The Boys marked the beginning of the end for Marvel, and its their fault

The Boys takes place in a world where the public views superpowered individuals as heroes. A strong corporation, Vought International, owns these heroes and markets them aggressively for profit. Most of these heroes act arrogantly and corruptly behind the scenes. The show centers on two key groups: the Boys and the Seven. The Boys, led by Billy Butcher, aim to control corrupt heroes. The Seven, Vought's top superhero team, follow their unstable leader, Homelander.

It’s a foregone conclusion that Marvel revolutionized Hollywood's superhero genre. Before 2008's Iron Man, hit superhero movies were rare. Furthermore, DC added some grit to Marvel's polished look.

Yet, The Boys goes further. It reveals the dark side of superheroes in today's world. The Prime Video show contrasts sharply with Marvel and DC. Over three seasons, it unveils a brutal world run by flawed heroes and a greedy corporation, Vought International.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are purely subjective.

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How did The Boys get an edge over the Marvel universe?

The Boys (Image via IMDb)

Since its 2019 launch, the show has kept viewers hooked. Executive producer Eric Kripke has tweaked the source material, but the show maintains its satirical edge. It even mocks other comics and movie universes.

The series brings a level of narrative complexity that Marvel has yet to match. The show dives deep into moral ambiguity, challenging the black-and-white moral landscape that Marvel often presents. Moreover, it adds a layer of realism by exploring the darker implications of a world with superpowers.

This approach not only binds the audience but also sets new parameters for storytelling in the superhero genre.

It also excels in creating multi-dimensional characters. For instance, the character of Homelander - this character isn’t just a villain, he's a complex character with motivations, fears, and flaws. Contrastingly, Marvel often diminishes its villains to mere plot devices, thus devoiding them of the depth and complexity they deserve. This disparity in character development gives it an edge as its characters are portrayed as more relatable and human.

Additionally, the series serves as a biting satire of not just the superhero genre but also the societal structures that enable it. It tackles current social and political issues head-on, making it culturally relevant. Marvel, however, often sidesteps such commentary, opting for a safer, more neutral narrative. This avoidance has cost Marvel its relevance.

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Other factors that deviated the audience

The Boys (Image via IMDb)

Marvel's post-Endgame strategy has also hit a creative wall. While focusing on younger viewers, the studio avoids taking chances. In contrast, the latter has grown alongside its audience, delivering intricate stories and mature themes. This split underscores Marvel's self-made pitfalls and its inability to adapt.

Additionally, Marvel's once-stunning visual effects are starting to fade. Despite a likely smaller budget, the Prime Video show captivates audiences through intelligent storytelling and rich character arcs. It shows that a compelling tale doesn't require a massive budget.

In retrospect, The Boys has not just rivaled Marvel, but has also laid bare its weak spots.

Marvel's reluctance to innovate, take bold steps, and tackle contemporary issues has paved the way for audiences to turn their attention elsewhere. Its decline isn't solely due to external competition - it is a result of their own failure to change. It can be argued that the studio is facing its twilight and has no one else to fault but itself.