I can't wait until Wednesday - wild guesses galore!

[Mark B]

I've been following the Boys since issue 1, forming (as we all do) my own mad theories of what is really going on; but now we're close to finding out the truth, I discover that I can't wait any longer for Garth Ennis to tell me, I have to know now! So here's what I've come up with after sixty-something episodes of wild guessing, shoot me down in flames but at least I'll have got it off my chest.

First off, I've long thought that Mallory was Black Noir. Way back when we learnt that BN shouldn't really have survived the fall from the plane, and that Mallory used to be the Boys' infiltration specialist. He didn't seem to take any pleasure in humilating Starlight, and he spared Hughie's life; he's Mallory, right?

Second, the Vought Executive is as keen to wipe out the Supes as Butcher is. He didn't seem the least bothered by the death of all the supes in Russia, he sent Payback against the Boys, which did for them, and he was there to watch when the G-Men were slaughtered. For such an apparently clever guy he's suffered a lot of losses or, as I think, he's got exactly what he wanted.

I suspect he's also the one who sent the Homelander photos to the Boys. It must have been someone at Vought, you wouldn't want the Seven roaming around with no way to rein them in. But you wouldn't want them to think they couldn't trust you either. Send a photo to the Boys and let them be the bad guys!

And finally, I think 'Vought Girl' Jess Bradley is being set up to take the blame when everything falls apart. She was obviously led on to arrange the Jack from Jupiter incident when she wasn't really up to it, the Executive is just playing her as a patsy.

Right, that's my lot, now you can put me out of my misery. It feels good to de-lurk at last, even though I have exposed myself as a looney!

Cheers all,
Mark B

[Simon Rogerson]

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the boards...

I've been following the Boys since issue 1, forming (as we all do) my own mad theories of what is really going on; but now we're close to finding out the truth, I discover that I can't wait any longer for Garth Ennis to tell me, I have to know now! So here's what I've come up with after sixty-something episodes of wild guessing, shoot me down in flames but at least I'll have got it off my chest.

First off, I've long thought that Mallory was Black Noir. Way back when we learnt that BN shouldn't really have survived the fall from the plane, and that Mallory used to be the Boys' infiltration specialist. He didn't seem to take any pleasure in humilating Starlight, and he spared Hughie's life; he's Mallory, right?

I don't think so. Black Noir happily accepted the reluctant Starlight blowjob, and he seemed very eager for Starlight to try on her micro-outfit and even lead a potential rape on her before Queen Maeve stepped in. And why would a 91-year-old US Army veteran want to stick his thumb up a small Scottish guy's arse? Finally, Black Noir is pretty much as tall as Homelander, and Mallory is a little smaller and less muscular... although the way they've drawn him, who's to say?

Second, the Vought Executive is as keen to wipe out the Supes as Butcher is. He didn't seem the least bothered by the death of all the supes in Russia, he sent Payback against the Boys, which did for them, and he was there to watch when the G-Men were slaughtered. For such an apparently clever guy he's suffered a lot of losses or, as I think, he's got exactly what he wanted.

Yes, VG or 'James Stillwell' as we now know him is not a fan of the costumed supes. He just wants to create and profit from militarising the supes. To him, the costumed supes were just a way to keep Vought financed while his agenda was gradually advanced by installing a corruptable idiot in the White House (satire). VG is a sociopath and is happy to sacrifice anyone to further his agenda. He is the ultimate face of evil in this book. But you're right - he's made a load of bad calls throughout and simply rationalises them as 'useful exercises', 'acceptable losses' or 'damage limitation'. The key to his character is not cleverness as much as utter amorality and certainty in his course. I think he's a product of Ennis' Bill Hick's-inspired hatred of Corporate America. The question is whether he too has supe powers, and the nature of his hold over Homelander. We know that Vought has a means of eliminating HL should the need arise...

I suspect he's also the one who sent the Homelander photos to the Boys. It must have been someone at Vought, you wouldn't want the Seven roaming around with no way to rein them in. But you wouldn't want them to think they couldn't trust you either. Send a photo to the Boys and let them be the bad guys!

A plausible theory there. I expect that one will be revealed in a one-line throwaway.

And finally, I think 'Vought Girl' Jess Bradley is being set up to take the blame when everything falls apart. She was obviously led on to arrange the Jack from Jupiter incident when she wasn't really up to it, the Executive is just playing her as a patsy.

Again, that's as good a theory as any I've heard. Maybe she's there to take the flak while Stillwell makes good his escape if it all goes pear-shaped. Yep, the more I think about it the more I think you're right. Total patsy.

All the best,

Simon

[Kamakazi]

There's really only ONE answer. Black Noir will finally peel off his mask to reveal....

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p...erryoquinn.jpg

[Simon Rogerson]

Ahahah! Someone's got too much time on their hands. Works for me though.

[statsman]

And finally, I think 'Vought Girl' Jess Bradley is being set up to take the blame when everything falls apart. She was obviously led on to arrange the Jack from Jupiter incident when she wasn't really up to it, the Executive is just playing her as a patsy.

Vought Guy arranging for Team Titanic as her personal security detail seems to support your theory.