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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Comics

The Boys

The Boys is an adult superhero comic series created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Boys is an adult superhero comic series created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. The story follows a covert team that monitors and confronts corrupt superhumans in a world where superheroes are celebrated by the public but often act abusively in private.

Publication history

The comic debuted in 2006 under WildStorm, an imprint of DC Comics. After WildStorm cancelled the series, it was continued by Dynamite Entertainment, concluding in 2012 after a total of 72 issues.

Premise

Set in a world with powerful but corrupt superheroes, the series follows a clandestine team that polices superhuman misconduct. The conflict centres on the tension between public heroism and private abuse, with the CIA-backed group known as The Boys tasked with keeping superheroes in check.

Creators and style

Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson co-created the series, with Ennis writing and Robertson providing illustrations and character designs. The comic is widely identified as an adult satire of the superhero genre, using a violent, irreverent tone to critique celebrity, power, and corporate influence.

Adaptations and legacy

The comic later became the basis for the live-action television adaptation The Boys. The franchise expanded beyond the original comic series into additional related works.

Key facts

  • The series was co-created and written by Garth Ennis and co-created, designed, and illustrated by Darick Robertson.
  • It was originally published by WildStorm, an imprint of DC Comics, before continuing under Dynamite Entertainment after the initial run was cancelled.
  • The story centers on a CIA-backed group called The Boys, whose mission is to keep superheroes in check.
  • The comic is known for its satirical and often graphic treatment of superhero culture.
  • The series ran for 72 issues in total and served as the basis for the later television franchise of the same name.
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Canadian context

The comic has a Canadian readership through English-language comic publishing and fandom, but it is not specifically about Canada or a Canadian-created setting.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Boys comic about?
It follows a covert team that investigates and combats superheroes who are publicly admired but privately corrupt.
Who created The Boys?
The series was co-created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson.
When was The Boys published?
The comic was published from 2006 to 2012.
How many issues are there?
The main series ran for 72 issues.
Who published it originally?
It was first published by WildStorm, a DC Comics imprint, before moving to Dynamite Entertainment.
Is the comic related to the TV series?
Yes. The television series The Boys is based on the comic book series.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boys_(comics)
    Supports: Creators, premise, adult superhero comic description
  2. DC Comics — https://www.dc.com/comics/the-boys-2006/the-boys-1
    Supports: Creators, premise, original publication under WildStorm/DC imprint
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boys_(franchise)
    Supports: Original publication dates, move to Dynamite, connection to TV adaptation
  4. Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boys_(comics)
    Supports: Publication history and total issue count
  5. Goodreads — https://www.goodreads.com/series/59108-the-boys-trade-paperbacks
    Supports: Series length and collected editions