By
Mason Downey
on
Peacemaker on HBO Max is pulling out all the stops to introduce some of DC’s most ridiculous superheroes.
James Gunn has a penchant for the weird and unusual when it comes to comic book lore. This should surprise absolutely no one, especially after he took care to elevate the formerly C or D tier characters of the Guardians of the Galaxy to household names in the MCU and going on to bring cult classics like Starro, a variation of Arms Fall Off Boy (who yes, is real) and even Peacemaker himself to life in The Suicide Squad.
It only makes sense that his latest project, the Peacemaker TV show on HBO Max, would do everything it can to introduce (or just name drop) even more of DC’s weirdest heroes. The series finds John Cena reprising his role as the man violently obsessed with peace at any cost and happens to make note of quite a few names that most likely never expected to hear in this particular DC Universe. Imagine these characters, standing side by side with Ben Affleck’s Batman for full comedic effect.
Here are the ones that have been introduced thus far–and we’ll keep updating the list as the show progresses week to week.
1. Vigilante
Okay, to be completely fair Vigilante isn’t necessarily “obscure,” depending on what sort of DC fan you are. That being said, he’s not exactly the most popular guy around either, so we’re counting him. There have been a number of people who have taken on the Vigilante mantle in the comics but the version in the show is Adrian Chase, the second Vigilante, who has been completely re-imagined for live-action.
2. Bat-Mite
Bat-Mite might not actually show up in the show, but he does get name-dropped by Economos as a slight to Peacemaker himself. The description, that he’s an interdimensional being who “stans Batman” is, surprisingly, completely accurate. Strangely, Bat-Mite isn’t all that obscure either and tends to show up in the animated Batman shows more frequently than not.
3. Judomaster
Senator Goff’s bodyguard is Judomaster, who is also a very real DC character. Like Vigilante he’s been completely reinvented for the show, however. In the comics he’s typically a hero and has even been a member of the Justice League.
4. White Dragon
White Dragon’s been given the overhaul treatment as well, but he does exist in the comics. No, he’s not related to Peacemaker at all, but yes, he was a neo-nazi in some incarnations there, too.
5. Matter-Eater Lad
Apparently, Peacemaker once had a team-up with one of DC’s most frequently memed heroes: Matter-Eater Lad of the Legion of Super-Heroes. Yes, his power really is that he can eat anything. No, he doesn’t typically get much time in the spotlight anywhere but lists of absurd and ridiculous superheroes–but he really is real, we swear. He’s even shown up in cartoons a time or two, mostly as a punchline.