The Boys, Volume 1: The Name of the Game Book

3 stars at times

4 at others

Hoping for 4+ star content in future volumes



This will be a tough one to rate. The story is entertaining and creative. The content is edgy, extreme, and sometimes might make you feel like it has gone a bit to far. I think my Goodreads friend L. McCoy said it best (Click for review): "This book tries a bit too hard with the NSFW content" I don't mind NSFW content, and I kind of expect it with the more edgy comic publishers (Dynamite, Image, etc.) - in fact, sometimes it feels like the artists can't wait to try drawing some naked breasts. In the case of The Boys, NSFW content is definitely not subtle and is definitely in your face (and, if you read this you will realize that pun is fully intended). So, unless you are completely okay with sexual content, lewd language, and inappropriate scenarios, you can feel free to avoid adding this to your TBR

NOTE: Things get pretty sketchy after the frame below . . .



But, if you are okay with this sort of content (or can look past it) this book is pretty entertaining. And, as I mentioned, is very creative. It approaches the superhero genre in the darkest way I have seen. While it does use a somewhat more common superhero theme - i.e. superheroes as fallible humans when not on the pedestal society puts them on (other examples - Watchmen and Marissa Meyer's Renegades Series, Deadpool), this one takes it to the point of superheroes being, more often than not, truly deplorable behind their cape. And, in response, an equally questionable crew is called in to do something about it.



I did not really think the art was all that great - not that I could do any better, but I do read graphic novels hoping for some decent imagery. My biggest complaint is that the character appearances were not really consistent throughout the book. From one frame to the next the faces would look very different. In many cases I had to look at their clothing to keep them straight. Maybe some aren't bothered by this or maybe didn't even notice, but I was a bit frustrated with it by the end.



I am going to settle in at 3.5 stars on this one. Enjoyed the story enough that I will keep going, but I hope that the art and NSFW content starts to flow a little more smoothly with the rest of the story. But, since this story seems to be all about the shock, it may continue to be crazy overall!