'The Boys' Series Explainer: What Frenchie's nickname for Butcher means
Contains spoilers and speculations for 'The Boys'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In 'The Boys' series, there are many hidden layers, each more shocking than the last. Frenchie’s nickname for Butcher is particularly revealing. It challenges what fans thought they knew about Frenchie's backstory.
The Boys, issue #37 – written by Garth Ennis, with art by Darick Robertson features Frenchie's outrageous account of his origin. As readers quickly realize, however, the character is far from a reliable narrator, and his tale is anything but a definitive backstory.
Instead, the issue emphasizes something that Frenchie's nickname for Billy Butcher had been subtly hinting since the very start of The Boys comic book series – that Frenchie might, in fact, not actually be French.
Why does Frenchie call Butcher 'Monsieur Charcuter'?
Frenchie, also known as The Frenchman, is a crucial member of the Boys because of his expertise in weapons and explosives. He's also known for his unpredictable nature. When provoked, Frenchie can take on a whole room of trained soldiers and emerge victorious.
According to 'The Boys' #37, he was recruited by Butcher after such a display of his skills. However, the comic itself suggests that much of Frenchie's personal history should be questioned.
Throughout 'The Boys', Frenchie isn't just a skilled fighter; he's also shown to be compassionate. Despite his ferocity in combat, he shows kindness to others, especially towards the Female and the newest team member, Wee Hughie.
He also displays respect, notably by always addressing Billy Butcher as 'Monsieur Charcuter', roughly translating to 'Mr Butcher' in French. This translation issue hints at inconsistencies in Frenchie's identity claims.
'The Boys' strongly implies that Frenchie isn't actually French, with his nickname for Butcher serving as a constant reminder. Early in the series, readers noticed Frenchie's broken and inaccurate French, which suggested either careless translation by the creators or deeper character complexity.
Issue #37 addresses these questions in a surreal manner, though it doesn't outright confirm Frenchie's non-French identity, it strongly suggests it.
The fabricated tale of Frenchie's origins in 'The Boys' #37
In 'The Boys' #37, Frenchie suddenly shares his origin story with Hughie, filled with exaggerated French stereotypes that subtly confirm his non-French background.
Frenchie claims he returned from war to his small French village, 'Franglais', only to find his intended bride stolen by a childhood rival, leaving him disconnected from his community.
As the story unfolds, Frenchie's father challenges the rival to a bicycle joust using baguettes, leading to absurd events. It becomes clear to Hughie and readers that the tale is fabricated. 'The Boys' #37 uses inconsistent and sometimes offensive details about France, highlighting Frenchie's mysterious origins.
Frenchie's use of 'Franglais', mixing French and English, is notable, as is the oddity that everyone, including his French parents, calls him 'Frenchie'.
The story is full of clichéd French stereotypes, yet it doesn't explain why Frenchie adopts this persona. This ambiguity adds to Frenchie's enigmatic character in 'The Boys'.
The enigmatic legacy of Frenchie in 'The Boys'
In 'The Boys' #37, whether Frenchie truly believes his story or not is left ambiguous. Despite this, the series establishes him as a veteran of the French Foreign Legion, a branch of the French Armed Forces that accepts foreign recruits.
Mother's Milk also mentions Frenchie's struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), suggesting his 'Frenchie' persona could be a coping mechanism or a delusion caused by trauma.
The issue itself advises readers not to dwell on the truth of Frenchie's tale. As Butcher tells Hughie, "Last line's the bit that counts, mate," after Frenchie declares his loyalty to the Boys until the end, just before running off.
This statement gains poignancy considering Frenchie's tragic fate—betrayed and killed by Butcher in the series' final arc.
Throughout 'The Boys', Frenchie stands out as a complex character. In a series where characters often reveal dark secrets or wear their emotions openly, Frenchie navigates both realms while forging his unique path.
His true origin remains one of the series' unresolved mysteries, sparking speculation among devoted fans about his role and impact in the story.
'The Boys' trailer
Four episodes of 'The Boys' is now available to stream on Prime Video
