Amid the superhero world of The Boys, creator Eric Kripke has consistently incorporated political themes into his characters and plotlines, a trend that continues with the introduction of the latest Supe, Firecracker.
Despite admitting that the politically-charged events in The Boys Season 4 are not intended to sway opinions, showrunner Kripke still draws inspiration from real-world issues. This is evident in the character of Firecracker, a social media-savvy celebrity Sup who uses her platform to promote propaganda.
During a conversation with Variety, the creator of the series disclosed that the character Firecracker was influenced by U.S. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.
According to Kripke, Firecracker’s origins can be traced back to the fear-inducing personality of Marjorie Taylor Greene. With individuals like Trump and his followers, there is now a competition among the “Trump spawns”to see who can be the most extreme, whether it be in terms of their outrageous behavior, sexualization, gun ownership, or blind loyalty.
“This concept wouldn’t be limited to just Homelander, as he would also produce spores that would develop into other characters, and she is one of those characters.”
Greene is notorious for her far-right views and support for anti-semitism, white supremacy, and conspiracy theories. She has been a vocal advocate for Trump both during and after his presidency.
In Season 4 of The Boys, Firecracker continues to embody propaganda. She orchestrates live events where she shares her opinions on political issues involving Supes and Vought, and leads the campaign to gain supporters for Homelander.
The protagonist has gathered a multitude of followers to support her cause, making Firecracker a clear counterpart to Homelander’s Trump-esque demeanor, much like Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Kripke goes on to explain that the series serves as a metaphor for present-day society, showcasing the intersection between celebrity culture and authoritarianism.
In addition to Firecracker, Sister Sage was also a recent addition to the show, providing social commentary as the world’s most intelligent person. However, due to her African American background, she often felt invisible. The showrunner acknowledges that she was one of the most challenging characters to develop.
The fourth season of The Boys is available to stream on Prime Video. Find out if there will be a crossover between The Boys and Gen V, learn the real identity of the controversial butthole photo, get an explanation for Frenchie’s sexuality, and discover the latest series to stream this month.
Leave a Reply