The Bloody Doors Off

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Contents

The Bloody Doors Off
Date
  • May 2, 2012 (Part 1)
  • June 6, 2012 (Part 2)
  • July 4, 2012 (Part 3)
  • August 1, 2012 (Part 4)
  • September 5, 2012 (Part 5)
  • October 3, 2012 (Part 6)
  • November 14, 2012 (Part 7)
No. of issues7
Main characters
Publisher Dynamite Entertainment
Creative team
Writers Garth Ennis [1]
ArtistsRuss Braun (Parts 1–6)
Darick Robertson (Part 7) [2]
Richard P. Clark (Part 7) [3]
LetterersSimon Bowland
ColouristsTony Aviña [4]
Original publication
Published in The Boys
ISBN 978-1-7811-6476-1
Chronology
Preceded by Over the Hill with the Swords of a Thousand Men
Followed by Dear Becky (epilogue)

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 (illustrated by Darick Robertson and Richard P. Clark), was released November 14 (all 2012). [5]

Following the death of the Homelander and the true mastermind Black Noir in the previous volume, having struck a secret alliance with the still-alive Jonah Vogelbaum, Billy Butcher unleashes his true nature and sets out to exterminate all humans with Supe DNA from the face of the Earth, numbering at billions. After personally killing M.M., Frenchie, and the Female, only Wee Hughie is left in his way. On the production of a television adaptation of the series, it was followed by the epilogue series Dear Becky in 2020, [6] while in 2022, elements of the volume were adapted to the television episode "Glorious Five-Year Plan". [7]

The series has received a universally positive critical reception. [3] [8] [9]

Premise

Part One: I Cannot Let You Do This…!

With Black Noir dead and his wife avenged, a now-unrestricted Billy Butcher disbands the Boys before enacting his master-stroke "Glorious Five Year Plan", starting with killing Vas, while Annie leaves Hughie, and Vought-American begins a struggle for survival. [8]

Part Two: Splendiddio…

As Butcher silences the Legend forever by snapping his spine, M.M. learns that the reason his daughter had been avoiding him was that Butcher had slowly beaten his ex-wife (her mother) to death in front of her, supposedly on M.M.'s behalf, in response for her having the 12-year-old act in porn films with her. Shaken, M.M. elects to confront Butcher, while Hughie ends up in an unexpected showdown with Monkey. [10]

Part Three: Do You Know What I Hate?

After Hughie puts Monkey in his place, on being confronted by M.M., Butcher explains his plan to enact a genocide upon all Supes and Supe-adjacent humans, including M.M. and his daughter, and on recognising M.M. would not assist, Butcher beats M.M. to death. [11] [12] [13]

Part Four: Whose Woods These Are I Think I Know

On discovering M.M. dead, Hughie follows Butcher's trail to the corpse of Jonah Vogelbaum, confirming Butcher had lied to Mallory about killing him before and had with him developed the means of exterminating Supes from the face of the Earth, having provided the military with the anti-Supe missiles they had used against Homelander's coup. Realising he is found out, Butcher calls Hughie and taunts him over his chances, before blowing up the Boys' base, killing Frenchie and the Female. [14] [15] [16]

Part Five: The Name of the Game

On his own and out of options, Hughie resorts to extreme measures to ensure he will be able to face Butcher, visiting M.M.'s mutated Supe mother and acquiring the source of M.M.'s powers for himself. Meanwhile, the Guy From Vought, retreating behind the name "James Stillwell", arranges for Jess Bradley to take the fall for Vought-American's role in Homelander's coup. [17] [18]

Part Six: The Scores on the Doors

Above the streets of New York City, Hughie and Butcher prepare for their final battle, as Hughie attempts to prevent him from unleashing his signal to wipe out half the world's population to rid it of the genetic possibility for Supes. After Hughie manages to break Butcher's back, accepting defeat, Butcher manipulates Hughie into killing him by tricking into believing Butcher had killed Hughie's parents while enacting his genocide. [9] [19] [20] [21] [22]

Epilogue: You Found Me

Six months later, as the Brooklyn Bridge is rebuilt years after its destruction during 9/11, Hughie, having taken over Butcher's position within the CIA, blackmails the Guy From Vought into preventing the rebranded corporation from ever moving its field beyond that of Supe affairs, ultimately leading to him having a breakdown, lamenting the "bad product", before ruining Rayner's long-dreamed political career, before reuniting with Annie. [3] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27]

Reception

Issue #Publication dateCritic ratingCritic reviewsRef.
1May 20128.0/104 [28]
2June 20128.2/102 [29]
3July 20129.2/103 [30]
4August 20128.7/103 [31]
5September 20128.0/103 [32]
6October 20128.8/105 [33]
7November 20128.0/105 [34]
Overall8.4/1057 [35]

Collected editions

TitleMaterial collectedPublished dateISBN
The Boys: The Bloody Doors Off The Boys (vol. 12) #66–72November 28, 2012 [36] ISBN   1-60690-373-X
The Boys: Definitive Edition 6 The Boys #60–72 ( Over the Hill with the Swords of a Thousand Men and The Bloody Doors Off) [37] November 25, 2013 ISBN   1-60690-435-3

Follow-up

An eight-issue epilogue series, Dear Becky , was published from June to November 2020 as a tie-in with the Amazon Prime Video television adaptation of The Boys. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darick Robertson</span> American artist

Darick W. Robertson is an American artist best known for his work as a comic book illustrator on series he co-created, notably Transmetropolitan (1997–2002) and The Boys.

<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. Described as the living personification of how the world sees America, the character has received critical acclaim along with Starr's portrayal in the series. Homelander has also been compared to Superman and Captain America.

<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.

The Big Ride is a three-part graphic novel written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Russ Braun that was published by Dynamite Entertainment as the ninth volume of the American comic book series The Boys, consisting of the four-part story arcs Proper Preparation and Planning, released from November 3, 2010 to February 16, 2011, Barbary Coast, released from March 2 to June 1, 2011, and The Big Ride, released from July 6 to October 5, 2011, the latter from which the novel takes its title.

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.

Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker is a six-issue comic book limited series by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Originally published as a spin-off of The Boys, set between issues #59 and #60, following villain protagonist Billy Butcher as he attends his father's funeral before thinking back on his origin story, serving in the Royal Marines, fighting in the Falklands War, meeting and then losing his wife Becky Saunders, and joining the CIA and in-turn the Supe-focused black ops group The Boys following her death. Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker was collected in trade paperback in March 2012 as the tenth volume of The Boys, as The Boys: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker.

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

Rebecca Anne "Annie" Campbell, known by the superhero name 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.

The Guy From Vought, also known as the Vought Guy, is a fictional character in the comic book series The Boys and the resulting franchise, created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, an executive officer of the defense contractor/pharmaceutical company Vought-American Consolidated (V.A.C.), a company which publicly owns the Seven, several smaller superhero teams, and their related franchises, and privately is responsible for the creation and distribution of the superpower-inducing Compound V. The most prominent normal human antagonist in the series, whom Homelander often unsuccessfully seeks to impress/cause to fear him, the Guy From Vought is an apparent high-functioning sociopath and practical embodiment of VA, working only in the corporate interest, including orchestrating/ordering: the near-coup of the Russian government, the massacre of the G-Men teams, Payback's ambush of the Boys, and the takeover of the White House via idiotic puppet ruler U.S. Vice President Vic the Veep.

<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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

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.

Dear Becky is an eight-issue comic book limited series written by Garth Ennis and drawn by Russ Braun. Published as an extended epilogue to The Boys as a tie-in to the second season of its television adaptation, 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, 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.

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

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  2. ↑ Near Mint Condition (July 12, 2022). Darick Robertson Interview | The Boys | Wolverine | Batman | Punisher | Transmetropolitan. Near Mint Condition. Retrieved July 12, 2022– via YouTube.
  3. 1 2 3 Lindsay, Ryan K. (November 14, 2012). "The Boys #72". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved November 14, 2012. "The Boys" #72 from Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, with a little Richard P. Clark, brings the entire run to a close in a simple way with some deeper meaning.
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  37. ↑ Johnston, Rich (July 8, 2022). "The Boys Omnibus Selling Out – How Many Copies Are Left?". Bleeding Cool . Retrieved July 8, 2022.
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