How the Timeline of “The Boys” Overlaps With Its New Spinoff, “Gen V”

“The Boys” has come a long way over the years. In 2006, it debuted as a target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>comic book series under the comic book imprint WildStorm. After it was abruptly canceled, the series was then picked up by Dynamite Entertainment, who continued to publish the comics until its conclusion in 2012. Although it’s been over a decade since the main story ended, “The Boys” has continued to grow through spin-off comics and web series. In July 2019, the franchise got the live-action treatment through an Amazon Prime Video series. After four years, it’s still going strong on the streaming platform with a fourth season on the way.

In fact, “The Boys” has been so successful that Amazon Prime Video is expanding the universe with its upcoming spin-off series “Gen V.” The show, which is set to premiere on Sept. 29, features a new set of characters played by Jaz Sinclair, Lizzie Broadway, Chance Perdomo, and more. While you’ll see a few familiar faces from “The Boys” throughout the show, “Gen V” will primarily focus on brand-new characters. With this in mind, you might be wondering how the two shows are connected. Well, let me explain.

What Is “The Boys” About?

“The Boys” takes place in a world full of super-powered individuals who work for the powerful corporation Vought International. The company markets them like huge movie stars, and the most powerful superheroes are invited to join Vought’s elite superhero team known as the Seven. Although the general public thinks superheroes are selfless, many are actually greedy behind the scenes. The only reason their corruption isn’t widely known is because Vought does everything they can to keep their secret from being exposed. As a result, former special forces operative Billy Butcher creates a team of vigilantes known as The Boys in hopes of showing the public the truth.

What Is “Gen V” About?

“Gen V” is set in the same universe as “The Boys.” It follows a group of young adults as they train to become superheroes at the Godolkin University School of Crimefighting, which is run by Vought International. The show will explore the intense exams and competitions that up-and-coming superheroes must endure before they make it big.

How Does “Gen V” Connect to “The Boys”?

According to “The Boys” showrunner Eric Kripke, “Gen V” is set during the third season of “The Boys.” That means some things that happened during that season will be seen or referenced in the spin-off series. “There’s definitely crossover,” Kripke said while talking to Deadline in July 2022. “We’re doing our best to design a universe that sees some of the issues and storylines in season three [of ‘The Boys’] hand off to the first season in [‘Gen V’].”

Kripke even teased some of the easter eggs that fans should look out for in the new series. “There’s a presidential campaign happening in the background of that season, and there’s certain things that are happening at that school that are both in reaction to season three of ‘The Boys.'” He also confirmed that some characters from “The Boys” will make a cameo in “Gen V,” including Soldier Boy. Most exciting of all, Kripke hinted “Gen V” will lead into the upcoming fourth season of “The Boys,” explaining, “Some new storylines that are happening in that season of the spinoff [we’ll] have to pick up and take into season four of the show.”

“The Boys” fans will definitely not want to miss “Gen V” when it premieres on Amazon Prime Video on Sept. 29.