Comic vs Tv Show Fates: Comparing Every Major the Boys Character to Garth Ennis' Original Ending

From key trends to fundamental details, get a complete picture of Comic vs Tv Show Fates: Comparing Every Major the Boys Character to Garth Ennis' Original Ending in our latest feature.

Q1: Why did the TV show cut the Black Noir twist from the comics?
Showrunner Eric Kripke stated in multiple production interviews that hiding Homelander's actions behind a clone would rob the character of moral responsibility. Antony Starr's performance turned Homelander into a terrifying psychological study, and revealing that another character committed his worst acts would have undermined five seasons of character development.

Q2: Does Billy Butcher die in both the comics and the TV series?
Yes, but under completely different circumstances. In the comics, Butcher forces Hughie to impale him on the Empire State Building after paralyzing himself in a fall. In the Prime Video series, Butcher succumbs to the fatal physical toll of Compound V and his internal parasite while carrying out his final strikes against Homelander and Vought.

Q3: Did Hughie ever take permanent Compound V in the comics?
In Garth Ennis's comics, the entire squad injects Compound V at the start of the story, giving Hughie, Butcher, MM, and Frenchie permanent superhuman strength and durability. In the Prime Video show, the Boys only experiment with "Temp-V," which causes fatal brain tumors, keeping them fragile and human throughout the series.