Best Peacemaker Comics (August 2025)

As a die-hard comic book fan, I’ve always had a soft spot for characters that start off as underdogs, and Peacemaker is no exception. To many, he might just be John Cena in an unusual silver helmet from 2021’s The Suicide Squad. But dig deeper, and you’ll find that this unconventional anti-hero has roots dating back to the Silver Age of Comics.

First introduced in “The Fightin’ 5” #40 (1966), published by Charlton Comics, is where the character of Peacemaker made his debut. This series followed a five-member paramilitary team, and it was Joe Gill, the writer, and Pat Boyette, the artist, who brought this character to life. Christopher Smith, our protagonist, was a dedicated pacifist, but his unwavering dedication to achieving global peace led him to make difficult choices, including taking lives when necessary. This internal struggle allowed him to headline his own series, though it only lasted for five issues.

In 1985, when Charlton Comics closed down, their iconic characters like Blue Beetle and The Question were acquired by DC Comics. This revival allowed these heroes to live on. As for Peacemaker, this transition led to a fresh origin story. In this new narrative, Christopher Smith sought redemption from the atrocities committed by his Nazi father. He even believed he was tormented by his father’s spirit as well as the spirits of those his father had killed. Both versions of Peacemaker were then woven together to create the DC Universe’s version of the character.

Best Peacemaker comics as of 2025

Although Peacemaker has been around for close to six decades, it’s quite surprising that there aren’t many comics specifically about him. Mostly, he appeared in team series or as a secondary character in other heroes’ comics. However, the last few years have witnessed DC Comics releasing several miniseries based on the Peacemaker character from the DC Universe, as well as reissues of his classic tales.

DC Finest: Peacemaker: Kill For Peace

If you’re curious about where it all started for Peacemaker, this 2025 trade paperback represents the initial attempt to reissue his earliest appearances. Notably, this collection features his debut two-part story in The Fightin’ 5, which has yet to be reprinted in any edition.

In addition to his own Charlton Comics series, Kill For Peace also gathers some of Christopher Smith’s standout roles during the Post-Crisis period at DC Comics. This collection features stories like “The Janus Directive,” which bridged the spy-focused Checkmate and Suicide Squad series, as well as Peacemaker’s stints in Eclipso and Vigilante. However, it is worth mentioning that the interactions between Vigilante and Peacemaker were generally unfriendly within the Post-Crisis DC Universe.

Peacemaker Tries Hard!

As a passionate film buff diving into the world of comics, I’ve recently stumbled upon “Peacemaker Puts in the Effort!” Originally, this six-issue miniseries was released in 2023 under the DC Black Label banner, catering to more mature audiences. It doesn’t align with the DCEU timeline, but the captivating script penned by Kyle Starks undeniably echoes the vibe of the first season from the HBO Max series. The opening pages even feature a comic reader grumbling about how adaptations often tinker with the original content a bit too much!

In a fresh turn of events, Peacemaker finds himself in search of a new mission following his discharge from the Suicide Squad. His journey leads him to an extraordinary discovery – a delightfully charming puppy, whom he affectionately names Bruce Wayne. However, joy is short-lived as the dog is swiftly kidnapped by The Brain and Monsieur Mallah. In order to rescue his beloved companion, Peacemaker is compelled to collaborate with this duo on a daring mission: recovering stolen DNA from some of DC’s most formidable villains.

In a universe separate from the DCU, Peacemaker: Tries Hard! encapsulates the show’s unruly first-season vibe. The script penned by Starks shines brilliantly through Steve Pugh’s animated illustrations. Furthermore, this production features appearances from some peculiar characters within the DC Comics realm, such as The Red Bee and Snowflame.

Peacemaker Presents: The Vigilante/Eagly Double Feature!

The first DC Universe comic miniseries, Peacemaker Presents: The Vigilante/Eagly Double Feature, was specifically designed for fans who enjoy the show. James Gunn provided story guidance on both parts of this double-feature, ensuring that the stories align with the HBO Max series, even though he did not write it himself.

In the narrative of “The Vigilante,” Adrian Chase embarks on a furious pursuit after his cherished friend inexplicably vanishes, leading him to believe that local gangs have abducted him. From this perspective, Adrian considers himself a would-be hero who gets entangled in a whirlwind of violent gunfights with masked killers, an escalating mob conflict, and some disturbingly explicit sexual content.

Instead of being abducted by the local mob, Peacemaker chose to embark on a holiday with his closest companion, Eagly, in search of tranquility in the Alaskan wilderness. Tragically, their flight was hijacked, placing them amidst a band of tourists who were being targeted for sport. In this perilous situation, they find themselves playing the deadliest game, all while making every effort to rescue as many fellow vacationers as possible.

The stories are just as surprising and complex, much like what one might anticipate from an HBO Max series adaptation. It’s important to note that this publication belongs to DC Black Label, catering to mature audiences. This is because it contains explicit content such as frequent violence, sexual scenes, and dark humor – elements closely associated with the character Peacemaker.

Peacemaker: Disturbing the Peace

2022 saw the release of Disturbing the Peace, an alternate portrayal of Peacemaker, premiering prior to the first season of the HBO Max series. As it hails from DC Black Label, one might anticipate a second dose of dark comedy given its co-creator Garth Ennis is involved. However, this tale presents a starkly serious and occasionally unsettling depiction of Christopher Smith.

As a seasoned movie critic, I found myself immersed in a gripping narrative where the protagonist, Peacemaker, sits down for an introspective interview with a psychiatrist. The looming prospect of joining a fresh unit hangs heavy in the air, but the doctor’s concerns are palpable – his troubled past filled with violence and an alarmingly high body count raises valid questions about his psychological fitness.

What unfolds is a captivating tale that, while subtly hinting at Peacemaker’s complicated history, cleverly avoids revealing the true nature of his inner demons – they are not rooted in the deaths of his fellow soldiers, as one might assume.

Peacemaker: Breaking the Peace stands out from other stories on this list as it’s markedly violent and gloomy, devoid of the usual humor or slapstick commonly found in streaming series. Instead, it delivers a gripping narrative experience. The artwork by Garry Brown adds to the somber atmosphere with its gritty visual style, enhancing the impact of the shocking events portrayed in this single issue.

The Multiversity: Pax Americana

The Multiversity series, created by writer Grant Morrison, served as an unconventional exploration. Its purpose was to begin charting the diverse realms constituting the DC Multiverse following the New 52 reboot. Moreover, it provided Morrison with an opportunity to collaborate with his preferred artists, resulting in some incredibly eccentric narratives.

By comparison to Morrison’s usual pace, the “Pax Americana” series was more subdued. With art by Frank Quitely, this story unfolded on the new Earth-4. The narrative revolved around the main team of heroes, many of whom were originally created for Charlton Comics and shared a common theme: Peacekeeper (Peacemaker).

Similar in style to Watchmen, Pax Americana leans more towards political intrigue than traditional superhero narratives, even with its space-age aspects. Yet, it remains true to the original comics in its portrayal of Peacemaker, subjecting the super-soldier to trials like never before, pushing him to the brink to explore just how far he’ll go for peace.

How we chose the best Peacemaker comics

In my exploration, I’ve picked out many comics that resonate deeply with fans of the Peacemaker show on HBO Max, primarily due to their engaging storylines. Yet, there are some that didn’t quite align with the DCU version portrayed by John Cena, but were chosen for their exceptional quality and unique interpretations of the character. Furthermore, I’ve included a few comics that provide an intriguing historical perspective, delving into the character’s evolution over time.

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2025-08-28 02:19