The Boys Vol. 1: The Name of the Game Paperback – April 21, 2008

Very cool book. If turning the super hero formula on its ear and violent, graphic books interest you then definitely give this one a shot. The reasoning behind how these seemingly normal people can fight and best people with actual super powers is explained in a hand-wavey fashion, but other than that it's great. My only question at this point is does the concept have longevity? As of now I can't wait to find out though, so I'll definitely be reading more.

Ever wonder who keeps the superheroes in check? In a real world situation most superheroes with super powers would do anything they want. In a imperfect world the superheroes control everything "The Boys" are here to keep them from doing so.

Story starts off with the main character, Wee Hughie, watching his girlfriend get killed in a fight between a superhero and a supervillian. The superhero just walks away even after Hughie tries to stop him, question him on why he had killed his girlfriend. Hughie feels like his whole world is going black and there's little to live for. That's until Butcher, the leader of the "The Boys", meets Hughie and opens him up to a whole new world. Butcher has a group of mercenaries but before he can get the whole group of Boys back together he needs a fifth member. This introduces Hughie into the game of taking down superheroes and reminding them of their limits.

Right off the bat I want to make it clear people understand this comic contains gore, cursing, and LOTS of sex. Most of the superheroes do whatever they want. This leads to them basically banging almost anything that walks, male or female. They run the world, so why would they just save it when they can basically own it?

The story starts off slow and builds up how these boys will take down the superheroes of their world. The Seven are the main superhero team but there are plenty of smaller superhero teams. The Boys target a small time group and begin to do their work. It's not a simple find the superheroes and beat some sense into them. They plant camera, get footage and voice recordings, and embarrass them on national television. Such as superheroes being gay, takings drugs, and doing prostitutes. This angers the small team and brings them to face off against our Boys.

The art is top notch and defiantly it's own style. Mature, bloody, and easy to follow. The superheroes look like stereotypical superheroes like superman and such and The Boys look like badass Neo lookalikes. I'd say for the most part The Boys are far more interesting design though that's because they look modern, where's the superheroes look like they are from the seventies and eights. The fight scenes are also easy to follow and usually very well drawn.

My only negative thing about the series is the excessive amount of dialog. I believe in building a story but, this sometimes go overboard with dialog that's not needed. You also sometimes have to double take sentences seeing as the main characters are from Europe with a accent.

Overall the first volume defiantly leaves you wanting more with it's cliffhanger ending. It's dark take on superheroes running the world is interesting to say the least. I hope the following volumes continue to prove dark and grimy world but with a little less unneeded dialog.

Story - 8 - Interesting take though the dialog could be a little to much at times. However if you want to see superheroes shown in a new light this will defiantly do it.

Art - 8 - Some weak superheroes design but The Boys are all well done and the fights are easy and fun to follow.

Enjoyment - 8 - While I wasn't loving every moment the ending was worth it. It's a type of story that builds up as it goes on and this one pays off in the end, big time.

Final Score - 8 - Overall a new take on superheroes is always nice and a great addition to the run of the mill superhero stories we get. Hoping the series remains as interesting as the first volume.

Reviewed: Issues 1-6. The Boys: Graphic Novel Volume 1.

The Boys takes a brilliant concept and handles it splendidly. It's hilarious, action-packed, and at times emotionally moving. The team dynamic is excellent, with perfect chemistry between the protagonists. Billy Butcher, Wee Hughie, Mother's Milk, The Female, and The Frenchman are all unique and likeable in their own ways. I am definitely going to be buying Volume 2.

SPECTACULAR!!! Imagine Guy Ritchies "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels" meets DC Comics "Justice League Unlimited"...

If we get lucky enough to have this made into a movie, Vinnie Jones as "Butcher", obviously Simon Pegg as "Wee Hughie", Jason Flemyng as "The Frenchman", a buffed-up Denzel Washington as "Mother's Milk", and Angelina Jolie as "The Female"...

Pure Garth Ennis gold! And if you like Darick Robertson's art style, check out Warren Ellis and "Transmetropolitan"...

I am hooked. Sometimes superheroes need to be put in check and the Boys deliver. My new collection starts now!

A very adult directed comic that focuses on a more aggressive tone for its characters. The writing is great in a way that the reader sees that each character is not one dimensional, but has depth. The illustrations are really good and portray a hard edged world where gore and terror mesh with ordinary life.

Picture Civil War mixed with Game of Thrones and this is what you get. The Boys are brought in to send these superhero gods back to earth with humility and violence. It's a great introduction and good enough to make me buy the second volume almost immediately after finishing it. Definitely worth giving a shot.

Perfect in every way Fast graphic epic and overall what comics are missing lately. I loved it and can't wait for more.