Sam Butcher

*For the Dynamite version of the character, see Sam Butcher/Comics.*

―Sam Butcher

**Samuel "Sam" Butcher** is a minor character in Season 2 of the Amazon series, *The Boys*. He is Billy Butcher's father.

## *The Boys* Series

### Background

Sam raised his two sons, Billy and Lenny, but he was cruel and abusive throughout their childhoods, thinking that the abuse would toughen them up and that they would thank him later for it. Once Billy was old enough, he joined the SAS to escape the abuse, leaving Lenny alone with Sam. Being Sam's sole victim of abuse, Lenny eventually killed himself shortly afterwards. Lenny's death cemented the already strained relationship, as Billy always blamed his father for his brother's death, while Sam blamed Billy for abandoning Lenny.

### Season Two

Billy's mom, Connie Butcher, calls Billy to let him know that his father passed away from cancer. Billy comes to his mom's hotel room in New York only to find that his father is still alive, although ill with cancer.

Sam and Billy have a confrontation. Given his situation, Sam attempts to bond with Billy by reminiscing on the time they spent together. Billy sees through his attempts and blames Sam for causing Lenny's death. Sam justifies his abuse, claiming that it toughened Billy into the fearless and toughest man he is today. Sam then accepts no responsibility for Lenny's suicide. Instead, he avers it was Billy's fault by leaving his brother alone to go join the SAS. Billy shoves him up against a wall and calls him a monster. Connie intervenes and checks on Sam. Sam stands up and states he's impressed with Billy because Lenny could never stand up to him like that. Billy walks away with Sam proud, calling his son tougher than he ever was.

Later on, Billy's mother calls him to tell him about Sam's departure from her apartment, and he is extremely ill with his cancer. It is presumed Sam died some time afterwards, as he is never heard from again.

### Season Three

When Mindstorm traps Billy in an endless nightmare, Billy relives memories involving his father. While the brothers were playing cards, Sam shouted for Lenny. Billy and Lenny hid before Sam entered the bedroom and began searching for them. When Sam was approaching Lenny's hiding spot, Billy coughed and drew Sam's attention. Sam demanded Billy to tell him where Lenny is, but when he refused, Sam then whipped Billy with his belt.

Sam reappears in another one of Billy's memories. After Billy assaulted his headmaster with a stapler, Sam took them to a pub. He recites his motto that "the world is an ocean of shite" where you either sink or swim. Sam gives Billy a beer and congratulates him for his brutality, remarking that some cunts need a slap. He then turns to Lenny and advises him to follow Billy's methods.

## In the Comics

Sam Butcher was the husband of Connie Butcher, and father of Billy and Lenny, living in London's East End. He was a baker by trade, although it is implied he makes his real money through other, more illicit activities. He was also considered the local "tough guy", and would often spend his nights drinking with his friends and having affairs. Out of his sons, Sam favored Billy, as he thought of Billy as more like him, unlike Lenny, particularly after Billy got expelled from school. Billy, on the other hand, was horrified by this. Sam was horrifically abusive towards Connie, and would often beat her to a pulp after returning home drunk. After he hit her so hard he blinded her eye, Billy nearly killed him, but was stopped by Lenny. It was after this that Billy joined the Royal Marines. A short while after Butcher started dating Becky, she was able to convince Connie to leave Sam. From that point on, Sam was completely estranged from his family, not even showing up to Lenny's funeral. He dies in "Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker", which prompts Billy to travel back to London and finally have a "heart to heart" with his father. Before he leaves, Billy pisses on his father's corpse.