The Boys Fan Theory Explains the Nature of Compound V Surprisingly Well

Summary:

• Over the years, many details about the world of The Boys have been explained
• However, the nature of Compound V remains shrouded in mystery, with no concrete answers provided so far
• But some fans believe they have solved the mystery and compare the effects of the drug to the workings of a nuclear reactor

Since The Boys TV series debuted in 2019, the show has grown into an entirely new franchise, significantly fleshing out its world and characters.

Still, some of the questions that have kept fans up at night remain unanswered, leaving viewers to draw their own conclusions and form new theories.

The nature of Compound V, a substance at the center of the show's story that gives ordinary people various superhuman abilities, remains one of the biggest mysteries of The Boys universe, as we still know very little about it.

While we will probably never know the definitive answer to where it came from, other than the fact that it was developed by Nazi scientist Frederick Vought during World War II, some fans have come up with fairly believable explanations.

The Drug May Be Similar to a Nuclear Reactor

One theory in particular suggests that it works much like a nuclear reactor, converting fissionable material into energy and powering the recipient.

First of all, it was developed around the time of the first atomic bomb, and even though the German nuclear program never really took off, it may have helped the development of Compound V.

The amount of Compound V injected directly affects the amount of power the person gets, since Homelander, who grew up in a lab, is immeasurably stronger than almost any other superhero who hasn't been constantly experimented on.

The drug can also greatly enhance existing powers, almost like providing more "fuel" for the supe to burn.

Even More Clues Point to Its Radioactive Nature

Both Compound V and V24 can be extremely toxic to the human body, as we have seen the negative effects of the substance on Billy Butcher, who had his brain turned into "Swiss cheese," and Polarity, who suffers from horrible seizures.

Soldier Boy's ability to strip superheroes of their powers causes him to release massive amounts of radiation, which directly affects the Compound V in the victim's bloodstream, possibly destroying it as a result of a nuclear reaction.

It has been noted that Compound V costs an insane amount of money to produce, $19 billion per single dose, and the radioactive materials used in nuclear reactors, such as uranium and plutonium, are also incredibly expensive.

To sum it all up, while this theory has its flaws, since supes don't need constant injections of Compound V to maintain their powers, the idea of it being a radioactive material is surprisingly consistent with what we've seen in the show.

Perhaps fans will learn more in future seasons, as The Boys season 4 is expected to be released later this year.

Source: Reddit