'The Boys' Fans NEED These Comics!

Due to the incredible TV series on Amazon, ‘The Boys‘ by Ennis and Robertson has gained international acclaim. This intricate and raw comic book follows a team of ordinary individuals who challenge the overly popular superheroes of their time, yet they are far from heroic in nature.

In this narrative, we witness a struggle between ordinary individuals (or groups) and a gigantic corporation that relentlessly strives for self-preservation. What makes ‘The Boys’ captivating is their unwavering willingness to transgress typical limits, lending an edgy, compelling quality to the tale.

In this piece, we’ll be highlighting ten comics reminiscent of ‘The Boys’, featuring narratives that either echo the theme of resisting an overarching power or share the gritty, dark storytelling style – or better yet, a blend of both.

1. ‘Watchmen‘

Writer: Alan Moore
Illustrator: Dave Gibbons
Publisher: DC Comics
Publication: 1986–1987

1985. Two detectives are investigating the mysterious death of an elderly bodybuilder who fell from his apartment window, ten stories down. They suspect that this man, due to his influential connections, has been murdered. After leaving the crime scene, an enigmatic figure wearing a mask appears: Rorschach. He identifies the victim as “The Comedian” and believes that he was killed not because of any specific actions or activities, but because he was a superhero.

Later on, Rorschach visits his old work associates to share his discoveries and issue a warning. The second Owl, Ozymandias, Dr. Manhattan, and his partner, the New Silk Spectre II, react differently. The Owl appears remorseful about the Comedian’s demise and his past actions, whereas the Specter seems pleased, having never been fond of him in the first place and not backing Rorschach’s claims. Ozymandias laments the loss of the Comedian but views Rorschach’s conclusions as mere paranoia, a trait he often associates with Rorschach.

2. ‘Kick-Ass: The Dave Lizewski Years‘

As a fan, I proudly supported the groundbreaking comic series “Kick-Ass” written by none other than Mark Millar and beautifully illustrated by John Romita Jr.
This captivating tale was published under Icon Comics and Image Comics, gracing its pages from February 2008 to August 2014.

In the initial installment of “The Dave Lizewski Chronicles,” previously known as “Kick-Ass,” we find Dave Lizewski, an average student in New York City schools. He often contemplates the lack of genuine superheroes existing in reality. Driven by this notion and influenced by his personal circumstances – being raised solely by his father after the sudden demise of his mother due to a brain hemorrhage – Dave embarks on a journey to embody a superhero.

Dave sets off on an adventure following the purchase of a wetsuit through eBay, which he wears under his everyday clothes. However, his aspirations of becoming a superhero are soon replaced by nightmares as he encounters harsh beatings. Maintaining his secret identity, after enduring intense recovery from a severe attack, he resumes his vigilante activities.

When a video showing Dave bravely rescuing someone spreads rapidly online, he’s hailed as the heroic figure “Kick-Ass.” Yet, this widespread acclaim displeases mob leader John Genovese. At school, whispers about Dave’s wounds cause Katie Deauxma to think he’s a homosexual escort. In an attempt to get closer to her, Dave pretends to be gay and a prostitute.

3. ‘Invincible‘

Writer: Robert Kirkman
Illustrator: Cory Walker
Publisher: Image Comics
Publication: 2003 – 2018

As a movie buff, I’d put it this way: Growing up as the son of Deborah and acclaimed writer Nolan Grayson – better known to many as the superhero Omni-Man – I found myself at age seven with an extraordinary secret: my father wasn’t just a human. He hailed from a distant alien race called the Viltrumites. Nolan revealed that one day, those powers would be mine, and true enough, when I turned 17, the latent abilities within me burst forth. I discovered I could fly, move at lightning speed, possess superhuman strength, boast semi-invulnerability, and heal wounds remarkably fast – a Viltrumite through and through!

When Mark encounters a team of adolescent superheroes known as the Young Heroes Squad, comprising Robot, Dupli-Kate, Rex Splode, and Atom Eve, he recognizes Eve as his schoolmate. They subsequently uncover an evil scheme where their teacher turns students into explosive gadgets, which Mark valiantly transports to Antarctica for security. Later on, in a confrontation with a formidable alien named Allen, Mark opts for dialogue instead of conflict. Allen discloses that he’s been erroneously assessing Earth’s protectors’ power for years.

When I uncover my powers amidst a cyborg assault, my life becomes anything but simple. Matters grow even more complex when my father, Omni-Man, massacres the Guardians of the Globe, exposing the Viltrumites’ sinister objective: domination of entire planets. As I find myself entangled with Amber Bennett, romance blossoms amidst the tumult, yet turmoil reigns as the reborn leader of the Guardians, the Immortal, clashes with Omni-Man, only to meet his end once more.

4. ‘Preacher‘

Writer: Garth Ennis
Illustrator: Steve Dillon
Publisher: Vertigo
Publication: 1995 – 2000

A preacher named Jesse Custer, once a man of the cloth, is now under the influence of a mysterious force known as Genesis, which grants him command over others. Genesis is an escaped entity from a place called Paradise, and the angels are hot on its trail to recapture it. However, when they learn that Jesse Custer and Genesis have merged, their mission shifts to eliminating Jesse. To accomplish this, they resurrect a 19th-century assassin known as the Holy of Assassins and set him on the hunt. As fate would have it, Jesse crosses paths with his ex-lover, Tulipa, and an unusual character from a comic book world, an Irish vampire named Cassidy.

In the initial stages, they all join him in his evasion, running from both the police and the Saint. Towards the end of the first narrative sequence, Custer encounters one of the angels and manages to pry out details about the entire scenario, including the background of Genesis – a being born half-angel, half-demon.

5. ‘Civil War‘

Writer: Mark Millar
Illustrator: Steve McNiven
Publisher: Marvel
Publication: July 2006 – January 2007

Following a conflict between the New Warriors (Night Thrasher, Namorita, Speedball, and Microbe) and some villains (Cobalt Man, Speedfreak, Coldheart, and Nitro), over 600 residents of Stamford, Connecticut, U.S., tragically lose their lives when Nitro, a super-powered individual capable of massive destruction, demolishes several city blocks and their inhabitants. Remarkably, only one member of the New Warriors, Speedball, survived the explosion and was hurled miles away from the disaster zone.

Injured, he was handed over to the officials and held accountable for the tragic loss of life among the 600 residents of Stamford. As public sentiment shifts against superheroes, they are now viewed as morally responsible for the Stamford catastrophe. Backed by Iron Man, the U.S. government subsequently enacts a new law passed by Congress: the Superhuman Registration Act. This legislation mandates that all superhumans must register with authorities, disclose their hidden identities, undergo necessary training, and work according to government directives.

As a passionate cinephile, I’d rephrase it like this: If they fail to abide by this law, they could face arrest and imprisonment in facilities built for rogue superheroes breaking through legal boundaries. Marvel’s powerhouse, Maria Hill, then calls upon the iconic Captain America to assemble a team of registered superheroes to capture any heroes refusing to comply with this new legislature.

6. ‘Umbrella Academy‘

Author: Gerard Way

Artist: Gabriel Bá

Comic Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Release Dates: September 19, 2007 – 2009 and October 3, 2018 – present (initial run and re-release)

In a world where an unusual event happened on October 1, 1989, with forty-three women giving birth at noon without any signs of pregnancy beforehand, seven of these children are taken in by the eccentric billionaire Sir Reginald Hargreeves and trained as a group of superheroes known as “The Umbrella Academy.” Each child was given a number instead of a name by their robotic caretaker Grace, but they were eventually named Luther, Diego, Allison, Klaus, Five, Ben, and Vanya.

Regarding crime-fighting, Reginald chooses to work with five of his children, leaving out Vanya because he thinks she doesn’t have powers. At present, Luther was once a resident of the moon, Allison is an actress, Vanya plays the violin, Klaus struggles with drug addiction and went missing for years, Ben communicates with Klaus from beyond the grave, and Diego grapples with being a troubled vigilante. The siblings gather for their father’s funeral following his death, and later they learn about Reginald’s demise. In season one, Five arrives from the future, foretelling an impending apocalypse as he flees from time-traveling assassins.

7. ‘The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen‘

Author: Alan Moore

Artist: Kevin O’Neill

Publisher: ABC, Wildstorm, and DC Comics

Year of Publication: 1999 to 2019

I, Wilhelmina Murray, was tapped by Campion Bond acting on behalf of MI5, the British intelligence agency, to assemble an eclectic team of exceptional individuals to safeguard the Empire’s interests. Alongside Captain Nemo, I embarked on a journey aboard the Nautilus, en route to Cairo where we sought out Allan Quatermain, a man grappling with opium addiction. Subsequently, we found ourselves in Paris, where Detective Auguste Dupin aided us in capturing a fiendish creature that preyed upon prostitutes. To our surprise, this beast was none other than Edward Hyde, the secret persona of Dr. Henry Jekyll.

In London, the Secret Service handles the transformation issues of Dr. Jekyll, while Mina Murray, Quatermain, and Nemo explore the eerie manifestations of what seems to be the “Holy Spirit,” terrorizing the pupils of a reformatory for young women. They uncover that this tormentor is actually Hawley Griffin, The Invisible Man. This new character brings about the formation of the League, whose inaugural assignment will be to probe into the theft of cavorite, a material with anti-gravity properties developed by Dr. Cavor. Fearful that England’s adversaries could exploit it for aerial attacks on the Empire, the League sets out to trace the stolen substance. Their inquiries ultimately lead them to London’s Limehouse district, where a formidable Chinese crime lord, Fu Manchu, is constructing an enormous airship to launch aerial assaults on London using this powerful ally.

8. ‘The Authority‘

Writer: Warren Ellis
Illustrator: Bryan Hitch
Publisher: Wisdom
Publication: May 1999 – December 2010

As a devoted cinephile, I’d put it like this: “The Authority is a formidable group that operates globally, often involving events of cataclysmic proportions. Over the course of three interconnected storylines, we witness the devastation of three major cities worldwide. The first act introduces an Earth parallel to ours, which invades our planet, leading to the destruction of a nation or the emergence of a divine force seeking to reclaim Earth. On another level, the Authority’s actions are deeply political, shaping global affairs and subtly influencing international politics.

Initially, Warren Ellis opted against delving into certain themes within the comic, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. That approach shifts when Mark Millar and Frank Quitely take over, maintaining elements that made the early issues popular while giving Authority an audacious, almost revolutionary feel. The heroes in this series don’t shy away from confronting social injustices, even if it means defying power structures and disregarding laws when they believe it’s required. For instance, they openly rebel against the U.S. government, finding their actions disruptive to its agenda. The series also tackles provocative social issues head-on.

9. ‘Hitman‘

Writer: Garth Ennis
Illustrator: John McCrea
Publisher: DC Comics
Publication: 1993 – 2000

In the bustling city of Gotham, a hitman named Tommy Monaghan found himself under attack by Glonth, an alien from the Bloodlines series – one of seven shape-shifters who could consume spinal cords. After a fierce battle with Lob, these extraterrestrial beings fell to Earth, spreading panic and chaos. The bite on Tommy’s neck during the encounter transmitted a unique virus that didn’t kill him but instead granted him two extraordinary abilities: limited X-ray vision (accompanied by eyes as black as night) and telepathic powers.

Instead of most professionals in his field, Monaghan possesses strong moral principles that guide him. He distinguishes individuals who are not considered “good” or deserving of life (a term with a broad interpretation), such as children, police officers, superheroes like Batman, Green Lantern, and Superman, from those who might need to be neutralized. As a result, he prefers to work alone and never ties himself to a long-term client who may require him to take actions against the groups of people mentioned above.

10. ‘V for Vendetta‘

Originator: Alan Moore

Artist(s): David Lloyd, Tony Weare

Publisher: Quality Communications

Release Period: From March 1982 to May 1989

On the night of November 5, 1997, which is known as Guy Fawkes Night in London, 16-year-old Evey Hammond stepped out with the intention to sell herself. This led to an encounter with an agent from The Finger, a violent group serving as the enforcement arm of the fascist government that took over England following the nuclear disaster in 1989. When the agents began threatening her life, a masked individual known as “V,” wearing a Guy Fawkes mask, intervened, swiftly taking out the agents and rescuing Evey.

In this scenario, character V brings Evey along to observe his initial significant assault, which involves the destruction of the Palace of Westminster from an elevated position. Hiding with V, Evey discovers a substantial cache of prohibited artwork in his secret refuge. Subsequently, V carries out a sequence of attacks, primarily focusing on individuals who previously worked at Larkhill detention camp. Notably, V is the lone survivor of gruesome medical tests conducted within this camp.

2025-05-29 23:47

‘The Boys’ Fans NEED These Comics!