Soldier Boy - The Boys

Soldier Boy is one of Vought International’s earliest superheroes, touted as America’s first supe and a patriotic icon. Introduced as a symbol of courage and valor, he was marketed as the quintessential war hero, fighting against America’s enemies and embodying nationalistic ideals. In reality, his character is far more complicated: cowardice, recklessness, and questionable morals often lurk behind the façade of heroism. In the comics, Soldier Boy is portrayed as an insecure and naïve supe desperately seeking approval, while the television adaptation reinvents him as a violent, arrogant relic of the past with immense physical power and a dangerous radiation ability. Despite his flaws, Soldier Boy remains central to The Boys’ exploration of how superhero propaganda and corporate control distort the truth about so-called heroes.

Soldier Boy embodies a toxic blend of bravado, insecurity, and chauvinism. In the comics, he is portrayed as a cowardly and bumbling supe who strives for validation and approval from his superiors, often to humiliating ends. The television portrayal reimagines him as brash, arrogant, and violently unfiltered, embodying outdated ideals of masculinity mixed with cruelty and self-righteousness. He masks his insecurities with excessive pride and aggression, often blaming others for his failures. Soldier Boy is quick to anger, deeply patriotic in appearance if not in conviction, and carries himself as a relic of a bygone era of propaganda-driven hero worship. His personality oscillates between desperate eagerness to please and brutal dominance, depending on the situation.

Fans have a polarized view of Soldier Boy. Comic readers often see him as a parody of Captain America—cowardly, foolish, and a satirical jab at patriotic superhero tropes. The TV adaptation, however, garnered significant attention, with Jensen Ackles’ performance praised for giving the character depth, menace, and dark charisma. Many viewers appreciate the gritty reimagining that portrays Soldier Boy as a relic of toxic masculinity and Cold War-style nationalism, while others criticize his cruelty and lack of redeeming qualities. Despite mixed reactions, Soldier Boy quickly became one of the most discussed characters in The Boys universe, with memes, debates, and fan theories driving his popularity online.

"For America!"

"I’m Soldier Boy, the first supe!"

"You’re a disappointment."

"They don’t make ‘em like me anymore."

Military re-enactments, Patriotic propaganda performances, Drinking

• Homelander

  Trust

  20%
  Type

  Family

  • Revealed as his father (Trust +10%)
  • Attempted to kill Homelander (Trust -50%)

• Billy Butcher

  Trust

  10%
  Type

  Rival

  • Allied temporarily to fight Homelander (Trust +20%)
  • Turned against The Boys (Trust -30%)

Images represent character appearances.