Dear Becky

Last updated
Dear Becky
Publication information
Publisher Dynamite Entertainment
Format Limited series
Genre
Publication dateJune – December 2020
No. of issues8
Creative team
Written by Garth Ennis [1] [2]
Artist(s)Russ Braun [3] [4]
Darick Robertson (cover art) [5]
Penciller(s) Russ Braun
Inker(s) Russ Braun
Letterer(s) Simon Bowland
Colorist(s) Tony Aviña
Collected editions
Dear Becky ISBN   978-1-5241-1990-4

Dear Becky is an eight-issue comic book limited series written by Garth Ennis and drawn by Russ Braun. [6] Published as an extended epilogue to The Boys as a tie-in to the second season of its television adaptation, [7] set twelve years following The Bloody Doors Off , and divided into the chapters Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and January, the series follows Wee Hughie as he builds up to finally marrying Annie January in his hometown of Auchterladle, Scotland (from Highland Laddie ), as he is mailed the diary of Billy Butcher, addressed to Becky and detailing Butcher's mindset over the years before he murdered the rest of the Boys and forced Hughie to kill him, Hughie reading through it while investigating who sent it to him. Published in 2020, Dear Becky was collected in trade paperback in February 2021 as The Boys: Dear Becky.

Contents

The series received a generally positive critical reception.

Characters

Reception

Issue #Publication dateCritic ratingCritic reviewsRef.
1June 20207.3/1011 [9]
2July 20207.4/106 [10]
3July 20206.5/101 [11]
4August 20205.9/102 [12]
5September 20205.1/102 [13]
6November 20207.0/101 [14]
7December 20206.3/101 [15]
86.8/102 [16]
Overall7.3/1026 [17]

Collected editions

TitleMaterial collectedPublished dateISBN
The Boys: Dear Becky Dear Becky #1–8February 23, 2021 [18] ISBN   1-52412-204-1

Related Research Articles

<i>The Boys</i> (comics) American superhero comic book series

The Boys is an adult superhero comic book series, written by Garth Ennis and co-created, designed, and illustrated by Darick Robertson. The first volume was published by WildStorm, which canceled it after six issues; the series was picked up by Dynamite Entertainment, which published the following eight volumes: Get Some, Good for the Soul, We Gotta Go Now, The Self-Preservation Society, The Innocents, The Big Ride, Over the Hill with the Swords of a Thousand Men, and The Bloody Doors Off. Debuting in October 2006, the series concluded in November 2012 after 72 issues were published. In the fourth volume, the series is revealed to be set in the same fictional universe as Ennis' previous 1995–2000 DC Vertigo series, Preacher, with former vampire Proinsias Cassidy cameoing as a bartender. Three 6-issue spin-off limited series were also produced during the series' original run: Herogasm, Highland Laddie, and Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker, with an 8-issue epilogue series, Dear Becky, published from June–December 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homelander</span> Fictional comic book character

The Homelander is a fictional character and one of the main antagonists in the comic book series The Boys and the media franchise of the same name, created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. He is depicted as a psychopathic and sadistic narcissist who serves as the extremely powerful leader of The Seven—a group of corrupt and hedonistic superheroes grown and funded by Vought-American—and the archenemy of Billy Butcher. Beneath his public image as a noble and altruistic hero, the Homelander cares little about the well-being of those he professes to protect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Butcher</span> Fictional comic book character

William J. "Billy" Butcher is a fictional character and antihero appearing in the comic book series The Boys, created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. He is the leader of The Boys, a group of CIA-sponsored black ops agents who observe, record and sometimes eliminate superheroes artificially created by the mega-conglomerate Vought. He is the Homelander's archenemy, whom he blames for the rape and death of his wife Becky, while also developing an intense hatred for all superhuman beings. Butcher also appears as one of the main protagonists in the Amazon Prime Video television adaptation of The Boys.

Over the Hill with the Swords of a Thousand Men is a graphic novel written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Russ Braun that was released in six parts throughout 2011 and 2012 by Dynamite Entertainment as the penultimate volume of the American comic book series The Boys. Part 1, The House of Cards Comes Tumbling Down, was released November 2, 2011, Part 2, Interruptus, was released December 7, 2011, Part 3, Assassination Run, was released January 4, 2012, Part 4, A Lady of a Certain Age, was released February 1, 2012, Part 5, One, Two, Three, Four, United States Marine Corps, was released March 7, 2012, and Part 6, My Name––Is Michael Caine, was released April 4, 2012.

We Gotta Go Now is a graphic novel written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Darick Robertson and John Higgins that was released in eight parts throughout 2008 and 2009 by Dynamite Entertainment as the fourth volume of the American comic book series The Boys. Part 1, Silver Kincaid Killed Herself Yesterday Morning, was released October 1, 2008, Part 2, Why Pinto? Errf Why Not?, was released October 29, 2008, Part 3, It's Not Gonna Be An Orgy…!, was released December 3, 2008, Part 4, Do You Mind If We Dance With Your Dates?, was released January 7, 2009, Part 5, See If You Can Guess…What I Am Now., was released February 4, 2009, Part 6, Leaving! What A Good Idea!, was released March 4, 2009, Part 7, I'll Say You're Too Well To Attend…, was released April 1, 2009, and Part 8, Rodeo Fuck, was released May 6, 2009.

The Bloody Doors Off is a graphic novel written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Russ Braun that was released in seven parts throughout 2012 by Dynamite Entertainment as the final volume of the American comic book series The Boys. Part 1, I Cannot Let You Do This…!, was released May 2, Part 2, Splendiddio…, was released June 6, Part 3, Do You Know What I Hate?, was released July 4, Part 4, Whose Woods These Are I Think I Know, was released August 1, Part 5, The Name of the Game, was released September 5, Part 6, The Scores on the Doors, was released October 3, and Part 7, You Found Me, was released November 14.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annie January</span> Fictional comic book character

Rebecca Anne "Annie" Campbell or Starlight is a fictional superheroine in the comic book series The Boys, created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. As Starlight, she is a member of the Seven, a group of superheroes funded by Vought-American, and the love interest of Hughie Campbell. Annie is a former member of the Young Americans group with the ability of flight and light manipulation. Throughout the series, she is portrayed as one of the only members of the Seven with selfless, benevolent motivations, but becomes disillusioned when she sees the dark secrets of Vought and the other members of the Seven. Eventually, the death and destruction she witnesses pushes her to quit her job at Vought and join the Boys alongside Hughie, where they both serve as the moral center of the group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hughie Campbell</span> Fictional comic book character

Hugh "Wee Hughie" Campbell is a fictional character and the protagonist of the comic book series The Boys and its spin-offs Herogasm and Highland Laddie, created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson and visually designed after Simon Pegg. He is a member of The Boys, a group of vigilantes led by Billy Butcher. After the accidental death of his girlfriend Robin at the hands of the so-called superhero A-Train, he joins the Boys to get vengeance on superheroes, who are artificially created by the mega-conglomerate Vought-American. Hughie appears in the Amazon Prime Video television adaptation of the series as one of the main protagonists, where he serves as the moral compass and voice of reason of the Boys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mother's Milk (character)</span> Fictional comic book character from The Boys

Mother's Milk, or simply M.M., is a fictional character and antihero appearing in the comic book series The Boys, created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Born Baron Wallis, he is a member of The Boys, a group of CIA-sponsored black ops agents led by Billy Butcher who observe, record, and sometimes liquidate "Supes" artificially created by the mega-conglomerate Vought.

<i>The Boys</i> (franchise) American media franchise based on the exploits of Supes and their opposition

The Boys is an American media franchise, consisting of action-drama/satirical black comedy superhero television series which follow the residents of a world where superpowered individuals called Supes are recognized as heroes by the general public and work for a powerful corporation known as Vought International, which markets, monetizes, and (secretly) creates them, with most being selfish and corrupt outside of their heroic personas. Based on the comic book series of the same name by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, originally published by DC Comics under its Wildstorm imprint before moving to Dynamite Entertainment, the television franchise debut has garnered success both financially and critically.

"The Name of the Game" is the first episode of the first season and series premiere of the American superhero television series The Boys, based on the comic book series of the same name by Garth Ennis. It is set in a universe where superpowered individuals, known as Supes, are portrayed as corrupt individuals instead of the heroes the general public believes they are. The episode was written by the series showrunner Eric Kripke and directed by Dan Trachtenberg.

"Cherry" is the second episode of the first season of the American superhero television series The Boys, based on the comic book series of the same name by Garth Ennis. It is set in a universe where superpowered individuals, known as Supes, are portrayed as corrupt individuals instead of the heroes the general public believes they are. The episode was written by the series showrunner Eric Kripke and directed by Matt Shakman.

"Good for the Soul" is the fifth episode of the first season of the American superhero television series The Boys, based on the comic book series of the same name by Garth Ennis. It is set in a universe where superpowered individuals, known as Supes, are portrayed as corrupt individuals instead of the heroes the general public believes they are. The episode was written by Anne Cofell Saunders and directed by Stefan Schwartz.

"The Innocents" is the sixth episode of the first season of the American superhero television series The Boys, based on the comic book series of the same name by Garth Ennis, and named after its seventh volume. It is set in a universe where superpowered individuals, known as Supes, are portrayed as corrupt individuals instead of the heroes the general public believes they are. The episode was written by Rebecca Sonnenshine and directed by Jennifer Phang.

The Self-Preservation Society is the seventh episode of the first season of the American superhero television series The Boys, based on the comic book series of the same name by Garth Ennis. It is set in a universe where superpowered individuals, known as Supes, are portrayed as corrupt individuals instead of the heroes the general public believes they are. The episode was written by Craig Rosenberg and Ellie Monahan, and directed by Dan Attias.

"You Found Me" is the eighth episode and season finale of the first season of the American superhero television series The Boys, based on the comic book series of the same name by Garth Ennis. It is set in a universe where superpowered individuals, known as Supes, are portrayed as corrupt individuals instead of the heroes the general public believes they are. The episode was written by Anne Cofell Saunders and Rebecca Sonnenshine, and directed by the series showrunner Eric Kripke.

"The Big Ride" is the first episode of the second season and ninth episode overall of the American superhero television series The Boys, based on the comic book series of the same name by Garth Ennis. It is set in a universe where superpowered individuals, known as Supes, are portrayed as corrupt individuals instead of the heroes the general public believes they are. The episode was written by the series showrunner Eric Kripke and directed by Phil Sgriccia.

Highland Laddie is a six-issue comic book limited series by Garth Ennis and John McCrea. Originally published as a spin-off of The Boys, set between issues #47 and #48, it follows the story of "Wee Hughie" Campbell as in the aftermath of learning his ex-girlfriend Annie to be a Supe, he takes a sabbatical from the Boys and returns home to Auchterladle, the Scottish seaside town where he grew up, where he reunites with his mystery-solving childhood friends, Bobby and Det. Highland Laddie was collected in trade paperback in April 2011 as the eighth volume of The Boys, as The Boys: Highland Laddie. Storylines from the series would be continued in the 2020 The Boys epilogue series Dear Becky.

The Name of the Game is a two-part graphic novel written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Darick Robertson that was released in 2006 by WildStorm and DC Comics as the first volume of the American comic book series The Boys. It consists of the two-part The Name of the Game, of which Part 1, This Is Going To Hurt, was released August 16, 2006, and Part 2, The Frenchman, the Female and the Man Called Mother's Milk, was released August 30, 2006, and the four-part Cherry, of which Part 1, The Seven, was released October 4, 2006, Part 2, Teenage Kix Right Through the Night, was released October 25, 2006, Part 3, Life Among the Septics, was released November 22, 2006, and Part 4, And I Always Wanted A Little Brother, was released December 27, 2006.

References

  1. McMillan, Graeme (January 23, 2020). "'The Boys' Co-creator Garth Ennis Returning for New Comic in April". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  2. Destito, Deanna (February 19, 2020). "Interview: Garth Ennis discusses his return to The Boys with Dear Becky". Comics Beat . Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  3. Downey, Mason (January 23, 2020). "The Boys Is Getting A Sequel With Dear Becky". GameSpot . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  4. Pulliam-Moore, Charles (January 23, 2020). "Garth Ennis Is Penning The Boys' Prequel Comic". Gizmodo . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  5. Weiss, Josh (December 24, 2020). "Diabolical! The Boys Board Game Unveils 'Dear Becky' Variant, Adds Terror and Lamplighter Figures". Syfy Wire . Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  6. Arvedon, Jon (January 23, 2020). "Dear Becky – Garth Ennis to Pen Sequel Series for Dynamite". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  7. Gustines, George Gene (January 23, 2020). "The Boys Return to Their Comic Book Roots". The New York Times . Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  8. Newsarama Staff (June 29, 2020). "Hughie gets the pitch from Reverend Dandy in Dear Becky #2 preview". GamesRadar+ . Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  9. "Dear Becky #1 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  10. "Dear Becky #2 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. July 1, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  11. "Dear Becky #3 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. July 29, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  12. "Dear Becky #4 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. August 26, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  13. "Dear Becky #5 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. September 30, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  14. "Dear Becky #6 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  15. "Dear Becky #7 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. December 2, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  16. "Dear Becky #8 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  17. "Dear Becky Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  18. Ennis, Garth; Braun, Russ (February 23, 2021). "The Boys Volume 13: Dear Becky". Previews World . Retrieved March 3, 2021.