Editing Peacemaker (character)

{{short description|Comic book antihero}}
{{about|the comics character|the DCEU character|Peacemaker (DC Extended Universe)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox comics character<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| character_name = Peacemaker
| image          = PeacemakerWhosWho.jpg
| caption        = The Christopher Smith incarnation of Peacemaker as depicted in ''[[Who's Who in the DC Universe]]'' #5 (December 1990).<br />Art by [[Grant Miehm]] and Tom McCraw.
| publisher      = [[Charlton Comics]]<br />Modern Comics<br />[[DC Comics]]
| debut          = '''Christopher Smith:'''<br />''[[Fightin' 5]]'' #40 (November 10, 1966)<br />'''Unknown:'''<br />''[[Justice League International]]'' #65 (June 10, 1994)<br />'''Mitchell Black:'''<br />''[[L.A.W. (comics)|The L.A.W.]]'' #1 (September 10, 1999)<br />'''Peacewrecker:'''<br />''[[Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' #7 (December 20, 2022)
| creators       = '''Christopher Smith:'''<br />[[Joe Gill]]<br />[[Pat Boyette]]<br />'''Unknown:'''<br />[[Gerard Jones]]<br />Chuck Wojtkiewicz<br />'''Mitchell Black:'''<br />[[Bob Layton]]<br />[[Dick Giordano]]<br />'''Peacewrecker:'''<br />Joshua Williamson<br />Rafa Sandoval
| full_name      = Christopher Smith<br />Mitchell Black
| species        = [[Human]]
| homeworld      = <!-- optional -->
| alliances      = '''Christopher Smith:'''<br />[[Checkmate (comics)|Checkmate]]<br />[[Shadow Fighters (comics)|Shadow Fighters]]<br />[[Suicide Squad]]<br />'''Unknown:'''<br />League-Busters<br />'''Mitchell Black:'''<br />Peacemaker Project<br />[[L.A.W. (comics)|L.A.W.]]
| aliases        = 
| supports       = <!--optional-->
| powers         = 
*Peak of human physical abilities
*Durable armor
*Flight pack technology
*Communications helmet
*Indomitable will
*Expert combatant
**Hand-to-hand combat
**Axe mastery
**Sword mastery
**Shield mastery
**Knife expertise
*Access to advanced military weapons
*Skilled marksman
*Expert assassin
*Espionage
*Stealth
*Proficient tactician and strategist
}}
'''Peacemaker''' is the name of a series of fictional [[antiheroes]] originally owned by [[Charlton Comics]] and later acquired by [[DC Comics]]. The original Peacemaker first appeared in ''[[Fightin' 5]]'' #40 (November 1966) and was created by writer [[Joe Gill]] and artist [[Pat Boyette]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=228}}</ref>

[[John Cena]] portrayed the Christopher Smith version of Peacemaker in the 2021 [[DC Extended Universe]] film ''[[The Suicide Squad (film)|The Suicide Squad]]'' and the [[Peacemaker (TV series)|eponymous 2022 television series]] on [[HBO Max]]. This portrayal will continue into the rebooted [[DC Universe (franchise)|DC Universe]].

==Publication history==
[[File:Peacemakercc0.jpg|thumb|right|''The Peacemaker'' #1 (March 1967). Cover art by [[Pat Boyette]].]]
The Peacemaker first appeared as a backup series in [[Charlton Comics]]' espionage-team title ''[[Fightin' 5]]'' #40 (November 1966).<ref name=regrettable>{{cite book |last1=Morris |first1=Jon |title=The League of Regrettable Superheroes: Half Baked Heroes from Comic Book History |date=2015 |publisher=Quirk Books |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |isbn=978-1-59474-763-2 |pages=178–179}}</ref> When that series was canceled with issue #41, Peacemaker received his own title lasting five issues cover-dated March to November 1967, with ''Fightin' 5'' as a backup series and later a low reprint run on the Modern Comics imprint. Some of [[penciler]]-[[inker]] [[Pat Boyette]]'s artwork for a projected sixth issue later appeared online. Following Charlton Comics' demise in the mid-1980s, [[DC Comics]] acquired The Peacemaker and released a four-issue [[Limited series (comics)|mini-series]] (January–April 1988).

==Fictional character biography==
===Christopher Smith===
====Pre-Crisis====
The Peacemaker is Christopher Smith, a pacifistic diplomat so committed to peace that he is willing to use force as a superhero to advance the cause.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wells |first1=John |title=American Comic Book Chronicles: 1965–1969 |date=2014 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=978-1605490557 |page=133}}</ref> He uses an array of special non-lethal weapons and also founded the Pax Institute. Most of the villains he battles are dictators and warlords.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Markstein |first1=Don |title=The Peacemaker |url=https://www.toonopedia.com/peacmak1.htm |access-date=April 2, 2020 |website=Don Markstein's Toonopedia}}</ref><ref name="Crisis on Infinite Earths #12">''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' #12. DC Comics.</ref>

====Post-Crisis====
The post-Crisis version of Peacemaker differs greatly from the pre-''Crisis'' version of the character. Smith learns that his peace-through-violence efforts were the result of a serious mental illness brought on by the shame of having a [[Nazism|Nazi]] death camp commandant for a father, Wolfgang Schmidt. He believes his father's spirit haunts him continually and criticizes his every move, even as he tries to live down his past.<ref>''Peacemaker'' vol. 2 #1</ref>

Smith later becomes a vigilante, believing that his helmet contains the ghosts of the people he killed or were killed in his vicinity. For a time, the Peacemaker serves as a U.S. government agent under the auspices of [[Checkmate (comics)|Checkmate]], a special-forces unit, hunting terrorists until his own behavior becomes too extreme. Peacemaker plays a part in the [[Janus Directive]] and battles [[Adrian Chase|Adrian Chase / Vigilante]].<ref>''Vigilante'' #37</ref> Although he is seen as an ally, some of the other heroes think that he is too extreme to be helping them. He eventually crashes a helicopter to destroy tanks controlled by [[Eclipso]] and is reported dead.<ref>''Eclipso'' #13. DC Comics.</ref> Years later, Peacemaker resurfaces and becomes a mentor to [[Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes)]].<ref name="Blue Beetle #13">''Blue Beetle'' (vol. 7) #13. DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Blue Beetle'' (vol. 7) #8. DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Blue Beetle'' (vol. 7) #20. DC Comics.</ref>

Peacemaker appears in ''[[Final Crisis#Aftermath|Final Crisis Aftermath: Escape]]'' as a detainee and potential recruit of the [[Global Peace Agency]].

In ''[[Infinite Frontier]]'', Peacemaker joins the [[Suicide Squad]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=''Infinite Frontier'' #0|publisher=[[DC Comics]]|year=2021}}</ref>

===League-Busters version===
Another operative using the name Peacemaker appears in ''[[Justice League International]]'' #65 as a member of the "League-Busters".

===Mitchell Black===
Mitchell Black, a surgeon, was recruited by the "Peacemaker Project", an organization unaffiliated with the Pax Institute and the US government's "Project Peacemaker". Black would reappear in the miniseries titled ''[[L.A.W. (comics)|The L.A.W.]]'', reunited with the other heroes acquired from Charlton. He is later killed by [[Prometheus (DC Comics)|Prometheus]] in ''[[Infinite Crisis]]''.

==Other versions==
===Earth-Four===
On Earth-Four, Christopher Smith is the son of an unnamed diplomat who built a special body armor and fought in troubled areas as Peacemaker.<ref>''Fightin' 5'' #40. DC Comics.</ref>

In ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'', Peacemaker is among the Earth-Four heroes who are mind-controlled by [[Psycho-Pirate]].<ref>''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' #6–7. DC Comics.</ref> After being freed, he battles the [[Anti-Monitor]] before being killed and replaced with his main universe counterpart.<ref name="Crisis on Infinite Earths #12" /><ref>''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' #10. DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' #11. DC Comics.</ref>

===''Kingdom Come''===
Peacemaker makes a minor appearance in flashbacks in ''[[Kingdom Come (comics)|Kingdom Come]]'' #2 as a member of [[Magog (DC Comics)|Magog]]'s Justice Battalion.<ref>''Kingdom Come'' #2</ref>

===''Watchmen''===
Peacemaker was used as an inspiration and influence for the [[Comedian (comics)|Comedian]] in [[Alan Moore]]'s ''[[Watchmen]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kogod |first=Theo |date=February 22, 2022 |title=How Peacemaker and the Comedian Influenced Each Other (And Revolutionized Comics) |url=https://www.cbr.com/peacemaker-watchmen-comedian-jokerized/ |website=CBR |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916013247/https://www.cbr.com/peacemaker-watchmen-comedian-jokerized/ |archive-date= September 16, 2023 }}</ref>

===''52''===
The Earth-Four incarnation of Peacemaker appears in ''[[52 (comics)|52]]'' and ''[[The Multiversity]]''.<ref>
{{Cite comic|title=[[52 (comics)|52]]|issue=#52|date=May 2, 2007|publisher=[[DC Comics]]|page=13|panel=5}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=111900|title=THE 52 EXIT INTERVIEWS: GRANT MORRISON|access-date=May 12, 2007|last=Brady|first=Matt|date=May 8, 2007|publisher=[[Newsarama]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510031223/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=111900|archive-date=May 10, 2007}}</ref><ref>''The Multiversity: Pax Americana'' #1</ref>

=== ''Armageddon 2001'' ===
A group called the '''Peacemakers''' appear in ''[[Armageddon 2001]]'' #2.<ref>''Armageddon 2001'' #2</ref>

===''Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths''===
An unnamed female [[A.R.G.U.S.]] agent known as '''Peacewrecker''' was introduced in ''[[Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' #7.<ref>''Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths'' #7</ref>

==In other media==
===Television===
The Christopher Smith incarnation of Peacemaker appears in ''[[Suicide Squad Isekai]]'', voiced by [[Takehito Koyasu]] in Japanese<ref name="Cast">{{Cite web |last=Hodgkins |first=Crystalyn |date=December 1, 2023 |title=Suicide Squad Isekai Anime Reveals Main Cast in New Trailer |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-12-01/suicide-squad-isekai-anime-reveals-main-cast-in-new-trailer/.205004 |access-date=December 1, 2023 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> and Seán Patrick Judge in English. This version is a member of the [[Suicide Squad]].

===Film===
An unidentified Peacemaker makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in ''[[Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths]]''.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

===DC Extended Universe===
<!--PLEASE DO NOT ADD PLOT INFORMATION. IT IS ALREADY LISTED IN PEACEMAKER'S SECTION OF THE DCEU CHARACTER PAGE.-->
{{See also|Peacemaker (DC Extended Universe)}}
The Christopher Smith incarnation of Peacemaker appears in media set in the [[DC Extended Universe]], portrayed by [[John Cena]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://collider.com/suicide-squad-2-new-characters/|title='Suicide Squad 2' Exclusive: Meet the New Characters James Gunn Will Introduce in Sequel|first=Jeff|last=Sneider|work=Collider|date=March 7, 2019|access-date=March 7, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/peacemaker-james-gunn-john-cena-set-for-hbo-max-prequel-series/|title=Peacemaker: James Gunn, John Cena Set for HBO Max Prequel Series|author=Flook, Ray|publisher=[[Bleeding Cool]]|date=September 23, 2020|accessdate=August 15, 2021|archivedate=October 20, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020205704/https://bleedingcool.com/tv/peacemaker-james-gunn-john-cena-set-for-hbo-max-prequel-series/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Peacemaker Set Photos Feature Some Surprising – and Not So Surprising – DC Easter Eggs |first=John |last=Ridlehoover |date=January 26, 2021 |work=[[Comic Book Resources]] |url=https://www.cbr.com/peacemaker-dc-easter-egg-photos/ |access-date=January 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Peacemaker Just Confirmed a Major Character is Bisexual |first=Jenna |last=Anderson |date=February 10, 2022 |work=[[Comic Book Resources]] |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/news/peacemaker-episode-7-christopher-smith-bisexual-john-cena/ |access-date=February 17, 2022}}</ref>

===Video games===
* The Christopher Smith and Mitchell Black incarnations of Peacemaker appear in ''[[Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Andrew |date=October 2, 2013 |title=DC Characters and Objects – ''Scribblenauts Unmasked'' Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objects |access-date=November 25, 2024 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
* The Christopher Smith incarnation of Peacemaker, based on the DCEU version, appears in ''DC Legends''.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}
* The Christopher Smith incarnation of Peacemaker, based on the DCEU version, appears as an [[emote]] in ''[[Fortnite Battle Royale]]''.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}
* The Christopher Smith incarnation of Peacemaker, based on the DCEU version, appears as a playable character in the mobile version of ''[[Injustice 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Peacemaker Gameplay Reveal – Injustice 2 Mobile |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9ZHSHcsO4Q |website=YouTube |publisher=Injustice 2 Mobile, Warner Bros. Entertainment |access-date=April 10, 2024 |date=February 27, 2024}}</ref>
* The Christopher Smith incarnation of Peacemaker, based on the DCEU version, appears as a playable character in ''[[Mortal Kombat 1]]'' via the "Kombat Pack" [[downloadable content|DLC]], voiced by John Cena.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/mortal-kombat-1-homelander-peacemaker-omni-man-comic-con-dlc/ |title=Mortal Kombat 1 Reveals Homelander, Peacemaker, and Omni-Man as DLC |first=Cade |last=Onder |date=July 21, 2023 |access-date=July 21, 2023}}</ref>
* The Christopher Smith incarnation of Peacemaker, based on the DCEU version, appears in ''[[Mortal Kombat: Onslaught]]''.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/p/pecemake.htm Peacemaker] at International Superheroes
* [http://www.comics101.com/comics101//?mode=project&action=view&project=Comics%20101&chapter=90 Peacemaker] at Comics101
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927034522/http://comicbloc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32589 Keith Giffen verifies identity of the new Peacemaker]
* [http://darkmark6.tripod.com/charlton_index.html Index to the Earth-4 adventures of the Charlton Action Heroes]
{{Blue Beetle}}
{{Suicide Squad}}
[[Category:Peacemaker (character)| ]]
[[Category:1967 comics debuts]]
[[Category:Characters created by Joe Gill]]
[[Category:Charlton Comics superheroes]]
[[Category:Charlton Comics titles]]
[[Category:Comics by Paul Kupperberg]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1966]]
[[Category:DC Comics American superheroes]]
[[Category:DC Comics male superheroes]]
[[Category:DC Comics television characters]]
[[Category:DC Comics titles]]
[[Category:Fictional diplomats]]
[[Category:Fictional pacifists]]
[[Category:Fictional shield fighters]]
[[Category:Suicide Squad members]]
[[Category:United States-themed superheroes]]
[[Category:Vigilante characters in comics]]