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The Boys Omnibus
The Boys Omnibus Vol. 5
Includes both volumes 9 & 10 of this acclaimed series in one volume. All the pieces are falling into place, for the Boys as well as their most mortal enemies. The long-dreaded superhuman conflict is on its way. But first there are secrets still to be uncovered: like the story of the team's first encounter with supergroup The Seven, and the shockwaves from that disastrous meeting that still reverberate today. Hughie, meanwhile, discovers his comrades' hidden history, as their original leader Colonel Greg Mallory takes him through sixty years of the filthiest black operations imaginable. And finally, with good and bad guys teetering on the brink, a shadowy force sets events in motion that will push even Butcher over the edge. The Boys, Vol. 9: The Big Ride collects issues 48-59 of the New York Times Best-Selling series by Garth Ennis, Darick Robertson, Russ Braun and John McCrea, and features all of the covers by Robertson! He could have been a very different man. Billy Butcher, leader of The Boys, once had a chance at another life entirely - when the love of a good woman pulled him aside from his dreadful path of violence and despair. This is the story of Billy and Becky, told by the man himself: from the backstreets of London's East End to the carnage of the Falklands War, from the heights of love to the depths of tragedy. And when he's done, he'll be ready ... to finish things once and for all. The Boys, Vol. 10: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker collects issues 1-6 of the hit mini-series, The Boys: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, and features all of the covers by Darick Robertson!
470 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2013
122 people are currently reading
701 people want to read
About the author
Garth Ennis
2,622 books3,172 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 133 reviews
January 1, 2023
Another omnibus' worth covering two volumes (easier for me to review the Omnibus, despite me own the individual volumes!) - first we have The Boys, Volume 9: The Big Ride in which Hughie finally (fingers crossed) gets the truth, or as much as the truth available on Butcher. An investigation into more dastardly deeds by one of The Seven looks like it is drawing the opposing sides towards a fateful combat; but Hughie is more perturbed on wondering if the 'The Boys' themselves are no better than The Seven! What Garth Ennis does so well here is (allegorically) call America to task! Don't believe me? Read it again. Everything, even war is about profit. He decimates the way American democracy works with the two main parties completely beholden to their corporate paymasters, he does this in a multi-coloured rip roaring (not too well drawn) comic book adventure. To top it all off, the last part is mind blowing with a newly empowered Hughie out to have more respect, whilst there appears to be a third force at hand between the covert warring parties. Mistrust, paranoia and tension, and that's just within The Boys. The final comic book issue (The Boys #59) is a spellbinding roller-coaster of a Five Star read! Class, 9.5 out of 12 overall.
The second volume covered by this omnibus is The Boys, Volume 10: Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker - that finally shows just how much Butcher is covertly ultra complex on the inside, as he is overtly straight forward on externally! Visiting the open casket of his dead father, Butcher recounts his life story of how he became who he is, his early influence and a toxic household, his Falklands War, his post Royal marines life and how he became one of The Boys! One of the darkest, and maybe realest origin stories you'll ever read. A voyage of anger, pain, bravado, love and heartbreak, all in a sesame seed dark comedy- bun! This is Butcher's story. Despite me given 4 issues of this volume 10/12 I can only give this superb volume 9 out of 12, because of the trope motivator for Butcher. I know Ennis is a man's man's writer, but c'mon already. Yes there's great stuff on the reality of East End London, of gender inequality and domestic abuse, but almost all the women in this volume feel like props for the male characters! A very firm Four Star, 9 out of 12 for this, yet another great omnibus in this series.
2022 read
The second volume covered by this omnibus is The Boys, Volume 10: Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker - that finally shows just how much Butcher is covertly ultra complex on the inside, as he is overtly straight forward on externally! Visiting the open casket of his dead father, Butcher recounts his life story of how he became who he is, his early influence and a toxic household, his Falklands War, his post Royal marines life and how he became one of The Boys! One of the darkest, and maybe realest origin stories you'll ever read. A voyage of anger, pain, bravado, love and heartbreak, all in a sesame seed dark comedy- bun! This is Butcher's story. Despite me given 4 issues of this volume 10/12 I can only give this superb volume 9 out of 12, because of the trope motivator for Butcher. I know Ennis is a man's man's writer, but c'mon already. Yes there's great stuff on the reality of East End London, of gender inequality and domestic abuse, but almost all the women in this volume feel like props for the male characters! A very firm Four Star, 9 out of 12 for this, yet another great omnibus in this series.
2022 read
January 11, 2024
It’s getting kind of tiresome…
The show is leagues better from this.
2.5/5
The show is leagues better from this.
2.5/5
March 18, 2020
Mad respect for the intense conclusion to part nine, and to the Butcher miniseries (part ten).
I can accept the concept of a slow burn. Unfortunately there were too many pages of two people just talking.
I can accept the concept of a slow burn. Unfortunately there were too many pages of two people just talking.
April 30, 2020
Character development takes center stage as the comics continue to focus on Little Hughie's realization of the horrors he has gotten himself involved with as he teamed up with The Boys and found himself under the guidance of Billy Butcher. Has their desire to take down the supes made them just as dark and evil as those they look to take vengeance upon? And if the answer to that is "yes," what should Hughie do about it.
Thankfully, Mother's Milk (MM) has a similar take on how things have turned out, and directs the Scotsman to go and speak with someone from Butcher's past to give him some background about the founding of The Boys. The narrative journey takes Hughie (and the reader) through events at the Battle of the Bulge through the Vietnam War and into the modern error. Learning all of this helps Hughie decide whether he should return to The Boys.
Butcher himself ends up coming to his own awakening as he tells his own story and how he came to the Boys while attending the funeral of his father. The story is sad, touching, and a bit horrific. It is definitely worth a read.
This is definitely storytelling through The Boys at its best. It definitely takes the story in different direction than Amazon did with it's television interpretation. Definitely a must read for fans.
Thankfully, Mother's Milk (MM) has a similar take on how things have turned out, and directs the Scotsman to go and speak with someone from Butcher's past to give him some background about the founding of The Boys. The narrative journey takes Hughie (and the reader) through events at the Battle of the Bulge through the Vietnam War and into the modern error. Learning all of this helps Hughie decide whether he should return to The Boys.
Butcher himself ends up coming to his own awakening as he tells his own story and how he came to the Boys while attending the funeral of his father. The story is sad, touching, and a bit horrific. It is definitely worth a read.
This is definitely storytelling through The Boys at its best. It definitely takes the story in different direction than Amazon did with it's television interpretation. Definitely a must read for fans.
September 27, 2022
Well, this one made up for the last volume. This had a lot of backstory and piecing previous foreshadowing stories together.
I really enjoyed the backstory for both Mallory and Butcher. I also liked that Hughie put his foot down in this one, that he may be back to regular old Hughie, and now he isn't taking shit. It was good to see. Also, THE SIZE OF THAT HAMSTER??? What was The Female feeding him?!
It was heartbreaking to finally hear the story of what happened to Becky, plus what happens with Terror... My heart!
I like how Annie and Hughie are mending their relationship, I hope they both get a happy ending.
I am really excited to read the final volume, I have a feeling it is going to be brutal af.
I really enjoyed the backstory for both Mallory and Butcher. I also liked that Hughie put his foot down in this one, that he may be back to regular old Hughie, and now he isn't taking shit. It was good to see. Also, THE SIZE OF THAT HAMSTER??? What was The Female feeding him?!
It was heartbreaking to finally hear the story of what happened to Becky, plus what happens with Terror... My heart!
I like how Annie and Hughie are mending their relationship, I hope they both get a happy ending.
I am really excited to read the final volume, I have a feeling it is going to be brutal af.
July 14, 2025
Wollte lieber mal reinlesen, als die Serie zu schauen - befürchte aber, dass die tatsächlich besser ist. Habe über die Hälfte gelesen, aber es geht halt wirklich nur um Männer (keine zwei Frauen sprechen miteinander!). Hätte ich mir beim Titel vielleicht auch denken können, finde es in dem Maße aber einfach so absurd, dass ich das Buch nicht genießen kann. Toller Plot, ziemlicher slow burn. Habe das Gefühl, schon verstanden zu haben, was die Geschichte mir sagen will (diese Botschaft zeigt sie auch mit aller Brutalität!), einen guten Teil des Buchs zu lesen war toll, das ganze brauche ich einfach nicht.
April 1, 2022
This review contains very light spoilers.
In Volume 3, we got some nice background on some of the other members of The Boys. In this issue, we were provided some fascinating backstory on that enigmatic fellow, Butcher. He has a captivating and moving history that I feel will likely set things up for a big finish in Volume 6. As always, there are some truly shocking scenes in this volume, as well as some memorable images that I'm sure will stick with me for a while. I've enjoyed working my way through all of these books, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it all wraps up in the last volume.
In Volume 3, we got some nice background on some of the other members of The Boys. In this issue, we were provided some fascinating backstory on that enigmatic fellow, Butcher. He has a captivating and moving history that I feel will likely set things up for a big finish in Volume 6. As always, there are some truly shocking scenes in this volume, as well as some memorable images that I'm sure will stick with me for a while. I've enjoyed working my way through all of these books, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it all wraps up in the last volume.
July 26, 2024
Best yet, butcher exposition is needed and we start to see hughie lose control. More to come
July 15, 2022
A very talky, info dumpy volume that nearly overstayed it's welcome. However everything is seemingly set up for the final collision, and we get a look into Butchers history, and an understanding of why he is the way he is.
Who's gonna come out on top?
Who's gonna come out on top?
October 25, 2020
The Boys Omnibus Vol. 5 collects issues 48-59 of the Boys and collects issues 1-6 of Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker.
Volume 5 largely revolves around flashbacks, origins, and character development. Colonel Mallory visits Hughie in Scotland and explains the origin of his clandestine group, recruiting Butcher, and The Boys first encounter with The Seven. Hughie patches his relationship with Annie and he comes clean about his work. I still haven't forgiven Hughie for his reaction. It really made me lose a ton of interest in this comic.
They travel back to the US where Hughie rejoins The Boys and they immediately start to investigate a murder that they believe a member of The Seven may have committed. In true Garth Ennis fashion, it is the murder of a transgender sex worker. There are whole issues spent talking about the depravity of the fetish and poking fun of transgender people before Hughie has one line admonishing their behavior. This was another huge problem for me with this book. The whole story line felt like a big punching bag to transgender people as well as sex workers. One line near the end of the story line doesn't make up for multiple issues worth of jokes. The investigation leads to another encounter with the Seven in which the two sides narrowly avoid coming to blows.
Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker is an origin story of Billy. It follows Billy through his troubled relationship with his father, joining the military and fighting in the Falklands War, falling in love, the death of his wife at the hands of The Seven, and his joining The Boys. It was an interesting look at how Billy has gotten to his current place and frame of mind.
Overall this volume was better than the last but still has some huge issues. There were many times while reading volume 4 and 5 I really considered to stop reading it. I figure I am this far so I may as well finish it. One more volume to go.
Volume 5 largely revolves around flashbacks, origins, and character development. Colonel Mallory visits Hughie in Scotland and explains the origin of his clandestine group, recruiting Butcher, and The Boys first encounter with The Seven. Hughie patches his relationship with Annie and he comes clean about his work. I still haven't forgiven Hughie for his reaction. It really made me lose a ton of interest in this comic.
They travel back to the US where Hughie rejoins The Boys and they immediately start to investigate a murder that they believe a member of The Seven may have committed. In true Garth Ennis fashion, it is the murder of a transgender sex worker. There are whole issues spent talking about the depravity of the fetish and poking fun of transgender people before Hughie has one line admonishing their behavior. This was another huge problem for me with this book. The whole story line felt like a big punching bag to transgender people as well as sex workers. One line near the end of the story line doesn't make up for multiple issues worth of jokes. The investigation leads to another encounter with the Seven in which the two sides narrowly avoid coming to blows.
Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker is an origin story of Billy. It follows Billy through his troubled relationship with his father, joining the military and fighting in the Falklands War, falling in love, the death of his wife at the hands of The Seven, and his joining The Boys. It was an interesting look at how Billy has gotten to his current place and frame of mind.
Overall this volume was better than the last but still has some huge issues. There were many times while reading volume 4 and 5 I really considered to stop reading it. I figure I am this far so I may as well finish it. One more volume to go.
March 10, 2023
(Zero spoiler review for the final hardcover omnibus collecting this arc, with the score for this volume)
Volume one was outstanding, volume two was meh at best, losing so much of what made the opening few arc's great, whilst throwing some bloody average AF art in there to boot. This downturn brought about a somewhat lengthier delay in finishing the series, afraid I was going to get another once excellent series slow fade into oblivion and disappointment. So, by my score, you can see volume three got its act together and gave me more of what I wanted from this series. Yes it did, but it wasn't all smooth sailing. The opening arc was excessively wordy and really needed condensing. It didn't help that this was the worst drawn few issues of the book to boot. Three or so expository issues with little of interest had me seriously doubting whether this ship would ever be righted. But as soon as that was over, it was a continual ascent towards really good Boys stories again. culminating in a final few issues that really, and I mean really surprised me. I sure as shit didn't see any of that coming. It might have stumbled here and there setting it up, but it was a fitting and fairly fantastic farewell to one of the most memorable and impactful indie comic series in recent memory. Art wise, I would obviously have liked Robertson to do more, although the other artists, excepting the issues mentioned above, were easily the best pairing, Robertson aside, and really should have done every issue of this book Robertson didn't do himself. It really would have helped that flailing middle few arcs.
So yeah, I'm glad I read this. Any future re-read's will cut out a bit of the unnecessary and excessively aimless fluff in the middle, but it would be something I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone whose body composition isn't entirely compromised of tissues and snowflakes. It finished strong, it gave me some nice 'end of a long running series' feels and put a smile on my face when it was all said and done. Pretty good all round, I say. 4/5
OmniBen.
Volume one was outstanding, volume two was meh at best, losing so much of what made the opening few arc's great, whilst throwing some bloody average AF art in there to boot. This downturn brought about a somewhat lengthier delay in finishing the series, afraid I was going to get another once excellent series slow fade into oblivion and disappointment. So, by my score, you can see volume three got its act together and gave me more of what I wanted from this series. Yes it did, but it wasn't all smooth sailing. The opening arc was excessively wordy and really needed condensing. It didn't help that this was the worst drawn few issues of the book to boot. Three or so expository issues with little of interest had me seriously doubting whether this ship would ever be righted. But as soon as that was over, it was a continual ascent towards really good Boys stories again. culminating in a final few issues that really, and I mean really surprised me. I sure as shit didn't see any of that coming. It might have stumbled here and there setting it up, but it was a fitting and fairly fantastic farewell to one of the most memorable and impactful indie comic series in recent memory. Art wise, I would obviously have liked Robertson to do more, although the other artists, excepting the issues mentioned above, were easily the best pairing, Robertson aside, and really should have done every issue of this book Robertson didn't do himself. It really would have helped that flailing middle few arcs.
So yeah, I'm glad I read this. Any future re-read's will cut out a bit of the unnecessary and excessively aimless fluff in the middle, but it would be something I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone whose body composition isn't entirely compromised of tissues and snowflakes. It finished strong, it gave me some nice 'end of a long running series' feels and put a smile on my face when it was all said and done. Pretty good all round, I say. 4/5
OmniBen.
January 10, 2022
Talky, but the slow burn and ridiculousness up till this point starts to pay off. The relationship between The Boys becomes strained; Butcher is more unhinged. I’m still not sold on Hughie’s characterization. Surprisingly while in other volumes the mini-series slows the action to a halt, this time, the “Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker” mini is powerful and some of the most captivating and heartbreaking storytelling Ennis has written for the series. One more volume left!
November 15, 2023
I'm finding that the more I read The Boys comics that I'm more impressed with the television show and how much they pulled off from such sparse source material. This volume was so dreadfully boring and the best part was Billy Butcher's backstory. It was so incredibly bleak but so compelling. It remarked on his rough upbringing and his lovely wife. She was the perfect foil for his aggressive demeanor and helped cool him off. His story was so sad and you can truly picture how much he despises Homelander. From what I read, I don't blame him. I only have one volume left to read and I've already been spoiled. I've come to really love the show and the spinoff, Gen V. The books are alright, but the media has helped amplify the story and bring these characters to life. I look like a college student, could I snag a visitor's pass to Godolkin University please? If not, I'll happily ship Jordan/Marie offcampus.
March 8, 2020
Fantastic volume; probably more than half of this was backstory / reflection over previous decades, fleshing out the characters, though most of the Boys are down to cameos for this one.
September 25, 2020
This one was hard to read but really good. We finally got Butcher's backstory and it was heartbreaking and it made me completely empathize with him. I am eager to read the last volume.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2020
Review coming soon
December 23, 2025
4.5 stars
April 7, 2022
Graphic Audio never ceases to impress. I love backstories but the sad thing about backstories is that it's foreshadowing.
August 31, 2020
Přečteno komplet během pár dnů, takže mi jednotlivé díly docela splynuly. Komplet hodnocení u posledního dílu:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
January 7, 2020
Second to last volume in The Boys and things have seriously kicked into high gear.
This volume provides two things that we've been waiting for since the very first issue: the answer to who is Mallory and what exactly happened to get him off the team, and Butcher's backstory. Both answers are compelling and told over the bulk of the volume. A surprisingly large amount of this volume is backstory, but even knowing how certain stories end doesn't diminish the impact of them as you read them. Even knowing how Butcher lost his wife doesn't lessen the impact of seeing that splashed over the page.
This volume definitely has a sense of finality to it. You can feel the build to the final confrontation that the next volume will bring. The one thing I couldn't get over as I read it was how intensely well-crafted this story has been from the outset. I've not once felt cheated out of anything while reading it. Answers come in their own time. I trust Garth Ennis on this journey and I can't believe it'll be over with the next volume...
But I also look forward to the ending. I genuinely have no idea what will happen, apart from the big confrontation we've all been waiting for.
This volume provides two things that we've been waiting for since the very first issue: the answer to who is Mallory and what exactly happened to get him off the team, and Butcher's backstory. Both answers are compelling and told over the bulk of the volume. A surprisingly large amount of this volume is backstory, but even knowing how certain stories end doesn't diminish the impact of them as you read them. Even knowing how Butcher lost his wife doesn't lessen the impact of seeing that splashed over the page.
This volume definitely has a sense of finality to it. You can feel the build to the final confrontation that the next volume will bring. The one thing I couldn't get over as I read it was how intensely well-crafted this story has been from the outset. I've not once felt cheated out of anything while reading it. Answers come in their own time. I trust Garth Ennis on this journey and I can't believe it'll be over with the next volume...
But I also look forward to the ending. I genuinely have no idea what will happen, apart from the big confrontation we've all been waiting for.
February 25, 2020
"People are toys. They're toys and they're there for my Amusement, and there's not a thing more to them than that."
Sooooo much talking, this volume really bored me, I just wanted to skip it. It started OK with the few pages of Homelander talking to himself but then I switched off, I cant even say what happened as it just dragged and over loaded with the info, but that ending, Jesus, I welled up...
"He could have been a very different man. Billy Butcher, leader of The Boys, once had a chance at another life entirely-when the love of a good woman pulled him aside from the dreadful path of violence and despair. This is the story of Billy and Becky, told by the man himself: from the backstreets of London's East End to the carnage of the Falklands War, from the heights of love to the depths of tragedy, and when he's done, he'll be ready...to finish things once and for all."
An OK origin story, he reminds me a bit of Negan from the walking dead, I wonder if The Butcher was an influence. Very sad in places, a good mini-series...
Sooooo much talking, this volume really bored me, I just wanted to skip it. It started OK with the few pages of Homelander talking to himself but then I switched off, I cant even say what happened as it just dragged and over loaded with the info, but that ending, Jesus, I welled up...
"He could have been a very different man. Billy Butcher, leader of The Boys, once had a chance at another life entirely-when the love of a good woman pulled him aside from the dreadful path of violence and despair. This is the story of Billy and Becky, told by the man himself: from the backstreets of London's East End to the carnage of the Falklands War, from the heights of love to the depths of tragedy, and when he's done, he'll be ready...to finish things once and for all."
An OK origin story, he reminds me a bit of Negan from the walking dead, I wonder if The Butcher was an influence. Very sad in places, a good mini-series...
July 8, 2022
And thus the series end on a grand whimper with a groan-worthy "twist".
I think overall this was a decent series. It's one of the few times you'll hear me say the adaptation is better than the book, because I think they made a lot of smart choices with certain characters and plotlines to take a more nuanced, realistic approach. We'll see how they stick the landing, if they stay with what was on the page here, I guess.
See my previous review, as I'd just be repeating myself here. I think this took a turn that felt a lot like the Walking Dead tv show when Negan showed up and I just lost interest. It's hamfisted and gets repetitive.
Oh well. Now I can say I've read it and have opinions when edgelord fanboys are shrieking about how much darker and more awesome the comic was. Darker and more disgusting doesn't automatically mean better (looking at you, DC Comics).
I think overall this was a decent series. It's one of the few times you'll hear me say the adaptation is better than the book, because I think they made a lot of smart choices with certain characters and plotlines to take a more nuanced, realistic approach. We'll see how they stick the landing, if they stay with what was on the page here, I guess.
See my previous review, as I'd just be repeating myself here. I think this took a turn that felt a lot like the Walking Dead tv show when Negan showed up and I just lost interest. It's hamfisted and gets repetitive.
Oh well. Now I can say I've read it and have opinions when edgelord fanboys are shrieking about how much darker and more awesome the comic was. Darker and more disgusting doesn't automatically mean better (looking at you, DC Comics).
July 6, 2022
A bit of a slow-down in the storytelling with this volume as we get a long peak at the origins of The Boys as a group, and another one that explains what makes Billy Butcher tick. I'm still really enjoying the story, but I do feel that the Butcher origin went on probably two issues longer than it needed to and I was starting to really look forward to getting through it - I love getting to know what made the man into what he is, but it could have been accomplished in a tighter manner for more impact, in my opinion. Kind of took the wind out of my sails as we move into the endgame of the series.
December 30, 2020
This one was a lot better than Omnibus 4. There was a lot of backstory in this but it was mostly all relevant and compelling, and the stakes are higher for the coming resolution than they were before. I appreciated that the focus shifted almost completely away from Hughie, since a complaint I had about Omnibus 4 was that it spent too much undeserved time on his arc. Some of the drama was reused from the most hard-hitting aspects of the earlier story, like but overall it was fresh and interesting.
January 7, 2026
Butcher grows on me
Butcher, as I've mentioned in past reviews, a manipulative sod. Having seen his backstory in full, however, as well as it finally having been acknowledged in-universe that he's a monster, he's gone up in my estimations. As a character, of course; I'd still hate him if he were real. Hard to hate a fictional character who goes full John Wick on someone, though.
All in all,this was a fun one. A lot of revelations, good story arcs, and a blast to read. I also love the self-deprecating joke Ennis threw in at one point. Would recommend.
Butcher, as I've mentioned in past reviews, a manipulative sod. Having seen his backstory in full, however, as well as it finally having been acknowledged in-universe that he's a monster, he's gone up in my estimations. As a character, of course; I'd still hate him if he were real. Hard to hate a fictional character who goes full John Wick on someone, though.
All in all,this was a fun one. A lot of revelations, good story arcs, and a blast to read. I also love the self-deprecating joke Ennis threw in at one point. Would recommend.
October 8, 2024
bueno pues esta bien. la historia general esta mejor la de la serie, pero los personajes estan muy bien trabajados, y bastante humanizados. el problema en relacion a los supererohes es que parte cree que el problema es el poder en si sin mas, i que este poder los hace hacer cosas casi siempre sexuales, raras, malas, etc. realmente los supes no son malos no tanto xq su posicion les haga defender unos intereses o lo que sea (que tambien) sino sobretodo xq tienen poder y eso los vuelve malos. vaught en cambio esta bastante mejor tratada, esta empresa avariciosa, que mas alla de el contexto fantastico podria ser perfectamente cualquier empresa del military industrial complex, encarnada por el tipo ese que es serio, probablemente el mayor psicopata de todo el comic. Aunque a nivel narrativo general no sea una maravilla, los detalles estan tan bien hechos las escenas son tan buenas la mayoria, el dibujo aunque no bonito muy pertinente, el guion bastante bueno, los personajes tan bien llevados, que realmente lo hace una gozada. No es mindblowing, pero vale la pena. si lo comparamos con la serie, solo por contrastar sus meritos, la historia general y filosofia de la serie es mejor, en todo el rollo moderno de los fans, el fascismo, imperialismo, el conservadurismo... la serie se siente con una direccion mas clara mas alla de odiar a los superheroes y el mic (que no esta mal pero deja de desear algo mas de profundidad, sobretodo de lo primero). pero los personajes (sobretodo los 5 principales) y sus arcos, la fotografia y el guion definitivamente es mas disfrutable el del comic. solo como butcher, hughie o frenchie llevado es muy telling. he visto gente decir que se pasa de edgy, pero tampoco no he tenido esta sensacion en la mayoria de ratos. a ver, es edgy, pero tampoco tanto como para matar la obra o la mayoria de sus momentos, incluso se siente apropiado muchas veces. bueno ya esta adios
December 23, 2025
2.5/5
These books are getting boring! For the fifth of SIX books, there were way too many flashbacks here. Some cool character moments, but really nothing good or great. Bring on the ending! And make it good! Please.
The timeline of the first arc is hard to follow. Lamplighter is dressed like a CHUMP. I’m excited to see the Boys start battling the seven, spoilers it doesn’t happen in this book. Mostly flashbacks here, fine intro to Mallory I guess.
Second arc is MORE flashbacks about Mallory. So much backstory and exposition and text walls! But kinda cool it seems like Butcher is being villainized. This could definitely be more exciting and interesting than Mallory just talking for entire issues though. Kinda poetic and a fair warning to Hughie
Third arc is such a tease, and NOTHING happens. They love plots that fizzle and land no where after flying in circles with no conflict or tension!
Final arc is all Butcher flashbacks. Once again, feels a bit late in the game for tons of flash backs but that’s okay. I enjoyed this one enough. I don’t love how terrible Butcher is, lacking any sort of redeemable quality. I get that’s the beauty of Becky though and I have the same issue watching the show. But the fact that he killed Mallory??There really is no end. At least in the show he grapples a moral compass with Ryan and Hughie.
I’m ready for the end! Hoping it gives me what I’ve been wanting out of the whole series. And it’ll be cool to see how it matches up against the end of the show.
These books are getting boring! For the fifth of SIX books, there were way too many flashbacks here. Some cool character moments, but really nothing good or great. Bring on the ending! And make it good! Please.
The timeline of the first arc is hard to follow. Lamplighter is dressed like a CHUMP. I’m excited to see the Boys start battling the seven, spoilers it doesn’t happen in this book. Mostly flashbacks here, fine intro to Mallory I guess.
Second arc is MORE flashbacks about Mallory. So much backstory and exposition and text walls! But kinda cool it seems like Butcher is being villainized. This could definitely be more exciting and interesting than Mallory just talking for entire issues though. Kinda poetic and a fair warning to Hughie
Third arc is such a tease, and NOTHING happens. They love plots that fizzle and land no where after flying in circles with no conflict or tension!
Final arc is all Butcher flashbacks. Once again, feels a bit late in the game for tons of flash backs but that’s okay. I enjoyed this one enough. I don’t love how terrible Butcher is, lacking any sort of redeemable quality. I get that’s the beauty of Becky though and I have the same issue watching the show. But the fact that he killed Mallory??There really is no end. At least in the show he grapples a moral compass with Ryan and Hughie.
I’m ready for the end! Hoping it gives me what I’ve been wanting out of the whole series. And it’ll be cool to see how it matches up against the end of the show.
September 26, 2024
I was going to attempt a spoiler-free review like I have been for the rest of this series, but the parts I want to talk about are too specific to explain. If you don’t like that, too bad. Write your own damn review.
The highlights here are the arcs “The Big Ride” and “Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker”. The former is the highly tense boiling point where the Boys and the Seven nearly break the truce. It’s a neat concept to have Vought act as a third party against the Boys and the Seven, and them nearly sniffing it out. Having them nearly team up reminded me of the scene from the show where Butcher and Homelander are very briefly allied against Soldier Boy and are both dumbfounded by it. Then, of course, Butcher does break the truce and kills Jack from Jupiter in a chilling display. I’m excited to see that this powder keg finally has a light.
Butcher’s origin is fascinating as well, but I love how it’s framed with him reflecting over his Dad’s open coffin; and then, naturally, he pisses on his face. I think Butcher’s dad in the show is dead but I would love to see a scene adjacent to this. Maybe even it’s Hughie who’s reflecting over Butcher’s body, furious at him for his choices. Sorry if I spoiled season 5 for you, but I did put a spoiler warning here so you have only yourself to blame.
Still not as great or nuanced as the show, but enjoyable, vile, and diabolical nonetheless.
The highlights here are the arcs “The Big Ride” and “Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker”. The former is the highly tense boiling point where the Boys and the Seven nearly break the truce. It’s a neat concept to have Vought act as a third party against the Boys and the Seven, and them nearly sniffing it out. Having them nearly team up reminded me of the scene from the show where Butcher and Homelander are very briefly allied against Soldier Boy and are both dumbfounded by it. Then, of course, Butcher does break the truce and kills Jack from Jupiter in a chilling display. I’m excited to see that this powder keg finally has a light.
Butcher’s origin is fascinating as well, but I love how it’s framed with him reflecting over his Dad’s open coffin; and then, naturally, he pisses on his face. I think Butcher’s dad in the show is dead but I would love to see a scene adjacent to this. Maybe even it’s Hughie who’s reflecting over Butcher’s body, furious at him for his choices. Sorry if I spoiled season 5 for you, but I did put a spoiler warning here so you have only yourself to blame.
Still not as great or nuanced as the show, but enjoyable, vile, and diabolical nonetheless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2021
The first two story arcs were still good and revealing but they felt very divided and just heavy on the exposition. Only some of it was engaging exposition too but there were powerful moments. A lot went into shaping/adjusting how the reader viewed Butcher as a character so that The Big Ride and Butcher, Baker, Canndlestickmaker could have the right impact. And holy shit did it work. The end of issue 59 is both tragic and fucking terrifying. Then the Butcher miniseries was another masterpiece, the reader already knew an amount of what happens in it so again they had to build that stuff up and play it just right. They of course execute it perfectly and I really felt for these characters. Garth Ennis was clearly really passionate about that war stuff since his introduction to this volume is more like an essay. This adds a lot to the overall weight and feel of the miniseries and helps set a lot of the tone.
Garth Ennis is a master at twisting the frame of how the reader views his characters. This development adds so much depth and also makes it an incredibly emotional story. This wasn't a very balanced volume but it had some series heights.
Garth Ennis is a master at twisting the frame of how the reader views his characters. This development adds so much depth and also makes it an incredibly emotional story. This wasn't a very balanced volume but it had some series heights.
February 7, 2020
I have to give The Boys props for taking the super hero genre and turning it upside down. I couldn’t think of a more perfect time for a series like this to be turned into a live action television show. Especially since so many people are suffering super hero fatigue as a result of Disney churning out super hero films on a assembly line. I think similarly to how people became sick of zombies, there will come a day when the popularity of super hero films are a thing of the past. I hope that The Boys is remembered for doing something very different with the genre. I love both Preacher and The Boys equally, but would have to say The Boys just edges our Preacher slightly because of it’s original ending. Something I will definitely touch upon in the next review. While Garth Ennis’ criticism of the super hero genre is harsh, it couldn’t be more relevant in today’s superhero flooded society. Especially when considering some of the hypocritical stuff Disney has been called out for in regards to their business practices within China.
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