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The Boys Vol. 1: The Name of the Game Paperback – Illustrated, April 21, 2008

by Garth Ennis (Author), Darick Robertson (Illustrator)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,325 ratings
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This is going to hurt! In a world where costumed heroes soar through the sky and masked vigilantes prowl the night, someone's got to make sure the "supes" don't get out of line. And someone will! Billy Butcher, Wee Hughie, Mother's Milk, The Frenchman, and The Female are The Boys: A CIA-backed team of very dangerous people, each one dedicated to the struggle against the most dangerous force on Earth - superpower! Some superheroes have to be watched. Some have to be controlled. And some of them - sometimes - need to be taken out of the picture. That's when you call in The Boys! The Boys Vol. 1: The Name of the Game collects the first six issues of the hit series The Boys by Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Punisher) and drawn by Darick Robertson (Transmetropolitan, Wolverine)!
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Previous page
  1. Part of Series
    The Boys
  2. Print length
    152 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Dynamite Entertainment
  5. Publication date
    April 21, 2008
  6. Reading age
    16 years and up
  7. Dimensions
    6.4 x 0.3 x 10 inches
  8. ISBN-10
    1933305738
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1933305738
  10. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dynamite Entertainment; Illustrated edition (April 21, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 152 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1933305738
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1933305738
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 16 years and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.4 x 0.3 x 10 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,325 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Garth Ennis

    Garth Ennis

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    Garth Ennis is the award-winning writer of Hellblazer, Hitman, Punisher, Preacher, Pride and Joy and War Stories. He is much in demand for his hard-edged, wickedly humorous style.

    Photo by pinguino k from North Hollywood, USA (william and garth ennis) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Darick Robertson

    Darick Robertson

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Darick Robertson is an American comic book artist, writer and creator with a decades long career in the industry. His notable works include co-creating the award winning “Transmetropolitan”, “The Boys” and “Happy!” He has illustrated for both Marvel and DC Comics on characters including Batman, The Justice League, Wolverine, The Punisher and Spider-man.

    www.DarickRobertson.com

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
2,325 global ratings
Book was used
3 Stars
Book was used
Only keeping because I can’t find anymore but this book is obviously used. I’m not exactly sure what the writing is in here either? Disappointed that I paid full priced for a pre owned book.
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Top reviews from the United States

John R
5.0 out of 5 stars The A-Team meets The Avengers
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2019
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The Boys, Vol. 1 is a good primer to the world that Garth Ennis has created in his multi-volume comic that features a group superhero-watchers whose job it is to keep an eye on the thousands of 'supes' that fly, vanish, run fast, burrow, or do any other of a number of seemingly miraculous feats of skill and strength as they gambol about the planet in their own respective attempts to live up to the moniker of being a 'super'. Unfortunately, not all of them are good at the job. Or even good people to begin with, instead choosing to use their amazing 'super ' gifts in less than super ways. Add in the somewhat decent minded 'supe' who simply doesn't care about the innocent victims of his or her actions, the men and women injured or killed by those shoes doing their thing .. Or the nearly incalculable amount of physical damage done to homes and businesses.

So, when 'supes' get carried , and need to be reined-in a bit, seldom by way of a calm word or conversation, but more likely a physical confrontation, that's when it's time to call "The Boys".

Definitely involves adult themes and language, but does not have gratuitous nudity .. Were it a film it would get a strong PG-13/R rating, but more for the language than anything else. But it remains within the proper context of the story .. Ennis doesn't just throw in curse words for lack of dialogue, like I'm sure we've all seen in other material. I

All told, a great introduction to a superb modern, gritty romp.
19 people found this helpful
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Preacher405
5.0 out of 5 stars The boys
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2023
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Arrived fast and as described
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James DeSantis
4.0 out of 5 stars Bad Boys Kicking Good Boy Ass
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2010
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Ever wonder who keeps the superheroes in check? In a real world situation most superheroes with super powers would do anything they want. In a imperfect world the superheroes control everything "The Boys" are here to keep them from doing so.

Story starts off with the main character, Wee Hughie, watching his girlfriend get killed in a fight between a superhero and a supervillian. The superhero just walks away even after Hughie tries to stop him, question him on why he had killed his girlfriend. Hughie feels like his whole world is going black and there's little to live for. That's until Butcher, the leader of the "The Boys", meets Hughie and opens him up to a whole new world. Butcher has a group of mercenaries but before he can get the whole group of Boys back together he needs a fifth member. This introduces Hughie into the game of taking down superheroes and reminding them of their limits.

Right off the bat I want to make it clear people understand this comic contains gore, cursing, and LOTS of sex. Most of the superheroes do whatever they want. This leads to them basically banging almost anything that walks, male or female. They run the world, so why would they just save it when they can basically own it?

The story starts off slow and builds up how these boys will take down the superheroes of their world. The Seven are the main superhero team but there are plenty of smaller superhero teams. The Boys target a small time group and begin to do their work. It's not a simple find the superheroes and beat some sense into them. They plant camera, get footage and voice recordings, and embarrass them on national television. Such as superheroes being gay, takings drugs, and doing prostitutes. This angers the small team and brings them to face off against our Boys.

The art is top notch and defiantly it's own style. Mature, bloody, and easy to follow. The superheroes look like stereotypical superheroes like superman and such and The Boys look like badass Neo lookalikes. I'd say for the most part The Boys are far more interesting design though that's because they look modern, where's the superheroes look like they are from the seventies and eights. The fight scenes are also easy to follow and usually very well drawn.

My only negative thing about the series is the excessive amount of dialog. I believe in building a story but, this sometimes go overboard with dialog that's not needed. You also sometimes have to double take sentences seeing as the main characters are from Europe with a accent.

Overall the first volume defiantly leaves you wanting more with it's cliffhanger ending. It's dark take on superheroes running the world is interesting to say the least. I hope the following volumes continue to prove dark and grimy world but with a little less unneeded dialog.

Story - 8 - Interesting take though the dialog could be a little to much at times. However if you want to see superheroes shown in a new light this will defiantly do it.

Art - 8 - Some weak superheroes design but The Boys are all well done and the fights are easy and fun to follow.

Enjoyment - 8 - While I wasn't loving every moment the ending was worth it. It's a type of story that builds up as it goes on and this one pays off in the end, big time.

Final Score - 8 - Overall a new take on superheroes is always nice and a great addition to the run of the mill superhero stories we get. Hoping the series remains as interesting as the first volume.

Reviewed: Issues 1-6. The Boys: Graphic Novel Volume 1.
7 people found this helpful
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KMO
5.0 out of 5 stars A captivating read from beginning to end
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2023
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I’ve been a fan of the show for years,and I finally got around to reading the source material. The writing and illustration are amazing,and I can’t wait to read the rest!
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Carl
5.0 out of 5 stars Superheroes suck!!!
Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2016
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I actually hate myself for loving Garth Ennis and his works. While acknowledging that he's a good writer, I must say he has a strange sort of disdain for the very format he specializes in. From Preacher (complex story about a Preacher's search for God so he can kick his ass) to Crossed (basically The Walking Dead with rape-ier zombies) to The Boys (hyperviolent special ops group who keeps incompetent superheroes in check by breaking their faces), the man just knows how to weave a story heavy on satire and light on the standard whimsy expected from comic books. The Boys is not different. Basically, in a world where superheroes exist (and also happen to be about 99% a-holes) a special ops group is formed to keep them in check through blackmail, intimidation and brutal beatings that would make Kick-Ass fans wince. Sprinkled into this hyper-violence is a sense of humor that sticks more often than not and enough compelling characters to carry it for me so far as I've managed to read so far (four volumes in and the series is still at least compelling). My recommendation: watch G-Force to kill the part of your soul that can be offended by anything and check this series out.
3 people found this helpful
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DogBoy999
5.0 out of 5 stars THE reason for MY order card at the local comix purveyor...
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2009
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Not for the tame of taste or the weak of heart and NOT for the younger kids; this tale gives you an infinitely focused and demonstrably realistic examination of the potential for an alternate future with SuperHumanism as a regular occurring item and no small threat to the daily conduct of larger parts of humanity, especially any poor unfortunate humane that suffers direct contact with the "Supes"

When superheros misbehave, as they all pretty much seem bent on doing, then you would be VERY grateful for Butcher, Wee Hughie, Mother's Milk, the Female and Frenchman on your side.

If you have found Transmetropolitan to be entertaining to the eyeball and took any pleasure in the sour sweet tales of The Preacher and the beautiful depth of characterizations found in both then hopefully The Boys will slap you in the right places....

My understanding = this tale is promised for about six "volumes" so here's hoping it doesn't fizzle away like Desolation Jones - I'm going to find a Comix House and get MY subscript underway ASAP

I wish you Peaxe and excellent reading,
Rev. D.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Lupusolus
5.0 out of 5 stars Hyper violence done with stylistic flair....or something like that.
Reviewed in Canada on February 17, 2021
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Liked the artwork and the story is pretty cool. The sexuality and violence are pretty over the top but it's palatable if your sensibilities aren't too delicate.
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Aniiket S Sengar
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read - fun even after watching the show
Reviewed in India on July 18, 2022
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Was delivered in great condition, and the book itself is a delight to read. I especially love all the editions of Hellblazer that Garth Ennis has written and I can see some of Constantine's insidiousness and indifference in Billy Butcher's character as well.
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Davetheliontamer
5.0 out of 5 stars So much more than just a violent adults comic.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 26, 2022
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I loved the TV show so wanted to check out the comics (graphic novels) as well, and they are so much better than the TV show.
Very violent with lots of swearing including repeated use of the C Word (apparently its a British privilege to use) so be warned, but it is also hilarious, poignant, heart breakingly sad and heart warming. Contoversial and on the pulse of pop culture, it covers gays, lesbians, rape, rascism, hatred, corruption, drug and alcohol abuse and every human emotion we show or hide.
No other artist I have ever seen can capture every human emotion on paper so perfectly as Darrick, it is simply amazing how a slightly blurry background character with an indistinct face can yet express surprise, shoch, humour or terror with such clarity let alone what he achieves with the main characters.
This series of comics makes me laugh like few other things, (Butchers first sight of Hughie after his 1st night with Annie), the violence is genuinely disturbing, (Butchers revenge on Jack) and brings a tear to my eye, (Hughies reaction to 'that video') It also makes me feel quite uncomfortable, (why M.M is caled M.M)
The show has dropped a colossal clanger by not following certain parts of this comic onscreen in my opinion, (the shattering relationship between Homelander and Black Noir) and have lost such an important part in not having The Boys also taking compound V, the difference in dynamic between how The Boys react to The Supes on paper and on TV are poles apart and I will never understand why the TV executives made some of their decisions or even to a certain extent why Garth Enniss went along with the TV show when his story has been castrated, massacred and had its face torn off and put in a pizza box!
The full set of comics in any format, either individually or in omnibus form is not cheap but worth every penny to me.
Its a story you can read a thousand times and the art is always uplifting.
On a personal note, my single favourite individual frame in the entire series is that of Frenchie's 'Bonjour' at the window of the Russians car.
Perfection!
Everyone on Earth has heard of The Boys but if you have only seen it on TV you are missing out on so much.
Buy the comics.
6 people found this helpful
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Horacio Javier Araiza Solano
5.0 out of 5 stars Mejor de lo que imaginé
Reviewed in Mexico on October 29, 2020
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Ya era fan de Preacher y su adaptación televisiva. Ahora con The Boys, fue a la inversa. Me encantó en tv y luego en cómic.
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Aurelio Soares
5.0 out of 5 stars Mais uma forma de consumir um bom produto
Reviewed in Brazil on October 16, 2020
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O quadrinho tem nuances mais cruas que a série e ler a história com outra pegada acrescentou mais valor à adaptação. E essa versão é sem dúvida o melhor custo/benefício entre as disponíveis no Brasil.
4 people found this helpful
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