Summary
WithThe BoysspinoffGen Vcoming out in a matter of days, the show published a website that provided a virtual tour of the fictional college Godolkin University. The website is perfect for anyone who wants a glimpse of what it would be like for a superhero to attend a college catered specifically to superheroes, along with actual merchandising for fans to buy.
The website forGen Vhilariously presents itselfas a legitimate university, showing footage of students enjoying themselves much like any college student would on any university website. The satire reminds viewers that this isn’t a typical university because it’s strictly for superheroes going to a school for crime-fighting, especially since the university has a shortened nickname to hint at what this society thinks of supes: “GodU.”
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Varietygave the full details of what visitors can do when visiting the websiteGodolkinUniversity.com. “The ‘Gen V’ tie-in website allows you to explore the campus, including the campus store and gives you multiple opportunities to purchase Godolkin University merchandise through the Amazon website, as well as standard dorm room supplies already available on Amazon.” Variety also added what Amazon told them about howGen Vcan further entertain viewers. “The experience leverages 3D and 360 assets, which were scanned during production, and coupled them with 3D product images to create a one-of-a-kind fully navigable virtual retail experience. ‘Gen V’ will be a part of the convenience and entertainment, along with fast, free shipping on every order, that Prime members enjoy in a single membership.”
This is far from the first timeThe BoysUniverse has created something online to present their world to keep their viewers interested even whenThe Boysisn’t currently airing new episodes. Vought International has its own X account and YouTube channel, and there are even items they specifically sell on Amazon Prime like it’s coming directly from them and not from an entertainment studio. It hammers in that this isn’t just a show. It’s a fictional universe.
ThisGen Vvirtual campus tour and merchandising align with whatThe Boysdoes to keep the show’s fans interested. They make this world feel real. In other words, they make viewers believe this is what our world would look like if superheroes were real. They probably would be seen as celebrities. There probably would be an evil corporation pulling all the strings. There probably would be shows that propagandize how amazing the supes are. In this particular case, there probably would be a university meant to accept only superheroes.
The Boyshas enjoyed mocking the MCU, the DCEU, and Marvel-adjacent Sony films. WithGen V, it appears as thoughthey’re satirizing the X-Men, knowing that one of the core elements of X-Men was that Professor X wanted to educate mutants to help them live normal lives. The one difference is that while mutants were feared in the X-Men universe, supes in this universe are worshipped, which may or may not play a role in how this show plays itself out.
