Amazon Prime’s The Boys is the perfect alternative show for the superhero genre that’s otherwise being oversaturated with several clichés and tropes. Based on the comic series of the same name, The Boys deals with a rag-tag bunch of rebels who plan to go against The Seven, a Justice League-like collective of superheroes blinded by their power.
The show expertly delves into both dark comedy and melodrama, examining a world where people with superpowers can increase collateral damage if their powers aren’t kept in check. In more ways than just the obvious, The Boys can be seen as a hyperviolent parody of the superhero genre itself. Hence, just like any other comic-book adaptation, it makes sense for the show to have several hidden references and Easter Eggs.
10 The Joss Rewrite
When Queen Meave is compelled to act in a film to capitalize on her now publicly-known sexuality, Homelander praises the film’s making. He goes on to add that ‘This new Joss rewrite really sings, huh’. This might be a slight nod to the making of the infamous DC Extended Universe (DCEU) film Justice League.
Amidst the studio meddling with Zack Snyder’s vision and his sudden departure from the project due to a personal tragedy, Justice League had to be hastily rewritten and directed by Joss Whedon, who was brought in due to his experience on The Avengers. The theatrical cut wasn’t well-received and now finally, DC fans are rejoicing as Zack Snyder’s original vision (aka The Snyder Cut) is slated for a 2021 release.
9 Business In Belize
In Breaking Bad, whenever any character talks about sending one off to the country of Belize, it serves as a metaphor for impending death and doom. Simply put, the Central American country is treated as a metaphor for death. Interestingly, Breaking Bad alumnus Giancarlo Esposito (drug lord and chicken store owner Gus Fring from the show) references Belize in his debut appearance in The Boys.
Esposito is introduced as a top-level Vought executive Mr. Edgar in the first season’s finale episode. Impressed by Madelyn Stillwell’s diplomacy, he hints at the fact that she is most likely to be his successor. He remarks, ‘Some needs to run this s*** show when I move to Belize.' However, unlike the former show, Edgar might just be referencing to Belize as a country and nothing else.
8 Hans Zimmer's Superhero Music
Character actor PJ Byrne plays Adam Bourke, a writer, and director behind an ambitious film featuring Vought’s heroes. As he pitches the concept to the team, he shows them his storyboards and describes the climax’s scenes atmosphere by saying, ‘Hannnnss Zimmeeerrr’.
It makes sense if Vought employed the Academy-award winning composer for the film’s music, considering that the incredibly prolific Hans Zimmer has had significant experience in superhero films scoring rousing and dramatic pieces for The Dark Knight Trilogy and even Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
7 Homelander Paraphrases George W. Bush
In one of the darkest scenes from the series, Homelander lets an airplane crash after a failed attempt to save it from terrorist hijackers. The costumed hero attempts to cover up the incident and evokes patriotic feelings to enhance his PR image. He gives a speech to a crowd from which a man says ‘We hear you, Homelander.' To this, the hero says, ‘And I hear you, brother… And the world hears you.’
Eerily, this is similar to former US President George W. Bush’s speech post-9/11 when he said, ‘I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you.’ This charm campaign led to the War on Terror, which has been raging on for the better part of two decades and resulted in the loss of countless lives.
6 Vought+ & The A-Train Spin-Off Show
There are slight references to Marvel and DC’s cinematic universes all through the show, especially in the second season. The merchandising behind each hero is also similar to what's seen in the real world. For instance, when A-Train is asked to retire from The Seven, Homelander says that he might get a standalone show on Vought+.
This sounds similar to the streaming service Disney+ that’s planning to release several shows focusing on supporting Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) characters, like Scarlet Witch, Hawkeye, and Loki. Vought’s cinematic universe is already existent, as seen in the heroes’ several franchises. Vought+ might be a move to give these heroes streaming spots to cash in more money.
5 Iceman Is Lamplighter
In the latter episodes of the second season, viewers are introduced to the ex-member of The Seven, Lamplighter. The disgraced hero boasts of various pyrotechnic abilities. It is ironic, then, that Lamplighter is played by Shawn Ashmore, who’s known for playing the mutant Bobby Drake aka Iceman in Fox's pre-MCU X-Men franchise.
Iceman is a committed member of the team who unfortunately can’t convince his brother Pyro to be on his side. Pyro eventually turns into an antihero joining Magneto’s villainous forces. True to his name, he has similar fire-throwing elements to Lamplighter.
4 Ronan Farrow & Sexual Abuse Exposés
As Black Noir attempts to kill the series protagonist Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), Butcher blackmails Vought and The Seven with a final trump card. He says that he has incriminating evidence against Homelander that proves he sexually abused his wife Becca and had a son with her. He also adds that he can send this information to Ronan Farrow at any minute.
Farrow is a real-life journalist who is best known for exposing and reporting a series of sexual allegations on Harvey Weinstein. Apart from such name-drops, The Boys also features several real-life journalists who appear in cameos or play dramatized versions of themselves.
3 Voughtify, Vought-Con & More Vought Brands
Vought evolves from a pharmaceutical company to a multi-faceted corporation, as can be seen from its food products and film releases. It goes a step further by cashing in on other sectors as well. At Translucent’s funeral, it’s announced that Starlight’s memorial song for him would be straight on Voughtify (a clear pun on Spotify).
Eagle the Archer mentions that he met The Deep at Vought-Con, a version of Comic-Con in The Boys' universe. Like the aforementioned Vought+, another Disney-like property that Vought engages in is making Voughtlands. While talking to his son, Homelander mentions a ride on Voughtland designed after him.
2 Homelander & Green Lantern
Homelander tries to win the attention of his son by showing off his powers as well as brand value. He tells him not just about his Voughtland rides but also the various movies based on his life. Out of the several generic-sounding superhero films that he mentions, two of them are called Homelander: Brightest Day, and Homelander: Darkest Night.
These sound very familiar to the oath that Green Lantern takes in the DC Comics. The Green Lantern Corps is an inter-planetary organization that recruits certain heroes who wield rings that could create anything out of their emotions. An oath that they take to uphold justice has the lines, ‘In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight…’
1 Seth & Evan
The marketing department of Vought includes two writers who help in the campaigns for the supes. These PR writers are Seth Reed (Malcolm Barrett) and Evan Lambert (David Reale). Their names are obvious nods to screenwriting duo Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, who also serve as executive producers for The Boys.
The two have also executively produced several other edgy comic-book adaptations like Lucifer, and Preacher, which is also based on a graphic novel written by The Boys' author Garth Ennis. In fact, in the first episode of Season 2, Seth Rogen also appears in a brief cameo to talk about a movie posthumously starring Translucent.
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