gist of this volume is Frenchie and the Female are up to something nasty with the Mafia, Mother's Milk goes to see his mom, Annie January wants a word with God himself, and Butcher enjoys yet another ghastly tryst with CIA Director Rayner. The Legend, meanwhile, offers to tell Hughie everything he wants to know about The Boys - all Hughie has to do is take a walk with the dead.
There are also issues with the Seven. One of the original heroes, Silver Kincaid, has just committed suicide and Vought American is trying to minimize the damage.
Ennis' subversive take on superheroes ever fails to entertain. If there is one complaint, a minor one, it is to point out Ennis' fixation with the scatological for much of his humor. It's not particularly offensive, to me, but I find his fixation on the 'disgusting" repackaged as humor to be his "thing" as it is evidenced in much of his signature comedic style from Punisher to Crossed and now the Boys. Some people might be offended, but then, some people are offended by everything.
Overall, a good comic. The art is solid, the humor out there and the story is one, for all its zaniness, has some true merit in characters that grow on you, a weird story and Ennis' penchant for adding in strange and bizarre events into the story arc.
While not for everyone, this is a great comic for those who enjoy subversive superhero comics and appreciate Ennis' unique storytelling style. Count me in for volume 3.
September 5, 2019
Although this book is a little bit low on the action side of the things for the bulk of it, it moves the story forward by leaps and bounds. Ever wonder just how Vought got into the superhero gang? How about the origins of the Seven, both real and the popular versions everyone believes? How about what happened to the man who Hughie ended up replacing in The Boys? How about just how The Boys universe might treat the X-Men? Yeah...
9/11, abuse, and the problems with hero resurrection are all addressed in these volumes. Sometimes in a way that is downright chilling and utterly horrific. While I had difficulty putting the first volume down this one I truly felt I just couldn't put down. So much was laid out on the table, and so much of the Ennis I love to read is there. It's no holds barred storytelling, and some things here I can't imagine the Amazon production wanting to touch with a ten foot pole.
Out Preachering Preacher indeed - and with a cameo that was very much appreciated at that.
This volume moved the series from beloved straight into my favorites list and got me shoving the first volume to my husband. Seriously. It's slipped into something far better than a simple superhero satire and is more relevant today than ever.
Can't wait to read more, although man would I have serious reservations about recommending it to anyone.
9/11, abuse, and the problems with hero resurrection are all addressed in these volumes. Sometimes in a way that is downright chilling and utterly horrific. While I had difficulty putting the first volume down this one I truly felt I just couldn't put down. So much was laid out on the table, and so much of the Ennis I love to read is there. It's no holds barred storytelling, and some things here I can't imagine the Amazon production wanting to touch with a ten foot pole.
Out Preachering Preacher indeed - and with a cameo that was very much appreciated at that.
This volume moved the series from beloved straight into my favorites list and got me shoving the first volume to my husband. Seriously. It's slipped into something far better than a simple superhero satire and is more relevant today than ever.
Can't wait to read more, although man would I have serious reservations about recommending it to anyone.
December 5, 2019
I just hand on heart love these depictions of "supes" and how/why they're made. Like, I get it, people read regular super hero comics for that feel good, there's always gonna be someone to save the day kinda glow they leave you with. And, sure, several superheroes have messed up back stories and experience astounding amounts of trauma, but, mostly, all that makes them better people, or more moral, or empathetic.
Here, though, we have the exact opposite, and Ennis just doubles down on that in this volume. Which, honestly, I kinda love. I mean, like I've said before, it kinda makes sense that super heroes would abuse their powers and, politically, those in power would too. Humans are human and a *lot* of humans aren't very bright or kind or moral. It just makes sense.
Here, though, we have the exact opposite, and Ennis just doubles down on that in this volume. Which, honestly, I kinda love. I mean, like I've said before, it kinda makes sense that super heroes would abuse their powers and, politically, those in power would too. Humans are human and a *lot* of humans aren't very bright or kind or moral. It just makes sense.
August 6, 2020
Really enjoyed this, but how can you not? It’s funny and serious mixed into a bowl with comic hyper violence. Particularly the last half of this omnibus was fantastic. The storyline with Hughie and the G-Men was pretty decent in length from the other arcs so far and had a some good reveals, complex story and some rather.... odd but funny visuals.
Going to pick up volume 3 straight away to keep it going - so far the series is brilliant
Going to pick up volume 3 straight away to keep it going - so far the series is brilliant
November 13, 2023
I started reading The Boys after watching and thoroughly enjoying the show. After reading volume 1, I was already disappointed since the style of storytelling, pacing, humor, and so much more, is so vastly different. I gave volume 1, 3 stars being that it was enjoyable but slow, and I assumed it was only because it was book 1. Book 2 is unfortunately no different if not worse. It’s slow, not as funny as book 1 and in my opinion, poorly written and can get confusing as I spotted tons of plot holes, continuity errors and things that simply made no sense. It seems like the writers cared more about the ridiculousness and humor over quality of the actual story.
Without any solid main story to follow, all the book as to go on is ever-changing “side stories” and a mish mosh of random dark/sexual humor, which does get old after some time. I may be able to see how these books may appeal to some people who don’t care as much for a rich story and only care for an entertaining read. But for me, unfortunately I’m gonna have to call it quits on this series. I tried, it’s just not for me.
For anyone who’s interested in the compelling concept of these books, skip them and go directly to the show. The show is 100x better.
Without any solid main story to follow, all the book as to go on is ever-changing “side stories” and a mish mosh of random dark/sexual humor, which does get old after some time. I may be able to see how these books may appeal to some people who don’t care as much for a rich story and only care for an entertaining read. But for me, unfortunately I’m gonna have to call it quits on this series. I tried, it’s just not for me.
For anyone who’s interested in the compelling concept of these books, skip them and go directly to the show. The show is 100x better.
September 10, 2020
The Boys Omnibus 2 collects issues #15-30 written by Garth Ennis and art by Darick Robertson.
The second omnibus picks up where volume 1 ends. Hughie visits the Legend to get a history of the Vought-American corporation and The Seven. Hughie also continues his budding relationship with Annie aka Starlight without either of them knowing what they do for a living. The Boys set their sights on destroying their next superhero team - The GMen - a spoof of the X-Men which parodies them down to the multiple factions: G-Force, G-Coast, G-Style, G-Wiz, and The G-Nomads.
I lost aot of interest during this arc. I feel like I am still. Reading for the shock value alone. I hate giving up on a series though so I am continuing on. The parody of X-Men was hilarious. Nothing else really stood out. I am enjoying Hughie and Annie's relationship but I don't see good things happening to them. I feel like The Boys vs The Seven is going to be teased foreveeeeeer before it actually happens.
The second omnibus picks up where volume 1 ends. Hughie visits the Legend to get a history of the Vought-American corporation and The Seven. Hughie also continues his budding relationship with Annie aka Starlight without either of them knowing what they do for a living. The Boys set their sights on destroying their next superhero team - The GMen - a spoof of the X-Men which parodies them down to the multiple factions: G-Force, G-Coast, G-Style, G-Wiz, and The G-Nomads.
I lost aot of interest during this arc. I feel like I am still. Reading for the shock value alone. I hate giving up on a series though so I am continuing on. The parody of X-Men was hilarious. Nothing else really stood out. I am enjoying Hughie and Annie's relationship but I don't see good things happening to them. I feel like The Boys vs The Seven is going to be teased foreveeeeeer before it actually happens.
August 16, 2025
i enjoyed this - the x-men parody was funny and disturbing in classic ennis form, world building and lore drops are still shocking but controlled and make sense in the context of character interests and story development
it didn’t hit the same as the first one, maybe it’s cause there was too much candice, maybe it’s cause they focused on this longer mystery that didn’t come across as shocking when it was revealed
i’m still into it j not in a rush. oh and the art changes throw me off a lil if i’m being dramatic
3.75/5
it didn’t hit the same as the first one, maybe it’s cause there was too much candice, maybe it’s cause they focused on this longer mystery that didn’t come across as shocking when it was revealed
i’m still into it j not in a rush. oh and the art changes throw me off a lil if i’m being dramatic
3.75/5
October 20, 2023
Ennis is always on top, always over the top, even off color, as here.
I tried the tv adaptation, but didn't like first episode near as much as the comics: and that's usually the case. Your mileage may vary.
Artists Robertson (especially) and John Higgins (on two issues/chapters) totally set the tone, a parody or satire of other superheroes (G-Men for X-Men, here.) Except the story is involving.
Recommended.
Thanks to Fulton County Public Library for the loan.
I tried the tv adaptation, but didn't like first episode near as much as the comics: and that's usually the case. Your mileage may vary.
Artists Robertson (especially) and John Higgins (on two issues/chapters) totally set the tone, a parody or satire of other superheroes (G-Men for X-Men, here.) Except the story is involving.
Recommended.
Thanks to Fulton County Public Library for the loan.
November 18, 2021
The Boys Omnibuksen toinen osa alkaa kahdella juonikuviolla, jotka ovat keskeisessä osassa tv-sarjan ensimmäisellä tuotantokaudella: Hughin ja Starlightin romanssilla ja Homelanderin ja Queen Maeven epäonnistuneella yrityksellä pelastaa lentokone terroristeilta. Kokoelman loppuosassa on pitkä tarinakokonaisuus G-Men-nimisestä supersankaripoppoosta, joka nimensä mukaisesti parodioi Ryhmä-X:ää lukemattomine spin-offeineen.
Melkein tekisi mieli sanoa, että tv-sarjan versiot ovat parempia, mutta toisaalta on otettava huomioon medioiden erilaisuus. Amazonin The Boys -sarja on tarkoitettu suurelle yleisölle, kun sarjakuva taas kunnioittaa underground-sarjakuvan perinteitä hivenen ällöttävine yksityiskohtineen. Tv-sarjasta puuttuu paljon sarjakuvan pieniä nyansseja ja toisaalta sen käsikirjoittajilla on ollut aikaa hioa yksityiskohtia hieman helpommin sulatettaviksi.
Horjuin neljän ja viiden tähden välillä, koska The Boys edustaa oman genrensä huippua. Sarjakuva on kierosti kirjoitettu ja hyvin piirretty.
Melkein tekisi mieli sanoa, että tv-sarjan versiot ovat parempia, mutta toisaalta on otettava huomioon medioiden erilaisuus. Amazonin The Boys -sarja on tarkoitettu suurelle yleisölle, kun sarjakuva taas kunnioittaa underground-sarjakuvan perinteitä hivenen ällöttävine yksityiskohtineen. Tv-sarjasta puuttuu paljon sarjakuvan pieniä nyansseja ja toisaalta sen käsikirjoittajilla on ollut aikaa hioa yksityiskohtia hieman helpommin sulatettaviksi.
Horjuin neljän ja viiden tähden välillä, koska The Boys edustaa oman genrensä huippua. Sarjakuva on kierosti kirjoitettu ja hyvin piirretty.
January 14, 2022
This volume does a lot of exposition and setting up for later volumes so seemed a little slow at first. However the big moments were huge and jaw dropping. The volume heavily focused on the various "G Teams" and threw a bit of a spanner in the works in regards to supes, blurring the lines between good and bad. I see big things coming up later.
February 27, 2021
Another great entertaining read. We got the history of Vought and The Seven, and an in depth look into one of the lesser superhero teams. As in the TV show Hughie and Annie are very lovable. I think the highlight of this was Hughie defending his little hamster.
August 3, 2025
3.75/5.
The usual Ennis edge like the first volume, but the balance with surprisingly thoughtful character moments keeps this enjoyable for now. The parodies of the X-Men were pretty funny. I also like how Butcher is being slowly revealed as the messed-up guy he is.
The usual Ennis edge like the first volume, but the balance with surprisingly thoughtful character moments keeps this enjoyable for now. The parodies of the X-Men were pretty funny. I also like how Butcher is being slowly revealed as the messed-up guy he is.
November 2, 2019
Has its moments where it feels a little slow however its still a great read.
June 8, 2021
This series is definitely getting better as it embraces its own lore and continuity. As they take their world more seriously and still hold the mindset of moking superhero comic tropes. Garth Ennis is really good at writing entertaining dialogue and characters.
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