Summary:
- Eric Kripke confirms that Black Noir will not be revealed as a clone of Homelander in “The Boys” TV series.
- Kripke believes the clone twist would undermine Homelander’s character development and the show’s grounded tone.
- This decision preserves Homelander’s role as the central antagonist, maintaining narrative consistency and suspense.
In an interview with Variety, Eric Kripke, the showrunner behind the hit Amazon series The Boys, confirmed that a major plot point from the comics will not be making its way to the television show. The twist in question involves Black Noir, a mysterious superhero with a hidden identity.
In the original comics by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, it’s eventually revealed that Black Noir is actually a clone of Homelander, the show’s sadistic main villain. This revelation throws the entire narrative into question, as it turns out the true villain has been operating in the shadows all along.
However, Kripke explained that this twist wouldn’t work as well in the context of the television show. He feels that having Black Noir be a clone would diminish the impact of Homelander’s character development.
“No, and I don’t mind saying it. In the comics he’s a clone of Homelander this entire time and is actually the one doing all these horrific things. And again, it’s a hell of a twist. But it’s like, well wait, the villain I’ve been following isn’t really the villain. And mileage varies, and I’m sure fans are mad I’m not going that way, but that felt not as satisfying to me. I’m like, if I’m going to follow this villain, I want this guy to be the villain. So I was never really into the clone idea.”
Kripke went on to say that he prefers the show’s grounded approach to superheroes and their world. Cloning, he feels, introduces an element of science fiction that clashes with the show’s established tone:
“Plus, cloning feels like too — I’m going to sound silly — but cloning feels too magical for the show. We try to say that superheroes are the only slippery banana, and that everything else we try to make as grounded as possible.”
The Boys has spent a significant amount of time building up Homelander as a complex and terrifying threat. The comic book twist would essentially undo this development, revealing that the real villain was someone else entirely.
The show’s Black Noir, recently revealed to be a former member of Payback who suffered brain damage, is a far cry from the comic book counterpart. While the show hasn’t revealed Black Noir’s true identity yet, Kripke’s comments confirm he won’t be a Homelander clone.
This decision maintains the narrative momentum established throughout the show. Homelander’s descent into villainy and increasing instability have been central plot points. A clone twist would undermine this established story arc.
By keeping the clone twist out of the show, Kripke ensures that Homelander remains a credible threat throughout the remaining seasons. This maintains the suspense and allows Homelander’s character to reach its full potential as the show’s central antagonist.
