Vought-American is trying to strike back at the Boys for what they've done to their income resource . . the G-Men. Well, actually is was Vought that took them all out, but it was something they felt they had to do after they were compromised by the Boys. So now they've got this group of b-listers . . actually, they'd probably be 'd' or 'e' listed . . they're pretty low down the totem-pole, after them. Last issue they beat up the Female, and this issue they set them up by taking her to a fake hospital. The Boys almost don't realize it until it's to late. They end up taking their licks, but . . they give as good as they get. All of them have been hurt, on both sides, but when the Countess goes after Butcher's dog . . well, lets just say, all bets are off. It looks like Butcher's going to take them out one at a time, starting with the Countess. I know this book is violent, and over the top, but . . really, that's the point. It's meant to be a parody of traditional 'super-hero' comics. It takes the line in traditional comics that 'heroes' will never cross . . and buries it. In this world, the 'supers' act like anyone else with notoriety, fame and fortune . . they feel like they're above the rules of others and can do whatever they want. The Boys job is to keep them in check. They let them know that there's a real world out there and real consequences to go with their actions. I think Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson have done a fantastic job with this concept. Unfortunately, Darick doesn't draw this one. It appears that Carlos Ezquerra will be filling in for him for a while. Probably at least this story arc. He does a pretty decent job. The book doesn't lose any of it's momentum. I like this book. A lot! Whether it's a good seller or not . . it's good escapism. That's what this is all about. Right?
The Boys sucks. Almost as much as your review. How exactly were any of The Boys "hurt" by the cardboard punching-bags that are "Payback"? The problem with The Boys is that it's boring. Nothing unexpected ever happens. It's the worst example of the kind of Superhero Cliches that Ennis claims to hate.
ReplyDeleteWhich is exactly what Ennis' intentions are. He's poking fun at the whole super-hero genre. It's all a big running joke throughout this book. Yes it's predictable and cliched, but . . that's his statement, and opinion of the whole super-hero genre as it exists right now. Yes there's big myopic epics . . Crisis, One More Day, the Initiative, Dark Reign, etc., etc., etc. . . but in the end, nothing really changes. Things keep going on, pretty much along the same paths, even throughout, and after, the 'big' story-lines. Anyways, that's why there's 200 or so different titles that come out every month. You can pick up what you like . . and don't buy what you don't. I happen to like this one, but . . I know not everyone does. And thats why, whether you like them or not, I try to provide some perspective in my reviews so people can not waste their money on titles that don't appeal to them. I'm not writing for adulation or recognition, I'm writing to inform.
ReplyDeleteWell said comincinsight. The anonymous comments were starved of any insight. I love The Boys. And I read real books too, so I must be right!
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