The following spoilers forThe Boysseason 4, epiosde 6, “Dirty Business,” as well as brief explanation of a sexual assault that occurs in the episode
Summary
The Boysjust took their biggest swing at Marvel yet with their Spider-Man parody, and it’s such a crass character that I can’t believe Prime Video let them get away with it. After being teased earlier inThe Boysseason 4, Webweaver plays an important (if somewhat minor) role in the sixth episode of the season, “Dirty Business.” Played by Dan Mousseau, Webweaver is dark riff on many Spider-Man archetypes. As a longtime fan of the Marvel Wall-Crawler, I was surprised by how many subtle jabsThe Boystakes with their latest Marvel parody.
Even when compared to the other Marvel and DC parodies that have been featured inThe Boysseason 4 story, I thinkWebweaver might be their most pointed take-down of a hero yet, especially given the sheer obscene nature of Webweaver’s actions in the show. He does so many things that feel antithetical to what Disney would ever allow Spider-Man to do in a story that it feels like a deliberate jab at the studio. Here’s all the Webweavantitheticaler pushes a Spider-Man archetype to the extreme.
The Boys Just Admitted 1 Common Story Criticism Is Fair After 4 Seasons
An off-hand joke from a character in The Boys highlights one of the inherent challenges to the show and the story being so rooted in grim danger.
The Boys Season 4’s Webweaver Is Hilariously Anti-Disney
Webweaver’s Entire Personality Would Never Fly With Disney
I can’t believe just how farThe Boystakes their latest superhero parody, with their take on the Spider-Man-like Webweaver feeling like aparticularly harsh burn against the famous Marvel hero. Webweaver is introduced in episode 6 ofThe Boys' fourth season, “Dirty Business.” The character is revealed to be a low-level hero at Vought, but is also secretly an informant for Butcher and the rest of the Boys. When he’s formally introduced, it’s clear that Webweaver is a mess. I was expecting the show to have fun with the concept of a twisted Spider-Man, but I wasn’t expecting them to play him so far beyond the line.
Webweaver is shown to be a drug user who needs help using his substance of choice. He’s a dim-witted idiot who accidently gets webs on MM and passes out for much of the episode. With Hughie forced to use Webweaver’s costume as a cover to sneak into Tek-Knight’s event,I was shocked how far the show took his abuse at the hands ofthe Batman parody Tek-Knightand Ashley. It’s a truly staggering amount of obscene actions taken byThe Boys, and it’s extra surprising because of how much if flies in the face of Disney’s typical presentation.
Webweaver Is Arguably The Boys' Riskiest Marvel Parody Yet
Webweaver Has Some Pretty Obscene Digs At The MCU Spider-Man
Webweaver is a clear parody of Spider-Man, similar to the other archetypes of the genre thatThe Boyshas poked fun at over the years. However,Webweaver feels like a very specific send up of Spider-Man, and the sheer number of direct shots taken at the history of the character feels likeThe Boysreally throwing some punches. Webweaver’s powers feel like a grosser version of the organic web-shooters Spider-Man had in the Sam Raimi-directedSpider-Mantrilogy. The character’s demeanor is that off a spacey young man, similar to previous mistaken interpretations of Peter Parker.
Webweaver’s drug problem and overtly sexual connection to Tek-Knight feel especially different from the more santatized hero that appears in Marvel stories.Even the character’s safeword can be seen as a twisted reference to the MCU Spider-Man, as Tek-Knight’s butler reveals it was “Zendaya.” This refers to her role as MJ in the MCU, and the clear disgust in the character’s faces make it clear how the show intends for that reference to land. It’s a crass parody that fits into the overarching world ofThe Boys, I’m just surprised how far they’re willing to take it.
I Laughed At The Boys Season 4’s Marvel & DC Expo Parody, But It Didn’t Sit Well
The Boys has always been critical of Hollywood and generally provides hilarious commentaries, but it seems to be falling into its own trap.
The Boys Sets Up Webweaver Appearing In Future Episodes
How Webweaver Could Become A Crucial Weapon InThe Boys' Endgame
The Boys' Webweaver may even go on to play a more important role in the rest of the season. As one of the Boys' chief informants, Webweaver could prove to be a very useful source of information going forward in the battle against Vought. This could allow the show to bring back its frankly gross version of Spider-Man and take a few more shots at the Marvel hero. However, there’s also the chance that his role in the episode could have exposed his connection to Butcher and the rest of the Boys.
If he’s found out, he could follow in the footsteps of the Robin parody Laddio in “Dirty Business” and become a more overt ally. However, he could also end up used as a trap against the heroes, or a smear on Homelander’s boot.There’s a lot of potential for the charactergoing forward, even just as a gag that pokes fun at one of Disney and Marvel’s biggest icons. I’m hoping we see more of Webweaver, who might be one of the most overtly gross and cutting superhero parodies to show up onThe Boysso far.
The Boys
Cast
The Boys is a gritty and subversive take on the superhero genre, focusing on a group of vigilantes who confront powerful superheroes abusing their abilities, exploring themes of corruption and moral ambiguity in a world where heroes are not always what they seem.
