While Black Adam walks the line between hero and villain, Peacemaker already blurred those lines within the DCEU. Introduced in The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker was presented as a violent and brutal villain who thinks he is a hero. And the character was shown to be much more complex than anyone could have guessed in his solo series.
From his skewed few of himself to his flawed outlook on being a hero to his potential for growth, there are a lot of interesting aspects to Peacemaker as a character. Through Peacemaker himself or other characters’ thoughts on him, there have been many quotes in the DCEU that have highlighted Peacemaker as a character.
10/10 “Superhero S***.”
Peacemaker – Peacemaker (2022)
While most of the characters in The Suicide Squad are aware that they are villains, Peacemaker is delusional enough to think that he is one of the good guys. When he gets out of prison in Peacemaker, his new team asks what he did to end up behind bars and he insists it was for his own superheroics.
The fact that Peacemaker could actually see the things he does as heroic shows how dangerous he can be as an immoral vigilante. However, the fact that he wants to be a hero so badly hints that redemption is possible.
9/10 “Because He’s A P****!”
Peacemaker – Peacemaker (2022)
Though fans didn’t see Peacemaker showdown with any big DCEU characters, several of them are referenced in his solo series. One of the funniest running jokes in Peacemaker is his constant insulting of the real heroes of the universe.
When someone points out to him that Batman doesn’t kill people, Peacemaker calls out the Caped Crusader. He insists Batman’s non-lethal code allows villains like Joker to kill again and again. It shows Peacemaker’s warped view of what a hero is while also his insecurity in being judged alongside real heroes.
8/10 “This Coming From A Guy That Wears A Toilet Seat On His Head?”
Bloodsport – The Suicide Squad (2021)
James Gunn has a real talent for taking characters who are initially too strange or laughable to take seriously and then making them into real characters. Peacemaker is a perfect example of this as Bloodsport points out how hard it is to listen to anything he says while wearing that ridiculous helmet.
Of course, even as Peacemaker is constantly in his silly costume, he continues to grow as a character, adding more depth and becoming someone who has something worthwhile to say.
7/10 “Costume? This Is A Uniform.”
Peacemaker – Peacemaker (2022)
Another brilliant approach to the character was making him into a skewed version of Captain America. Peacemaker sees himself as a patriot, even when it comes to that elaborate and ridiculous costume.
When one of his teammates makes the mistake of referring to his look as a costume, he corrects them by calling it a uniform as if he is a soldier serving his country. This outlook also feeds into his willingness to do anything, even things he doesn’t want to do because his government asks it of him.
6/10 “You Know Who His Father Is.”
Amanda Waller – Peacemaker (2022)
One of the new characters introduced in Peacemaker is his father Auggie Smith. Even with all the supervillains in the DCEU, Auggie is one of the most despicable villains as a vile racist who has mistreated his son all his life.
When Leota suggests Peacemaker could be racist, Amanda Waller isn’t surprised given who his father is. It establishes Auggie as a huge influence on the worst aspects of Peacemaker and something he has to rid himself of if he is going to be a better person.
5/10 “Eat Peace, Motherf*****!”
Peacemaker – Peacemaker (2022)
One of the funniest aspects of Peacemaker is how he mixes violence and peace as if they are one and the same. When having a shootout with some enemies, Peacemaker throws a bomb at them with the warcry, “Eat peace, motherf******!”
Peacemaker is not one of the smartest characters around so it is entirely possible that the irony of that is lost on him. But it is also just as likely that he is someone who gets caught up in the thrill of battle and forgets what he says he stands for in the first place.
4/10 “But There’s Something Else About Him That’s… Sad.”
Leota – Peacemaker (2022)
Though Peacemaker is far more than just a violent comic relief character in The Suicide Squad, he is really explored deeper in his own show. And quite quickly, Leota notices that there is a tragic character underneath all the noise.
Indeed, there is a lot of sadness in Peacemaker, from his childhood to his struggles with the things he has done. He hides it behind a lot of his boastful behavior and theatrical personality, but it comes through the closer people get to him.
3/10 “I Think I Just Said That ‘Cause I Don’t Want To Kill People Anymore.”
Peacemaker – Peacemaker (2022)
The relationship between Harcourt and Peacemaker is another highlight of the show. They are both “tough” people who gradually are drawn to each other and open up. This includes Peacemaker admitting that some excuse he made for not pulling the trigger was really to cover the fact that he doesn’t want to kill people anymore.
It is a moment of incredible vulnerability for Peacemaker. His skills and usefulness have always been tied to the violence he inflicts, but with all the terrible things Peacemaker has done, he is ready to change his ways.
2/10 “Peacemaker… What A Joke.”
Rick Flag – The Suicide Squad (2021)
Though the team in The Suicide Squad is dysfunctional at best, Peacemaker turns out to be the double-crosser, working secretly for Waller to ensure sensitive information doesn’t get out. This puts him at odds with Rick Flag which leads to a brutal fight.
As Peacemaker finally gets the upper hand and stabs him, Flag utters these final words. It ends up being something that haunts Peacemaker, making him face the fact that his values and what he stands for might all be one big joke.
1/10 “I Cherish Peace With All Of My Heart. I Don’t Care How Many Men, Women And Children I Need To Kill To Get It.”
Peacemaker – The Suicide Squad (2021)
Peacemaker’s explanation about how he achieved peace is hilarious and also shows his messed-up way of thinking. He says the line with such conviction that it’s hard not to believe that he would kill anyone to achieve his idea of peace.
However, the line also sets up how his character is challenged in his own show. For someone who is this convinced that what he is doing is right, it is compelling to see him start to question if he has gone too far.