Warning! Spoilers for the ending of The Boys!As well-known asHomelander’scostume is, his original outfit was designed with an Easter egg in mind that would have given readers a major clue whereThe Boyswas heading. Fans of Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson all know Homelander’s iconic blue outfit that’s overflowing with American imagery, but that’s not what the duo originally had in mind for him.
The Boys’major antagonists throughoutthe series are the Seven, a crew of superheroes (aka Supes) who largely act as their world’s version of the Justice League. Every member lampoons one particular hero, with Homelander serving asThe Boys’twisted take on Superman. While the series ultimately settled on giving the Supe a costume that looks like an uber-patriotic version of the Man of Steel’s classic threads,Homelander originally had an all-white costume that had a Nazi Reichsadler as his chest symbol, a hint at both his origins and his final plan to bring Supe supremacy to the world.
Homelander’s Original Costume Hinted Towards His Coup inThe Boys’Ending
In the End,The BoysWent for the More Subtle Approach for Homelander
Homelander makes his first appearance inThe Boys #3by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. One can tell at first glance that he’s meant to bea parody of Supermanas his costume features a blue bodysuit and a pair of red boots. He’s not an exact copy of the Man of Steel however, as he’s also got a pair of red gloves,red piping down Homelander’s chest, a shoulder pad in the shape of an eagle and a cape that resembles the stars and bars of the American flag.
…Ennis thought the overtones were a nice touch, he admitted it was too overt for the series.
While Superman periodically updated his outfit, this is Homelander’s look throughout the entire series. But interestingly enough, The Boys’ creators nearly went with another look for the series’ villain. A note in The Boys’ Omnibus Vol. 1 shows Darick Robertson’s original designs for the Seven and Homeland’s look is quite different. He was originally fashioned with a white bodysuit, blue cape, red boots and accents on his sleeves.The most glaring difference is Homelander’s symbol, an eagle that resembles the Nazi Reichsadler. While Ennis thought the overtones were a nice touch, he admitted it was too overt for the series.
Homelander’s Original Design Would Have Hinted at His Past and Future
A Major Clue to the Supes' Past and Where The Boys Was Heading
The Boyshas a lot of things to say about Supes (much of it cynical). To really take the piss out of the entire genre, the series eventually reveals that Compound V, which gives the Supes their powers, was originally created to manufacture super-soldiers for Nazi Germany. The compound was eventually acquired by Vought-American, but the supremacist roots of this vision ran deep, especially in Stormfront, the only surviving member of the original experiment. Interestingly enough,Stormfront’s DNA was used to bring Homelander, and the rest of the Seven, to life.
While Homelander’s costume would have served as a wink towards his origin, it also doubles as a huge hint. Towards the end of the series, Homelander eventually gives into his worst impulses and decides to overthrow humans and usher in a new era of Supe supremacy, believing that he and the rest of his people have the right to take the world. Maybe the original outfit would have been a bit much, but itwould have served as an interesting bit of foreshadowing forThe Boys’dramatic conclusion.
…it does a great job of playing with both Homelander’s past and future.
Of course, Homelander’s costume isn’t exactly subtle, but most ofThe Boysisn’t. While it might have been hard to buy a Superman-like character brandishing such distinct Nazi imagery, it does a great job of playing with both Homelander’s past and future. In a way, it symbolizes what Homelander ultimately is, the product of an outdated and bigoted ideology, and suggests that he’s doomed by the set of circumstances he was created in.The Boys’creators made the right call by givingHomelandera different costume, but it’s fascinating to see how much it suits him.
