The Boys Declassified – Episode 6
The Boys Declassified will take each episode of the Amazon Prime Series (watch it by clicking here) and put it under a microscope, dissecting it in detail, annotating the changes made from the original comics and pointing out any worthwhile trivia or Easter eggs we might find! Read about it all below!
For parlance, any reference to “The series” means the television series, instances referencing the comic book series will note as such.
Come back and read after you’ve watched the episode because we’re talking full spoilers for the TV series; spoilers for the comic books will be noted and must be highlighted to be read. Like this, HIGHLIGHT SPOILERS: Just an example! Keep reading!
“The Innocents”
Once again, the title comes directly from the comics with issues #40 – #43 using the same title.
Super In America
The reality show seen in the series is new for the series, but seems in line with something they would have done in the comics.
Easter egg alert: Showrunner Eric Kripke’s Twitter account can be seen during the media’s reports on Starlight’s speech.
Anthony
This friend of Hughie’s that runs into he and Starlight in the bar is an invention for the series. Hughie does have friends in the comics, but they’re a little more colorful
Homelander’s history
The brief instances seen in the episode of The Homelander’s early years were never explicitly shown in the source material, but they’re backed up by what we know about the character’s history in the comics. The instance of him being a tiny boy in a room by himself with a blanket is new, but is supported by the text.
History of Compound V
In the series they realize that Vought ships Compound V around the country, doses babies, and thus creates their heroes that way. This isn’t exactly how that happens in the comics, where Compound V infects people in a variety of different ways, not just with Vought purposefully injecting people.
Annie stands up to Stillwell
When confronted about her speech at Believe by Stillwell and Annie standing up for herself with a mic drop is pretty close to events that happen in the comics. Even her conversation with Queen Maeve in the elevator seems in-character from the source material and quite similar to scenes of that nature from the comics.
Collateral damage support group
The group that meets to talk about how the superheroes have harmed, hurt, or generally altered their lives is an invention for the series. It is perhaps referenced in the comics in a single panel, but not to my knowledge; however, it’s a great addition to the mythos IMO.
Tek-Knight
One of the members of the support group speaks about the hero Tek-Knight, a hero directly from the comics who is primarily a Batman riff with shades of Iron Man. He hasn’t shown up yet in the series, but I certainly hope he does.
The Deep’s Sabbatical
As outlined before, The Deep is a much different character in the series than in the comics and his plot line having him take a leave from The Seven is an invention for the series.
Easter Egg Alert: Executive producer Seth Rogen appears as himself, co-starring in a new film with Black Noir and part of the “Vought Cinematic Universe,” a play on the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Mesmer
The character played by Haley Joel Osment is an invention for the series, and to my recollection a character with this skill set isn’t present in the comics.
Butcher on the bench
When Butcher outlines to Hughie what happened to his wife is ripped almost exactly from the series. The story of Becca/Becky being raped by Homelander is his driving force in the source material as well, however, the bit about her being spotted on a security camera and then disappearing is an invention for the series.
The Female’s backstory and name
In the series it’s revealed that The Female was kidnapped as a child and forced to join the terrorist organization “The Shining Light Liberation Army,” all of which is an invention for the series. The Female’s origin in the comics is based a little more on coincidence, but still marred in familial tragedy. The inclusion of her brother as well is an invention for the series, as it’s implied The Female was an only child. The revelation of her name, “Kimiko,” is also new for the series, where her name is never revealed in the comics.
Billy and Raynor’s meeting
Billy meeting with Raynor for his demands for the team is pretty similar to how their meeting goes at the start of the comics, right down to his demands for the team.
Easter Egg alert: Billy asks for an office in the Flat Iron building, the location that The Boys’ use as their HQ in the comics.
Homelander learns about The Boys
The sequence where Homelander sees what he’s up against isn’t exactly how it went down in the series, but feels similar to Homelander realizing in the comics that The Boys are back.
Annie & Hughie think about running away
This conversation is pretty spot on to a number of moments from the comics, if not directly lifed.
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