The Boys Season 5: Will It Stick to the Comic’s Brutal Ending?

The highly anticipated fifth season of The Boys is gearing up for an explosive conclusion, and fans are eager to see how the storylines will play out. While the show has consistently taken creative liberties with its source material, certain plot developments hint at a potential ending closely tied to the comic series by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Could Season 5 deliver a similarly bloody and shocking finale? Let’s dive into the potential fates of key characters and explore the likelihood of the show sticking to the comic’s devastating conclusion.

A Deadly Tease: What the Showrunner Hints at Season 5

In a recent interview with Total Film, showrunner Eric Kripke gave fans a tantalizing hint about the fate of several characters in The Boys Season 5. Kripke stated, “There will probably be lots of death,” and added, “Really shocking, big things happen all the time… there’s no guarantee of who will live or survive by the end of the season.” These comments have set the stage for a blood-soaked finale that aligns with the source material’s shocking and tragic end.

Fans of the comic will know that The Boys isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of what’s acceptable on screen. The comic’s ending was brutal, sparing almost no one. Could the same be true for the live-action adaptation?

Butcher’s Descent Into Madness

Billy Butcher’s journey has always been about vengeance. From the very beginning of the series, his sole mission has been to destroy supes especially Homelander. Season 4 saw him take a darker turn, acquiring the deadly supe killing virus after murdering Victoria Neuman. With this new weapon, Butcher is on a warpath to wipe out supes once and for all. His brutal murder of Neuman in the Season 4 finale hinted at how far he’s willing to go, even as it cost him his humanity.

In the comics, Butcher eventually embarks on a genocidal mission to kill all supes, including his own team. This suggests that Season 5 could follow a similarly dark trajectory, with Butcher taking down his fellow Boys in pursuit of his ultimate goal. Could this be the end of characters like Frenchie, Kimiko, and Mother’s Milk?

Comic Book Deaths: Who Could Die in Season 5?

One of the most significant differences between The Boys TV series and the comic is how certain characters have been handled. While the show has deviated from the original plot in several ways, it has stayed true to the overall tone and themes of the comic. This means that the brutal deaths seen in the comic’s conclusion could still play out on screen.

Key Deaths From the Comics:

• Homelander: In the comic, Homelander is ultimately killed by his clone, Black Noir, who was created as a failsafe by Vought in case Homelander went rogue. However, the show already killed off Black Noir in Season 3, making this twist unlikely. Could Homelander still meet his end in another shocking way?
• Mother’s Milk: In the comics, Mother’s Milk is killed by Butcher after trying to stop him from unleashing the supe-killing virus. Given the growing tension between MM and Butcher in the show, it’s not hard to imagine a similar confrontation occurring in Season 5.
• Frenchie and Kimiko: Butcher brutally kills Frenchie and Kimiko in the comics using explosives. With Butcher’s newfound powers and the virus, it’s possible that Season 5 could see him take down these beloved characters, either in combat or through the virus’s slow, painful effects.

Will Hughie Be the One to Take Down Butcher?

One of the most critical plot points in the comic’s ending is Hughie’s role in stopping Butcher. After Butcher goes on a killing spree, it’s Hughie an unlikely hero who ultimately puts an end to his former mentor’s madness. But will the show follow this same path?

In the show, Hughie has yet to develop any supe abilities, and his relationship with Butcher has been rocky at best. However, it’s possible that the series could tweak this ending, perhaps giving Starlight the responsibility of taking down Butcher instead. After all, she has consistently been the moral compass of the group, and her supe abilities could give her the edge needed to stop Butcher in his tracks.

The Mysterious New Black Noir: A Homelander Clone?

One of the most intriguing loose ends from Season 4 is the identity of the new Black Noir. With the original Black Noir dead, a new character has taken up the mantle, but little is known about them. Could this new Black Noir be a clone of Homelander, as in the comics? There have been subtle hints that this could be the case, such as Black Noir’s mysterious powers, which seem similar to Homelander’s. If this twist does play out, it could mean that the comic’s iconic showdown between Homelander and his clone is still on the table.

The Boys Was Never Meant to Have a Happy Ending

One of the reasons The Boys has resonated so strongly with audiences is its willingness to subvert traditional superhero narratives. This isn’t a story where good triumphs over evil, and there’s no neat resolution at the end. Instead, The Boys paints a grim picture of a world where power corrupts, and even the heroes are deeply flawed.

The comic’s ending reflects this harsh reality. It’s a messy, tragic conclusion where almost everyone dies, and those who survive are left scarred by the horrors they’ve witnessed. Given Kripke’s comments about the pressure to “stick the landing” in Season 5, it seems likely that the show will aim for a similarly impactful ending, even if it deviates from the comic in some ways.

What Fans Can Expect From The Boys Season 5

With all the hints and teases that have been dropped, it’s clear that The Boys Season 5 will be an emotional rollercoaster filled with shocking twists, devastating deaths, and intense action. While the show has always strayed from a direct comic adaptation, it has remained true to the spirit of the source material, meaning that fans can expect a finale that is just as brutal and uncompromising as the comic’s ending.

Will Butcher succeed in his mission to kill Homelander? Will the rest of the team survive, or will they fall victim to Butcher’s obsession? And what role will the mysterious new Black Noir play in the final showdown? These are the questions that will keep fans on the edge of their seats as they await the conclusion of one of the most talked-about series in recent years.

Conclusion: No Happy Ending in Sight

The Boys was never meant to be a feel-good superhero story, and Season 5 is shaping up to be the darkest chapter yet. With Eric Kripke’s promise of shocking deaths and unexpected twists, it’s clear that no one is safe, and the show’s final season could deliver one of the most memorable and devastating finales in TV history.

While it remains to be seen just how closely The Boys will stick to the comic’s ending, one thing is certain: Season 5 will leave a lasting impact on fans, and no character is guaranteed a happy ending. So, buckle up it’s going to be a wild ride.