‘The Boys’ has adopted a disorganized, constantly changing approach to the relationship between Soldier Boy and Homelander. The two are sworn enemies and unwilling allies. It’s a position that is likely to be continued in the next season.
However, as the show performs its dynamic with a combination of hostility and dark humor, the source material narrates a much more disturbing tale.
Soldier Boy and Homelander in ‘Herogasm‘
Homelander in ‘The Boys’ comics is openly bisexual. Sex for him is another source of his ego and control. A particularly notorious scene is when he forces Soldier Boy to get physical with him, justifying it as a test to be accepted in the Seven. It is not about attraction but dominance, another manifestation of Homelander taking power most disgustingly.
Since the show reinvents Soldier Boy as Homelander’s biological father, it is not surprising that this plot was omitted. Its inclusion would have made the whole dynamic completely different and much more uncomfortable.
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This scandalous scene happens in the Herogasm comic arc, as Butcher and the Boys sneak into the Vought annual supes retreat, which is known for its infamous deeds.
In the commotion, Soldier Boy is manipulated by Homelander to submit to his test. Soldier Boy is not depicted as a willing participant. However, he is showcased as someone desperate enough to play along, which underscores the extent of influence that Homelander has. The scene supports the distorted sense of power and dominance of Homelander.
Meanwhile, the comic version of Soldier Boy comes across as weak and eager to please, someone who folds under pressure rather than standing his ground. This is reversed in the show. In the episode of the TV adaptation titled Herogasm, there is no submission, but rather rebellion, as Butcher and Soldier Boy unite to bring Homelander down.
Why The Scene Doesn’t Suit The Show
Both characters have already been changed greatly in the series. Soldier Boy is no longer a naive wannabe but a hardened, arrogant, and deeply traumatized figure.
More to the point, the disclosure that he is Homelander’s father in season 3 essentially changes their relationship. It introduces layers of resentment, identity, and legacy.
In case you missed it: How Every Major Character in ‘The Boys’ Comics Meets a Tragic End
This also makes the version of events in the comic out of place. The season 5 trailer cheekily nods to it when Homelander wakes Soldier Boy from his pod. Groggy and half-dressed, Soldier Boy bluntly asks, “Did you f— me?” He even questions whether it was some kind of incestuous thing?
The disgusted denial by Homelander provides additional dark comedy, reminding viewers of how absurd their history might have been.
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