The Suicide Squad franchise is known for pulling obscure comic book characters into the spotlight. Peacemaker, Portrayed by John Cena is already stealing attention. But who is Peacemaker? Where did he come from? And how did he become a character who fights for peace by using extreme violence? Let’s dive deep into the comic book history of Peacemaker and see how he evolved from an obscure Charlton Comics character to a modern-day DC icon.
From Charlton Comics to DC: The Origin of Peacemaker
Peacemaker first appeared in Fighting 5 #40 in November 1966, created by Joe Gill and Pat Boyette. Interestingly, he wasn’t originally a DC character. He debuted in Charlton Comics as a backup story that became so popular, it earned him a short-lived solo series that ran for five issues. Peacemaker quickly became one of Charlton’s flagship characters alongside Blue Beetle and The Question.
When Charlton Comics eventually folded, DC bought several of their properties—including Peacemaker. He was formally introduced into the DC Universe during the major crossover event Crisis on Infinite Earths in 1985, appearing in Issue #6. As part of that universe-resetting event, the Charlton heroes were incorporated as if they’d existed on “Earth-4”, bringing them into DC continuity with slightly altered backstories.
The Original Origin: A Pacifist Who Turns to Violence
In Charlton Comics, Christopher Smith is introduced as a peace-loving diplomat and the son of an army officer and a scientist. He’s trained as a fighter pilot thanks to his father and gains a deep understanding of science from his mother. As a U.S. peace envoy, he attends the Geneva Arms Conference and tries to stop a terrorist named Bork, who is selling weapons to incite war.
After failing to stop Bork through diplomatic means, Christopher makes a radical decision. He unlocks a hidden vault in his home—filled with deadly weapons of his own design—and reluctantly takes on the identity of Peacemaker, believing violence is the only way to stop violence. The irony? He swears by nonviolence yet uses brutal force to achieve peace.
This version of Peacemaker is driven by internal conflict. He hates violence but justifies it as a last resort, believing that sometimes, peace must be enforced.
DC’s Reinvention: A Darker Past
When DC reimagined Peacemaker during Crisis on Infinite Earths, they gave him a much darker backstory. In this updated version, Christopher Smith is the son of Wolfgang Schmidt, a former Nazi SS officer responsible for the deaths of over 50,000 people. On Chris’s fifth birthday, Wolfgang committed suicide in front of him, leaving him traumatized.
Chris’s mother relocated them and changed their surname to Smith, trying to bury their horrifying past. As an adult, Chris joined the military, where he showed great promise—until he massacred a village under the suspicion they were hiding enemies. Court-martialed and imprisoned, he was given a second chance via a top-secret program called Project Peacemaker, a government anti-terrorist unit.
But Chris didn’t stop there. When the project was shut down, he went rogue and adopted the Peacemaker identity for himself. Over time, his methods grew more violent, and he started hearing the voice of his dead father and believing that the souls of terrorism victims resided in his helmet. These hallucinations only pushed him further into madness.
The Modern Take: A Return to Roots
In the 2021 Suicide Squad series, DC seems to be bringing Peacemaker full circle. In Suicide Squad #2, Chris himself narrates his background: he used to be a diplomat in Washington D.C., seeking peace, but after failing to find it, he changed course. The story echoes his original Charlton origins, focusing on his ideological mission rather than the psychological baggage emphasized in the DC version.
Now a part of Amanda Waller’s Suicide Squad, Peacemaker leads missions under her command. He’s as dedicated as ever to his twisted motto: “Peace at any cost.”
Psychological Turmoil and Haunted Legacy
Peacemaker isn’t just a soldier in colorful armor. His psyche is fragile, haunted by trauma and guilt. The ghost of his father literally haunts him in some comics, appearing as a phantom tormenting him during missions. In the 1987 four-issue DC mini-series, this emotional breakdown becomes the core of the narrative. While trying to stop a terrorist attack in France, he battles not just the villain Dr. Zindzin, but also the lingering ghost of his father.
This internal conflict is a key element of his character. While he claims to value peace above all, he uses disturbing levels of violence to pursue it. This contradiction is what makes him so compelling—and terrifying.
Peacemaker’s Powers and Gear
Though Peacemaker has no superpowers, he’s a physical powerhouse. He’s a top-tier athlete, gymnast, and master in hand-to-hand combat. His military background makes him an expert marksman and weapons specialist.
His gear includes:
- Body Armor: Light yet durable, designed by himself.
- Helmet: It may look like a shiny toilet bowl, but it’s equipped with cybernetic circuits, surveillance tools, an ultrasonic blaster, and even a laser.
- Right Glove: Contains a vial that becomes a fireball when crushed.
- Jet Pack: Featured from his earliest appearances, allowing aerial mobility.
- Guns: His go-to weapon—he carries a wide variety of firearms and isn’t shy about using them.
Essential Reading Recommendations
If you’re looking to explore Peacemaker’s comic history, start with these key titles:
- Fighting 5 #40 – Peacemaker’s first appearance
- Peacemaker (Charlton Comics) – The original five-issue series
- Peacemaker (1987 DC Mini-Series) – A deep dive into his mental breakdown and ideological battles
- Suicide Squad (2021) – Modern take that reestablishes his roots while giving him a major role in current DC stories
Also Read: Twisted and Tragic Origin of Sin-Eater
