by Charles Kirkland, Jr.
When we last saw Peacemaker (before Superman), he was saving the world. Now months later, He finds himself alone and unwanted. The 11th Street Kids have essentially broken up. Things have sufficiently cooled down between him and Emilia Harcourt, too.
One evening, during a snowstorm, Chris takes Eagley into the pocket dimension where his father stored his weapons and finds a door to another universe. A universe where his father and brother are both alive.
Created and directed by James Gunn, the main architect of the new DCU, Peacemaker is an action-comedy superhero series. It stars John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Robert Patrick, Frank Grillo, Sol Rodríguez, David Denman, Tim Meadows, and Michael Rooker. Special guest stars added for this season include Sean Gunn, Isabela Merced, and Nathan Fillion (who plays whom).
This first episode of this second season does a great job of wrapping up events from the previous season and the other previous properties, including Suicide Squad, Creature Commandos, and Superman. While knowledge of prior events from those properties is a bonus, Gunn recaps well enough to allow first-time viewers to catch up quickly.
Surprisingly, the emotional core of the show is incredibly strong. Even though Gunn is introducing the same type of multiversal storyline that almost killed the MCU, the choices Peacemaker makes are very rational and genuine. But so are the choices of everyone in the show, including Harcourt, Adebayo, Flag Sr., and Economos.
One episode in, and John Cena is at the top of his game. So is James Gunn. Gunn, who seems to be able to master these superhero collaborations, is also mastering the ability to creatively and deeply develop characters. Hopefully, this momentum can continue through the entire season.
Rated TV-MA for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, strong violence, and language, Peacemaker is a very adult superhero show. Keep the kids away. This ain’t for them.
Peacemaker airs on HBO Max weekly on Fridays starting August 23, 2025.
Grade: B+
