A riveting spin-off based on the hit comic book and later TV series "The Boys", there was a world of action-entertainment packed into "Gen V" that cannot go unappreciated.
Though some scenes were a little contrived to help further the plot and improve pacing, I nonetheless liked what they did with this one.
In addition to covering the lives of some first-generation super-powered heroes and heroines, to capturing social corruption and corporate depravity, season 1 of "Gen V" lived up to its hype and didn't disappoint.
I wish they explored the origins of Compound V, which lent so many heroes, particularly those from the later-established Vought Industries, their power. But little to nothing was broached on that topic.
The plot in this "Boys" spin-off series saw a bunch of young girls and boys learning to control their powers and vying for the top-dog spot at Godolkin University in the hopes of becoming one of Vought's The Seven. As expected, the competition was ruthless and the scenes in this series conveyed as much.
Morality was tossed out the proverbial window and power was dragged into sharp focus. All the artists did great work bringing their respective characters to life. There was enough deceit and drama to make every episode engaging.
Each artist contributed to not only the legacy of the original comic books written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Darick Robertson, but also the mega-hit TV series "The Boys". Speaking of which, there were some thrilling cameos in season 1 of "Gen V".
Another interesting twist in this show was the existence of a lab where they locked up unruly or uncontrollable young superheroes. It was located just under the university and was nicknamed The Woods. There was plenty of real-life subtext here, for anyone with eyes to see. Also, I noticed some "X-Men" vibes in this and other places.
Engineering a virus that could kill all superheroes was another simple but impactful element which made the story feel portentous. They only grazed this idea, though, and are probably saving the best bits for season 2 of "Gen V".
The idea of superpowers not being miraculous but a consequence of genetic capabilities triggered randomly over time by the drugs sold by Vought - and which parents bought in earnest - continued to fascinate. This idea made more sense when seen from the "Gen V" perspective.
As subversive as it was explicit, "Gen V" season 1 was entertaining, not to mention intriguing. There was a literal plot at the heart of this story and it involved corporate greed and youth exploitation. The subtext wasn't too hidden, making the whole season feel compelling and relevant.
They could've taken the party-culture vibe down a few notches and increased the dark side of the story; classic "Watchmen" style. The characters sometimes felt like glorified high-schoolers instead of super-powered university kids with a literal illegal supe-testing lab underneath their school.
Be that as it may, "Gen V" managed to check most boxes and cover important loose ends before the finale, which left plenty of room for exploring a second season. This show may have had "X-Men" overtones but simply wasn't dark enough, not even compared to "The Boys". So here's hoping they up the ante in season 2 "Gen V".
Though some scenes were a little contrived to help further the plot and improve pacing, I nonetheless liked what they did with this one.
In addition to covering the lives of some first-generation super-powered heroes and heroines, to capturing social corruption and corporate depravity, season 1 of "Gen V" lived up to its hype and didn't disappoint.
I wish they explored the origins of Compound V, which lent so many heroes, particularly those from the later-established Vought Industries, their power. But little to nothing was broached on that topic.
The plot in this "Boys" spin-off series saw a bunch of young girls and boys learning to control their powers and vying for the top-dog spot at Godolkin University in the hopes of becoming one of Vought's The Seven. As expected, the competition was ruthless and the scenes in this series conveyed as much.
Morality was tossed out the proverbial window and power was dragged into sharp focus. All the artists did great work bringing their respective characters to life. There was enough deceit and drama to make every episode engaging.
Each artist contributed to not only the legacy of the original comic books written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Darick Robertson, but also the mega-hit TV series "The Boys". Speaking of which, there were some thrilling cameos in season 1 of "Gen V".
Another interesting twist in this show was the existence of a lab where they locked up unruly or uncontrollable young superheroes. It was located just under the university and was nicknamed The Woods. There was plenty of real-life subtext here, for anyone with eyes to see. Also, I noticed some "X-Men" vibes in this and other places.
Engineering a virus that could kill all superheroes was another simple but impactful element which made the story feel portentous. They only grazed this idea, though, and are probably saving the best bits for season 2 of "Gen V".
The idea of superpowers not being miraculous but a consequence of genetic capabilities triggered randomly over time by the drugs sold by Vought - and which parents bought in earnest - continued to fascinate. This idea made more sense when seen from the "Gen V" perspective.
As subversive as it was explicit, "Gen V" season 1 was entertaining, not to mention intriguing. There was a literal plot at the heart of this story and it involved corporate greed and youth exploitation. The subtext wasn't too hidden, making the whole season feel compelling and relevant.
They could've taken the party-culture vibe down a few notches and increased the dark side of the story; classic "Watchmen" style. The characters sometimes felt like glorified high-schoolers instead of super-powered university kids with a literal illegal supe-testing lab underneath their school.
Be that as it may, "Gen V" managed to check most boxes and cover important loose ends before the finale, which left plenty of room for exploring a second season. This show may have had "X-Men" overtones but simply wasn't dark enough, not even compared to "The Boys". So here's hoping they up the ante in season 2 "Gen V".