'The Boys': How Black Noir's story in the series completely differs from the comic books

Black Noir, played by Nathan Mitchell in the TV adaptation, had a significantly different backstory in the comics
PUBLISHED MAR 17, 2023
Nathan Mitchell as Black Noir in 'The Boys' (IMDb)
Nathan Mitchell as Black Noir in 'The Boys' (IMDb)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Season 4 of 'The Boys' is one of 2023's most eagerly awaited TV releases. There is no telling what will occur in the upcoming seasons after the gripping Season 3 ending, which featured Homelander (Antony Starr) taking one of his darkest routes yet. In one of the most terrifying scenes in the history of the series, Homelander murders Black Noir (Nathan Mitchell), his closest friend, for keeping a secret about Soldier Boy (Jensen Ackles) being his real father. Even if it's a compelling plot, Black Noir's backstory in the original comic books is very different.

The showrunners of 'The Boys' made several adjustments to the show that weren't included in the comics in order to differentiate the series from others and provide surprises for the original readers. Even while Black Noir's comic book origin story is fascinating in and of itself, viewers of the show may not be familiar with it. Here is all the information you require regarding the main differences between the two.

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Origin Story

In the original comics, the Vought-American Corporation creates Black Noir as an identical genetic clone of Homelander in the belief of being the only one to match Homelander's strength. Later in the story, The Boys uncover shocking photographic proof of Homelander viciously murdering, raping, and torturing men, women, and children, along with acts of necrophilia and cannibalism. But when Homelander sees the pictures, he starts to lose his mind because he can't remember committing these atrocities and believes he might be suffering from cognitive identity confusion.

During the Herogasm arc, Hughie had a frightening meeting with Black Noir that makes him think that the faceless superhero might have some of the same distasteful cravings as Homelander. Homelander, on the other hand, has made the decision to rebel against Vought's leadership and directs the superhero team's assault on the White House. They brutally destroy the whole structure, including the vice president who was directly under Vought's supervision.

The confrontation

Black Noir makes an unexpected appearance and admits that he was the one who committed the murder, cannibalism, and necrophilia depicted in the images. He exposes himself to be Homelander's exact replica, made just to get rid of Homelander if he ever turned rogue or tried to betray Vought. Black Noir finally admits that he was the one who raped Becca. Homelander embarks on a new course of revenge after the unexpected revelation, trying to assassinate Black Noir for causing his breakdown. Black Noir successfully beats Homelander to a pulp after they engage in a vicious brawl in which they both suffer serious injuries. Homelander gets killed, but not before wearing out his opponent to the point where Butcher eventually exacts retribution by using a crowbar to slay Black Noir. Butcher utilizes genetic material to get superpowers and is now enraged to defeat every superhero.

James Stillwell, popularly known as "The Guy From Vought," is approached later in the series with a proposal to reunite The Seven as a new superhero team called "True." When he learns that Black Noir could be revived as the new superhero "White Blanche," Stillwell concludes that any combination of Compound V and superheroes will ultimately result in chaos. Later, he experiences his own mental collapse. The 72nd and last issue of The Boys comic book marked the series' end in November 2012.

This is a significant change from the series; in the Season 3 finale 'The Instant White-Hot Wild', there is good reason to feel sorry for Black Noir as he is tortured by animated images that depict his abuse by Soldier Boy. Despite concealing Homelander's heritage from him in order to protect him, Black Noir is murdered for sparing him the painful truth, which is one of the cruelest ironies of the series. Although The Boys' fourth season will have a new Black Noir, his demise still ranks among the most difficult events in both the series and the comics.

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