The Boys Almost Entered the DC Universe: Homelander vs. Batman Face-Off

Many fans might not realize that The Boys had its origins with DC Comics. In a surprising disclosure, co-creator Darick Robertson shared that characters like Homelander, Billy Butcher, and Wee Hughie were initially considered for inclusion in the DC Universe. This intriguing backstory offers a fresh perspective on Garth Ennis and Robertson’s audacious superhero satire, which could have dramatically shifted the portrayal of these characters in the comic book realm.

In a 2020 interview with Retrofuturista, Robertson elaborated on how the series took shape. Garth Ennis approached him in the early 2000s with a vision for a new superhero comic. Despite Robertson’s enthusiasm to work alongside Ennis again after their collaborations on the Fury and Punisher series, he was committed to a reboot of Wolverine under an exclusive contract with Marvel.

Comic book cover: menacing characters in dark clothing look down at the viewer.

Once freed from his commitments to Marvel, Robertson reconnected with Ennis, who had a burning desire to embark on this new project:

“After a year or so on Wolverine, I began to long for more creative freedom, and it was around then Ennis told me that he really wanted to create the title with me, saying ‘It has to be you’ […] We initially thought it might be a book like Hitman and interact within the DCU.”

Unveiling The Boys’ DC Origins

Imagining a Homelander vs. Batman Showdown

The Boys' Homelander from the TV show and DC’s Hitman appear side by side.

By the time it was published in 2006, The Boys was a creator-owned venture released under DC’s WildStorm imprint, far removed from the iconic pantheon of characters like Batman and Superman. Although the series garnered immediate success, its controversial themes proved too provocative for DC, leading to its cancellation. Freed from DC’s restrictions, Ennis and Robertson found a new home at Dynamite Entertainment, where the series flourished for a remarkable 72 issues and several mini-series. This shift allowed The Boys to achieve unprecedented success, particularly with its adaptation into an acclaimed Amazon Prime series.

An interesting tidbit is that the character Cassidy, known from Ennis’ earlier series Preacher, makes a cameo appearance in later editions of The Boys, offering a unique crossover with DC Comics.

Contemplating the implications of a DC Universe setting for The Boys stirs the imagination. The potential for conflicts, such as a clash between Homelander and Superman, seems like a missed opportunity that would have significantly diversified their narratives. The Justice League would inevitably be drawn into confrontation with The Seven, especially concerning Vought-American’s corporate practices. It’s worthwhile to consider that had The Boys been integrated into the DCU, it might have resonated more closely with the tone of Ennis’s earlier work, Hitman, where a hitman endowed with superpowers navigates the complex world of heroes and villains.

The Importance of The Boys’ Independent Identity

Embracing Bold Creative Choices

While Hitman possesses its own merits, it doesn’t encompass the same sharp critique that Ennis, Robertson, and later artist Russ Braun infused into The Boys. This potent social commentary on heroes, religion, politics, and consumer culture couldn’t thrive within the confines of the DC Universe. The rawness and unfiltered approach of The Boys not only thrived but also transformed under a publisher that embraced its edgy narrative. Although scenarios featuring Batman, Superman, and the characters from The Boys ignite the imagination, it’s clear that the series found its rightful home where it could truly flourish.

The Boys is currently available from Dynamite Entertainment.

Source: Retrofuturista

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