Amazon Prime The boys show changed a lot from the original comics, however, one change in particular was for the better and its prominence became obvious in season 4. Based on the comics of the same name by Garth Ennis, The boys has quickly become one of Amazon’s most popular shows since the first season aired in 2019with the 5th season of The boys confirmed as the last. The boys follows a group of vigilantes and their mission to take down corrupt superheroes known as “super,” and the Amazon series often parodies popular Marvel and DC characters to get its points across.
Parodying classic superhero characters like Captain America, The boys explores themes of corruption in superheroes, portraying them as selfish and heartless figures in anti-superhero rhetoric. However, while the show often delves into difficult topics, The boys Bizarre characters and stories are often comical, offsetting their dark tone. For example, The boys Soldier Boy has some of the best quotes in the show as he demonstrates his arrogance and outdated thinking while entertaining the audience with his attitude. However, Jensen Ackles’ character is very different from the original Soldier Boy seen in the original The boys comics.
The male version of Soldier Boy was much better than the comics
The boy soldier was a cowardly figure in the boys’ comics
Soldier Boy was much better in The boys than in the comics because it portrayed a stronger version of the character. There are many differences between The boys TV show and comics, but the character of Soldier Boy is without a doubt one of the greatest. In the comics, he is a legacy name, passed down to several people, most of whom are cowards. Soldier Boy desperately wants to be part of the Seven and will do anything to get thereincluding pleasing Homelander. His weaker personality and lack of confidence make him afraid of Butcher, who overpowers him, leading to his death.
Comic Soldier Boy is beaten by the boys and tortured for information, showing a stark contrast to Soldier Boy in The boysas the TV version is considered powerful enough to take down Homelander.
However, The boys Soldier Boy is completely different; Ackles portrays an overconfident, arrogant and much more outspoken character than the comic book version (who notably doesn’t like swearing). Comic Soldier Boy is beaten by the boys and tortured for information, showing a stark contrast to Soldier Boy in The boysas the TV version is considered powerful enough to take down Homelander. The boys it even changed Soldier Boy’s story in the series, presenting his character as a corrupt and offensive superhero and making his DNA the source of Homelander’s powers – something that never happened in the comics.
The Boys Season 4 Lost Soldier Boy After He Stole the Show in Season 3
Jensen Ackles delivered a memorable performance
After introducing Soldier Boy in season 3, the character is notably absent from The boys season 4. The boys season three revealed that Soldier Boy was detained in a Russian facility and subjected to torture because his team hated and betrayed him. Additionally, Soldier Boy was also revealed to be Homelander’s biological father, as his DNA was secretly used to create his replacement. Due to his struggles in the 21st century and Jensen Ackles’ brilliant performance, Soldier Boy’s troubled and charismatic personality stole the showand it all started in The boys season 3 finale.
After the season 3 showdown, in which Maeve tackled Soldier Boy and jumped out of a window in Vought Tower to dispel his explosion, Grace Mallory recovered Soldier Boy’s unconscious body. The knowledge that he had survived provided excitement for the upcoming season, considering his power level, but Soldier Boy had no role in the events of The boys Season 4, when Homelander visits his cryogenic container at the CIA to see him still in stasis. Soldier Boy’s absence from Season 4 was clearly felt as the Boys struggled to challenge Homelander’s rise to power, especially as Butcher’s condition deteriorates.
What’s Next for Jensen Ackles’ Boy Soldier in the Boys’ Universe
Soldier Boy is confirmed to return in season 5
Instead of Soldier Boy returning, The boys Season 4 focused on Victoria Neuman and Homelander’s election campaign and Butcher’s dwindling health. While it was praised by many for its bold approach and social commentary, pushing the boundaries of the Amazon show, The boys Season 4 was met with criticism due to its political storyline. Season 4’s focus on politics was necessary to establish Homelander’s super armyas he has become more and more powerful with each season. Therefore, The boys the final season will focus on defeating Homelander, which will allow for the reintroduction of Soldier Boy back into the story.
The boys season 4 There was a mid-credits scene in which Homelander visits a CIA facility and sees his biological father, Soldier Boy, sleeping inside a cryogenic container. With Homelander now having an army and President Calhoun declaring martial law, tensions will increase The boys Season 5 and Soldier Boy seems to be a big part of it. Eric Kripe teased that Soldier Boy will return in The boys Season 5 via a clip shown on Prime Video, talking about the mid-credits scene in The boys 4th season and its meaning. Check out what he said below:
“Soldier Boy is a fan favorite. It made all the sense in the world that he once [Homelander] has control of the government, who would know that his father is on ice. All I’m going to tease is that this definitely won’t be the last we see of Soldier Boy.“
Additionally, Jensen Ackles will also appear as Soldier Boy in The boys prequel series Vought rising, alongside Aya Cash’s Stormfront. Exploring the post-World War II origins of Vought and its Compound V in a murder mystery set in the 1950s, Vought rising is officially in development with Paul Grellong set to be showrunner. While the prequel series featuring Soldier Boy currently has no release date as it is still early in production, The boys season 5 is set to release on Amazon Prime in 2025, with Soldier Boy returning once again for a supposed final showdown with Homelander.