With Gen V, The Boys has the rare opportunity to depict characters using their superhuman powers for good. The supes in the original series are almost universally monstrous, and when the heroes pick up Compound V, it makes them into worse people. The next generation can see the evils of their forebearers and fight against them, just like in real life. Jordan Li is one of the most capable students at Godolkin University, even if Vought would prefer they weren't.
The Boys isn't the most creative show when it comes to superpowers. Most of the supes are repurposed characters from DC and Marvel. The writers devise endless ways to use familiar gifts, but the powers are generally borrowed. Gen V features a cast of teens with slightly more experimental tricks up their sleeves.
The Boys: What Is Gen V Based On?
The upcoming collegiate spin-off of Amazon Prime's hit superhero satire has its roots in a particularly unpleasant comic book arc.
Who is Jordan Li?
Jordan Li is a student at the prestigious Godolkin University. Hip-hop artist Derek Luh and spectacularly-named singer London Thor portray the character. Jordan was assigned male at birth but now identifies as bigender. Their powers allow them to swap genders at will. Their parents, Paul and Kayla Li, accepted Vought International's offer to inject Jordan with Compound V and turn them into a supe. Jordan is brought into God U by Richard Brinkerhoff, who has made a career of finding young supes and helping them rise through the ranks. He's seen as a talent scout and mentor who helps Jordan master their talents. When introduced, they work as Brink's TA, making executive decisions about who will and won't attend Brink's College of Crimefighting.
Jordan's role in the show shifts through the first few episodes. As Brink's TA, they reject the show's protagonist, Marie Moreau, from Crimefighting courses. When Marie confronts them, they explain that other applicants have solved crimes or attained social media fame, making them inarguably better candidates for the limited slots. Marie is furious, but Brink offers her no solution. Later, Jordan parties with Luke, Cate, Andre, and Marie, who still holds a grudge as she joins the fun at Andre's behest. Marie jumps into action when Andre accidentally slits a girl's throat with his powers. She's summarily expelled to protect the reputation of the highly-ranked students, including Jordan. Marie confronts Brink but finds Luke killing him.
When Luke pursues Marie, Jordan is the only student to fight back against God U's Golden Boy. Luke takes his own life, and Marie gets credit. Vought denies Jordan's involvement and heroism, promoting the more marketable Andre and Marie. They implore Marie to mention their efforts during a TV interview, but sudden trauma forces them to stick to the script. Jordan is suddenly knocked down the ranks, dropping from #2 to #5, with Andre in the top spot and Marie joining the board. It's devastating, but they're still willing to join the team of students as they struggle to uncover the truth under God U and the reason Luke killed Brink.
What are Jordan Li's powers?
Jordan Li can change their gender presentation and biology at will. It's as easy as breathing, and they frequently do it for kicks. Though useful for their identity, gender shifting isn't a power that would get them to #2 at God U. Luckily, each of their gendered forms possesses a mighty superpower. As a lady, Jordan can fire energy blasts from their hands. The force of these pulses can throw adult humans into the air and stop Golden Boy in his tracks. As a gentleman, Jordan is physically invulnerable. They are immune to all forms of damage and able to shrug off attacks from powerful foes. Their lady form is a glass cannon, while their male shape lacks a unique weapon. Jordan can switch between the two instantly, making them an excellent hero who is rarely caught off-guard. Unfortunately, Vought doesn't care what they're capable of.
Why isn't Jordan Li #1?
God U's top ten system has a huge impact on which young supes are groomed for a life of celebrity guarding a major city or even a position on The Seven. Jordan Li was the first runner-up to Luke, but Vought refuses to escalate them after Golden Boys' death. Vought's publicist, Ashley Barrett, sums it up succinctly. Jordan's bigender identity and Asian heritage make them unmarketable in the American South. Vought fears alienating transphobes by promoting a hero who uses they/them pronouns. It's another clear example that Vought doesn't care about what a hero is capable of. They only worry about how they can sell them.
Jordan Li is a fascinating character who occupies several roles in the show's early episodes. They're allowed to be lightly villainous as they shut down the protagonist's dream. They demonstrate heroism, stepping between the same student and the most gifted fighter at God U. Jordan is a complicated three-dimensional presence that elevates Gen V with some nuance. Their bigender identity, simultaneously accepted by their peers and rejected by the hateful older generation, is a well-handled detail that could have gone wrong. Jordan is a hero who deserves more than Vought will ever be willing to give them. Gen V might show them fighting to get it.