The Boys comics (four) endings explained: Breaking down how The Boys comic ends

As a long-time fan of The Boys comic book series, I have to admit that the multiple endings left me feeling both satisfied and perplexed in equal measure. Having followed Hughie’s journey from a grieving boy to a reluctant hero, I found his eventual resolution with Annie at the rebuilt Brooklyn Bridge heartwarming and fitting. However, receiving Butcher’s diary in the mail and discovering the true extent of his actions was a sobering reminder of the complexities of the characters we had grown to love.

The comic book series “The Boys” and the TV show have significant differences. One major disparity lies in their endings. Although season 5 of the show hasn’t started filming yet, showrunner Eric Kripke has confirmed that the Black Noir ending won’t occur as it did in the comics. For devoted fans of the original source material, this might be disappointing but comprehensible. Conversely, “The Boys” comic had three distinct sections that concluded the storylines. Let me elaborate:

Homelander’s death and Black Noir reveal

Comic book source: The Boys: Over the Hill with the Swords of a Thousand Men

Prior to Hughie’s addition to the group, The Boys held damaging photographs of Homelander engaging in heinous acts. Facing each other, The Seven and The Boys reached a consensus that utilizing these images would result in mutual devastation. However, neither side was aware that Homelander wasn’t depicted in the photos. Instead, it was Black Noir who appeared in them. In order to safeguard themselves against Homelander, Vought had engineered a clone of him, granting Black Noir sufficient power to neutralize the world’s strongest “superhero.”

Having worked as a writer for years, I’ve come across many intriguing stories, but the one about Homelander and Black Noir takes the cake. Here’s my take on it:

The other thing that Noir did was send Butcher on his path of hatred towards supes. He was the one who sexually assaulted Butcher’s wife Becky leading to her death (The Boys: Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker). The entire time Butcher thought it was Homelander, it was Black Noir. This ends with Black Noir killing Homelander and Butcher killing Noir.

In the closing moments of the issue, Butcher manages to seek vengeance for Becky, yet finds himself in tears as he speaks to her spirit. He confesses that his actions were driven by his own desires, but acknowledges that she would despise the person he’s become. However, the impending act he is about to commit will elicit an even greater disdain from her.

Butcher last move

Comic book source: The Boys: The Bloody Door’s Off

Following his terrible conviction that “power brings its own curse,” Butcher sets out on a grim course of action. He intends to eliminate anyone identified as having Compound V, regardless of their awareness or allegiance to his group.

Despite how grim the situation is, it unfortunately grows even more dismal. Butcher had intended for The Boys to depart, allowing him to complete his mission in secret. However, events transpired differently, and he was compelled to take their lives instead. Only Hughie managed to survive. During the blast that claimed Frenchie and The Female (Kimiko on the show), a startling revelation struck Hughie: Butcher had been preparing Hughie for a role in opposing him, as part of Butcher harbored an unconscious desire to be apprehended.

At the Empire State Building, Hughie attempts to halt Butcher’s advance by rushing towards him. However, Butcher skillfully evades and seizes Hughie before he plunges down. Ultimately, they both tumble off the edge, with Butcher sustaining a paralyzing injury from the neck down. This event thwarts Butcher’s plans to detonate bombs, resulting in a final, poignant interaction between the two. During their conversation, Butcher urges Hughie to protect Annie and never let her out of his sight. In a fitting end for Butcher, he manipulates Hughie into taking his life.

Butcher pleads with me to end his life to avoid going to jail. When I express agreement, he reveals that he was the one who took my parents away from me. This revelation ignites my fury, and I take Butcher’s life in return. In a state of shock, I call my parents only to learn they are still alive. They share that Butcher had recently visited them and spoke highly of me. The realization that Butcher manipulated me one last time leaves me utterly stunned.

Hughie ends things

Comic book source: The Boys: You Found Me

After I’ve recovered from my injuries, I encounter James Stillwell, the ex-boss of Vought, in person. I make it clear to him that if Vought intends to conscript supers into the military, I will detonate the bomb capable of eliminating anyone with Compound V in their body. Following our conversation, Stillwell heads off to consult for the new Vought, now named American Consolidated. However, upon arrival, he comes to the dismal realization that supes are a flawed and dangerous creation. (First-person paraphrase from the perspective of Hughie as a passionate fan.)

At the newly constructed Brooklyn Bridge, which was devastated following a terrorist attack that The Seven couldn’t prevent, Hughie and Annie cross paths for the first time. Hugging his apprehensions, Hughie finds it hard to embrace joy due to past misfortunes. Annie attempts to comfort him, insisting that everything is alright. As they share a tender moment on the final page, they lock lips in a heartfelt kiss. Issue “You Found Me.”

Back in 2012, this marked the last installment of “The Boys” comic series. More recently, in 2020, writer Garth Ennis published a new chapter to conclude the story.

The true ending

Comic book source: The Boys: Dear, Becky

After exploring various parts of the globe, Hughie and Annie make the decision to settle down in Scotland. Suddenly, an unfamiliar diary from Butcher arrives at their doorstep without a known sender. As Hughie delves into its contents, he comes to understand the exact moment when Butcher intended to eliminate superhumans. Eventually, Annie approaches him about the diary, urging him to address his past so they can move forward and build their blissful future together.

As I continue my gaming experience, I come across new information – Susan Rayner, a former CIA director, is the one who sent the diary to me. She’s been holding a grudge against me and Kessler for sabotaging her Senate campaign (as depicted in “The Boys: You Found Me”). I was supposed to react angrily, but with Annie’s support, I managed to keep my emotions in check.

Rayner expresses her belief that she’s entitled to greater recognition after serving in the government for a quarter of a century. She hints at her intention to reinstate superheroes to boost her political standing. This prompts Hughie to play a recording of Rayner ordering the killing of innocent people, threatening to make it public if she attempts to use supers or bring them back into service. This revelation effectively deters Rayner.

After bidding farewell to his past, Hughie and Annie tie the knot. Later that very night, Hughie selects just one page from Butcher’s diary and sets the remainder ablaze. He pens a note, “Dear Becky. You were an inseparable part of him,” and then casts the bottle containing this page into the ocean.

The end.

What did you think of the many endings of The Boys comic book? Have you read the series?

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2024-07-23 16:58