One of the most popular tropes in contemporary fiction is the “Magic School,” essentially any institution where young characters learn and develop the unique skills and powers of their respective fictional worlds. Think of iconic examples such as Hogwarts, the Xavier Institute, Aretuza, or the Nevermore Academy. The list is endless, and it’s about to get a new addition.
Gen-V, the highly anticipated spin-off of Prime Video’s dark superhero series The Boys, is set to debut on Sept. 29, taking audiences into the Godolkin University School of Crimefighting, where young supes train with the hope of securing a contract with Vought International. This is everything you need to know about Gen-V before it premieres.
Welcome to Godolkin U!
In a manner reminiscent of The Boys, this series promises to deliver a blend of gore, dark comedy, social commentary, and exceptional superhero action. Although not directly connected to Hughie, Butcher, and the rest of the crew, Gen-V offers a fresh perspective on the level of societal control exercised by Vought International, the all-encompassing corporation at the heart of this universe. This time, the focus shifts to young people who, aspiring to become superheroes, enroll in a prestigious and demanding institution, where they must learn to survive in a fiercely competitive environment. Here’s the official synopsis of the show:
“Set in the diabolical world of The Boys, Gen V expands the universe to Godolkin University, the prestigious superhero-only college where students train to be the next generation of heroes—preferably with lucrative endorsements”.
The intensity of this competition is further amplified by the school’s ranking system. In Godolkin, grades are not the sole determining factor. Following a Vought-like approach, students’ social media presence, popularity, and skills are meticulously monitored and organized within a ranking system. Jaz Sinclair, who portrays Maria Moreau, one of the show’s main characters, elaborated on this in an Entertainment Weekly interview. “The ranking system factors in all of these qualifications for all of the students and chooses a top 10,” Sinclair said. “And essentially, the top 10 students are the ones positioned to represent a city or, hopefully, join the Seven.”
The students
When we first step into Godolkin University, Luke Riordan, portrayed by Patrick Schwarzenegger and also known by the superhero name Golden Boy, reigns at the top of the rankings. As a junior, he was expected to be the first pick in Vought’s superhero draft. However, the status quo within the school is on the brink of upheaval with the arrival of Maria Moreau, the show’s protagonist and a freshman with healing abilities and the power to manipulate her own blood. She has the potential to become the first top-ranked freshman in the school’s history.
The rest of the cast includes Chance Perdomo, Maddie Philips, London Thor, and Derek Luh. The potential for dark comedy plots abounds in the college adventures of Maria and her roommate Emma Meyer, played by Lizzie Broadway. Emma is a half-inch supe with the ability to grow to the size of an average human. However, beneath the humor and character dynamics, the show hints at a dark secret lurking in the woods near the school.
Gen-V is based on the “We Gotta Go Now” arc from “The Boys” comics, which delves into Godolkin University and portrays deeply horrific scenes of human experimentation, torture, and enslavement. While the show often diverges from its source material, The Boys doesn’t shy away from violence and difficult themes so this topic may be explored in the spin-off. Either way, it’s exciting to see another installment in The Boys universe as we wait for the next season of the original show.
To uncover the full story, we’ll have to wait until Sept. 29 when the show premieres and the cast and showrunners Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters unveil what they have in store.
Gen-V is available on Sept. 29 on Prime Video. Watch the trailer below:
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