One of the most admirable characters in The Boys was Black Noir. He was quite impressive since he was shown in the TV series, even though his powers were rather weak compared to other supes, except The Deep. We first got to meet Black Noir in Season 1 of The Boys where the mystery behind his all-black suit and his silence caught everyone’s attention. However, season one did not have much to do with Black Noir, but the next seasons gave us much more insight about him, and we also witnessed his death. Now he has made a comeback with The Boys Season 4. Let’s dive into the powers and abilities of Black Noir and how they differ from the new Black Noir.
Understanding Black Noir’s Powers
Many fans have been confused about Black Noir's true capabilities. Initially, he seemed like just a highly trained fighter, a parody of Batman. As the series progressed, however, we discovered that Black Noir possesses remarkable abilities. Along with being a lethal combatant, Black Noir has powers such as super strength, enhanced durability, a healing factor, and exceptional stealth.
It’s important to note that his powers in the series were significantly toned down compared to the comics. This is why Homelander was able to easily kill Noir by punching through his chest. In the comics, Black Noir has a completely different origin and arc that showcases his true potential.
Comparing Black Noir’s Powers: Comics vs. TV Show
When exploring the comic version of The Boys, you'll find that Black Noir's character is much more complex. In the grand finale of the comic series, it is revealed that Black Noir is actually a clone of Homelander, created as a failsafe against the most powerful supe. He possesses every single power that Homelander has since he was designed to be an alpha version meant to stop him in case he went rogue.
In a shocking twist at the end of the comic, Black Noir kills Homelander, walking away with his severed arm, despite being heavily injured himself. William Butcher, along with the military, bombards Black Noir until he is weak enough, and then Butcher finishes him off with a crowbar. This gory scene highlights the brutality of the comic series compared to the TV adaptation.
Exploring Black Noir’s Weaknesses
In the comics, Black Noir appears to be invulnerable, having no significant weaknesses. However, in the live-action series, things are quite different. Black Noir has a peculiar weakness: he is deathly allergic to nuts. This unusual trait is humorously utilized by Queen Maeve when she saves Starlight. She shoves an Almond Joy bar into Black Noir’s mouth, causing him to collapse instantly!
After Homelander kills Black Noir in Season 3, fans were surprised by his return in Season 4. Eric Kripke, the showrunner, explained that the Black Noir we see now is not the same character; instead, a new character takes up the mantle. He mentioned, “It’s definitely not the last we’ve seen of Black Noir as a hero. The guy who was inside the Noir costume in Season 3 is gone, but we have Nathan playing a really interesting and hilarious character who wears the suit next season.”
The New Black Noir: Powers and Weaknesses
Now that we have a new Black Noir played by Nathan Mitchell, it’s important to note how he differs from the original character. For starters, the original Black Noir was mute, while this new character speaks. He retains all the powers of the original Black Noir but is much stronger. The new Black Noir can even fly and is virtually invincible, making him a formidable presence.
However, he does have a unique weakness of his own. The new Black Noir is narcoleptic, meaning he can fall asleep at any moment, even during a fight. This was evident during his battle with Butcher, where he unexpectedly dozed off! With this new character alive and well, fans can expect to see him in The Boys Season 5, set to release in 2026. Stay tuned!
