Homelander, Antony Starr's character from Prime Video's The Boys, has been declared the "Sexiest Hero Alive."A cover for "V-PLE" Magazine was posted on the Vought International Twitter page featuring the patriotic protector, with phrases like "A saint of a man" and "You're welcome" beside him. This is another obvious spin on real world events made by the series, in addition to its monthly "Seven on 7 with Cameron Coleman" web show. The timing of the post coincides with this week's announcement that actor Paul Rudd is People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive for 2021.
The Boys' cover takes many elements from People's featuring Rudd, having nearly identical layouts aside from the subject. The phrases accompanying Homelander are almost exactly the same as those joining Rudd, minus one word, with both posters featuring a large hashtag for readers to embrace. Of course, while many have embraced Rudd's new title, The Boys were not going to let Homelander enjoy his moment in the spotlight.
Posted onto The Boys' Twitter account was a vandalized version of the magazine cover, which drew a cartoon goatee and obscene image on the supe, while also giving him a black eye, dart to his head and more. The adjoining cover text was also written over to feature words like "A$$FACE" and worse, displaying the hatred that the anti-supe team and its leader, Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), hold for the leader of the Seven. While not in the streaming series, this is not the first time that Homelander has received such an accolade and had the experience ruined for him.
In comics, during the Herogasm miniseries, while the world's superheroes have a getaway on a remote island, they hold an award ceremony called "The Supes." During this ceremony, Homelander is given the "Award for Greatest Hero," before the arrival of Vought executive James Stillwell sours the moment for him. In the series, it is mentioned that the award typically would alternate years between Homelander and Soldier Boy, a supe from the team Payback, a twist on the Avengers.
Soldier Boy will be introduced in Season 3, played by Supernatural alum Jensen Ackles. In August, a study coincidentally found Ackles to be the "world's sexiest man" after analyzing public tweets praising the actor from the last year, though the actor has not yet been awarded the title from People Magazine. The sixth episode of the upcoming series will be based on Herogasm and bear the same title, providing an opportunity for The Supes and more awards for Homelander and/or Soldier Boy.
Also joining Starr and Ackles in the upcoming season is The Walking Dead's Laurie Holden as the Crimson Countess, a play on Marvel's Scarlet Witch. Despite casting announcements and more, the new season does not have an official release date, but it will reportedly drop in mid-2022. The first two seasons of The Boys are available to stream on Prime Video.