The Boys season 5 reveals how Homelander could survive the Supe Virus

Soldier Boy's unexpected survival suggests Homelander may have a way to avoid the deadly effects of the Supe-killing virus.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:34pm

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In the second episode of The Boys season 5, Butcher and the team test their reverse-engineered Supe Virus on Soldier Boy, Rock Hard, and Jetstreak. While Rock Hard and Jetstreak die horribly, Soldier Boy appears to survive the exposure, hinting that Homelander may also be able to withstand the virus due to his original Compound V powers.

Why it matters

This development could have major implications for the final season of The Boys, as it suggests Homelander may have found a way to neutralize the team's primary weapon against him. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of the Supe Virus and whether Homelander will now seek out the original Compound V to gain even greater powers.

The details

In the episode, Butcher's team sneaks into the 'Kix Crib' to test the Supe Virus on Rock Hard and Jetstreak, two members of the Teenage Kix superhero group. While the virus proves deadly to them, Soldier Boy - who is also exposed - appears to survive, bolting upright at the end of the episode after seemingly succumbing to the virus. This suggests that Supes who took the original Compound V, like Soldier Boy and potentially Homelander, may be resistant to the effects of the Supe Virus.

  • In The Boys season 5 episode 2, 'Teenage Kix', the Supe Virus is tested on Rock Hard, Jetstreak, and Soldier Boy.
  • Rock Hard and Jetstreak die horribly after exposure to the virus.
  • Soldier Boy appears to die as well, but then shockingly revives at the end of the episode.

The players

Homelander

The powerful and unstable superhero who is the main antagonist of The Boys. He is one of the few Supes left who took the original Compound V, which may make him resistant to the Supe Virus.

Soldier Boy

A former member of the superhero team Payback and one of the few remaining Supes who took the original Compound V. He survives exposure to the Supe Virus, hinting that Homelander may also be able to withstand its effects.

Rock Hard

A member of the Teenage Kix superhero group who is killed by the Supe Virus.

Jetstreak

Another member of Teenage Kix who is killed by the Supe Virus.

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What they’re saying

“Clearly, the Supe Virus didn't have a fatal effect on Soldier Boy. There are two explanations for this – either the batch of the Virus that Sameer and Frenchie created has lost some potency (though Rock Hard and Jetstreak collapsing into puddles in seconds contradicts this) or, more likely, the fact that Solider Boy is one of the few Supe's left alive who took the original Compound V (aka V-One) means the Virus isn't as effective on him, and others who took V-One.”

— Jordan Farley, Author

What’s next

The revelation that Soldier Boy survived the Supe Virus sets up a major storyline for the final season of The Boys, as Homelander may now seek out the original Compound V to gain even greater powers and neutralize the team's primary weapon against him.

The takeaway

The surprising survival of Soldier Boy after exposure to the Supe Virus suggests that Homelander may have found a way to avoid the deadly effects of the virus, potentially by obtaining the original Compound V. This development could have major ramifications for the final season of The Boys as the team's plan to take down Homelander may be complicated.