It seems as though - over the last decade - superheroes have never been more popular. Thanks to the smash success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, our theatres and TV screens have been inundated with costumed vigilantes kicking ass and taking names, and that trend shows no sign of stopping anytime soon.
However, if you're experiencing superhero fatigue, and wish that comic book characters were just a little bit less ubiquitous, then I have a TV show that's perfect for anyone cynical about people in tights and capes: Amazon Prime's new show, The Boys.
Watch the trailer for Amazon Prime's The Boys below:Based on the acclaimed deconstructionist superhero comics penned by Northern Irish writer, Garth Ennis, (creator of The Punisher MAX and Preacher, among other works) The Boys takes place in a world where superheroes are real. What's more, they're massive celebrities, who endorse products, run businesses, appear in their own movies, and control American politics behind the scenes.
Although the caped heroes appear benevolent, absolute power appears to have corrupted many of them, and behind-the-scenes, many of the so-called heroes are really decadent drug-abusers, rapists and psychopaths. The first season revolves around a group of anti-superhero terrorist led by Billy the Butcher (played by Kar Urban) who have pledged to destroy the status quo and enact brutal revenge on their overlords.
The series has been praised by critics and audiences alike, and now has been renewed for a second season. Filming and pre-production has already begun in Toronto this summer, and so we might be able to see a trailer very soon, with the second season premiering in 2020. Apparently, actress Aya Cash will be joining the cast as Stormfront, a superhero based on the character of Thor, who serves as a major antagonist.
Personally, I can't wait to see where the storyline goes in the next season, although if it's anything like the source material, I have a feeling it won't have a happy ending.