Forget The Boys and Invincible, Prime Video’s Forgotten R-Rated Superhero Show Is A Perfect Weekend Binge

by

Although Invincible and The Boys are Prime Video’s most well-known adult superhero shows, another series deserves attention for its unique and clever approach to the genre. The Marvel Cinematic Universe dominates family-friendly superhero movies in theaters, but streaming services have become the ideal place for more mature, R-rated superhero content.

In April 2026, the top two shows on Prime Video were both gritty, mature superhero series that offer a different take on the genre. The Boys is a popular, darkly humorous show about a team of vigilantes who police corrupt superheroes. Invincible tells a more classic superhero story, focusing on a teenager discovering his abilities and realizing his famous father isn’t the perfect hero everyone thinks he is.

Both The Boys and Invincible challenge typical superhero stories, but they do so in different ways. The Boys uses dark humor and cynicism, while Invincible feels like a more genuine superhero tale with surprisingly realistic violence and complex politics. However, Prime Video’s I’m A Virgo (2023) brilliantly combines these approaches. Created by Boots Riley, it tells the story of an ordinary person unexpectedly becoming a hero and confronting a villain who is far from heroic himself.

I’m A Virgo’s Brief 7-Episode Run Makes Boots Riley’s Show A Perfect Binge

Premiering in June 2023, I’m A Virgo is a seven-episode series that mixes science fiction, fantasy, dark humor, and superhero themes. Jharrel Jerome stars as Cootie, a thirteen-foot-tall young man who has been kept hidden from the world by his aunt and uncle. After a local activist group discovers Cootie, they help him explore the vibrant city of Oakland, where he begins to make friends, experience romance, and navigate a uniquely epic coming-of-age story.

Those who enjoyed Boots Riley’s 2018 film, Sorry to Bother You, won’t be surprised that things quickly become complicated for Cootie. Having been raised in isolation, Cootie greatly admires a local billionaire known as “The Hero” (played by Walton Goggins). The Hero claims to fight crime and protect Oakland with his bulletproof suit, but his methods are questionable. Cootie is shocked to discover his friends dislike The Hero and struggles to accept that this seemingly benevolent figure might not be a force for good.

I’m A Virgo’s Unconventional Superhero Story Refreshes The Genre’s Conventions

In a surprising twist on the usual superhero story, Cootie is devastated to discover his hero is actually a villain, while that hero continues to use harsh, prejudiced tactics in Oakland, believing he’s doing good. The season finale of I’m A Virgo reveals that Goggins’ character is heartbroken to realize he’s the one causing problems, and Cootie ultimately becomes a real hero to his community and friends, even after briefly trying to profit from his notoriety.

Many previous R-rated superhero series focused on violence and gore, but Riley’s show goes deeper, really questioning what it means to be a superhero. Similar to Superman, the main character, Cootie, is born with unique abilities, but only becomes a true hero when he realizes those abilities are only valuable if he helps others. And like Batman, The Hero sees himself as a city’s protector, but fails to consider using his wealth to help those in need while he’s busy fighting people.

Since Deadpool showed studios that violent superhero stories could be successful, we’ve seen a lot more of this type of content. Movies like Logan and Deadpool & Wolverine, and shows like Harley Quinn, Titans, The Boys, Invincible, Watchmen (from 2019), and HBO’s The Penguin have all become popular. Interestingly, some of these projects don’t closely follow their comic book source material, with The Penguin standing out as a gritty crime drama that doesn’t feel like a typical superhero show.

Many shows, like HBO’s take on Watchmen, present themselves as bold and unconventional, challenging typical superhero themes. Yet, they often still portray the police as the saviors of the day. What sets I’m A Virgo apart is its willingness to completely break down what makes superhero stories work and reveal the underlying issues. While it’s tempting to believe a powerful hero could solve problems by simply fighting crime, the show argues this approach is actually more damaging than helpful.

I’m A Virgo’s Cliffhanger Ending Makes Its Future Unclear

Despite being a realistic portrayal of community organizing, I’m A Virgo successfully presents this often difficult work as something epic and heroic. The season ends with a dramatic cliffhanger that has viewers eager for more, but so far, the creator hasn’t announced a second season. Many reports now describe the 2023 season as a limited series. Unlike the four seasons of the darker, more violent superhero show Titans, it seems I’m A Virgo might be a single, critically acclaimed season.

It would be disappointing if I’m A Virgo doesn’t get a second season, especially with so many Marvel and DC shows and movies already planned for the next few years. However, ending the show after one season actually fits with the overall message. While continuing Cootie’s story could have worked, and the ending hints at more to come, I’m A Virgo is fundamentally about how everyday people can make a difference in their communities.

Given how popular superhero stories often lead to sequels, spin-offs, and reboots, it could be smart for Riley’s show to empower viewers to imagine Cootie’s future themselves. While not everyone can become a giant, as the show’s ending suggests, everyone can make a difference today by working together to improve their communities.

Read More

2026-04-24 18:21