The Boys came out of nowhere: another superhero television show thrown into the mix, but nothing like those we've seen before. Not following the typical line of storytelling, this show presents superheroes far more in the light of abusing their powers under the guise of celebrity life. On the other side of the coin are those not blessed with powers, looking at superheroes with derision having glimpsed the truth of the situation. In the middle of this is Hughie, someone who has idolised heroes forever - only to see his girlfriend accidentally killed by one. From the word go, this dark outlook on the superhero genre is not afraid to tackle any issue, and is a better show because of it.

Clearly a sizeable amount of funding has been devoted to The Boys - the CGI isn't as sloppy as most of these action-based tv shows, and the acting is actually strong for the most part. The story needs time to develop; character building is essential when creating these hero characters, otherwise they become muddled and indiscernible. As a result, the first half of the season takes its time to actually get interesting, but pays off by investing in a story for the long term, rather than episodic plots for the sake of cheap thrills.

Amazon have provided an adult antidote to the Marvel/DC mediocrity, breaking the mould set as the precedent by the success of superhero films. Before now there has been conclusive proof of darker films being better received: The Dark Knight, Deadpool and Watchmen are prime examples of how a more gritty tone can elevate these sort of shows. Finally, something is giving television's heroes an update - hopefully the coming seasons are as well received as this opening salvo.