The Boys‘ TV adaptation is wildly different from the comic series it’s based on, and while Prime Video’s show has made countless great changes, I’m still not over what the series has done to Love Sausage. Although he isn’t a major character in Amazon’s version of The Boys, Love Sausage does make numerous cameos. Having first appeared when The Boys infiltrated Sage Grove, the former patient makes an instant impression as he attacks MM, revealing that his superpower is his abnormally large penis that can be used as a tentacle, which is a surprisingly efficient weapon.
Love Sausage also appears during “Herogasm”, where he greets Starlight and MM, resulting in a humorous interaction between the trio. His final cameo comes during The Boys season 4’s ending, where he once again clashes with MM. With The Boys on the run, Love Sausage is recruited as part of Homelander’s supe army and is tasked with capturing MM, which he does by ambushing him inside a bathroom. Although little is known about his background in the TV show, the Russian villain is hard to forget, and I still can’t believe how different he is compared to his comic equivalent.
The Boys’ Love Sausage Is Nothing Like The Comic Character
Both Versions Of Love Sausage Have Completely Different Roles In The Boys’ Story
Outside his nationality and unique superpower, Love Sausage in the comics is an entirely different character from Prime Video’s portrayal. While I do personally get a kick out of Amazon’s hilarious take on the character, the comic book version has far more personality and a much bigger overall role. Whereas Love Sausage is one of MM’s greatest foes in the show, the Russian supe is actually an ally of The Boys in the source material and is one of the few heroes they can rely on, even aiding the protagonists on several missions, including the fight against Stormfront.
During his final moments, Love Sausage is able to text Hughie about Butcher’s true nature during the comic’s final arc, making him one of the most likable supes in the entire story.
During his final moments, Love Sausage is able to text Hughie about Butcher’s true nature during the comic’s final arc, making him one of the most likable supes in the entire story. In comparison, Prime Video’s Love Sausage only shows up occasionally, mainly as a gag character to take down MM. Given how strong the rest of the cast is, reducing the character to a smaller role still works, and I do enjoy his sporadic appearances, but he still doesn’t hold a candle to his comic book counterpart, making this change hard to fully get over.
With how many differences The Boys TV show and comics have, it was inevitable that some characters would get a slight downgrade. However, considering the TV series has had way more hits than misses when it comes to its unique takes on supes, I’m willing to forgive Amazon, even if I never quite get used to this ambitious take on Love Sausage.
Love Sausage Was Turned Into A Joke, But Now He’s A Villain Too!
Love Sausage Has Been A Constant Thorn In The Protagonists Side In The TV Universe
Although Love Sausage wasn’t The Boys comics’ most serious character, he was treated as a valuable ally who could handle himself in a fight. In contrast, Prime Video’s version is a bit of a joke, on top of being a villain. Love Sausage can clearly still fight in the show as he knocked out MM during season 4’s finale and posed a real threat during season 2, but the comedic nature of his power means he is still used largely as a gag. While this is already a major change, the TV universe also decided to make him an antagonist.
He has no real relationship with the protagonists other than becoming a slight nemesis for MM, given how frequently the two have crossed paths. Instead, he appears to be just like many of the show’s other supes, evil and willing to do Homelander’s bidding, presumably in exchange for his freedom. Unfortunately, not much is known about his motives, and we’re unlikely to learn more in The Boys‘ fifth and final season, but making him a villain does add a layer of humor to watching the central characters face off against him.
For non-comic readers, Love Sausage’s role in the show is probably perfect. He isn’t unnecessarily forced into the story, provides some outrageous yet hilarious moments, and is a fun, minor antagonist for The Boys to try and deal with. Unfortunately, for those who know about his comic book arc, it’s still slightly sad to see him play such a small part, leaving me conflicted about the TV version.
An Authentic Love Sausage Would’ve Been A Great Addition To The Boys
The Boys Having A Reliable Supe Ally Could’ve Provided A Fun Dynamic
Whether you love or hate Prime Video’s take on Love Sausage, there’s no doubt an authentic version would have been a great addition to the show. Many of The Boys’ super-abled allies have come via blackmail or supes wanting to turn their backs on Vought. While this has led to some great storylines like A-Train’s redemption, the protagonists have had very few truly dependable supe friends throughout the series, excluding Kimiko and Starlight. Therefore, someone like Love Sausage providing reliable assistance would have added a fresh dynamic, and seeing the characters first discover his power sounds hilarious.
The Boys Seasons
Rotten Tomatoes Score (Audience)
The Boys Season 1
85%
91%
The Boys Season 2
97%
84%
The Boys Season 3
98%
76%
The Boys Season 4
92%
54%
Whether he would have survived against the show’s ruthless villains is another question entirely, but it wasn’t until Butcher turned on The Boys that Love Sausage met his end in the comics, suggesting his lively personality and unorthodox abilities could have given the heroes a real boost in Prime Video’s universe. Overall, Love Sausage has still been a fun addition to the TV series and I always enjoy seeing him appear – even if it’s usually bad news for the main group; however, I still feel like The Boys should have adapted his comic personality instead.
