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'The Boys' Season 4 Episode 7: Why only one character on the show gets Homelander's reluctant respect

Despite their fierce rivalry, Homelander acknowledged Butcher as a formidable opponent and leader of The Boys

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In 'The Boys' comics, Homelander, despite being a narcissistic and contemptuous character, surprisingly respected only one person – Billy Butcher.

Despite their fierce rivalry, Homelander acknowledged Butcher as a formidable opponent and leader of The Boys. This respect, highlighted in issue #5 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, adds complexity to their dynamic throughout the series.

Despite Homelander's extreme ego and disdain for humanity, his recognition of Butcher early on contrasts sharply with his overall character arc.

The only person Homelander respects other than himself is Billy Butcher

In 'The Boys' #5 comic, Homelander gathers the Seven and discusses Billy Butcher's actions. He points out that Butcher has been targeting other super-teams but avoids direct clashes with the Seven.

Homelander warns his teammates that Butcher is relentless, never slowing down or making mistakes. He predicts Butcher will keep fighting until all supes are gone or he's stopped.

This scene in 'The Boys' #5 reveals ongoing tension between The Seven and The Boys, unfolding their backstory for readers. At this early stage in the comic series, Homelander's true character isn't fully clear, but his recognition of Butcher's threat fits with how both characters evolve.

Most importantly, Homelander in 'The Boys' is focused on keeping his power and lifestyle intact. His realistic view of the danger posed by Butcher and The Boys shows his determination to protect these priorities, despite the growing conflict.

In 'The Boys' #5, Homelander stays calm, acknowledging a serious threat without downplaying its significance.

Exploring the complex dynamic between Homelander and Butcher in 'The Boys' 

The 'The Boys' comics created a world mixing history and superheroes, critiquing the genre by showing superheroes being killed due to their unnatural powers.

What's notable is that Homelander, the strongest Supe, respected only one character – not his superhero colleagues like Queen Maeve or Black Noir, but Billy Butcher.

As the TV series heads towards its big finale, it promises another showdown between Butcher and Homelander. If the show emphasizes Homelander's respect for Butcher, it could make the series stronger.

Even though the TV series will end differently from the comics, the conflict between Homelander and Butcher is key.

Their intense feud is one of the most emotionally charged conflicts in superhero stories, driven by hate but made more interesting by Homelander's respect for Butcher.

Their clash in 'The Boys' #5 was crucial in showing this dynamic and we believe the show could emphasize on this.

'The Boys' trailer

7 episodes of 'The Boys' are available to stream on Prime Video.