James Gunn, hot off directing his critically acclaimed film “Superman,” is back with a second season to the 2022 viral hit superhero show “Peacemaker.”
At a press conference at San Diego Comic Con that took place from July 24th to 27th, Gunn confirmed that “Peacemaker” Season 2 takes place one month after the events of “Superman” making it a sequel to the film. This change contradicts some of the events of the first season since the first season took place in the previous DC cinematic movie universe known as the DCEU.
I was a fan of some of the previous casting and projects set in the previous universe such as Ben Affleck’s Batman, Henry Cavil’s Superman and Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman just to name a few. Nonetheless, the reset button is sort of hit here as Gunn took control of the DC films and television on Nov. 1st 2022, rebooting most of the previous DC movie continuity.
Gunn has stated multiple times that this new season takes place in his new DC Universe he co-created alongside Peter Safran known as the DCU, which officially started with the animated show “Creature Commandos” released Dec. 5th 2024 and the last summer’s blockbuster film “Superman.” Although this is a new universe, it also takes some elements of his previous projects that took place in the previous universe such as “The Suicide Squad” (2021) and “Peacemaker” Season 1 (2022)” making this a sort of soft reboot. “Peacemaker” Season 2 released on Aug. 21.
John Cena’s character Peacemaker, also known as Christopher Smith, returns from the previous season alongside the rest of the main cast known as 11th Street Kids. That includes Freddie Stroma’s Vigilante, Jennifer Holland’s Emilia Harcourt, Danielle Brook’s Leota Adebayo, Steve Agee’s John Economos and Robert Patrick’s Auggie Smith, Peacemaker’s dad. The chemistry these characters had returns as they saved the world fighting alien butterflies together in Season 1 they are like family to each other.
The main antagonist of the show is Frank Grillo’s character Rick Flag, returning from previous DCU projects “Creature Commandos” and “Superman.” His whole vendetta stems back from the film “The Suicide Squad,” where Peacemaker was ordered to kill Flag’s son Rick Flag Jr. by Amanda Waller, creator of the Suicide Squad and Creature Commandos to prevent an outrage of the American people against the U.S Government. Rick Sr. takes charge of A.R.G.U.S previously lead by Waller. A few new characters are added such as Peacemaker’s dead brother Keith played by David Denman, Langston Fleury, played by Tim Meadows and Sol Rodriguez’s character Sasha Bordeux.
I love the diverse cast of new and returning characters, who come from different backgrounds. Peacemaker is a trained mercenary alongside Vigilante. They differ in terms of their personalities. Peacemaker, the main character, believes in achieving peace through whatever means necessary. He is, for the most part, a serious and at times emotional guy.
Vigilante, on the other hand, has that sort of dumb character comedy vibe, which got a few laughs out of me. His character is very funny and likeable. As Vigilante’s name suggests he is a vigilante, who kills for fun and ultimately wants Peacemaker’s friendship and approval. The rest of the main cast is here, too. Jennifer Holland’s Emilia Harcourt is back as Peacemaker’s love interest alongside Steve Agee’s character, John Economos. He’s a nerdy cowardly ally. Danielle Brooks’ Leota Adebayo is Amanda Waller’s daughter.
As for the new characters Langston Fleury is a supporting character added to the show just to make you laugh. Fleury’s dumb and witty comments certainly made me crack a laugh here or there. I’m familiar with Rick Flag’s Sr.’s character. I have seen all the media he’s been in via Gunn’s older projects. You can understand his frustration with Peacemaker, especially after his character learns the truth about his son’s death.
The main plot of the show consists of Peacemaker struggling to have the life he wants as he has no family due to killing his father in the previous season and his brother dying when they were kids due to an accident. He is then rejected by the Justice Gang and has a complicated relationship with his love interest Emilia Harcourt. That prompts him to find an escape to his current life, which he deems miserable. Peacemaker ends up finding his way to an alternate dimension via portal where all seems perfect. He is seen as a hero here alongside his brother and dad which are alive and well in this alternate dimension and his relationship with Harcourt seems great causing him to hop between universes catching the attention of the U.S government team A.R.G.U.S. It consists of Rick Flag Sr. and his allies, including Nhut Le’s Judo master character.
The saying “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” applies here as in this alternate universe the Germans won World War II resulting the global spread of Nazism. It’s implied every person of color has no freedom. Peacemaker, although going through the portal numerous times, doesn’t realize what a horrible world, he’s in until his friends decide to rescue him after he decides to quit his old world for this new “perfect” world.
Peacemaker’s allies, the 11th Street Kids rescue him from this alternate universe after obviously finding out this world is a horrible abomination. Peacemaker eventually realizes what a horrible world he’s in and gets out of there. The show ends with a cliffhanger involving Peacemaker which sets up the future of the DCU.
This second season of peacemaker is fantastic. Gunn killed it again. It is a dark and weird turn compared to the lighthearted family friendly film “Superman” which he released only a month before this new season of Peacemaker. The characters, although pulled from a separate universe, fit right in to this new DCU. Cena’s portrayal of Peacemaker again is stellar due to his acting being top notch giving peacemaker’s character more emotion. Freddie Stroma’s portrayal of Vigilante steals the show again with his comedic goofiness. The complexity of each character is shown well. Everyone has their own background and it meshes so well together. It’s just a group of misfits with messed up backgrounds who come together once again to put on a weird emotional and comedic spectacle.
DC is in safe hands under Gunn’s control with a extensive resume of superhero media. His work here adds to that resume. Gunn shows he isn’t scared to get weird and controversial with the content provided here in “Peacemaker.” He already has multiple projects announced, such as a sequel to “Superman” titled “Man Of Tomorrow” (2027), a Batman and Wonder Woman reboot and much more.
I give the second season of “Peacemaker” a perfect score. It truly is a must watch, especially if you are a comic book fan. I can’t wait to see how he continues this new DC cinematic universe.
Grade: A+
