Peacemaker, Season 2 (HBO Max)

By: Nick Zednik 

From zero to hero! James Gunn continues to build his newly relaunched DC Universe (DCU) with the return of fan favorite, Peacemaker. Following the critical success of season 1, it seemed to be a matter of if, not when we’d see the titular character again. Whether it's saving the world or being grilled by school kids, season 2 is set a few months after Gunn’s Superman (2025) and focuses on John Cena (Trainwreck) as Peacemaker continues to struggle with reconciling his past. A failed job interview to join The Justice Gang and Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) continually rejecting his romantic gestures, leaves Peacemaker longing for a better life. As the saying goes, “When opportunity knocks, open the door” (literally). 

Through the devilish acts of his father, Peacemaker inherits the secret Quantum Unfolding Chamber (QUC), an inter-dimensional portal capable of time travel. The stakes are laid out quickly after a consequential encounter sets the stage with massive repercussions. Hypnotized by an idyllic reality, Peacemaker stumbles upon a parallel world where his deceased father and brother are alive, Rick Flag Jr. works with him and the Peacemaker of that world is a celebrated hero who's in a relationship with that universe's Harcourt. As our Peacemaker is drawn to the fabrication of happiness, the grass isn't always greener on the other side, or is it? These themes do appear to be heavily inspired by renowned multiverse classics such as It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and Sliding Doors (1998), with an intentional comic-book spin.

Season 2 has a greater emphasis on our cast navigating the hand they’ve been dealt, specifically highlighting how quickly the world moves on after their heroic efforts. Battle lines are drawn and friendships are tested as Frank Grillo’s (Warrior) Rick Flag Sr. and Sol Rodriguez’s (NCIS) Sasha Bordeaux are introduced and quickly make their intentions known. I was pleased to see the underappreciated Steve Agee shine in a much bigger role while Eagly, the rambunctious bald eagle pet/sidekick continues to be a bright spot. A consistent throughline is Peacemaker's attempts at rehabilitating his image through extreme heroic efforts. Along with Gunn’s twisted sense of humor also comes the drama as the story displays more soap opera tendencies with many twists and turns. By fully embracing the freedoms connected to its HBO banner, Peacemaker ratchets up a higher dose of profanity and vulgar scenery, definitively establishing that this series is not intended for kids.

As Peacemaker cements itself as a core fixture of the new DCU, I was quite pleased with the way Gunn humorously ties in the events of Superman (2025) as a proper restart. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that after season 1’s viral “Do Ya Wanna Taste it” opening credits, season 2's“Oh Lord” sequence is just as catchy and didn’t have me skipping the credits once.

Nick’s Pick: 8.5/10 After a rocky start, Peacemaker season 2 finds its groove as John Cena delivers an impressively compelling performance with all of Gunn’s sensibilities on full display. The end result is an entertaining, action-packed, and thought-provoking season of television and leaves me excited to witness a broader exploration of the DCU.