The Boys: Homelander's Reflection Scene Reimagined As Comic Art

A new piece of The Boys fan art re-imagines Homelander’s reflection scene in a comic book style. Based on the comic series by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, Prime Video’s The Boys takes place in a world where superheroes (aka “Supes”) have been corrupted by their celebrity status. The supes engage in reckless behavior enabled by powerful corporations like Vought International, which is famous for its satirical takes on Marvel’s The Avengers in Payback and DC's Justice League in The Seven. At the center of the series is Homelander (Antony Starr), a twisted and narcissistic version of DC's Superman.

Having endured the life of a lab rat since early childhood, one part of Homelander's personality is an insecure child who craves a mother/father figure and the admiration of everyone around him. Another part views himself as superior to everyone. In other words, he’s "the only man in the sky." If he can’t be loved, being feared is “A-1, Okey-Doke” with Homelander. The recently released The Boys season 3 “Herogasm” episode explores this duality in a way audiences have seen before in the show. In a scene reminiscent of Norman Osborn’s exchanges with the Green Goblin in Spider-Man or The Lord of the Rings’ Gollum/Smeagol scenes, Homelander stands before a large mirror in his quarters as his two halves interact with each other, with the “bad” telling the “good” the latter needs to be cut out like a cancer. Now, one fan has interpreted that scene as if it were in a panel on the page.

Artist HanumTaza recently took to Twitter to share an illustration inspired by The Boys. The art perfectly recreates Homelander’s season 3 reflection scene. The piece sees Homelander’s dangerous ego protruding as the other side of himself cries and, perhaps, hopes the man in the mirror doesn’t take over completely.

The above scene is just one example of how The Boys season 3’s adaptation of "Herogasm" is much more than just a wild superhero event. Homelander’s mental state has become increasingly fragile, with Soldier Boy’s return and the potential collapse of Vought pushing him to a breaking point. As the Superman to his Captain America, Solider Boy was Homelander before Vought decided they needed an upgrade. And while The Boys season 1 and 2 never saw Homelander threatened physically, season 3 uses the 70th annual Herogasm as the setting for Homelander’s first real challenge in the fight against Solider Boy, Butcher, and Hughie. Not only is Homelander humbled by this, but he’s almost taken out by Soldier Boy’s new power.

The Boys' “Herogasm" surprised many with its more dramatic elements. Its final scenes sees Homelander staring in the mirror again, this time with a bruise on his face — a reflection of the humanity the supe thought he was above. While there’s no conversation with his mirror alter ego like the previous scene, Homelander’s thoughts are clear on his face. Suffice to say, Starr’s oerformance in The Boys season 3 adds credence to Homelander being one of the most complex and interesting villains on television. In particular, The Boys' reflection scene offers a newfound insight into his headspace moving forward, and this art brings is perfectly back to its comic source material.