THE BOYS (SEASON 3 - AMAZON STUDIOS/PRIME VIDEO)

Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay Points, the complementary comic book blog to the ODPH podcast. However for this edition, we’re reviewing a TV series based off an incredible comic series from Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. The Boys from Amazon Studios returns to Prime Video with the first 3 episode debuting on June 3rd. I was fortunate to be allowed an early screening of the new season so here are my SPOILER FREE takes from the Boys season 3

In case you’re new to this franchise, “The Boys” takes a different look at superheroes than you normally see. “The Seven” are the world’s greatest heroes sponsored by Vought, a corporation that isn’t anything that it seems. Think “Justice League” meets “Youngblood” from Rob Liefeld’s debut book for Image Comics in the 90’s. These “heroes” live and die by public image and popularity ratings. Vought goes to immense measures to cover up their power abuses and trust me, over 2 seasons, there has been plenty.

The Seven started the series with a lineup comprised of Homelander (played by Antony Starr), Starlight (Erin Moriarty), Queen Maeve (Dominique McElligott ), Black Noir (Nathan Mitchell), A-Train (Jessie T. Usher), The Deep (Chace Crawford) & Translucent.

Almost a mirror image of the DC Comics’ iconic Justice League Original 7 Lineup:

Homelander = Superman

Black Noir = Batman

Queen Maeve = Wonder Woman

A-Train = The Flash

The Deep = Aquaman

Translucent = Martian Manhunter

Starlight = Green Lantern

but these individuals are VASTLY different than the DC counterparts.

Opposing all that they are is “The Boys”, led by Karl Urban - Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), Hughie Campbell (Jack Quaid), Mother's Milk (Laz Alonso), Frenchie (Tomer Capone) & Kimiko (Karen Fukuhara). This group has one simple mission: take down the Seven and Vought at any costs.

During this ongoing struggle, viewers have seen members of the Seven killed, disgraced and replaced after being ousted. Some were more morally challenged (Looking at you Stormfront ) and ultimately defeated! Viewers have also seen Butcher and Hughie pushed and forced to grow together whether they were ready or not. Factor in the Romeo & Juliet style romance between Starlight and Hughie and this show has won fans over with its’ over the top moments balanced out with brilliant character building that challenge what we know of “super heroes”.

Season 3 picks up a year later from the events of Season 2. The Boys have now gone legit as they now work for a government agency. Instead of Butcher calling the shots, they now have to answer to Hughie who oversees the group for the agency. On the other side of the fight, Homelander is dealing with his public embarrassment being connected to the defeated Stormfront and what she truly was. With public opinion weighing so much, the cracks of Homelander’s psyche appear to show through more and more. The ceasefire that has been establish since the fallout of season 2 slowly starts to fade away as old habits die hard between the hated enemies.

The big X-Factor in their latest conflict is Butcher has now acquired something that grants powers for 24hrs. Where the group’s whole identity has been based around taking the Supes down since power in the wrong hands is dangerous has now been thrown right back in their faces. What is Butcher going to do with “an even playing field” as he said for the first time during this ordeal. However, that’s not the only new element thrown into this highly combustible mix.

Season 3 also leads to an addition to this world of heroes: Soldier Boy (Jensen Ackles). Soldier Boy was the first superhero whose legacy is legendary. The easiest comparison is Marvel Comics’ Captain America, but this isn’t your normal leader of the Avengers. When one of history’s most legendary “good guys” returns to the world, how will he fare in this battle? The stakes have never been as high as they are this season. Can Butcher finally defeat Homelander or will the flagship member of the Seven continue to be the thorn in the sides of both the Seven and The Boys?

Being a Spoiler free review, trust me when I say that this season lives up to the standards set forth by the previous seasons. The moral questions of Super Heroes doesn’t stray but evolves within these eight episodes. For being a short season in comparison to other shows, “The Boys” waste no time getting into a rhythm with very little cases of “filler” scenes. This is largely due to the fantastic acting on the show.

Antony Starr deserves to be in all award contention for his portrayal this season. Starr brought out the truly broken character of Homelander. While last season focused more on him trying to balance connecting to his son and being manipulated by Stormfront, Starr really sinks his teeth into showcasing the fall from grace from America’s “favorite” superhero after being publicly disgraced. How does someone, let alone one with his powers, come back to win a public over that has clearly left him broken? Viewers will be locked into each episode to witness how this all unfolds.

Not to be outdone, Moriarty steals scenes battling Homelander’s antagonizing of her character. There’s also some great moments with Jack Quaid showing the struggle of trying to have a relationship with someone NOT a Supe and how that affects their lives. Moriarty & Quaid have fantastic chemistry on screen and gives a small sense of realism to this wild world they live in. Extravagant might be the perfect word to describe this world because there are moments that will leave viewers speechless and one episode in particular which pays homage to one of the most notorious stories in the Boys comics.

Ackles also shines thru this season as the hero the world “thinks” they know. His mannerisms match what you would expect from someone of Soldier Boy’s background in this story. His portrayal felt fresh and will standout on its own. There are differences between Solider Boy & Captain America and that’s not a bad thing. Viewers will definitely know the difference between the two as the season goes on. Ackles was a superb addition to an already stacked cast of talented actors.

The writing is as sharp and poignant as ever. Showrunner Eric Kripke and the rest of the executive producers (Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, along with comic creators Garth Ennis & Darick Robertson to name a few) make this show still engaging within a pop culture audience that gets over-exposed to the superhero world quite often. Everything about this show hits all the checkmarks for what you want to stand out with a story like this. It’s not for everyone but then again, the world of superheroes isn’t always good vs. evil all the time either.

Overall, The Boys delivers another incredible season. The outstanding performances from Antony Starr and Moriarty will get rightful praise but the rest of the cast stepped up to match them throughout this run. There is much to enjoy in this world of supes vs. everyone. Don’t miss it when it debuts on Prime Video on June 3rd with the first 3 episodes, then weekly after that.

Hit me up on Twitter and let me know what you think of The Boys season 3. Special thanks to Amazon Studio and Prime Video for allowing the ODPH early screener access. Thanks for reading.

Ken M