Summary
Homelander ofThe Boysseems to have taken a page out of Donald Trump’s playbook in light of the besieged hero’s ongoing legal troubles, handing his loyal fans a truly golden opportunity to support him and his legal team via a rather bold fashion item.
Homelander has found himself in quite a bit of trouble following the end ofThe Boysseason 3, which ended with the hero using lethal force on a hostile agitator. Since then, he’s been embroidered in the lead-up to his day in court (with some surprisingupdates on Homerlander’s legal issuescoming to fans from Vought’s socials), and the show’s promotional team has made a point of subtly mirroring the real legal woes of former President Trump, who has been involved in a plethora of court cases since stepping down. Most recently, Trump unveiled a special edition sneaker as an avenue for his voter base to show their support.
After giving fans a peek atHomelander’sThe Boysseason 4 exploits inGen V,the team behind the show would use social media once more to parody Trump’s sneakers. Checking out theVought Internationalpage on X, fans will see an announcement for Homelander High-Tops, with a picture of the dazzling and ultra-patriotic footwear in all its glory. The caption reads, “Today, Vought is proud to announce the Homelander High-Tops! Based on our greatest hero’s boots, these shoes will make you feel like you’re able to fly. Available at a Super deal of $777, with all proceeds going to his legal defense fund. Get yours before his sham of a trial on June 13!”
A cursory glance at the Homelander high-tops and Trump’s Never Surrender High-Tops clarifies that the Vought product is an inversion of the real thing, albeit priced higher at $777. The Trump sneakers, which cost a more conservative $399 at launch, have sold out of all 1000 units despite a strict per-customer limit. This is unsurprising, as Trump has been popular for decades and was evenrecently referenced inGenshin Impact’s v4.1 update.This fame has made him a constant target of satire, andThe Boysmight be the most prominent example in recent times.
Throughout the show’s run, there has been a lot of comparison of the former president to Vought’s number-one hero, withThe Boys' showrunner baffled at Trump supporters idolizing Homelanderdue to the comparisons. However, this is a 1:1 by the show’s marketing team, and it is harmless. While a few feathers were ruffled, most of the show’s fans are in on the joke and likely expect more of the same going forward. This is just the latest in a long series of similar spoof announcements, news reports, and more from the Vought accounts to promoteThe Boysseason 4. The marketing campaign has succeeded, as fans are primed and ready for the next season.
More so than just putting out a good story, there’s even hope thatThe Boysseason 4 could be the perfect antidote for superhero fatigue. LikeInvincible, the show has been an evergreen draw for fans even as Marvel and DC Studios fight an increasingly uphill battle with dwindling interest and even some hostility from former die-hard fans and general moviegoers. While it’s sure to be a hit, it remains to be seen whetherThe Boysseason 4 will positively impact the rest of the genre.
The Boysseason 4 is scheduled to premiere for streaming on Prime Video starting on June 13th, 2024.
The Boys
A group of vigilantes set out to take down corrupt superheroes who abuse their superpowers.
