The DC Universe roared back to life this summer, led by James Gunn and Peter Safran’s fresh vision, and while Superman and Creature Commandos teased us with new beginnings, one unexpected survivor from the old DCEU carried forward — Peacemaker.

John Cena’s absurd, conflicted, larger-than-life antihero first burst onto the screen in Gunn’s 2021 The Suicide Squad, and when his solo series hit in 2022, it was an instant hit — equal parts hilarious, brutal, and unexpectedly heartfelt. But then came the long silence. Fans wondered if we’d ever see Peacemaker and his ragtag crew again. Now, with Season 2 just around the corner, the wait has proven more than worth it.

Before its official HBO Max release on August 21, Peacemaker Season 2 debuted with a flawless 100% Rotten Tomatoes score — a rare feat, even in today’s superhero-saturated world. The number comes from 22 early critic reviews, all overwhelmingly positive. Sure, that score will likely shift as more voices weigh in, but it already mirrors the love Season 1 earned, with its Certified Fresh 93% approval rating.

And here’s the kicker — critics are calling Season 2 not just good, but better. Awards Buzz’s Abe Friedtanzer praises the season as proof there’s “nothing out there quite like Peacemaker,” celebrating its unique blend of absurdity, depth, and unforgettable characters. RogerEbert.com’s Kaiya Shunyata dubs it “a standout in superhero television,” noting how the new season dares to feel tonally different — heavier, more complex — without losing the gut-busting humor that defined its debut.

Collider’s Nate Richard hones in on the long gap between seasons, applauding how quickly Season 2 pulls fans back into canon while raising the stakes. For him, Gunn’s gift lies in telling superhero stories through broken people, making Season 2 “as emotionally investing as it is silly and violent” — the exact balance that makes Peacemaker tick.

And as CBR’s Joshua M. Patton highlights, while Season 2 ties beautifully into Season 1 and offers some DCU connections, it also stands on its own. This isn’t just a continuation — it’s an expansion, giving us deeper emotional context while pulling back the curtain on who these characters really are when they’re not saving the world. The only critique? This season wanders a little more narratively than the first — but that meandering also opens up space for raw, character-driven storytelling.

For fans who have been waiting since 2022, that sounds less like a flaw and more like a reward. Peacemaker has always been a wild contradiction — crass yet thoughtful, bloody yet tender, ridiculous yet profoundly human. Season 2 looks like it’s ready to double down on everything that made us fall in love with John Cena’s “hero who will kill for peace” in the first place. 

What Happens in Peacemaker Season 2?

The new season picks up not long after the explosive finale of Season 1 — and just a month after James Gunn’s Superman. A lot has changed for Christopher Smith, a.k.a. Peacemaker, and his world feels heavier than ever.

After exposing the government’s role in Project Butterfly, the once-tight-knit team has splintered. ARGUS itself looks different too, now under the command of Rick Flag Sr., a man haunted by the truth of his son’s death at Peacemaker’s hands. The weight of that tragedy lingers like a shadow over the entire season.

But Peacemaker’s life takes an even stranger turn when he stumbles upon an interdimensional closet — a gateway to an alternate universe. Inside this twisted reflection of reality, Chris finds something he’s longed for: recognition as a true hero… and the impossible — his father still alive. Yet this world isn’t what it seems. When the Justice Gang rejects him, Peacemaker is forced to confront the brutal legacy of his past and decide what kind of man he truly wants to be.

Alongside John Cena’s powerful return, familiar faces like Danielle Brooks (Leota Adebayo), Jennifer Holland (Emilia Harcourt), Freddie Stroma (Vigilante), Steve Agee (John Economus), and Robert Patrick (Auggie Smith) bring depth to the chaos. This season also welcomes newcomers Frank Grillo, David Denman, Sol Rodriguez, and Tim Meadows, adding new dynamics to an already explosive mix.

Written entirely by James Gunn — who also directed three episodes, including the premiere — Peacemaker Season 2 promises to be bigger, stranger, and far more emotional. Premiering August 21, new episodes will drop every Thursday until the grand finale on October 9.

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