Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Boys #46
Dynamite Comics
Ennis, Braun & Robertson
Part Three of the Believe arc deals primarily with one huge elephant that has been in the room for some time. This issue is about Butcher and his trust in Hughie. Now that they both know that the other knows that Hughie's girlfriend is a super hero they have to iron out the matter of trust. This issue approaches the subject, deals with it and concludes it in a believable and logical manner. This is a very good issue and really provides a payoff for one of the bigger subplots this series has had running for some time.
Hughie knows Butcher shouldn't trust him anymore. Why would he? Hughie knows that Butcher probably suspects he's a spy and Hughie knows that his actions have only supported the idea that he doesn't have the same cold-blooded attitude towards super heroes that Butcher has. None of this adds up well for Hughie.
However, Butcher doesn't throw Hughie straight to the wolves. Butcher studies Hughie in a much more broad sense. He concludes that it is not one hundred percent certain that Hughie is a spy and he spends some time with him alone to essentially test him.
As the comic progresses the two characters appear to be very open and honest about what the other is thinking and what the other is feeling about the situation. The issue doesn't kill off the subject but it does begin to nudge into a direction that still leaves the question open about what to do with Hughie's girlfriend. Surely, anything decided about Hughie's fate will be independent about the fate of his girlfriend but the fate of the girlfriend, that Hughie loves, will affect his psyche going forward. The weaving this story has been done over such a long stretch of time makes it a really great read.
There are plenty of other subplots in this comic, particularly regarding Queen Maeve. Maeve has an agenda and a piece of it is revealed here. While it's not clear what her endgame is, this comic definitely paints a picture where multiple characters could and probably are working with various interests in mind. It's the quiet ones you have to watch.
The artwork captures the tension between Butcher and Hughie perfectly. Hughie's honesty comes across as being very genuine and I think this is a credit to the art. It's never an easy task to handle a whole comic that is basically a couple of characters walking and talking. This issue displays a terrific range of emotions as the story unfolds.
The Boys is turning the corner with this arc. We will soon know whether or not Hughie can stay on the team and as a result we will know the fate of his girlfriend in the eyes of the team. The drama between Hughie and Butcher is almost over but there is a bigger one brewing with other events coming to light in this issue. This is a very good read.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
