The Boys #30
By Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson
This is an excellent issue. There’s no fight. There’s no big reveal. The whole issue is just a series of character moments mixed in with some closure to the preceding arc. We see Vought-American’s next step and how it deals with the Homelander in particular, but more important, we see each of the Boys dealing with the fallout of last issue’s killer ending. It’s both intriguing and frustrating that we still know so little about so many of the series’ main characters. We keep getting these little looks into who they are, but writer Garth Ennis never gives us too much. I know he going to tell us eventually, but the slow build is killing me (in that good way).
Hughie and Billy’s scenes are, as per usual, the best of the bunch. Hughie’s still coming to terms with this new world he’s been thrust into and quite possibly is suffering from some PTSD. His scenes with Annie are always great, but here Hughie’s more vulnerable than he’s ever been. The Female and the Frenchman have another wonderful exchange that just continues to build the mystery around her (them?). All in all, it’s a great issue, but not one that’s new-reader friendly. In fact, I daresay the only place you can really start with this book is the beginning. That seems to be the case with a lot of Ennis’s original creations. I can’t imagine anyone picking up Preacher #27 and following right along. Regardless, we’re at the halfway mark for this proposed 60-ish-issue series and I for one can’t wait to see what happens next.
4.5 out of 5 blue Homelanders
Filed Under: Dynamite Entertainment • Reviews
So far I’ve jumped on for the G-Wiz arc and its a tad hard to jump into cold, The Boys that is, but its just well written enough that its like a TV show you catch an episode of and the one episode was interesting enough to get you to watch the related reruns, and then you go out and buy the boxed set of the previous seasons.
That, to me, is the Boys’ only downfall. Jumping in mid-arc is all but impossible. Even getting in at the beginning of a NEW arc would be a stretch, methinks. But it definitely makes you want to find those back issues and/or trades, yeah?
Great review! Btw, though, it’s “Darick” with one R (like on the cover).
I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about
Like most of Ennis’ stuff, I am both repulsed by and very interested in the idea behind this book. I’m gonna seek out the trades.