
The secret taskforce in The Boys doesn’t bother with any sissy superhero registration acts. They take the fight to the superheroes by spying on their illicit activities, wiretapping their phones and brutalizing them when they step out of line.
The Boys is the latest Wildstorm series from acclaimed writer Garth Ennis (Preacher) and artist Darick Robertson (Transmetropolitan). The series kicks off with a double helping this month when issue #1 hits shelves on the 16th, followed by issue #2 on the 30th.
The series follows the exploits of a group of black ops agents working for a secret division of the CIA. Each of the five members has been wronged by superpowered individuals at some point in their lives. This has caused them to harbor a deep hatred for all superheroes and devote their lives to keeping them in check. They are the last line of defense when it comes to preventing superheroes from taking over the world.
“In our universe, the super powered folk aren't like the DC and Marvel characters in that those characters are truly heroic and watch out for the common man,” said Robertson. “In our world, our heroes move through it like celebrity politicians. They date supermodels and go to movie premieres. It's an allegory about how absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
With Garth Ennis at the helm, the title’s is full of his trademark over-the-top violence. The first issue begins features the origins of The Boys and depicts superheroes getting curb-stomped, bystanders getting splattered into brick walls and limbs being ripped apart.
“I always thought about what a real punch from someone as strong as Superman would do to a person,” said Robertson. “I get to draw that sort of thing in action in The Boys. In issue #2, when we meet the Frenchman, you see pretty quickly what kind of violence The Boys can wield.”
Ennis originally approached Robertson about the project in 2002 after Transmetropolitan had completed its run. The two collaborated on Fury and Born and were eager to work together once again. At the same time, Robertson became a father and was offered an exclusive contract with Marvel. It was an offer he felt he couldn’t pass up.
“A year later I was learning that the grass wasn't as green as I thought at Marvel and I was missing the freedom I had on Transmetropolitan and regretting my choice to some degree,” said Robertson. “Garth came back and asked if when I finished at Marvel if I'd want to do The Boys then and I said, ‘Absolutely.’”
“Garth said he had put a lot of thought into it and if he was to do the series, it had to be with me,” said Robertson. “That alone cemented it for me.”
The series was started with an ending already in mind and is designed to run 60 issues. With creative talent from Preacher and Transmetropolitan involved, the series has a high pedigree to live up to, but Robertson is confident fans will get a kick out of The Boys.
“I believe anyone who has ever enjoyed Garth Ennis' or my work will enjoy it for the quality of the work alone,” said Robertson. “It's got something for everybody in that there are superhero battles but with very bloody results. It's also complicated, smart and emotionally charged the way Preacher and Transmetropolitan were. I feel I'm working at the top of my game.”











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