Initial Thoughts
Peacemaker was a show I didn’t really think I needed. Sure, I knew I would watch it, but it didn’t really top my list of most anticipated shows upcoming in 2022. Having said this, it didn’t take much more than the opening credits to get me invested.
Peacemaker is available on HBO Max in the United States and on Crave in Canada, however it is not yet available in the United Kingdom as well as other major countries. Therefore, the following Peacemaker review will be spoiler free.
A spin-off of a show for The Suicide Squad in theory, is a great idea. There are plenty of great characters to pull from. A show featuring the incredibly talented Viola Davis as the devious Amanda Waller would be a hit.
You could go with a classic like Harley Quinn, or even a fan favorite like Daniela Melchior’s Ratcatcher 2. However, James Gunn and John Cena have presented a captivating project.
Spoiler-Free Peacemaker Review
The show is a nice mix of action and comedic banter. The opening sequence of the show’s premiere episode is a great introduction into what type of comedy you can expect from the series. The jokes are off-side and vulgar, but they are also pulled off.
There are however points where the jokes do get to be a bit much. I may be in the minority here, but I personally could do with less Vigilante in my life. While his jokes made me laugh initially, they grew old pretty quickly. This was however, one of the few sour spots for me, and I understand I’m in the minority here.
Much like its predecessor The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker is not a show for the faint of heart. Full of violence, profanity, gore and nudity, it’s not exactly a full family affair. However, this is a nice change of pace.
Peacemaker brings a totally different element of comic book stories to our screens. Shows like Hawkeye and Falcon and the Winter Soldier over on Disney+ definitely have their darker moments. The upcoming project Moon Knight, will without a doubt be their darkest project to date.
These shows however are almost incomparable to a show like Peacemaker, as the genre feels entirely different. Outside of The Suicide Squad, the closest superhero project within Marvel or DC film and television I could compare it to would be Deadpool.
Danielle Brooks as Agent Adebayo is a phenomenal addition to the show. Her character’s banter provides next level entertainment. Although she’s new to the field, time will tell how her skills will adapt to the test.
Agent Adebayo definitely provides a different perspective than her peers who appeared in The Suicide Squad. Brooks plays the role flawlessly, and is one of the standouts of the series.
Is Peacemaker Worth the Watch?
Yes, Peacemaker is absolutely worth the watch. What James Gunn has shown throughout his time with both Marvel and DC is the true secret formula. DC doesn’t have to follow Marvels lead creatively to succeed. The true formula, is finding a talented filmmaker you trust to take the lead, and allowing them to do so without interference. This process clearly took place in Peacemaker, as it is 100% James Gunn’s style. Through three episodes, Peacemaker greatly exceeds expectations. I’ve watched through each episode twice each, and I can’t wait for the rest.
For those interested in my in depth thoughts, check out my Peacemaker review on the Agents of Fandom podcast on Apple, Spotify or Youtube. I was skeptical going in, but James Gunn has peaked my interested with Peacemaker.
Check out the Agents of Fandom wherever you get your podcasts. You will also find my thoughts there, or you can follow me on Twitter.
