The Clone from Homelander: A Major The Boys Comics Twist Not Appropriated for the Series
Readers of The Boys comics looked forward the major Homelander twist's adaptation. But the fourth episode of Amazon Prime Video's The Boys offered an unexpected turn that might be the closest we will ever see this narrative come to pass on screen.
The boys' biggest missing comic element is homelander's clone.
The Boys comic series has a major plot twist whereby it is discovered Black Noir is a clone of Homelander, even more nasty than the original. With the cloned Homelander serving as the main enemy, this twist takes front stage in the comics. Given the show's deviations from the original content, it seems improbable, though, to translate this plot into the Amazon series.
Although the program has included many comic book themes, it has modified them to fit its own style and political commentary. One of the most noticeable absent elements from the comic adaptation is the homelander clone twist; it's probable that the season 4 finale offered a different take on it.
Starlight Against Starlight: An Interpretive Variation on the Homelander Clone Narrative
Though The Boys season 4 lacked a homelander clone, it highlighted a similar turn involving Starlight. The last show showed a shapeshifting supe hiding as Starlight invading The Boys' operations. The phoney Starlight mocks her while the actual Starlight is under captivity. The two Starlights in President Singer's bunker have a gripping confrontation at the end of this shapeshifting narrative. She stays to fight the phoney Starlight while the actual Starlight runs away with The Boys, creating an amazing show. But the absence of hints regarding a homelander clone implies that the Starlight vs. Starlight conflict could be the closest we will find to the supe clone struggle of a comic.
Eric Kripke Rules Out the Homelander Clone Storyline: Why
Showrunner Eric Kripke has specifically said that The Boys will not have the homelander clone twist. Kripke outlines his choice and names two main justifications. First of all, he finds the twist unsatisfactory since it would turn the emphasis from Homelander, the designated villain, to another character. Maintaining Homelander as the primary enemy across the series appeals to him more. Second, Kripke thinks The Boys' world would find cloning too "silly". With superpowers the only fanciful element, he wants to ground the show in reality. Although superpowers are accepted, for the environment of the show cloning would be too unrealistic.
The Boys Not Adopting Homelander's Clone Story Makes Sense
Although the Homelander clone storyline's absence would disappoint some source material enthusiasts, it's a logical choice. Kripke's observation regarding substituting a clone for Homelander at last minute is accurate. The Boys avoids this trap while past TV shows and films have battled with this bait-and-switch approach with known characters.
Moreover, considering only one season left, adding the Homelander clone plot would make the season unduly packed. Season five must finish all the character arcs, address Homelander's fascist government, Billy Butcher's supe virus, and other major story threads. Changing the Homelander clone twist would complicate an already packed season unnecessarily. Adapting the Homelander clone twist would present more difficulties than rewards given Black Noir's already replaced character.
