Peacemaker returns from one universe to another with the release of Superman! The character of Peacemaker is himself unusual, he was a pacifist hero in his first appearance, The Fightin’ 5 #40 (1966). Then his own series by creators, Joe Gill and Pat Boyette. He entered the DC Universe with other Charlton Comics heroes in Crisis on Infinite Earths #6 (1985). Then, he had his own 1988 limited series where he was recreated as a violent anti-hero. In James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad (2021), Peacemaker kills Rick Flag, Jr. He is shot in the neck by Deadshot. He recovered, Chris Smith was “not quite dead yet”, to appear in the first season of Peacemaker. The government group, A.R.G.U.S. (Advanced Research Group Uniting Super-Humans), has recruited Peacemaker.
A movie spoiler ahead! The group includes Emilia Harcourt and John Economos, both debuting in The Suicide Squad. Chris also reunites with his bald eagle buddy, Eagly. James Gunn explains what is canon in his Peacemaker: The Official Podcast with James Gunn. He intended that Peacemaker had died, but returned him for the show. Also, a new agent is Leota Adebayo whom he discover is the daughter of A.R.G.U.S. leader Amanda Waller. Another addition is the bizarre crimefighter, Vigilante, who just attaches to the group. Chris flashes back to his childhood where his father, Auggie, arranged a fight with his brother, Keith, and he finds he has killed his brother! Leota reveals Task Force X. We last saw Peacemaker interviewed in Superman.
“The Ties That Grind” is written and directed by Gunn. We get a short recap with Leota (Danielle Brooks) asking Chris if he is calling in the Justice Gang.At the end after defeating the alien Butterflies, the 11th Street Kids as they dub themselves, walk a misty field. From the nighty sky, descends the five figures of what was called the Justice Gang, the profile of Mr. Terrific is seen, a caped figure, Gunn identified in the podcast as Superman, Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, and another caped figure, Gunn said she was Supergirl. Peacemaker says they are late. Hawkgirl (Isabel Merced) calls him a meathead. Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) says Peacemaker calls him a “puke freak.” Hawkgirl laughs. Some reshoots to fit the show with the new universe. At Peacemaker’s bed at his home, Eagly pecks at him. Chris (John Cena) throws off his blanket and sees the snow fall from his window.
He enters the code to the room he called a “quantum unfolding chamber” where he stored his gear and weapons last season. This was a hint of the pocket universe in Superman. Chris sends Eagly out to fly in the endless chamber. A door in one of the gateways opens and an alien, four red eyes, drops a rodent into a cage. The alien incinerates the animal. Chris greets the alien, but it just walks to its portal. He goes to call for Eagly and walks over where it is in front of another portal. Chris notices the case of Peacemaker helmets and also his door with code pad, he walked, but found himself in the same place! He puts the code in again, eerie music, and finds he is in a trophy room. Chris sees a plaque, a key to the city, and a newspaper heralding the Top Trio; Peacemaker, White Dragon, and another hero which is like a family united.
Then, he sees his father, Auggie Smith (Robert Patrick), whom he killed last season when he wore the White Dragon armor! An alternate universe or Peacemaker is haunted by the ghosts of his past? Chris runs and closes the door behind him. The title sequence has another dance scene with the whole cast, new characters including Rick Flag, Sr. (Frank Grillo), and also the alien. This is all to "Oh Lord" by Foxy Shazam whom also had the song for the dance intro in the first season. There is Judomaster. We some in uniform and also in regular clothes. Chris spins Emilia, they touch each others' faces, and it ends with Emilia and two villains including White Dragon. Then, Eagly hopping over a dogpile of the characters. It is “Six Months Later”, a daytime street, waiting in a car is Leota waiting for Peacemaker in full uniform. She notes that it is strange he is living at his father’s house. This season seems to be about consequences with Christopher Smith.
He brings up her partner, Keeya, but she says she can’t handle being an agent. Peacemaker says Keeya is probably worried that she might die and everyone could die. His mellowness is probably from the encounter with Auggie in the chamber. Leota shows him her business card, Adebayo Security Consulting. He brings up Harcourt, Jennifer, and Leota says they hung out and she has almost forgave her for exposing Task Force X. Peacemaker thanks her for the ride and says the metahumans think he is stupid with the “disco ball on his head”, funny! They pull up to an abandoned strip mall with Krank Toys having two guards in black covering the entrance. One guard opens the door at Peacemaker’s approach and out of it is a woman in a white and pink bunny uniform, White Rabbit (Brey Noelle), crying!
Jaina Hudson, White Rabbit, was introduced in Batman: The Dark Knight #1 (2011). He enters the abandoned building and on the other side is a security room. He is welcomed by Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn) who also had a cameo in Superman. Lord points out the founding members, Green Lantern, Guy, and Hawkgirl, Kendra, who are silent. He is asked which name he prefers Peacemaker or Chris, Peacemaker says either, and Lord leaves on the mic, hot mike. He says to Hawkgirl, “Mark that as indecisive.” Peacemaker seems nervous under the light like an interrogation. He says his violence was “indiscriminate”, but goes honest and says he is getting over the trauma of his father. Hawkgirl is more interested in the popcorn. Peacemaker interrupts them to ask if he is supposed to hear them.
Lord switches on and off his mic, but the off only has a little static, Guy laughs. Hawkgirl says the mic has been broken all day and that Guy has supposed to fix it. Lord tries to apologize and finds the chair is empty. Peacemaker returns to the car, slamming the door, and says he didn’t want to join the Justice Gang as they drive away. Another interview, the man mentions intelligence work for 18 years and interviews, but concludes it is “toxic masculinity.” Jennifer Harcourt is not happy. She argues with the NSA interviewer. Finally, saying that it is Amanda Waller even under investigation, who is blocking her hire. She is escorted out and Jennifer punches the dashboard of her car repeatedly. This is the regular high point of saving the world and then starting at the bottom like Ghostbusters II (1989).
Jennifer pulls up to her house and sees Chris waiting outside. They walk in the house, Chris sees the past due bills on her table, as Jennifer washes her bloody knuckles. She says she was turned down by an “alphabet of intelligence agencies.” Chris has ice in a towel to wrap around her hand. He was dominant with her first season, but now just kind. It is a welcome change to his character, still blunt, and a little low in the intelligence department, but still a fun character. There may be a turnaround. Chris brings up their night on a boat, awkward conversation, and Jennifer says she was drunk. Then, she says it was a mistake. This makes him angry, she drops on her couch, he storms out of the door. Chris slumps on his couch to take drugs and then flashes into a fully nude party. He stumbles over to the keypad. John Economos (Steve Agee) is at his van monitors.
John gets a call from Vij, Adrian (Freddie Stroma) in work clothes for Italian restaurant, Fennel Fields, saying he moved back to Belle Reve. Adrian holds up his phone to capture the hooting of an owl. Yes, the band has to get back together again. John humors him by quizzing him with owl facts. He of course gets it wrong and Adrian’s boss has him return to his station. John gets an alert and then a call from A.R.G.U.S. Sasha Bordeaux (Sol Rodriguez) talks to John and told to investigate a house. John takes a gun from a drawer. On tv is The Sphere with host, Cleavis Thornwaite (Michael Ian Black) from Superman. The headline is “Metahuman Breakouts Continue.” Thornwaite reports that it is third metahuman escape from Arkham Asylum or Belle Reve. This is watched by General Rick Flag Sr. on his computer. He also made his live action appearance in Superman. Sasha says they have picked up a glitch from Christopher Smith.
Five Peacemaker Helmet out of Five!
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