I’m Putting Together A Team
Sinister Supers - Part Three
I’m putting together a team… multiple teams, in fact. The first assemblage of popular characters is indeed a super squad—but this powerful quartet isn’t exactly on the side of the angels. Welcome to the inaugural announcement of the first fearsome foursome that will enter the tournament of fantasy fictional smackdowns.
Onward with the roll call!
Sinister Supers, assemble!
3. Homelander
First appearance: The Boys #1, August 2006
Popular entertainment of 2006:
The Departed - film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon
Dexter - television series starring Michael C. Hall
New Moon (The Twilight Saga #2) - novel by Stephanie Meyer
All smiles on the outside, tragic cruelty on the inside: Homelander flew out of the comic book pages of The Boys in its first issue, written by Garth Ennis and drawn by Darrick Robertson. John Gillman could be argued to be a byproduct of his world—a natural conclusion to a reality where “Supes” are more revered as glorified celebrities than heroes. The powerful corporation known as Vought-American essentially raised John in a lab environment, bio-engineered to be a perfect specimen that represented their values and interests.
Amazing abilities were bestowed upon John via the battery of tests and experiments, all similar to a certain Kryptonian we are familiar with. As Homelander, his patriotic costume and wholesome visage presents a maskless image of American pride. Despite being such a public figure, Homelander is deeply disturbed and repressed individual.
Homelander leads The Seven, an assemblage of Supes selected by Vought, which Homelander rules over with malice. The television adaptation of The Boys (2019) showcases Homelander (where he is portrayed by Antony Starr) as the twisted person he truly is, suffering from hidden perversions and other erratic tendencies. Through intimidation, Homelander gets his way and will only answer to a chosen few. He and his teammates are responsible for needless deaths and many other incidents that are covered up, leaving a trail of controversies behind them.
Homelander’s penchant for torment makes him an especially fearful foe. Not only is he incredibly powerful, he enjoys playing mind games with underlings and even his fellow superheroes.
In a pivot from the normal Jonfiction Blog weekly format, the remaining three members of this team will be released on following days of this week, leaving Friday as a recap blog.
If this caped quartet can work together, then they would be an unstoppable force—-but who says the challenges they’ll face in this fictional tournament will be a contest of strength? In this bracket-style tourney, each team will be placed in unexpected situations where they’ll have to use their wits, as well as hope that they are really lucky.
The eight-team bracket will determine who is the most gifted (and potentially ruthless) squad of them all. The Sinister Supers are entering the arena at their individual peaks, but the scenarios have not been announced yet. Their opponents in this fantasy face-off? The team of Deuces Wild: Sequel Soldiers - heroes of second installments of movie franchises that were better than the original.
Stay in the loop for more details by subscribing to Jonfiction Blog on Substack and be sure to check out jonmcbrine.com for more info about this and my books.
New blog every Monday. Jon McBrine Newsletter first Monday of each month via email.
