It’s been a good year for DC fans: Superman (2025), a sequel already on the books for 2027, and the return of Peacemaker. Dare I say, we are SO back.
Peacemaker Season 2 premiered on HBO Max on August 21. Created by James Gunn, the Suicide Squad (2021) spin-off stars John Cena as the titular character. The sophomore season, which takes place after the events of Superman (2025), sees Peacemaker discover an alternate universe where he’s hailed as a beloved hero.
1.
“Crazy how Season 1 was retconned from one of the last entries in the old DCU canon to essentially the first entry of the new DCU so seamlessly. Absolutely genius. Couple that with the fact that Gunn directed arguably the best trilogy in the MCU. … Gunn is right up there with the Russo brothers as comic book film royalty.”
2.
“Great first episode and seamlessly transitioned to the new DCU. I like the Justice Gang doing interviews in a random abandoned storefront lol.”
3.
“The new opening dance for the new season is hilarious. It had me laughing even before the episode really going.”
4.
“It’s crazy seeing how far Cena has come from. His performance this season comes across more natural and sincere, and there’s this softness in how he delivers his lines now. It’s honestly impressive, because he was already great last season comedically, but without many jokes in the premiere, he still delivered.”
5.
“God, that scene in the den was beautiful. The little ticks of still being traumatized by his dad, overwhelmed that his brother is alive, and having to pretend that he’s this universe’s Chris during that whole conversation about imps. And that breakdown when he finally gets to tell his brother he loves him. Cena did fantastic work overall.”
6.
“The premiere was great. There’s definitely a darker, more tragic tone this time around but it still has the wacky, fun tone from the first season. I continue to be seriously impressed at how John Cena gets better and better at dramatic acting. At this point, he’s not even just ‘good for a former wrestler’ — he’s just legitimately really good by any standard.”
7.
“Great show. One of those shows that is way better than you’d think it has any right to be. So much of the violence and humor are really over-the-top, and the subject matter and characters are kind of ridiculous, but the writing is great because it makes us very empathetic to this highly-flawed group of underdogs, with John Cena in particular doing a very good job of making us feel for the personal struggles of Peacemaker.”
8.
“I think Season 1 was among the best, if not the best Superhero TV/movies. Would never expect it, but it dove headfirst into a lot of mental health issues that rarely get covered in the media, and it handled them with both care and humor. Cannot praise it enough.”
9.
“This show is the best thing going right now. John Cena should seriously be in the Emmy consideration. I can’t believe what I just typed.”
10.
“I really like this show. It may not be for everyone, but I think it has a lot of heart and the cast in particular is its biggest strength. Also, watching John Cena commit to the bit and giving every scene his 100% alone makes this show worth watching.”
11.
“I absolutely love the dialogue; it’s so realistic and not ‘scripty’ with just the dumb random things they say and tangents they go on. They seem so much more like real people. Also love the unpredictability of their conversations and actions — such a breath of fresh air after so many formulaic movies/shows.”
12.
“Despite the multiverse being done to death, I’m loving the premise of this ‘the grass is greener on the other side’ plot.”
13.
“James Gunn is often seen as a funny action writer/director, but I think he’s one of the most sensitive and intimate writer/directors working today. I think the work on Guardians (especially 2 and 3), as well as Superman, shows how well he does emotions and character. These movies have moments that have touched me on a personal level, in ways I didn’t expect. This [Episode 3] was a very heartfelt episode, and John Cena is terrific. What a human actor beyond the rigid front.”
14.
“[Tim Meadows] is killing me. A lot of the comedy they’re giving him is so outlandish that it shouldn’t work, but he’s making it work, and well. His ‘bird blindness’ making him completely inept at fending off Eagly had me laughing out loud.”
15.
“For me, its hands down the best of the DCU. Gunn’s shtick seems to be comedy/action found family stories, and he takes the same formula from his Suicide Squad and does it better. I don’t think there is a single character that I didn’t enjoy.”
How do you feel about Peacemaker Season 2 so far? Tell me in the comments!
