The Boys: Diabolical

This animated spin off from 'The Boys' features eight ten minute episodes, each of which tells a complete little story. The stories vary in style and tone but it is safe to say none are suitable for younger viewers thanks to the level of extremely gory violence and robust language. It is set in the same universe as 'The Boys' so it is likely to appeal most to people who have seen and enjoyed that... while many things can be enjoyed by new viewers it wastes no time re-introducing familiar characters.

Overall I really enjoyed this series, although it must be stated that some episodes were better than others. It started well with an episode featuring a scientist trying to save a baby that shoots lasers out of its eyes and ends on a real high with a story about Homelander's first mission. For me the weak point was the fifth episode; when 'South Park' had a talking poo twenty years ago it was childishly amusing but here it was just weak... at least it was only one episode and things improved again later. The animation is solid and the voice cast, which includes an impressive array of well-known actors does a fine job. As stated before it is pretty violent with lots of characters meeting a grisly end... if you've seen anime like 'Elfen Lied' you'll be familiar with such matter. This certainly won't be for everybody but if you enjoyed 'The Boys' then I'd certainly recommend this; if you don't enjoy it you won't be wasting too much time.

The core strength of an anthology show is that it can deliver a different flavour each episode. However, they usually come from the same complimentary palette.

Here though, the tastes are all over the place, with some being literal faecal, and not every viewer is going to enjoy every episode.

There are only two episodes here which are really closely associated with The Boys: "I'm Your Pusher", and "One Plus One Equals Two". Both of those are presented in straight Westernised-anime style, and stay strictly on tone and message for the comics and live action. They anchor the series, and the latter episodes closes it out strongly and gets it back on brand.

The rest of the episodes are linked only by Vought, and are wildly different in art styles, score, tone, pacing, and intent.

We start with "Laser Baby's Day Out" which takes the Incredibles short "Jack-Jack Attack" to its extreme, juxtaposing a cute baby, classic Warner Brothers animation and orchestral score, sans dialogue, with extreme cartoonish bloody violence. It's as simple as it sounds, competently done, and can be enjoyed for exactly what it is.

"An Animated Short Where Pissed-Off Supes Kill Their Parents" is absolute truth in advertising, and is a strongly Rick and Morty toned episode - quite literally, given that it was written and (bit part) voiced by Justin Roiland. It will appeal to Rick and Morty fans, or it won't appeal at all.

"I'm Your Pusher" is a straight comic adaptation by its author, Garth Ennis, and will appeal to people who just want to see an animated version of the original source, or the live action. A basic story, no surprises, and decently voiced, although Jason Isaacs can't replicate the gloriously Shatnerian hot mess that Karl Urban brought to the live action.

"Boyd in 3D" is the strongest concept and most tightly written episode. The art style is Walt Disney, 1960s to 1980s, and the theme is the self destructive nature of social media, borrowing themes from Black Mirror episodes like "Nosedive" and "Fifteen Million Merits". It crams an astonishing amount of effective story arc into its short runtime, and the inevitable twist ending is likely to provoke a genuine emotional response. Whether you love it or hate it - and I hated it, having invested in the characters - you won't be able to ignore it. That's high praise for an animated short.

"BFF" is the literal stinking turd of the series, incompetently written and voiced by two people whose garbage inner natures are inadvertently mirrored in its premise. It's poorly conceived, infantilely implemented, and should have been flushed rather than aired.

"Nubian vs Nubian" is conflicting. It's basic and under-written, although there are a few genuinely funny lines. It falls short of real Blaxploitation, and thankfully there are no hateful identity politics. However, it abuses a young child actress to deliver some vile lines which will have destroyed what's left of her innocence. This is not OK, and it doesn't become so just because everybody in a degenerate industry does it.

"John and Sun-Hee" is the Akira-meets-Studio-Ghibli episode, and stylistically it's right on point with the artwork, animation style and premise. However, it's a wafer thin premise, sparsely written, and merely competently voices. Unlike "Boyd in 3D" there's no emotional involvement with the characters. We're supposed to feel something for them, but its far too trite, false and forced for that to work. Swing and a miss.

But "One Plus One Equals Two" closes the season out strongly, with some basic backstory and strong voice performances, particularly from the amazingly versatile Elisabeth Shue who credibly plays a much younger character, something that Aisha Tyler notably failed to do in "Nubian vs Nubian". Even the closing score is clever, introducing tonal disjoints to represent Homelander's instability, and getting us back on track for the next live action season.

Given the vastly disparate nature of the episodes, most viewers are going to find something to love, and something to hate among them. Perhaps that was the goal? It's certainly likely to be the effect.

With only eight episodes and under 2 hours of runtime, it won't take you long to binge your way through and find out for yourself. Overall, I'd say it's worth your time, although if you skip over "BFF" you aren't going to miss anything.

It's nowhere near the quality of either Boys or Invincible. Some episodes are entertaining but gore seems to be only thing it is going for. There is no plot, every episode is another story and... Just give us The Boys. Or another Vought newsletter. That was really unnecessary.

At first, I was skeptical and hesitated watching this show, due to all the bad reviews of many users on IMDB.

I'm glad I eventually trusted my gut, as I enjoyed every part of it.

The show consists of 8 episodes (10-15 min each) with different styles of animation (from Adult Swim style to anime style), that serve as an alternative take on the twisted universe of The Boys.

The thing is, it mostly focuses on random storylines that revolve around Vought, rather than the main characters and plot and it is usually executed in a silly, cartoonish way. So, if you want to enjoy it, don't expect to feel the tension of the original show. In general, DON'T EXPECT MUCH and DON'T TAKE IT TOO SERIOUSLY.

Watch it as an easy-going adult spin-off cartoon with silly humor and gory moments and you' re gonna have a great time.

I think the people who found this show bad perhaps had the wrong expectations. This show isn't canon, it's just an excuse for various animation studios and directors to make their own spin based on the rules of The Boys universe.

My favourite episodes were episode 2, 4, 7 and 8. I enjoyed Justin Roiland's sense of humor, so I liked seeing what he did with the concept. The romance in episode 4 was cute, albeit a little underdeveloped (which is excusable given the short runtime), the animation of 7 was by far the best, and 8 was a mini flashback story for Homelander that makes his character a little more empathetic.

Most people have an issue with episode 5, the poop episode. The animation was cute, but I think Awkwafina was high when she wrote the episode. Even with the absurdity of the Boys universe, the premise of episode 5 was a bit too crazy. I wouldn't call it bad, but it is the weakest episode.

Episode 1 was just a Looney Tunes spoof which went a little too hard on the violence for its own good. Episode 3 was really fun, and uses the character designs of the original comic instead of the TV show. Episode 6 was good but barely felt like The Boys at all, closer in tone to Invincible.

Overall a mixed bag, but I lean more positive than other critics here. Worth watching if you need more Boys, and don't mind an anthology series.