Aarcflick

 Is “The Boys” a satire of superhero franchises or a superhero franchise itself? That's the question posed by a show that is, among other things, a warning about corporate monopoly that airs on Amazon. So far, however, the answer is both: a delicate balance that “The Boys” has maintained across three acclaimed seasons, an animated anthology series and, now, a live-action spinoff, “Gen V.” set at the university.  The contradictions of success may eventually take their toll on black comedy and its satellites, which portray so-called superheroes as pawns of the rapacious Vought International. But “Gen V” retains the edge, cynicism and (appropriately) teen humor that makes its parent show tick, suggesting that “The Boys” is far from the creative fatigue that now plagues juggernauts like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Developed by Eric Kripke, Evan Goldberg and Craig Rosenberg, all executive producers of “The Boys,” and directed by Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters, “Gen V” is set a...