The Boys: What Separates Superman from Homelander?

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The Boys: What Separates Superman from Homelander?

Key Takeaways

  • Superman’s motto changed to “Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow” in 2021, reflecting inclusivity.
  • Superman was raised with love and moral values, while Homelander was abused and lacked nurturing.
  • Clark Kent works as a reporter, showing a well-rounded identity, unlike Homelander, who struggles with his lack of identity.

As a dedicated fan of Superheroes, I can confidently say that the comparison between Superman and Homelander from The Boys is as stark as day and night. While both share the same powers and fame, their life experiences have shaped them into polar opposites.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but reflect on Superman’s iconic motto: Truth and Justice, and the American Way. This phrase has echoed in our hearts since his debut in the 1930s, but it found its home on our screens during the 1950s’ Adventures of Superman series. Amidst the Cold War and the rise of McCarthyism, this motto served as a beacon of hope.

Due to their similarities, as Homelander’s character was modeled after Superman, it’s inevitable to draw comparisons between the two. A captivating thought exercise could be determining who would emerge victorious in a hypothetical battle. Another point of interest is exploring what distinguishes them. They share identical powers, fame, and are emblems of their respective nations (with Superman being synonymous with America). For instance, the alternate storyline Superman: Red Son offers an intriguing perspective on how things might have unfolded if Superman had landed in the Soviet Union instead. So what sets them apart in terms of character development? One question that arises is why did Superman evolve into a genuine heroic superhero, while Homelander transformed into an abhorrent monster?

Clark Had a Loving Family

The Boys: What Separates Superman from Homelander?

Born as Kal-El on the planet Krypton, Superman later found Earth as a baby and was brought up in Smallville, Kansas under the care of Jonathan and Martha Kent, who were farmers. They nurtured him with strong moral principles. Although they were taken aback by his powers, they encouraged him to employ them for the benefit of others.

Contrasting with his fortune, Homelander didn’t enjoy the same luck. In Season 3, Episode 2 titled “Only Man In the Sky,” it is disclosed that he doesn’t have a birthday in the traditional sense. What the public perceives as his birthday was actually selected by a marketing team. In truth, he was artificially created and spent his early years in a lab undergoing what can only be described as torment to mold him into the world’s top superhero. In an episode of The Boys Presents: Diabolical, entitled “One Plus One Equals Two,” it is exposed that Homelander grapples with PTSD and flashbacks from this mistreatment, which often lead him to behave erratically.

The closest thing he had to a mother figure, Madelyn Stillwell, also exerted perverse control over him. As for an adoptive father, scientist Jonah Vogelbaum tried to instill something good in Homelander. However, by leading the Compound V-related experiments that caused Homelander abuse, he could never fill a loving parental role. Homelander might have Superman’s powers, but he lacked the nurturing upbringing that allowed Clark to develop his signature moral compass.

Clark’s Job Isn’t Being a Superhero

The Boys: What Separates Superman from Homelander?

As a gamer, I’m just like Clark Kent – I’ve got a loving family, a typical upbringing, and a day job to boot. But unlike most folks, my day job isn’t just any ordinary gig. I’m a reporter for The Daily Planet, which gives me a unique edge in the world.

In contrast, Homelander is solely manufactured by Vought and his life revolves around his role as their top superhero. Interestingly, he even feels uneasy when addressed as ‘John’, either by Vogelbaum or Queen Maeve, his former lover. Although he does appear in movies, this is simply part of being under the Vought umbrella. Essentially, Homelander was engineered to be their commodity and has grappled with finding his own identity, which often results in him becoming aggressive.

There’s been an ongoing fascination with portraying Superman in a negative light, such as the character Omni-Man from ‘Invincible’, the young Clark Kent-like Damien in ‘Brightburn’, and the radical version of Superman from ‘Injustice’. Among these interpretations, Homelander from ‘The Boys’ stands out as particularly compelling. He serves as a critique of what makes Superman admirable. It’s not just Superman’s powers that make him loved, it’s his humble origins as a small-town boy from Kansas. He strives to do the right thing and even gets awkward around girls he likes. What makes Superman remarkable isn’t his “godlike” abilities, but rather what he decides to use those powers for.

Over time, many interpretations of the darker sides of Superman have been explored in an attempt to understand his complex nature. However, to truly appreciate the essence of his character, it might be more rejuvenating to revisit Clark’s initial portrayal as a hero with a golden heart. Remember, Clark represents not just the American ideal anymore, but a vision for a Brighter Future.

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2024-09-09 19:03