For the Dynamite version, see Supes/Comics.
| “ | I'm superhuman, right? We're made of steel.
|
” |
Superhumans, better known as Supes or the Super-abled, are an artificially-created race of mutated humans who possess extraordinary powers and inhuman abilities.
Background[]
Originally intended to serve as super-soldiers in the Nazi German's Wehrmacht during the Second World War, most superhumans currently operate as "superhero" celebrities and law enforcement in America. Superhumans are created through the administration of a mysterious serum called Compound V, created by German geneticist Frederick Vought. The first superhero was his wife Klara[1]. After Germany started losing the war however, Frederick fled to the United States and founded Vought International which continued to create, market, and capitalize superhumans[2].
The true origins of superhumans were not known to most of the public, as it was thought that they were born with their abilities. For a long time, it was widely believed that America was "the chosen land of God" since every known superhero was born there. Some also believed that superhumans, much like the prophets and messiahs of ancient times, were holy, and so were revered by many different temples and churches.
In reality, the creation of superhumans was controlled entirely by Vought, who administered Compound V to infants across America. To conceal these lies, the parents of these children were compensated with "hush money" and forced to sign non-disclosure agreements[3]. Many superhumans were also given fabricated background stories by Vought to appeal to the public[4]. Since the discovery of "super terrorists" from other regions of the world, the belief that America was divinely favored was discredited[5]. Soon thereafter, the existence of Compound V was also leaked to the public, debunking the notion that superhumans were born with their abilities, a fact which shocked many superhumans themselves as they were lied to by their parents about their origins [6].
Characteristics[]
An infant Supe after being injected with Compound V
For unknown reasons, Compound V works best on infants, with adult subjects being at a much higher risk for fatality.
Children that are selected to receive the serum are chosen by amoral doctors contracted by Vought. These individuals were seemingly chosen at random. However, it was revealed that 92% of the babies selected were Caucasian, whereas only 6% were African American and the last 2% were Asian and Latinos, indicating a strong racial bias from the company.[7]
Even though their physiology is nearly identical to normal humans, many supes erroneously hold the belief that they are superior to them, and some (such as Homelander) believe they are not human at all. This belief originated from the time when it was thought that supes were "chosen" by fate and born with their abilities, though it persists even after it is revealed that their powers are given to them synthetically through the use of Compound V. In turn, Compound V seems to have no restrictions on applicability as multiple adults have received it to become supes, ironically further invalidating the notion of superiority because no pre-existing factors are required to receive it. Nonetheless, such an idea has had a profound impact on mainstream culture in the United States, with bitter division and conflict between supe sympathizers and supe opponents.
Biology[]
While some children develop their superpowers immediately after their injections, other children's abilities might not manifest until later in life, usually around puberty. Starlight said her powers were present ever since she was a toddler, whereas the Deep said that his abilities and bodily transformation did not occur until he was around nine years old. Marie Moreau awakened her powers when she was ten years old.
Based on the dialogue between Hughie Campbell and Starlight (where Hughie explained how he intuitively knew what his abilities were and also that if he clenched his buttocks together and jumped that he would be able to teleport), it seems that all supes have an inherent understanding of what their powers are and what specific gestures and/or physical requirements might be necessary in order to activate them. However, based on the surprise that Hughie expressed when he realized he could not teleport his clothing with him, it seems that they are also more or less ignorant of what the limitations of their powers are.
It appears that supes who are related to each other can share the same powers. For example, Polarity and his son Andre have identical powers[8], as do Translucent and his son Maverick[9] and the fraternal twins the TNT Twins[10]. This implies that the abilities given by Compound V are in part based off an individual's genetic makeup.
Superpowers seem to be similar to muscles in that, if not used, can atrophy over time. The TNT Twins for example were unable to use their ability after years of inactivity[10], whereas during their time in Payback they were capable of producing lightning bolts of explosive energy[11]. Supes are capable of sexual reproduction, but (with the exception of Ryan) their children do not inherit abilities.
Whilst the specific abilities that subjects will develop appear to be entirely random, many superhumans seem to exhibit some degree of increased strength and durability, by far the most common superpowers seen in the series. In the comics, it appears that flying is one of the more common superpowers, as opposed to the television series. In both versions, supes can sometimes acquire multiple powers within the same category, while others may possess different abilities with little to no apparent connection.
In the television series, superhumans have a wider range of hearing than normal humans, which can be manipulated to immobilize them[8]. This distinction is absent in the comics, where heightened hearing stands as a separate superpower. Interestingly, superhumans with enhanced durability do not seem to have super durable eyes. For example, Stormfront's eye was stabbed by Becca Butcher[12], a normal human, while Queen Maeve's left eye was gouged by Homelander[13].
A superhero's body is usually able to handle their own powers, i.e. a supe with superhuman strength would not shatter their own body with their strength. However, a few supes have been known to be harmed by their own powers or even by simply using their powers, for example, Polarity and his son Andre risked severe brain damage every time they used their powers. One patient from Sage Grove was killed by his own acid vomit as his skin did not share the presumed immunity that his stomach had.
Nevertheless, contrary to what is believed, supes aren't invincible and they still possess weaknesses that make them vulnerable. For example, every supe is far more sensitive to high frequencies as a result of enhancing their senses
It is revealed that Compound V is not physically consumed by a supe's body and instead actively stays in their circulatory system. Because of this, certain aspects of supe physiology can be exploited: Dr. Cardosa created a virus that was able to specifically bind to the Compound V in the blood of supes to debilitate them, Soldier Boy's radioactive blast is able to burn the V out of a supe's bloodstream and permanently depower them, and Golden Boy was being (unknowingly) strengthened with the Compound V infused blood of his brother Sam to become a more powerful and iconic Godolkin student.
Known Supes[]
Trivia[]
- Contrary to the comics, in the television show it appears that natural-born superhumans are extremely rare, with only one known natural-born superhero (Ryan).[14]
- However, Homelander was born artificially through Soldier Boy's sperm and an unknown woman's egg, along with Compound V[10].
- Many of the superheroes seen are combinations, amalgamations or parodies of Marvel and DC comic book characters.
- Superheroes being created by Compound V is a also likely a reference to the super soldier serum in Marvel Comics.
- Soldier Boy and Stormfront appear to be noticeably distinct compared to other supes. Not only were they both injected when they were adults instead of toddlers, but they are much stronger and also have decelerated aging. This is implied to be because they were dosed directly by Dr. Frederick Vought, the original creator of Compound V, and thus are likely his magnum opuses.
References[]
- ↑ The Boys Season 2 Episode 6: The Bloody Doors Off
- ↑ The Boys Season 2 Episode 1: The Big Ride
- ↑ The Boys Season 2 Episode 5: We Gotta Go Now
- ↑ The Boys Season 1 Episode 6: The Innocents
- ↑ The Boys Season 1 Episode 7: The Self-Preservation Society
- ↑ The Boys Season 2 Episode 3: Over The Hill With The Swords Of A Thousand Men
- ↑ Nothing Like It in the World
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Gen V Season 1 Episode 2: First Day
- ↑ Gen V Season 1 Episode 1: God U
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 The Boys Season 3 Episode 6: Herogasm
- ↑ The Boys Season 3 Episode 7: Here Comes A Candle To Light You To Bed
- ↑ The Boys Season 2 Episode 8: What I Know
- ↑ The Boys Season 3 Episode 8: The Instant White-Hot Wild
- ↑ The Boys Season 2 Episode 7: Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker