Warning: Spoilers ahead forThe Boysseason 4, episode 6, “Dirty Business.”
Summary
The Boysseason 4, episode 6, “Dirty Business,” introduces a new character to the show, with a parody of a famous DC sidekick making the jump from the source material into live-action. Prime Video’s graphic superhero show is an adaptation of a Garth Ennis-written comic book series that ran from 2006 to 2012. Both versions of the story flourish by taking existing superheroes from other properties and twisting them into new forms that are just about recognizable. “Dirty Business” quietly gives another beloved character the same treatment, but it’s easy to miss.
The subtle addition toThe Boys' season 4 castcould be a variety of characters, but it’s easy to uncover the truth after a few different context clues and also by just heading to the acting credits in “Dirty Business.“The actor who embodies the character had very few acting roles before his debut inThe Boys, which makes it difficult to pin down exactly what kind of performance he could offer in the future. However,the actor playing Laddio “Dirty Business"appears so briefly that it essentially keeps his entire character under wraps.
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The Boys Season 4 Introduces Its Robin Parody, Laddio
Laddio is played by Reid Millar
Derek Wilson’s Tek Knight is quite clearlyThe Boyspoking fun at Batman, and perhaps suggesting an alternate, tongue-in-cheek route that the character could have taken. While he debuted inGen Vseason 1, episode 4, “The Whole Truth,” Wilson’s character wasn’t solidified as a Batman parody until he crossed over from the spinoff into the franchise’s flagship show. When Hughie heads into Tek Knight’s Tek Cave in “Dirty Business,” the comparison is unavoidable, and it’s cemented even further by the chained-up figure in the corner - who Prime Video’s information credits as “Laddio.”
Laddio is only briefly mentioned by name in “Dirty Business.”
Played by Reid Millar, Prime’s version of Laddio isn’t presented as the direct translation of Tek Knight’s sidekick as presented in the comics. Instead, the writers have opted to make the show’s take on Batman’s Boy Wonder into an indentured sex slave. It appears to be some form of punishment for Laddio breaking Tek Knight’s trust, as suggested by the explanation offered to Hughie by Wilson’s character: “That’s my last sidekick. I don’t like liars. The whole culture down here is based on trust.” So,Laddio isn’t seemingly as loyal to Tek Knight as his DC counterpart is to Batman.
Laddio’s Powers & Comic Backstory Explained
Laddio was falsely marketed by Vought in the comics
While Laddio’s introduction inThe Boys’s live-action adaption reveals very little about his character, he has an entire arc in the book that is very detailed. Like Robin was to Batman, Laddio was Tek Knight’s sidekick. Unlike Robin, Laddio’s status as a supe in the universe ofThe Boysmeant he boasted Compound V-induced superhuman abilities. The DC duo relied more on careful planning and extensive prep and training to overthrow their enemies, whereas Tek Knight and Laddio had the added advantage of enhanced durabilityand other powers.
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In the source material,Vought marketed Laddio as an openly gay superhero. However, this wasn’t the case, and the character was actually deeply homophobic. As a result, the branding thrust upon him by Vought deeply irritated him. He eventually parted ways with Tek Knight after the duo both fell for the Talon - a female superhero/villain who often changed sides. The love triangle proved an insurmountable obstacle for the partnership to navigate. He died after an encounter with Billy Butcher’s team.
How The Boys Season 4’s Laddio Compares To The Comics
Prime Video teases key changes made to Laddio’s character
Laddio’s debut proves the show either glazed over his backstory, honored it a little, or made huge changes to the source material. Very little can be learned about Laddio inTek Knight’s cave episode, but some contextual clues can be used to compare him to his comic book counterpart. For starters,both versions of Laddio experience a falling out with their former partners. The reason for this in the comics was both men falling for the Talon, and while that could carry over into the show, Wilson’sTek Knight’s explanation for Laddio being in chains doesn’t quite add up.
Another possibility is thatAmazon’s version ofThe Boyshas altered Laddio’s sexuality. When Hughie arrives asThe Boys' Spider-Man parody, Webweaver, he learns that Tek Knight is on the hunt for a new “Sidekick.” When it’s revealed what’s expected of Hughie as a prospective Laddio successor, it turns out Tek Knight’s interpretation of the role is much more sexual than Hughie had anticipated. So, if Laddio was once Tek Knight’s sidekick, this suggests the pair once engaged in similar activities. Therefore, this would veer from Laddio’s homophobic origins in the comics.
After Laddio’s supposed betrayal of Tek Knight, it would make sense that the Batman parody would strip his sidekick of the costume he once wore.
There’s also the matter of Amazon’s Laddio only ever being shown in a red sex slave outfit, with his comic-accurate suit likely sitting somewhere in the character’s past. After Laddio’s supposed betrayal of Tek Knight, it would make sense that the Batman parody would strip his sidekick of the costume he once wore. As such,it’s unclear if Laddio ever made it to the next stage of his superhero career, which is covered extensively in the source material.
Who Is SwingWing In The Boys?
Laddio eventually steps out from Tek Knight’s shadow in the comics
Garth Ennis used Batman and Robin as a strong template for Tek Knight and Laddio respectively, as the latter also followed a similar trajectory to Robin as the story progressed. Just as Robin parted ways with Batman and became Nightwing,Laddio eventually dissolved from his Tek Knight partnership and took up the mantle of SwingWing. Then, SwingWing became a “hero” in his own right, rather than always being caught in Tek Knight’s shadow. Naturally, Tek Knight then found a new youngster to take on the vacant Laddio role like Batman has done several times with his various Robins.
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Laddio uses his super-strength to eventually break free from his bindings in “Dirty Business.” In addition, he also assists Hughie and the others in using Tek Knight’s finances to manipulate him into giving them the information they wanted from him. Interestingly, Laddio survives the events of his debut episode in the adaption, soReid Millar could return to embody the character again. If so, this could be Prime’s version of SwingWing’s origin. Or,The Boyscould simply choose to make it so Laddio returns to a career as SwingWing that was put on pause by being imprisoned by Tek Knight.
Wisdom of the Ages
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.
