Homelander (comics)

Homelander was raised in a laboratory by Vought International.[1] In the comic book version, the general public believes that Homelander is an alien from another planet. In the television version Homelander asserts that he was born with superpowers rather than the result of science experiments.

The Homelander's powers include heat vision, super strength, durability, flight, and enhanced vocal cords. He also ages more slowly than a normal human, due to Compound V. Though it is mentioned that his first name is John, there is no indication that he ever uses an alias or secret identity.

The Homelander's powers and sense of entitlement have led him to exhibit extreme megalomania, causing him to commit crimes against innocent people, including acts of rape and mass murder, out of the idea that he can do anything he wants because of who he is.[2]

The character was designed as an evil version of Superman.[3] Homelander's backstory in the original comics is similar to that in the television adaption of The Boys.[4] The character was toned down for television in comparison to his comics counterpart.[5]

Garth Ennis describes Homelander as: "an almost entirely negative character. He is really just a series of unpleasant urges kept in check by his own intelligence, which is enough to understand that he can have anything he wants so long as he doesn't push his luck too far." Also: "It might help to think of the Homelander as having all the self-control of let’s say a fourteen-year-old."[6]

In theory Homelander can be killed. A plot twist which involves the character being killed by his clone Black Noir in the comic book version will not be used in the television adaptation.[7][8][9]

In the television adaptation, Antony Starr plays the Homelander. As interpreted within the television series, he is considered by some reviewers to be analogous to DC's Superman.[10][11] Having been reared in a laboratory environment, Homelander displays many sociopathic tendencies and is openly contemptuous of those he considers lesser beings. He is also possessive, paranoid, vindictive, insensitive, reckless with his powers, and incapable of accepting the possibility of any flaw in his person or decision-making. Unlike in the comic, he is the one that raped Butcher's wife, Becca, but left her alive and, though he was unaware of it until the end of season, pregnant with his child. His discovery of the lies surrounding his child's existence influence his decision to maim the scientist responsible for his upbringing, Jonah Vogelbaum, and murder Madelyn Stillwell. However, his emotional incompetence and sociopathic traits initially alienate him from his son, and the loss of Stillwell's moderating influence on his behavior unbalances him further. He enters a sexual relationship with Stormfront, despite a difficult beginning, and conspires with her to remove his son from Becca's care and turn the public against "supervillains", creating public outcry for the creation of more superheroes. However, Stormfront is critically injured by Homelander's son Ryan, and Homelander is blackmailed by Maeve into letting the boy go and leaving her alone.

The character and Starr's portrayal in the series have received critical acclaim.[12][13] The character of Homelander has been lionized as a symbol of strength amongst Donald Trump supporters.[14] The actor and creator of the character do not see Homelander as a positive role model.[15][16]

The character has been described as the living personification of how the world sees America.[17][18] Homelander has been compared to Captain America and Superman.[19]