A few people mentioned The Boys, but none were effusive about it. So my expectations were that it would be ok, but not great. I'm glad to say my expectations were wrong.

It's at the other end of the scale from the excellent Marvel films, which unflinchingly portray heroic superheroes; much closer to the Marvel series like Jessica Jones, that delve into the psyche of the heroes themselves. Unlike Marvel's heroes, those in The Boys aren't just flawed, they are convincingly broken.

The subtext, the shocking brutality, the corporate manipulation, the impotence or obliviousness of ordinary people and the terrifying prospect of such power in the hands of charismatic, amoral celebrity makes for an outstanding alternative to the superhero mythos; one that is almost believable (bad physics notwithstanding). Add some excellent acting, especially from Homelander, and this is a series you should watch.