AceShowbiz - The Boys season 5 is taking an intriguing turn with the character of Black Noir, hinting at a major event involving a significant supe’s demise. Throughout the series, Black Noir has been a complex and dynamic member of the Seven, initially portrayed as a silent assassin. His storyline evolved dramatically when he turned against Homelander, was seemingly killed, and then replaced by an actor in season 4. Now, the original silent version of Black Noir has returned, creating a stark contrast to the impersonator seen previously.

The mystery surrounding Black Noir has intensified in season 5, with fans eager to understand the reasons behind his changed behavior. So far, his role in the season has been limited, mostly involving missions alongside the Deep in the first three episodes. However, the palpable tension between the two suggests a brewing conflict. This article contains spoilers for both the comics and episodes 1 through 3 of season 5 of The Boys.

One of the most talked-about fan theories is that Black Noir will ultimately kill Homelander. This idea is rooted in the comic book storyline, where Black Noir is revealed as a clone of Homelander, possessing greater strength and darker motives. In the comics, Black Noir is responsible for many of the atrocities blamed on Homelander, including the assault on Butcher’s wife. When the clone exposes his true identity to Homelander, they engage in a brutal fight, with Black Noir emerging victorious and killing the original.

When The Boys debuted on Prime Video, many expected this pivotal comic storyline to be adapted for the show. However, the series has taken multiple creative liberties, diverging from several key comic arcs. Notably, the TV version of Black Noir is depicted as a Black man with a history dating back to the era of Soldier Boy, which makes the clone theory less plausible for the show’s continuity.

Though the actor who portrayed the impostor Black Noir in season 4 might have been replaced, opening the door for a clone reveal, this plot twist seems unnecessary. Many viewers are already aware of the clone storyline from the comics, diminishing its surprise factor. Additionally, the show has already introduced a similar familial twist by establishing Soldier Boy as Homelander’s father, which serves as a thematic counterpart to the comic’s clone revelation.

From an in-universe perspective, a clone replacement of Black Noir would be difficult to justify. Homelander exercises near-total control over Vought, making any secret swap highly unlikely. The only character with the possible power to orchestrate such a switch might be Sister Sage, who could theoretically deploy a clone as a safeguard if Homelander becomes uncontrollable. However, this theory feels like a stretch and would appear to serve only as a mechanism to align the series with the comic’s original ending.

Instead of following the comic’s path of Black Noir killing Homelander, the show seems to be setting up an entirely different narrative involving Black Noir and the Deep. These two characters’ relationship has shifted significantly since season 4, where the Deep essentially became the boss of the actor version of Black Noir. In season 5, a rivalry appears to be emerging between the original Black Noir and the Deep, with Black Noir now demonstrating superior abilities and enjoying greater trust from Homelander.

The dynamic between these two supes is tense, as the Deep seems determined to assert dominance over Black Noir. This competitive spirit has escalated tensions, suggesting that conflict is imminent. In episode 3 of season 5, Black Noir captures Stan Edgar, a key figure that Homelander desperately wants to control. However, the Deep attempts to claim the credit by knocking out Black Noir and taking Edgar himself, leaving Black Noir unconscious.

This betrayal is sure to infuriate Black Noir, and given the growing friction and power imbalance, it is plausible that Black Noir might retaliate by killing the Deep before the series concludes. Such a development would subvert fan expectations about Black Noir targeting Homelander and instead focus on internal strife within the Seven.

With Black Noir’s storyline still shrouded in mystery, season 5 promises to explore his motivations and allegiances further. Fans will be watching closely to see how this rivalry unfolds and whether Black Noir’s actions will reshape the power dynamics of the Seven.

What are your thoughts on Black Noir’s role this season? Do you think he will kill the Deep instead of Homelander? Join the conversation in the ComicBook Forum to share your theories and reactions.