William "Billy" Butcher is one of the most complex, dark, and charismatic antiheroes in modern pop culture. His personality is woven from contradictions: he combines the traits of a ruthless sociopath with those of a deeply damaged man capable of genuine love.

William "Billy" Butcher was born and raised in a disadvantaged area of ​​London, the son of the cruel and tyrannical Tony Butcher. Constant beatings at the hands of his father hardened his character, but also engendered a deep inner rage. To protect his younger brother, Lenny, Billy often took the beatings himself. Trying to escape this hell, he joined the army, becoming an operative in the British Special Forces (SAS). Later, without his brother's protection, Lenny committed , which forever left Billy with guilt and hatred for his father. Major Turning Point: The Life and "Death" of Becky After his service, Butcher met Rebecca (Becky) Saunders, who became the love of his life and helped tame his inner demons. However, the happiness was short-lived. Becky worked for the Vought Corporation and was abused by Earth's premier superhero, Homelander. Shortly thereafter, Becky disappeared without a trace. In the series, Butcher was convinced that the superhero had killed her to cover up the crime. This tragedy completely destroyed the old Billy, leaving only a monster obsessed with revenge. Former CIA Director Grace Mallory noticed Butcher's rage and recruited him to covertly monitor superheroes.

Thus, The Boys was born. At the end of Season 1, Butcher learns that Becky is alive. She has been secretly raising her son with Homelander, Ryan, a boy with colossal strength. Billy tries to save his wife, but during a brutal confrontation in Season 2, Becky is accidentally killed by her own son's heat vision while protecting Billy. Before she dies, she begs Butcher to take care of the boy. From that moment on, Butcher's life takes a precipitous downward spiral:

Temporary Drug V: To fight Homelander and a new enemy, Soldier Boy, Billy begins taking the experimental V24 serum. It grants him laser vision and invulnerability, but destroys his brain. Deadly Diagnosis: Doctors tell Butcher that the serum gives him just over a year to live. Hallucinations and Darkness: His consciousness begins to splinter. Due to brain cancer and exposure to a new strain of the virus, Billy's dark side awakens (personified in a hallucination of his deceased friend, Joe Kessler). Final Transformation: Butcher finally loses faith in a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He decides to use a deadly virus capable of inflicting genocide on all people with superpowers, including even innocents.