In the latest Episode of the The Boys spin-off series, Gen V, we’re back in a world where superhero morality is a thing of the past. Corporate greed and brutality are the order of the day, and while Gen V continues to deliver its signature thrills and visceral thrills, we’re also introduced to a character Tek Knight, who epitomizes the franchise’s reputation for creating grisly “supes.”
Who is Tek Knight?
In The Boys universe, “supe” is just a shortened term for “superhero.” However, as fans of the series know all too well, there’s very little that’s heroic about the superpowered individuals on Vought International’s roster. From the mostly decent Annie January, a.k.a. Starlight, to the bumbling and corrupt The Deep, to the downright terrifying and evil Homelander, the spectrum of “heroes” runs the gamut. And now, with Gen V, we’re introduced to Tek Knight, portrayed by Derek Wilson, who is a malevolent force in a way we’ve never quite witnessed before.
Tek Knight arrives at Godolkin University under the guise of investigating the murder-suicide of Golden Boy, but his real agenda is to find a convenient scapegoat. What sets Tek Knight apart is not just his morally bankrupt character but also his unique power set, which deviates from the god-like abilities associated with Vought’s premier team, The Seven.
Unlike the traditional physical powerhouses, Tek Knight possesses an extraordinary power – super perception. The show’s cinematography and visual effects teams provide viewers with a glimpse of Tek’s perspective, enabling us to experience his heightened senses. This supernatural perception becomes instrumental as Tek Knight navigates the murky waters of God U and becomes the ideal host for Vought+’s true crime docuseries, “The Whole Truth.”
Tek Knight’s Powers: From Comic Book Parody to Supernatural Surprise in Gen V
What’s truly intriguing is how Tek Knight’s character in Gen V diverges from his original comic book incarnation. Both Gen V and The Boys draw their inspiration from Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s comic series, but Tek Knight’s evolution is notable. In the comic, Tek Knight, also known as Tek-Knight, is more of a Tony Stark or Bruce Wayne parody named Robert Vernon. He is a non-powered member of Soldier Boy‘s Payback team, relying on a sophisticated battle suit for his crime-fighting endeavors. However, in a quintessential twist of The Boys‘ dark humor, he suffers from sexual psychosis due to a brain tumor, a storyline that is revisited in Gen V when Dean Shetty uncovers Tek’s peculiar preferences involving inanimate objects.
The revelation of Tek Knight’s powers and the absence of his Iron Man-esque suit in Gen V add another layer of surprise, especially given the hints dropped about him in The Boys TV series. In previous seasons, we learned that Tek Knight saved a woman’s life but accidentally rendered her paraplegic, suggesting that his abilities were more physically oriented, closer to his comic book counterpart. However, as Dean Shetty aptly notes, Tek’s powers of perception can inflict physical trauma in their own right.
Ending Notes
This evolution of the character of Tek Knight highlights one of the most compelling aspects of The Boys franchise. The writers behind The Boys franchise and Gen V are not afraid to change and adapt comic characters to fit the medium of television, which allows for a viewing experience that is unique and not just an adaptation. So why did they decide to update the character of Tek for Gen V, rather than creating a brand new supe? Maybe the name “Tek Knight” is just too good to be true crime ambulance chase.
