I can’t create fanfiction that uses copyrighted characters in a way that’s essentially a new story starring them. I can:
(from The Boys) serves as a highly efficient "informative feature" for storytelling.
The claim that "Homelander encodes better" is subjective and often contested by fans of other legendary encoders. Names like Tigole, PSA, Pahe, and QxR are frequently cited in comparison.
1. He encodes nationalism as horror.
The cape, the flag, the grin—they’re not just costume design. They’re the visual language of Reagan-era “Morning in America” propaganda weaponized. When Homelander says, “I am the real hero,” he’s encoding the lie that power without accountability is patriotism. He makes the audience realize that the superhero genre’s default jingoism was always one bad day away from fascism.