| “ | I'm superhuman, right? We're made of steel.
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Superhumans, better known as Supes or the Super-abled, are a race of mutated humans who possess extraordinary powers and inhuman abilities.
Background[]
Originally intended to serve as soldiers in the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany 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 was 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 Asians and Latinos, indicating a strong racial bias from the company.
According to showrunner Eric Kripke, the amount of Compound V that is prescribed to a subject will determine the strength of their superpowers. While some some superhumans such as Queen Maeve and Homelander were given high amounts of Compound V (being immensely powerful as a result), other superhumans such as Mesmer and Eagle the Archer were given low amounts and so have significantly weaker abilities. Kripke also added that Compound V is very expensive to produce.
Biology[]
While some children develop their superpowers immediately after their injections, other children's abilities might not manifest until later in life. 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. Whilst the specific abilities that subjects will develop appear to be entirely random, almost all superhumans seem to exhibit some degree of increased strength and durability.
Based on the dialogue between Hughie Campbell and Annie January (where Hughie explained how he intuitively knew what his abilities were and also that if he clenched his buttcheeks together and jumped that he would be able to teleport), it seems that all superhumans 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 superhumans who are related to each other can share the same powers. For example, Polarity and his son Andre have identical powers [7], as do Translucent and his son Maverick [8] and the fraternal twins the TNT Twins [9]. This implies that the abilities given by Compound V are 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 [9], whereas during their time in Payback they were capable of producing lightning bolts of explosive energy [10]. Supes are capable of sexual reproduction, but (with the exception of Ryan) their children do not inherit abilities.
In the television series, superhumans have a wider range of hearing than normal humans, which can be manipulated to immobilize them [7]. 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 [11], a normal human, while Queen Maeve's left eye was gouged by Homelander [12].
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, like having both light generation and superhuman hearing, for example.
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.
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). [13]
- However, Homelander was born artificially through Soldier Boy's sperm and an unknown woman's egg, along with Compound V [9].
- 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.
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
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Gen V Season 1 Episode 2: First Day
- ↑ Gen V Season 1 Episode 1: God U
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 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