One comic sequence that was altered considerably for TV was Hughie’s first kill. In both versions of The Boys, the first time Hughie kills a superhero is a landmark event. The (literal) blood on his hands forces Hughie to question whether following Butcher on this new adventure is really a wise decision, and whether he’s even suited for the challenges ahead. This first taste of murder for Wee Hughie haunts the character for a large chunk of his comic story, and the same moment was given equal significance on TV, albeit in a completely different scenario.
This moment is far grislier than its comic book equivalent. In Ennis and Robertson’s original version of The Boys, Hughie’s cherry-breaking kill comes during his first big superhero showdown, with Butcher’s gang taking on the Teenage Kix outfit. In order to compete on an even footing with the supes, the Boys take a steroid that greatly enhances their strength. Still not used to the drug’s effects, Hughie accidentally punches a hero called Blarney Cock straight through the chest, much to his own horror. Although Translucent and Cock are quite different characters, their function and placement in the story is the same - teaching Hughie a harsh lesson about his new vocation.
While a fist straight through the chest is certainly an unpleasant way to bow out, it pales in comparison to having explosives stuffed inside your anal passage and then detonated, causing an implosion from the inside out. Punching through an enemy is also a fairly common occurrence in superhero fare, and doesn’t pack the same levels of disgust and horror as the method used to off Translucent.
More: The Boys Has Its Own (Super Cynical) Version Of The MCU
The Boys season 2 is currently without a release date. More news as it arrives.
