The Boys Issue 8

***The Boys #8*** is the eighth issue of *The Boys* and the second part of Volume Two: Get Some. It was originally published on June 27, 2007.

## Plot

Hughie reads through a SwingWing comic book while he and Butcher sit in a restaurant. Hughie is annoyed by the writing in the comic and how unrealistic it is. Butcher points out that comic books are supposed to simplify reality, and hands him a picture of a young dead man, who was supposedly in a relationship with SwingWing. Butcher identifies the victim as Stephen Rubenstein, who fell off a roof of a building, with nothing suggesting foul play. However, there is also nothing suggesting Stephen might want to take his own life, nor any mention of SwingWing. Hughie asks if it might be a good idea to talk to SwingWing, but Butcher has no idea where to find him. Hughie observes that some of Stephen's friends were interviewed, and one of them, Paul Drake, is nine years older than the others. Butcher agrees they should interview the "possible bumchum." As they leave, Hughie asks Butcher not to use such language to describe gay people, so Butcher promises to moderate his language for Hughie's "delicate ears."

At the Vernon family estate, Tek Knight's butler, Thomas, resigns his position after the former apparently raped him in his left ear. Meanwhile, Hughie and Butcher arrive to the Red Rooster. Hughie is hesitant to go into a gay bar, something Butcher makes fun of him for considering Hughie's earlier objections to Butcher's language. Inside, they order drinks, although Butcher orders a club soda since he doesn't partake in alcohol consumption. The barman serving them turns out to be Paul Drake, so Bucher asks him about Stephen. Paul is reluctant, but the pair convince him they are British detectives on exchange. Hughie asks Paul what he knows about SwingWing. Paul recounts that none of the officers ever mentioned SwingWing, but also that they didn't consider the possibility of murder. He says that Stephen was vulnerable and confused. At this point, Max, Paul's boyfriend, takes offense and leaves. Butcher asks if Paul had anything going on with Stephen, but the latter denies this. Upon being asked by Hughie, he also denies that Stephen was suicidal, but had only recently come out, and is the reason he went to see SwingWing, the gay-friendly superhero. He also reveals that SwingWing occasionally brought Tek Knight along, but the latter clearly loathed homosexuals. Stephen tried talking to SwingWing a few times, but was unsuccessful. Upon being asked if SwingWing is gay, Paul replies that he doesn't know.

Tek Knight talks to Homelander about joining the Seven, but is shot down since the latter knows about his proclivities. Tek Knight demands to know who told him. Homelander doesn't want to reveal his source, but eventually relents and tells Tek Knight it was a "little friend of his."

As the Female and Frenchie play reverse strip poker, Mother's Milk and Hughie have a drink. M.M. reveals he was in the military when Hughie tells him Butcher put him on a two-pint rule. Hughie asks if M.M. ever killed people, which the latter immediately deduces is about Blarney Cock. M.M. confirms he did kill people, and that they're still in his head. He didn't know the people he killed while he was in the army, so he had to make excuses to justify it. The people he killed since he joined the Boys, on the other hand, he knew the world was better off without, so his only regret was being unable to kill them twice. Hughie asks if Butcher ever killed anyone, to which M.M. replies that Butcher sleeps just fine, too. Hughie laments that every time he thinks he's figured Butcher out, the latter does something that puts him back to square one. He recounts how, when the two were at the gay bar, Butcher was completely natural, despite his previous slurs. M.M. explains that Butcher doesn't hate gays, or anyone else if there is no point to it, and that is pretty much all Hughie needs to know about him. To Butcher, a person is either a problem, someone who can help him, or he doesn't care. M.M. also reveals that everything Butcher says serves his plan in some way, as the man doesn't waste time or words. M.M confesses he used to hate gay people because of the environment he grew up in, but stopped when he discovered what he truly hated.

The next day, Butcher and Hughie take a trip to Westchester to visit Tek Knight. Butcher asks if Hughie has finished reading the comics, and he confirms that he has, although they don't get any better. SwingWing's stories are very politically correct and unsubtle, Laddio only ever fights guys his size, while Tek Knight, despite his dark mystique, is profoundly boring. Butcher agrees with the last sentiment, observing that the Boys never had any cause to take an interest in Tek Knight, despite him being around for a long time and being one of the "big boys." Upon hearing the doorbell, Tek Knight asks Thomas to answer it, before realizing the butler is no longer present. He frantically strips and hides his suit before rushing to the door. He is greeted by Butcher, who immediately identifies him as Tek Knight.

## Credits

* Billy Butcher
* Wee Hughie
* Stephen Rubenstein (photo)
* Terror
* Thomas
* Paul Drake
* Max
* SwingWing
* Tek Knight
* The Female
* The Frenchman
* Mother's Milk

## Trivia

* First appearance of Paul Drake.
* First appearance of Max.
* First appearance of SwingWing.
* First (and last) appearance of Thomas.