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Peacemaker Tries Hard! #1-6
Peacemaker Tries Hard!
Christopher Smith isn’t very good at being a superhero, but Peacemaker tries hard! An “extremely ages 17+” book from writer Kyle Starks and artist Steve Pugh puts Peacemaker on a quest to save his beloved dog from a super-villain who has some nefarious plans for Christopher Smith’s skill set.
After being released from the Suicide Squad, Peacemaker wants to try and do normal superhero stuff for a change. However, when busting up a terrorist ring introduces Christopher Smith to the cutest dog he’s ever seen, he finds the unconditional love he’s been denied his whole life. That is, until the dog is kidnapped right out from under him by a super-villain who has some very un-super-heroic plans for Peacemaker’s brand of ultraviolence. Will he help an infamously unstable super-powered criminal steal the world’s most valuable—and dangerous—DNA?
Collects Peacemaker Tries Hard! #1-6!
After being released from the Suicide Squad, Peacemaker wants to try and do normal superhero stuff for a change. However, when busting up a terrorist ring introduces Christopher Smith to the cutest dog he’s ever seen, he finds the unconditional love he’s been denied his whole life. That is, until the dog is kidnapped right out from under him by a super-villain who has some very un-super-heroic plans for Peacemaker’s brand of ultraviolence. Will he help an infamously unstable super-powered criminal steal the world’s most valuable—and dangerous—DNA?
Collects Peacemaker Tries Hard! #1-6!
168 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2023
108 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
April 29, 2024
I'll admit to being one of those people who absolutely loved MAX's Peacemaker.
Easily my favorite comic book show.
Also, the only television show that I purposely sat through the opening credits of each and every time.
Was super excited when I saw this?
Yes.
However, my expectations may have been a little high because the jokes only hit about 50% of the time with me. It was still fun, but the humor didn't quite replicate the show. Then again, that off-beat & irreverent style is hard to duplicate.
Ok, the gist is that Peacemaker's dog (Bruce Wayne) gets taken hostage by The Brain, which is how he ends up working with Monsieur Mallah to retrieve some villain-y DNA from a group of...villains.
Side plot: he's planning a party and inviting everyone he sees to come.
There was a fair amount of cheesy charm to the plot and I flew through the pages easily.
The C-list appearances and Peacemaker's (almost) complete lack of social awareness are what makes the comic worth reading. I also thought Starks did a good job when it came to giving your heartstrings a little tug every now and then.
Plus, Peacemaker is less of a douchebag and more of a doofus, so you're actually rooting for people to show up to his lame party at the end of the comic.
On the whole, you could do a lot worse than this if you're looking for a fun read.
I wouldn't go so far as to say that everyone is going to love it, but I think for the most part fans of the show will get a kick out of seeing John Cena's likeness in a goofy one-shot.
Recommended for fans of Peacemaker.
Easily my favorite comic book show.
Also, the only television show that I purposely sat through the opening credits of each and every time.
Was super excited when I saw this?
Yes.
However, my expectations may have been a little high because the jokes only hit about 50% of the time with me. It was still fun, but the humor didn't quite replicate the show. Then again, that off-beat & irreverent style is hard to duplicate.
Ok, the gist is that Peacemaker's dog (Bruce Wayne) gets taken hostage by The Brain, which is how he ends up working with Monsieur Mallah to retrieve some villain-y DNA from a group of...villains.
Side plot: he's planning a party and inviting everyone he sees to come.
There was a fair amount of cheesy charm to the plot and I flew through the pages easily.
The C-list appearances and Peacemaker's (almost) complete lack of social awareness are what makes the comic worth reading. I also thought Starks did a good job when it came to giving your heartstrings a little tug every now and then.
Plus, Peacemaker is less of a douchebag and more of a doofus, so you're actually rooting for people to show up to his lame party at the end of the comic.
On the whole, you could do a lot worse than this if you're looking for a fun read.
I wouldn't go so far as to say that everyone is going to love it, but I think for the most part fans of the show will get a kick out of seeing John Cena's likeness in a goofy one-shot.
Recommended for fans of Peacemaker.
October 6, 2023
This was fucking hilarious!!!
If you enjoyed the Peacemaker show, do yourself a favor and grab this comic. It's a perfect contination in a way. Basically Peacemaker isn't having a easy time. All his friends refuse to come to his party. He's unsure of his goals or life. Then he finds a doggie. But this doggie is in trouble and he has to get to saving.
Think John Wick but more over the top, insane, and outright funny as hell. So many great jokes, art fits perfect with the tone too, really showcasing facial reactions. I also really loved the heart and soul of this story too, had so much heart.
A 5 out of 5.
If you enjoyed the Peacemaker show, do yourself a favor and grab this comic. It's a perfect contination in a way. Basically Peacemaker isn't having a easy time. All his friends refuse to come to his party. He's unsure of his goals or life. Then he finds a doggie. But this doggie is in trouble and he has to get to saving.
Think John Wick but more over the top, insane, and outright funny as hell. So many great jokes, art fits perfect with the tone too, really showcasing facial reactions. I also really loved the heart and soul of this story too, had so much heart.
A 5 out of 5.
March 3, 2024
I remember when Kyle Starks told me at a convention that he was going to be doing a Peacemaker book and I’ve been really excited to read this one since then! Fortunately, this book hit in every way and did not disappoint. Starks is absolutely the best candidate for a book like this. Beautiful art and colors in this one, as well.
April 9, 2024
They shouldn't have messed with his dog!
No, seriously. Peacemaker gets a dog. Evildoers steal it to use as leverage to force PM to do a job for them. Of course the job is incredibly dangerous. Worse yet, it will also force him to violate the terms of his parole. But … they shouldn't have messed with his dog!
I love the tone of this book. Yes, some of the humor is crass, but the book doesn't wallow in it. Peacemaker may not be the brightest of bulbs, but he tries hard–it's right there in the title! He's just very sweet, earnest, and likable despite his flaws. There are some lovely character bits in this book.
The book is similar in concept to the TV series, with plenty of appearances by obscure DC characters that brought a warm glow to this aging fan's heart. General Immortus! The Red Bee! The Demolition Crew! But they're all given proper introductions. Knowing their pasts isn't essential to the story.
The story is a winning combination of humor, action, and drama. Highly recommended!
No, seriously. Peacemaker gets a dog. Evildoers steal it to use as leverage to force PM to do a job for them. Of course the job is incredibly dangerous. Worse yet, it will also force him to violate the terms of his parole. But … they shouldn't have messed with his dog!
I love the tone of this book. Yes, some of the humor is crass, but the book doesn't wallow in it. Peacemaker may not be the brightest of bulbs, but he tries hard–it's right there in the title! He's just very sweet, earnest, and likable despite his flaws. There are some lovely character bits in this book.
The book is similar in concept to the TV series, with plenty of appearances by obscure DC characters that brought a warm glow to this aging fan's heart. General Immortus! The Red Bee! The Demolition Crew! But they're all given proper introductions. Knowing their pasts isn't essential to the story.
The story is a winning combination of humor, action, and drama. Highly recommended!
April 25, 2024
Funny and irreverent as hell. Full of obscure characters just like the tv show. If you were a fan of the show then this will be right up your alley.
March 29, 2024
While trying to get people to come to his birthday party, The Peacemaker gets blackmailed into pulling off a job for The Brain and Monsieur Mallah. When things predictably go south, The Peacemaker vows revenge!
Okay, my teaser in no way conveys how hilarious this book is. Rather than the Charlton or previous DC versions, this is clearly the John Cena version of the Peacemaker who is kind of a dumbass. The Peacemaker goes around, blasting everything in sight, trying to get his dog, Bruce Wayne, back.
Kyle Stark hits some deep cuts I won't spoil here. Lots of DC Easter Eggs. Steve Pugh's art is hilarious without being ridiculous, much like his previous humorous jobs on The Flintstones and other books.
Okay, my teaser in no way conveys how hilarious this book is. Rather than the Charlton or previous DC versions, this is clearly the John Cena version of the Peacemaker who is kind of a dumbass. The Peacemaker goes around, blasting everything in sight, trying to get his dog, Bruce Wayne, back.
Kyle Stark hits some deep cuts I won't spoil here. Lots of DC Easter Eggs. Steve Pugh's art is hilarious without being ridiculous, much like his previous humorous jobs on The Flintstones and other books.
Read
March 4, 2024Another one I'll cop to skimming from about 50% onward. You'll either find this funny or tedious but the main gist is that they're looking to recreate the vibe of James Gunn's Peacemaker show with mixed results. I need John Cena to do my clowning for me, though.
Truly the part you were born to play, my dude.
Truly the part you were born to play, my dude.
March 15, 2024
If you’ve seen and liked the James Gunn tv series go for this book, it’s like an extra episode!
Starks totally got the zany spirit and humour while Pugh manages to be realist and fun at the same time.
Starks totally got the zany spirit and humour while Pugh manages to be realist and fun at the same time.
August 5, 2025
A very funny and surprisingly heartfelt miniseries that captures the anarchic spirit and unexpected pathos of James Gunn's live-action television show-- but with, like, an unlimited budget and access to all the weirdo DC fringe characters you could ever hope for (there's a surprising amount of Doom Patrol stuff crammed in here).
This is a very transparent attempt to realign the comic-book version of the character with the far-more-popular small-screen adaptation of him-- and it's a wise move, as the print version of this character was a largely redundant gun-toting psychopath, basically a third-rate Punisher. But under Gunn and now Kyle Starks, Peacemaker is now a comedic but thoughtful deconstruction of the type: a brutish but good-natured doofus, trapped in a cycle of violence by his traumatic upbringing and a toxic understanding of masculinity that keeps him in a state of arrested emotional development. His eagerness in this mini to connect with someone-- ANYone-- is a really powerful emotional through-line that carries you though a wonderfully silly adventure full of spectacular visual gags, courtesy of Steve Pugh.
Bottom line, I had a blast with this one, cover to cover! I hope Starks and Pugh return to the character at some point.
This is a very transparent attempt to realign the comic-book version of the character with the far-more-popular small-screen adaptation of him-- and it's a wise move, as the print version of this character was a largely redundant gun-toting psychopath, basically a third-rate Punisher. But under Gunn and now Kyle Starks, Peacemaker is now a comedic but thoughtful deconstruction of the type: a brutish but good-natured doofus, trapped in a cycle of violence by his traumatic upbringing and a toxic understanding of masculinity that keeps him in a state of arrested emotional development. His eagerness in this mini to connect with someone-- ANYone-- is a really powerful emotional through-line that carries you though a wonderfully silly adventure full of spectacular visual gags, courtesy of Steve Pugh.
Bottom line, I had a blast with this one, cover to cover! I hope Starks and Pugh return to the character at some point.
September 22, 2025
Def has that off the wall feel of the show - is Peacemaker a dick, or is Chris just a little sheltered and has had zero decent role models to encourage his inner goodness?
Doesn’t matter, it’s funny and eye-popping either way. Though the cartoony dialogue next to the fairly realistic art style - that takes some getting used to.
Doesn’t matter, it’s funny and eye-popping either way. Though the cartoony dialogue next to the fairly realistic art style - that takes some getting used to.
December 18, 2024
Picking up right on the heels of the first season of the HBO show, Peacemaker and his parole officer Red Bee are called to action when a brain-in-a-jar kidnaps his dog as part of a plot to clone itself a deadly superbody.
In a clever poke at the fourth wall, two randos on page one discuss how lame it is for comic authors to 'put their own spin' on an established character. Author Kyle Starks then follows through by delivering the Jon Cena version of Peacemaker flawlessly and spin-free. He captures the character's dumb confidence, his utter lack of artifice, and his pitiful desire to make friends.
Somehow, amidst all of the wild, zany cocaine-powered supervillainy ('FUEL ME, MY CUMULONIMBUS STIMULANT CLOUD!'), bumblebees with superstrength, and battles with homicidal superbabies (superbabies!), Starks works in some serious observations about the nature of fatherhood and the damage a bad parent can do. And he does it without derailing the relentlessly irreverent tone.
Steve Pugh was the exact right illustrator for this project; he strikes a balance between a traditional, primary color-heavy superhero style and detailed, expressive lunacy.
5 stars is probably too high but I feel like this team took an impossible project and did something remarkable with it. They really threaded a needle here.
In a clever poke at the fourth wall, two randos on page one discuss how lame it is for comic authors to 'put their own spin' on an established character. Author Kyle Starks then follows through by delivering the Jon Cena version of Peacemaker flawlessly and spin-free. He captures the character's dumb confidence, his utter lack of artifice, and his pitiful desire to make friends.
Somehow, amidst all of the wild, zany cocaine-powered supervillainy ('FUEL ME, MY CUMULONIMBUS STIMULANT CLOUD!'), bumblebees with superstrength, and battles with homicidal superbabies (superbabies!), Starks works in some serious observations about the nature of fatherhood and the damage a bad parent can do. And he does it without derailing the relentlessly irreverent tone.
Steve Pugh was the exact right illustrator for this project; he strikes a balance between a traditional, primary color-heavy superhero style and detailed, expressive lunacy.
5 stars is probably too high but I feel like this team took an impossible project and did something remarkable with it. They really threaded a needle here.
December 26, 2024
«Миротворець дуже старається!» Кайла Старкса і Стіва П'ю — це вибухова суміш гумору, екшену та драми, яка втілює дух одноіменного серіалу від HBO Max.
Комікс переносить нас у світ, де головний герой, хоч і не найрозумніший персонаж, але старанно намагається стати кращим. Сюжет починається з того, що Миротворець пішов у крамницю придбати собі протеїну, а згодом він отримує нового друга — мопса, якого він називає Брюсом Вейном. Але коли собаку викрадає злодій-мозок у банці на ймення Мозок разом зі своїм французькомовним горилою-спільником, Миротворець змушений погодитись на ризиковану місію, яка загрожує його умовно-достроковому звільненню.
Гумор коміксу чудово збалансований. Тут є як безглузді жарти, так і саркастичні моменти, що виникають з реакції персонажів на абсурдність подій. Додаткової цікавості додає участь маловідомих персонажів DC, таких як Червоний Джміль, Бригада Підривників та Сніжок, які роблять історію більш різноманітною та непередбачуваною. Особливо Сніжок, який здатний дарувати собі надлюдську силу, швидкість, імунітет до болю, пірокінез і миттєво викликати у мішені миттєвий кайф. І все це за допомогою вдихання кокаїну.
Автор Кайл Старкс вдало передає дух персонажа Миротворц��, поєднуючи його комедійні та драматичні аспекти. Миротворець постає простаком, який, однак, має сильну харизму і викликає симпатію, особливо через фрагменти з його болісного дитинства та складних стосунків із батьком. Ці моменти додають глибини історії, роблячи її більш зворушливою.
Окремо слід відзначити розвиток побічних персонажів. Таких от, як Червоний Джміль та його вірна бджола Майкл, що отримують несподівано емоційний підсюжет, і навіть їхня історія може відгукнутися у серці читача.
Малюнок Стіва П'ю чудово доповнює ідею Кайла Старкса. Його майстерність у передачі емоцій і комедійних моментів через мову тіла персонажів додає історії. Візуальний стиль також збагачує гумор коміксу, що робить його не лише смішним, але й приємним для читання.
Хоча комікс переважно захоплює, сюжет може здатися занадто простим. Передбачуваність фіналу іноді знижує напругу. Але для мене це узагалі не проблема, адже позитивні аспекти коміксу легко перекривають дрібні недоліки, які можна знайти в ньому.
«Миротворець дуже старається» — це яскравий, смішний і емоційний комікс, який сподобається як шанувальникам серіалу, так і тим, хто просто шукає якісну розвагу. Це ідеальне поєднання екшену, гумору та емоційних моментів, які залишать приємне враження. Recommandation.
Комікс переносить нас у світ, де головний герой, хоч і не найрозумніший персонаж, але старанно намагається стати кращим. Сюжет починається з того, що Миротворець пішов у крамницю придбати собі протеїну, а згодом він отримує нового друга — мопса, якого він називає Брюсом Вейном. Але коли собаку викрадає злодій-мозок у банці на ймення Мозок разом зі своїм французькомовним горилою-спільником, Миротворець змушений погодитись на ризиковану місію, яка загрожує його умовно-достроковому звільненню.
Гумор коміксу чудово збалансований. Тут є як безглузді жарти, так і саркастичні моменти, що виникають з реакції персонажів на абсурдність подій. Додаткової цікавості додає участь маловідомих персонажів DC, таких як Червоний Джміль, Бригада Підривників та Сніжок, які роблять історію більш різноманітною та непередбачуваною. Особливо Сніжок, який здатний дарувати собі надлюдську силу, швидкість, імунітет до болю, пірокінез і миттєво викликати у мішені миттєвий кайф. І все це за допомогою вдихання кокаїну.
Автор Кайл Старкс вдало передає дух персонажа Миротворц��, поєднуючи його комедійні та драматичні аспекти. Миротворець постає простаком, який, однак, має сильну харизму і викликає симпатію, особливо через фрагменти з його болісного дитинства та складних стосунків із батьком. Ці моменти додають глибини історії, роблячи її більш зворушливою.
Окремо слід відзначити розвиток побічних персонажів. Таких от, як Червоний Джміль та його вірна бджола Майкл, що отримують несподівано емоційний підсюжет, і навіть їхня історія може відгукнутися у серці читача.
Малюнок Стіва П'ю чудово доповнює ідею Кайла Старкса. Його майстерність у передачі емоцій і комедійних моментів через мову тіла персонажів додає історії. Візуальний стиль також збагачує гумор коміксу, що робить його не лише смішним, але й приємним для читання.
Хоча комікс переважно захоплює, сюжет може здатися занадто простим. Передбачуваність фіналу іноді знижує напругу. Але для мене це узагалі не проблема, адже позитивні аспекти коміксу легко перекривають дрібні недоліки, які можна знайти в ньому.
«Миротворець дуже старається» — це яскравий, смішний і емоційний комікс, який сподобається як шанувальникам серіалу, так і тим, хто просто шукає якісну розвагу. Це ідеальне поєднання екшену, гумору та емоційних моментів, які залишать приємне враження. Recommandation.
February 4, 2024
Peacemaker Tries Hard! is a six-issue DC Black Label title which follows Peacemaker on a mission to rescue Bruce Wayne from the supervillain named the Brain. Except Bruce Wayne is his dog's name, and the Brain is holding the pup for ransom so that Peacemaker can grab some of Deathstroke's DNA for cloning purposes. The story is goofy and light, and works really well in tandem with John Cena's version of the character as seen in James Gunn's The Suicide Squad film and Peacemaker television series. Indeed, Starks writes Peacemaker exactly with Cena in mind to the point that I could only really hear Cena's voice emanating from every bit of dialogue. Hell, even the jokes seem like they could have been cut lines of dialogue from the series.
The story is a bit overstretched for the premise though and I was hoping it would wrap up sooner. Not all the jokes landed for me either, but this is par for me since I also felt like a lot of the jokes in the Peacemaker TV series weren't funny either. But as a somewhat extension of the show that I mostly enjoyed, I quite liked this too. Steve Pugh's artwork really lends towards the comedy and the jokes that do work also worked because of Pugh's art. Fans of Cena's iteration of the character will definitely enjoy this series.
The story is a bit overstretched for the premise though and I was hoping it would wrap up sooner. Not all the jokes landed for me either, but this is par for me since I also felt like a lot of the jokes in the Peacemaker TV series weren't funny either. But as a somewhat extension of the show that I mostly enjoyed, I quite liked this too. Steve Pugh's artwork really lends towards the comedy and the jokes that do work also worked because of Pugh's art. Fans of Cena's iteration of the character will definitely enjoy this series.
June 16, 2024
Peacemaker Tries Hard! is a comic that exactly matches the try-hard energy of the title: it's very fun in spurts, occasionally funny, but mostly kinda just another goofy superhero comic? It never quite goes for broke, which perhaps is fine because the end result is still pretty enjoyable.
Peacemaker adopts a dog ("Bruce Wayne" because he looks like a little gentleman) and finally finds the unconditional love he's been looking for. Then the dog is dognapped! So, Peacemaker teams up with some D-list villains to steal DNA of other villains... I dunno, the plot is pretty convoluted. But at the end we get the party that Peacemaker has been longing for! So, happy ending for everyone.
Steve Pugh's art perfectly matches the gently comedic vibes. I wouldn't say this is a great comic, or even a memorable one, but it's a pleasant ride while it happens.
Peacemaker adopts a dog ("Bruce Wayne" because he looks like a little gentleman) and finally finds the unconditional love he's been looking for. Then the dog is dognapped! So, Peacemaker teams up with some D-list villains to steal DNA of other villains... I dunno, the plot is pretty convoluted. But at the end we get the party that Peacemaker has been longing for! So, happy ending for everyone.
Steve Pugh's art perfectly matches the gently comedic vibes. I wouldn't say this is a great comic, or even a memorable one, but it's a pleasant ride while it happens.
April 15, 2024
Pleasantly surprised. Very funny. I haven’t seen the show, but I still feel like I have a good idea of the character. The plot was kinda wild. I feel like this was good, but not good enough for 5 stars.
January 18, 2024
Hilarious book by Kyle Starks. Great spiritual successor to the TV show.
February 21, 2024
A blast to read. I really enjoyed it. If you enjoy the show and Suicide Squad and Cena’s Peacemaker, you won’t be disappointed. I laughed out loud a couple times. Campy, silly, crazy, fun.
August 13, 2025
Fantastic. If you liked the show, you'll probably like this as well.
Highly Recommend
Highly Recommend
August 17, 2025
Divertido y gamberro, la trama y los personajes son muy tontos en general. Perfecto para desconectar el cerebro.
April 10, 2024
Kicks off with muscle cake and only gets better from there.
April 26, 2025
4.5/5.
I had a great time with this. There hasn’t been many times where I consistently burst out laughing while reading a graphic novel, but this is one of them. The humour is very similar to the show, but I think the show is funny as hell so this works very well for me. Along with the charming art and a sprinkle of touching moments, this is well worth reading.
I had a great time with this. There hasn’t been many times where I consistently burst out laughing while reading a graphic novel, but this is one of them. The humour is very similar to the show, but I think the show is funny as hell so this works very well for me. Along with the charming art and a sprinkle of touching moments, this is well worth reading.
July 9, 2024
This was a really fun read! Ever since the "Peacemaker" show came out, DC has really tried to always make his comic version look like John Cena, to the extent that when you read the book, you can hear his voice in the dialogue. LOL
Story highlights:
- While on a mission to take out some terrorists, Peacemaker is able to rescue a cute little dog he names Bruce Wayne (because he's a "little fancy man" LOL). The dog is his only real friend, which is upsetting to him. When a criminal called "The Brain" wants him to liberate some DNA from a lab, he jumps at the chance, only to be betrayed, barely surviving the attack, but also "Brain" takes his dog. His parole officer, a old WWII superhero known as The Red Bee, teams up to get the dog back.
Overall, a fun story. Definitely makes me want to check out more of Peacemaker in comics.
Recommend.
Story highlights:
- While on a mission to take out some terrorists, Peacemaker is able to rescue a cute little dog he names Bruce Wayne (because he's a "little fancy man" LOL). The dog is his only real friend, which is upsetting to him. When a criminal called "The Brain" wants him to liberate some DNA from a lab, he jumps at the chance, only to be betrayed, barely surviving the attack, but also "Brain" takes his dog. His parole officer, a old WWII superhero known as The Red Bee, teams up to get the dog back.
Overall, a fun story. Definitely makes me want to check out more of Peacemaker in comics.
Recommend.
March 6, 2024
I usually avoid stories about DC villains, because most of the time, I end up disappointed. But I knew what I am getting into, when I heard Kyle Starks wrote this, and that I will get something incredibly funny and heartful. And wow, it sure was funny and heartful. And Pugh sure added to that with his amazing artwork.
July 18, 2025
mixed enjoyment on this one. maybe because i’m batman and all ive been consuming is dark, gritty, crime stuff and i was not in the mood to laugh
i thought the art was phenomenal and starks did a *chef’s kiss* job at tugging at my heart strings - bro has some serious father figure issues and has no homies 💔
i’ll prolly watch the show tho if im ready for goofing. rn the city needs me
3.25/5
i thought the art was phenomenal and starks did a *chef’s kiss* job at tugging at my heart strings - bro has some serious father figure issues and has no homies 💔
i’ll prolly watch the show tho if im ready for goofing. rn the city needs me
3.25/5
March 1, 2024
Man, it has been a while since I’ve enjoyed a Kyle Starks book.
September 25, 2025
Having earned his release from the Suicide Squad, Peacemaker wants to try to do normal superhero stuff for a change. Unfortunately, everyone - including the bad guys, thinks he sucks at superhero stuff. But when busting up a terrorist ring introduces Christopher Smith to the cutest puppy to ever walk (awkwardly) on four legs, he finds the unconditional love he's been denied his whole life...until the dog is kidnapped by a super-villain with some very un-super-heroic plans for Peacemaker's brand of ultraviolence. Will he help an unstable criminal steal the world's most valuable--and dangerous-- DNA? Honestly, Christopher's pretty lonely, so it probably just depends on how nicely they ask...
We seem to want to have our cake and eat it with right-wing patriots and political parties that lean right. On one hand, we want to lampoon them and Treat them like idiots, on the other, we want them considered very real threats to humanity and freedoms. Also, within this, we may also have to accept that what we're calling humanity is just a coded term for 'Western Civilisation'. And that in itself also has more than one meaning. America seems to want to view itself as a Frontier nation even now, so the nature of the Western as an art form that has informed so much of our entertainment must also be questioned. American heroes want to be outlaws, but they want to wear white hats and be applauded for it.
Applause is important to a character like Peacemaker. And that makes him the perfect way to comment on these politics and movements that have probably been with us, unnamed for years, but all feel like a product of the Social Media age. Although he wears a helmet, he's not content being a masked man. He wants you to know when he saves the world, even if he does it by mistake. It might seem strange to be talking about right-wing politics and national identity when discussing a book that is an obvious and outright comedy. But I don't write the books, I just write about 'em and I'll be damned if this laugh-riot doesn't also have things to say.
Peacemaker is the classic 'Free Thinker' who can't really think for himself except to follow his own impulses and desires. The reality is that he needs a mission, a purpose given to him by others, a boss, a commander-in-chief. Deep down, he's thrilled this French brain-in-a-jar and his heavy machine gun-toting talking Gorilla have kidnapped his new canine BFF. It gives him something to do and somewhere to point his anger. John Wick? More like John Dick, amirite? Sorry, low-blow. But if you read the comic, you'll understand why even that is a high-water mark for humour as far as Christopher Smith is concerned.
This is very much Cena's Peacemaker. Starks finds the HBO show’s tone sits well with his own and plays that to the (no pun intended) max. The character lives in the whirlwind, whilst the writer points us to it and says ‘Look how insane this is! Of course, you should laugh at it!’. Starks and Pugh cover a lot of ground beyond the absurdity of blind patriotism. Ageism, sexism, and Incel culture all get a look-in. Starks and Pugh want our empathy here as much as our judgment. They seem to be pointing out the loneliness that lies at the core of society. But they also point out that there needs to be responsibility for one’s actions. And that can’t be a bad thing.
If all this sounds too weighty, don’t worry. Starks and Pugh don’t forget they’re making an entertaining DC Comic. I last remember seeing The Brain and Monsieur Mallah in the Silver Age Doom Patrol reprints, so I felt an absolute joy seeing the world’s most inadequate villains appear as the central bad guys in this, along with another Doom Patrol villain, one whom the term ‘Old School’ could be aptly applied to… Ah, you’ll get there. Suffice it to say it’s not long before the whole thing turns into The Boys From Brazil, written by Ira Levin's idiot brother. And that is a beautifully funny thing to see.
Starks and Pugh use the bonkers DC Silver Age as a mirror for Peacemaker's nonsensical credos and politics. But Starks never forgets to put the heart in. He reminds us that Christopher Smith was made this way by his asshole Dad and underneath it all, there's a sensitive little boy with no friends who could actually do with some attention. But also, there's no end of people to remind Smith that he is a dickhead. Pugh's art is clean and comical. Something of a chameleon, art-wise, Pugh's painted style gets put on hold here, replaced with a more expressive cartoon look that plays off Starks' script nicely. Bellaire's colours embrace this, keeping bright and fun, but getting deep into that newsprint, silver-age look where needed. Becca Carey's letters play the humour out perfectly, really selling the lines and genuine surprise of Christopher Smith that things aren't going his way. He may seem hapless, but underneath it all, we can't forget there's a highly competent killer. Even if he does love dogs.
We seem to want to have our cake and eat it with right-wing patriots and political parties that lean right. On one hand, we want to lampoon them and Treat them like idiots, on the other, we want them considered very real threats to humanity and freedoms. Also, within this, we may also have to accept that what we're calling humanity is just a coded term for 'Western Civilisation'. And that in itself also has more than one meaning. America seems to want to view itself as a Frontier nation even now, so the nature of the Western as an art form that has informed so much of our entertainment must also be questioned. American heroes want to be outlaws, but they want to wear white hats and be applauded for it.
Applause is important to a character like Peacemaker. And that makes him the perfect way to comment on these politics and movements that have probably been with us, unnamed for years, but all feel like a product of the Social Media age. Although he wears a helmet, he's not content being a masked man. He wants you to know when he saves the world, even if he does it by mistake. It might seem strange to be talking about right-wing politics and national identity when discussing a book that is an obvious and outright comedy. But I don't write the books, I just write about 'em and I'll be damned if this laugh-riot doesn't also have things to say.
Peacemaker is the classic 'Free Thinker' who can't really think for himself except to follow his own impulses and desires. The reality is that he needs a mission, a purpose given to him by others, a boss, a commander-in-chief. Deep down, he's thrilled this French brain-in-a-jar and his heavy machine gun-toting talking Gorilla have kidnapped his new canine BFF. It gives him something to do and somewhere to point his anger. John Wick? More like John Dick, amirite? Sorry, low-blow. But if you read the comic, you'll understand why even that is a high-water mark for humour as far as Christopher Smith is concerned.
This is very much Cena's Peacemaker. Starks finds the HBO show’s tone sits well with his own and plays that to the (no pun intended) max. The character lives in the whirlwind, whilst the writer points us to it and says ‘Look how insane this is! Of course, you should laugh at it!’. Starks and Pugh cover a lot of ground beyond the absurdity of blind patriotism. Ageism, sexism, and Incel culture all get a look-in. Starks and Pugh want our empathy here as much as our judgment. They seem to be pointing out the loneliness that lies at the core of society. But they also point out that there needs to be responsibility for one’s actions. And that can’t be a bad thing.
If all this sounds too weighty, don’t worry. Starks and Pugh don’t forget they’re making an entertaining DC Comic. I last remember seeing The Brain and Monsieur Mallah in the Silver Age Doom Patrol reprints, so I felt an absolute joy seeing the world’s most inadequate villains appear as the central bad guys in this, along with another Doom Patrol villain, one whom the term ‘Old School’ could be aptly applied to… Ah, you’ll get there. Suffice it to say it’s not long before the whole thing turns into The Boys From Brazil, written by Ira Levin's idiot brother. And that is a beautifully funny thing to see.
Starks and Pugh use the bonkers DC Silver Age as a mirror for Peacemaker's nonsensical credos and politics. But Starks never forgets to put the heart in. He reminds us that Christopher Smith was made this way by his asshole Dad and underneath it all, there's a sensitive little boy with no friends who could actually do with some attention. But also, there's no end of people to remind Smith that he is a dickhead. Pugh's art is clean and comical. Something of a chameleon, art-wise, Pugh's painted style gets put on hold here, replaced with a more expressive cartoon look that plays off Starks' script nicely. Bellaire's colours embrace this, keeping bright and fun, but getting deep into that newsprint, silver-age look where needed. Becca Carey's letters play the humour out perfectly, really selling the lines and genuine surprise of Christopher Smith that things aren't going his way. He may seem hapless, but underneath it all, we can't forget there's a highly competent killer. Even if he does love dogs.
February 27, 2025
Actually FUNNY- lots of little bits and pieces here that are just silly enough to be funny. Reminds me of the best Deadpool stuff (before it became a little too memey). Cocaine powered villains, gorillas playing dumb to double cross PM, the bee, just so many moments of hilarious stupidity. I liked this one a lot, rides the line of being funny without becoming a poop joke comic (there are a few poop jokes)
Check this out if you like Deadpool, John Cena or Comedy Central from like 2004-2007
Check this out if you like Deadpool, John Cena or Comedy Central from like 2004-2007
October 15, 2025
I would love to see more Suicide Squad-adjacent comics like this.
June 25, 2024
Encore un joli cadeau de Sébastien ! C'est débile et c'est bon. Du mauvais esprit, de la provocation à chaque page, j'ai vraiment apprécié ce récit déjanté !
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