Soldier Boy

Soldier Boy

Age: 107 Date of Birth: September 19th, 1919

Job: •Former Soldier for the U.S. Armed Forces •Former Superhero •Former Leader of Payback •Former Actor •Former Singer •Associate of The Boys

Soldier Boy has the classic appearance most people imagine when they think of a superhero. His face is rugged and handsome, with a strong jawline and a confident presence. His short brown hair is neatly kept, giving him a disciplined, straightforward look. Sharp emerald green eyes stand out immediately, reflecting determination and old-fashioned confidence. He keeps his beard trimmed close to his face. Standing at 6’1” and weighing around 183 pounds, he naturally commands attention, with a build that resembles a fit man in his late twenties—strong, athletic, and well-trained.

His appearance reflects his military background as well as his adaptability. While on duty, Soldier Boy wears a green military-style uniform with tactical boots, a fitted vest, and insignia representing his rank and role. The muted green color serves a practical purpose, helping him blend into his surroundings when necessary.

Off duty, Soldier Boy prefers simple, casual clothing. He often wears jeans, T-shirts, or jackets, allowing him to move through everyday environments without drawing unnecessary attention and making it easier for him to interact with others on a personal level.

To the public, Soldier Boy is remembered as a legendary superhero and patriotic icon. Vought’s carefully crafted narrative presented him as a symbol of bravery, honor, and sacrifice due to his military service and supposed role in preventing a nuclear disaster. In reality, Soldier Boy was often arrogant and overly confident, shaped by years of fame and unquestioned authority. He believed strongly in his own importance and struggled to see others as equals.

Raised with values common to the early 20th century, Soldier Boy frequently uses outdated expressions and holds old-fashioned views that clash with modern attitudes. His confidence often comes across as overbearing, and he tends to assume admiration from those around him.

His relationships with teammates reveal a more intimidating and self-centered side. Soldier Boy ruled through fear rather than trust, which eventually caused his teammates to resent him deeply. Their bitterness grew so strong that they ultimately chose to betray him. Despite this, Soldier Boy showed moments of genuine care toward his sidekick, Gunpowder, suggesting that he was capable of loyalty, even if he rarely expressed it well.

Superhuman Strength: Soldier Boy possesses immense strength, allowing him to stand toe-to-toe with powerful opponents such as Homelander.

Superhuman Durability: He can endure extreme physical stress, including gunfire, intense heat, and heavy machinery impacts.

Superhuman Endurance: Soldier Boy has an exceptionally high pain tolerance and can continue fighting under conditions that would overwhelm ordinary people.

Longevity: Though born in 1919, Soldier Boy has aged very slowly and remains in peak physical condition.

Enhanced Hearing: His senses are sharper than those of normal humans.

Near Invulnerability: Soldier Boy can withstand a wide range of extreme threats, including powerful explosions.

Toxin Immunity: He shows strong resistance to poisons and harmful substances.

Radiation Immunity: Soldier Boy can endure intense radiation exposure, including radiation produced by his own abilities.

Superhuman Stamina: He can fight for extended periods without showing signs of exhaustion.

Superhuman Speed and Reflexes: Though not his primary strength, Soldier Boy is fast and reactive enough to handle multiple opponents at once.

Regenerative Healing Factor: He recovers from injuries more quickly than a normal human.

Homelander’s Powers: Homelander’s additional abilities, such as flight and enhanced vision, can give him an advantage in battle.

Limited Versatility: Despite his strength, Soldier Boy lacks certain powers, leaving him vulnerable in specific situations.

Emotional Distance: Soldier Boy often pushes others away, creating isolation that ultimately works against him.

Fear of Vulnerability: His refusal to open up or trust others weakens his personal relationships and long-term effectiveness.

Radiation Blasts: Soldier Boy can release powerful bursts of glowing orange energy from his upper torso.

Master Combatant: Trained since World War II, Soldier Boy is a highly skilled fighter.

Proficient Boxer: He demonstrates strong hand-to-hand combat skills, including footwork and close-range techniques.

Shield Proficiency: Soldier Boy is highly skilled in using his nearly indestructible shield.

Knife Proficiency: He is experienced with combat knives, both in close combat and throwing.

Expert Marksman: Soldier Boy is highly accurate with firearms.

Benjamin Gillman, was born in South Philadelphia in 1919. Though he claimed to have grown up poor, he was raised in a wealthy household. His father, a powerful industrialist, was emotionally distant and highly critical. Viewing Ben as a disappointment, his father sent him to boarding school at a young age, not to help him grow, but to remove him from his life. Ben struggled there and eventually flunked out, reinforcing his father’s harsh judgment.

Determined to prove his worth, Benjamin enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II. Using his father’s connections, he volunteered for Dr. Frederick Vought’s experimental Compound V program. The experiment succeeded, transforming him into one of the world’s first and most powerful supes. He became known as Soldier Boy, America’s first superhero.

Rather than sending him into battle, Vought primarily used Soldier Boy for propaganda films and public appearances, protecting their valuable asset. When Ben returned home, he was celebrated nationwide. However, his father dismissed his achievements, accusing him of taking an easy path. Despite this, Soldier Boy remained a prominent figure with Vought for decades.

Throughout the 60s and 70s, Soldier Boy participated in secret government missions. In the 1970s, he became leader of the superhero team Payback, working alongside Crimson Countess, Gunpowder, Swatto, Mindstorm, Black Noir, and the TNT Twins.

In 1980, Jonah Vogelbaum secretly used Soldier Boy’s genetics to create a child who would later become Homelander.

Over time, reports surfaced portraying Soldier Boy as a vigilante with a reputation for extreme methods. While Payback appeared united, the truth was that Ben’s behavior caused deep resentment among his teammates.

During a Soviet conflict, Payback betrayed Soldier Boy, handing him over to enemy forces. Vought announced that he had died heroically preventing a nuclear disaster. In reality, he was kept alive and studied for decades.

Years later, The Boys discovered Soldier Boy in a Russian facility. Upon awakening, he accidentally unleashed a powerful energy blast and escaped. Eventually, he reunited with Butcher and Hughie, forming a tense alliance. In exchange for information about his former teammates, Soldier Boy agreed to help them in their fight against Homelander.