The fifth season of *The Boys* brings to the screen a character who only existed in the series’ subtext: Mr. Marathon, now portrayed by Jared Padalecki. In the comics created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, he was the official speedster of the Seven before the arrival of the Bullet Train. Like the other members, he led a life of excess and irresponsibility, and his trajectory ended tragically when an air accident, caused by a desperate maneuver by Captain Patriotic, made him collide with the Brooklyn Bridge, taking his life and that of several civilians.
The inspiration for Mr. Marathon was clear: he is a parody of DC’s Flash, inheriting super‑speed and a hyperactive metabolism that required massive calorie consumption. In addition to speed, he possessed strength above the average human, which positioned him as a potential hero, although his conduct left much to be desired.
In Prime Video’s adaptation, the character survives and gains prominence in the fifth season. Padalecki plays a former close friend of Light Torch, who used to take university students to the Seven’s building for parties. Over time, he was replaced by the younger Bullet Train, who took his spot. The series makes several references to Mr. Marathon throughout the seasons: in the second season, he appears in a production sketch of the Seven’s origin film; in the third, he is mentioned as the actor who played himself in the same movie, although he did not attend the premiere.
These clues create an atmosphere of anticipation for the premiere of the fifth season, which promises to reveal more about the past and future of this peculiar speedster. While in the comics his end was violent, on screen he has the chance to rewrite his story, showing that, even out of the spotlight, he can still be an important piece in the chaotic universe of *The Boys*.
