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Unlike Stranger Things, The Boys is keeping fans’ appetite at bay by releasing another season of the popular spinoff, Gen V. However, that’s over and done with, leaving a Supe-sized hole in many people’s hearts. Here are the five best superhero TV shows like The Boys to watch while waiting for Season 5.
5) Powerless
One of the many appeals of The Boys is how it focuses on regular people who live in a world full of enhanced individuals. Their lives are totally different, and sometimes, having “superheroes” around isn’t beneficial to them. While there are very few shows out there with the same perspective, there’s one that covers the topic just as well as The Boys.
NBC’s Powerless takes place in the DC Universe and follows a group of characters who work at a subsidiary of Wayne Enterprises, helping to create technology that makes humans feel safe during superhero battles. Powerless might only have one season, but it has some hilarious gags during its 12-episode run that are worth checking out, such as an entire episode about Superman turning back time.
4) The Umbrella Academy
Most superhero media glorifies the concept of superpowers, presenting them as a gift rather than a curse. However, The Boys goes in a different direction, showing that having abilities isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be. A Netflix superhero show follows suit by focusing on a group of characters who just want to be normal.
The Umbrella Academy focuses on the Hargreeves children, who were all adopted by a billionaire obsessed with the idea of superpowers. After being forced to become heroes, all the kids grow up to be a little screwed up. They can’t ignore cries for help, though, so they try to help the world as best they can.
3) Doom Patrol
Punches and explosions can only take a superhero show so far. There has to be a real heart present to take a project to the next level. The Boys knows all about that, as its characters wrestle with their feelings, especially when those feelings involve people in close proximity.
Another show that allows its heroes and villains to open up is Doom Patrol. The Chief enables a group of rejects to live in his home and operate as a team, but they rarely take their jobs seriously. However, there’s a beauty in Doom Patrol that’s missing from many series: its characters can embrace their flaws.
