Customer Reviews

The Boys, Vol. 3: Good for the Soul

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Boys is not for the faint of heart. You've got nudity, violence and gore galore in this episode mixed with some bad taste to boot. But that's not what this is about.

This issue of the Boys picks up and really fleshes out the universe so much more. In past episodes, you learned a little bit more about the corporate influence that pervades their world. In this one, you'll learn all about it and what drives the team a bit more.

That being said, is this book full of crass, tasteless humor at times. Yes. If you're easily offended, I'd hope you would have given up after book one. But if you liked the first two, you'll be very happy with the direction the series is going in. It's refreshing to read a bit more down and dirty comic series about the "supes".

After a so so second collection, this 3rd trade puts the Boys back on track. Especially with Robertson on full art duties. This collection really explains a lot about the Boys and the Seven and a bit of the history of Garth's anti superhero universe. Lots of cursing, sex and adult situations all around, so keep this one away from the kids. Things are getting good as the Boys get close to the halfway point of their projected run.

Good For the Soul, the third collected volume of Garth Ennis' The Boys, takes Ennis' riff on superheroes to a whole new level. In the midst of finding himself in a surprising new relationship, Hughie learns the origins of big-time corporation Vought-American and their ties to the superhuman community, while Butcher takes a stand against Homelander and the rest of The Seven. There are a good number of more revelations abound in Good For the Soul, as well as some trademark Ennis gross-out moments (one of which involving Hughie that will have you rolling around the floor laughing), and even a surprisingly touching moment between Frenchman and Woman. Where Good For the Soul really shines though are in the concluding issues, where Hughie learns of The Seven's greatest failure years before on one September morning. The Boys really does find Ennis at his best, possibly equaling the insane brilliance he crafted years ago with Preacher. Darick Robertson provides more solid artwork as well, including some shocking scenes that will stay with you. All in all, The Boys just keeps getting better and better the longer it goes on, and Good For the Soul is the best of The Boys yet.

The Boys is more or less a one-joke series. The authorities (government, corporations and superheroes) are scum who deserve to be abused and killed by an even bigger bunch of bastards, The Boys.

After spinning their wheels in the last volume the series develops more of a plot in this one.

But the tone remains uneven. Jokes about oral sex are mixed with serious points about politics and September 11th.

But overall it's a decent read and a good guilty pleasure.

I really liked this collection of The Boys, because, as other reviewers have said, it gives you a lot of background information on this world that Garth Ennis has created. We essentially get to see the origin for the driving force behind the conflict between superhumans and the government that's backing The Boys. We also get an intense stand-off between The Boys and The Seven (Ennis' version of the Justice League), which almost kicks off World War III.

If you're wary about this series because you've looked at the item pages for the trades and seen how the reviews are all over the place, it's probably due to how obvious it becomes in this collection that much of the drama and awesomeness stems from the concept of a direct conflict between The Boys and The Seven (or the government versus the superhumans in general). Therefore, it can seem like anything else is just a distraction from the real tale, particularly since Ennis keeps The Boys' pasts wrapped in mystery and the tales of The Boys tracking and beating down Degenerate Superhero #358 are starting to get stale.

Thus, MAJOR PRO: shedding of light on a world that's kept you in the dark so far and a set-up for the dust-up we're all wanting to see. MAJOR CON: the exposition and forward momentum shown in this collection can make the other arcs and trades seem bland by comparison, which can also contribute to the notion that much of what's going on is crass for crassness' sake.

but I do enjoy this series. If you have read the previous volumes then this is a continuation of the story, if not, then I would really recommend reading vol 1&2 first.

This book isn't so much good for your soul as helping turn your soul a little darker, not that it's a bad thing. I really enjoy this series and like the moral ambiguity of the main characters. It is a series that I am not sure I like the "good guys", but I definitely hate the "bad guys".

If you cannot handle graphic violence and sexual situations then this is not for you. This is a GRAPHIC NOVEL in every sense of the word, and for the most part is not gratuitous, but actual helps define the characters and the story.

So five stars for a story that is intriguing and will keep me coming back.

I can't believe how much I am enjoying this book. Garth Ennis delves deep into the history of the boys and what there real mission is. Not to mention Hughie's girlfriends period piece, the questionable ownership of a hamster and what really happened on 911. Fricken awesome!!!!

Well written for the mature audience, not over the top in the violence or sexual scenes compared with Ennis' other title "Preacher" (also a very good read if you can handle the graphic nature).

Garth Ennis continues to write a funny, in your face, and imaginative collection. The concept of keeping over the top super heroes under control is good, but the way the concept develops gives it teeth. Robertson's art work is gritty enough to enhance the story, without being primitive. The match between artist and writer is nearly as good as the Ennis/Dillon match up in the Preacher series. While I give The Boys five stars, I would give the Preacher series six if I could. I highly recommend anything by Garth Ennis.

Despite having enjoyed the last two collection of Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson's "The Boys", I was slightly hesitant upon picking up this third installment. I was growing slightly tired of endless blood and tasteless, sick violence with no real substance behind it.

Thankfully, these two story arcs address any depth that may have been previously lacking. Not only do we see a more human side to the Frenchman and the Female, but also bear witness to Hughie falling head-first into a deadly romance and learn the real reason behind Butcher's hatred of the capes.

There's still the gross-out humour, ultra violence and the wry commentary on mainstream super heroes, but this time they're brought into line with the best of Ennis's work.