Compound V
American Comics: Starting from The Boys, Making Friends Makes Me Stronger
Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Compound V (五号化合物) 2 |
| Affiliation | Developed and controlled by Vought International 2 73 |
| Role | Drug used to create superpowered individuals 2 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 2 2 |
Formulations
| Formulation | Use and duration |
|---|---|
| Infant Compound V | Given to babies to produce permanent superpowers; infancy offers the best results 2 28 39. |
| Adult permanent Compound V | Can grant adults lasting powers, though Li Wei notes that adult treatment may carry costs 39. |
| Temporary Compound V | Grants adults short-lived powers but carries severe health risks 39 96. |
Effects and Risks
- The power gained from an injection is unpredictable. Some recipients develop abilities that Vought considers useless or dangerous; they may be used as test subjects or secretly killed 2 26.
- Supes generally gain enhanced physical abilities alongside their individual powers, but the extent varies 2.
- Repeat doses can strengthen the body or potentially awaken further powers. Treatment becomes more dangerous and less effective with age 28.
- Temporary Compound V causes cancer. Li Wei estimates that an ordinary person can withstand only one or two doses, with a third potentially causing catastrophic damage and five being effectively fatal 39.
- Uncontrolled use can have immediate consequences: the Mesmerizer accidentally killed her landlord after taking Compound V and losing control of her increased power 15.
History
Vought used Compound V to create supes while presenting them publicly as superheroes. It kept records of recipients, selected marketable candidates for public careers, and concealed its treatment of those whose powers were unsuitable 2 26 73.
The Boys uncovered Compound V during their investigation of A-Train. Later, Butcher extracted a sample from a children's hospital as evidence for the CIA and gave Li Wei a vial for private research 19 30 31. Dr. Cardoza subsequently researched Temporary Compound V under Li Wei's direction 57.
After Vought reorganized its superhero and pharmaceutical operations, it disclosed its data, processes, and equipment for every version of Compound V to Li Wei 128. He later promoted free access to the drug in The Boys' world, leaving parents to decide whether to give it to their children 230.
Countermeasures
- Soldier Boy's radiation weakens the abilities of people empowered by Compound V. A charged blast can neutralize the drug's special components in their blood and strip their powers; another injection can restore them 124.
- Anti-supe research at Vought's Woods facility includes work on a virus that neutralizes Compound V in the blood and carries diseases 14. Principal Intralla also seeks a drug or virus targeting Compound V and supes 82.
- Li Wei's copied powers are separate from Compound V. He questions whether a Compound V countermeasure would affect them, but the provided account does not establish an answer 14 31.