| Homelander | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Homelander | |
| Aliases: | John [1] The Homelander |
| Series: | The Boys |
| Gender: | Male |
| Notability: | Antagonist |
| Type: | Superhero |
| Race: | Supe |
| Location: | New York City, New York |
| Associations: | The Seven |
| Relatives: | Ryan Butcher |
| Status: | Alive |
| First: | "The Name of the Game" |
| Actor: | Antony Starr |
Homelander is an A-Hole. And not just any A-Hole. I mean... he's a real frickin' A-Hole! Homelander is a fictional super-powered adventurer and one of the primary antagonists featured in The Boys multimedia franchise. He first appeared in The Boys #3 in November, 2006. On the Amazon Prime television series he was played by actor Antony Starr and was introduced in the pilot episode of the show, "The Name of the Game".
Biography
Homelander was a psychopath masquerading as a sociopath masquerading as a super-hero. Genetically bred by Doctor Jonah Vogelbaum of Vought International, he became the most powerful of all of the Supes. He was considered Vought's greatest achievement, though Vogelbaum later cited him as his greatest failure. Raised in a controlled environment, he was crafted into the perfect specimen of genetic and super-powered superiority. Gifted with tremendous strength, invulnerability and optical energy projection, he was given the code name Homelander and became the leader of Vought's preeminent super-hero team, The Seven.
In public, Homelander put on the face of a true hero. He presented himself as humble, confidant, and deeply respectful of those who fight the good fight without the benefit of powers, such as police officers and members of the U.S. Armed forces. In truth however, Homelander regarded himself as a God amongst men, and felt that humans were merely a means to an end, barely worthy of notice, save for when it served his aims. Vought's VP of hero management, Madelyn Stillwell, who was deeply in love with Homelander, groomed him to be the public face of the company, as well as The Seven, and worked closely with him to construct his public image. Inwardly however, Stillwell was very much aware of Homelander's psychopathic tendencies and though she loved him, was also deeply afraid of him.
Some eight years ago or so, Homelander allegedly raped Vought's social media coordinator, Becca Butcher. Becca disappeared after this affair, leaving many to believe that she was dead. Becca's husband, Billy Butcher, became obsessed with avenging his wife's murder and worked tirelessly to expose and/or destroy all Supes - especially Homelander.
Homelander later discovered that Becca had become pregnant with his child. When Homelander learned of this, he went to see Doctor Jonah Vogelbaum, who told him that Becca died after delivering the baby, and the child for only ten seconds. When Homelander questioned Madilyn about this, she slipped up, and said that Becca had miscarried and did not deliver the baby. Homelander returned to Vogelbaum, and forced him to reveal the truth, which was that both Becca and his son were still alive and had been taken to a secure and secret location. Upon discovering this, Homelander murdered Madelyn Stillwell and then flew to the location to meet his son. [2]
Abilities
Powers
- Energy projection: Homelander can fire lasers from his eyes, which can cut through damn near anything.
- Enhanced senses: Homelander's sense of hearing is extremely acute. He can hear a conversation taking place inside of a building even if he is flying overhead. This appears to be a selective trait and is not always active. Homelander also has enhanced vision which includes x-ray vision and telescopic vision.
- Flight: Homelander can fly under his own self-propulsion without the aid of external devices. He can also hover over a given location as a sub-application of this power.
- Invulnerability: To date, there is no known substance or weapon that can cause Homelander physical harm.
- Superhuman reflexes: Homelander's reflexes are so fast that he can duplicate elements of super-speed.
- Superhuman stamina: Homelander can remain physically active for extended periods of time without tiring.
- Superhuman strength: Homelander's strength level is many times that of a normal human. He is believed to be the strongest of all Supes.
Sub-applications
The following powers are sub-applications of parent abilities listed above.
- Enhanced vision - Linked to Enhances senses.
- Microscopic vision - He don't need reading glasses.
- Telescopic vision - Can see across vast distances.
- X-ray vision - Can see through most solid objects, except for that pesky zinc.
- Heat vision - Linked to energy projection, though it is actually laser based not thermal based.
- Super-hearing - Linked to enhanced senses.
- Superhuman durability - Linked to Invulnerability.
Skills
- Charisma: Homelander is dripping with charisma, which he has carefully cultivated over time. He has the ability to easily gain the trust and support of the masses.
Weaknesses & Vulnerabilities
- God complex: Genuinely believes that he is a god and that humans are beneath him.
- Mental instability: The boy is cray-cray.
- Sensory restriction: Homelander cannot see through zinc.
Equipment
- None: Homelander is muy macho. He don't need no stinkin' toys.
Body Count
Named characters
- Madelyn Stillwell - Burned through her head with his laser eyes. [3]
- Steve - Destroyed the plane that Steve was flying. [4]
Unnamed characters
- Steve's son, and all passengers on a New York to Baltimore plane flight. [5]
Honorable mentions
- Flight 37 crew members. Indirectly responsible for the plane's malfunctions; abandoned passengers to die.
Notes & Trivia
- The character of Homelander was created by writer Garth Ennis and artists Darick Robertson & Tony Aviña.
- "The Homelander" redirects to this page.
- Homelander is a pastiche of the DC Comics superhero Superman, and has the same power set. Homelander's public persona is one of virtue, humility, selflessness and patriotism, similar to Superman's genuine persona.
- Homelander stands at 5'11" and weights 190 lbs. He is three inches taller than Queen Maeve.
- Homelander cannot see through zinc with his x-ray vision, whereas Superman and other Kryptonians cannot see through lead.
- Mentally, Homelander is still a child, who is prone to wild fits of rage and secretly longs to nurse at his mother's bosom (Madilyn being the maternal figure in this exercise).
- Prior to being targeted by The Boys, Homelander once had a fling with Queen Maeve. Maeve is the only member of The Seven that Homelander even remotely feels he can be himself around.
Related categories
See also
External Links
Appearances
Season One
Season Two
Season Three |
References
- ↑ Civilian name while growing up. No surname. As an adult, only Madilyn Stillwell ever called him John.
- ↑ The Boys: You Found Me
- ↑ The Boys: You Found Me
- ↑ The Boys: The Name of the Game
- ↑ The Boys: The Name of the Game