(Image Source: DC / Joe Quinones)
To most, the name Peacemaker evokes images of John Cena in a strange silver helmet. This is understandable, as the character was rather obscure before his first live-action appearance in 2021’s The Suicide Squad. However, this unlikely antihero has a long history dating back to the Silver Age of Comics.

Peacemaker first appeared in 1966’s The Fightin’ 5 #40; a series by Charlton Comics about a five-man paramilitary team. Created by writer Joe Gill and artist Pat Boyette, Christopher Smith was a devout pacifist. Such was his commitment to securing world peace, that he was willing to kill for it. This paradox was enough to grant him a solo series, albeit one that only ran five issues.

The Charlton characters were later bought by DC Comics after Charlton Comics went out of business in 1985. This gave a second life to heroes like Blue Beetle and The Question. In the case of Peacemaker, this meant a new backstory where Christopher Smith tried to make amends for the crimes of his Nazi father. Smith also believed he was haunted by his father’s spirit, and the ghosts of everyone his father killed. Elements of both versions of the character were worked into establishing the DCU Peacemaker.

Best Peacemaker comics as of 2025

Despite being around for nearly 60 years, there are surprisingly few comics devoted to Peacemaker. Most of his appearances were in ensemble series or as a supporting character in other characters’ comics. However, the past few years have seen DC Comics publishing several miniseries inspired by the DCU incarnation of the character, along with reprints of his classic adventures.

DC Finest: Peacemaker: Kill For Peace

Want to see where it all began? This 2025 trade-paperback marks the first effort to reprint the earliest appearances of Peacemaker. This includes his first two-part appearance in The Fightin’ 5, which has never been reprinted in any edition.

Beyond his Charlton Comics solo series, Kill For Peace also reprints some of Christopher Smith’s most notable appearances in the Post-Crisis era of DC Comics. This includes “The Janus Directive,” which crossed-over between the espionage-centered series Checkmate and Suicide Squad. It also includes Peacemaker’s appearances in Eclipso and Vigilante. (It should be noted, however, that the relationship between Vigilante and Peacemaker was far from friendly in the Post-Crisis DC Universe.)

Peacemaker Tries Hard!

Peacemaker Tries Hard! was originally published as a six-issue miniseries in 2023. Published under the DC Black Label line for mature readers, the series was not set in the DCEU. However, the script by Kyle Starks clearly drew inspiration from the first season of the HBO Max series. Indeed, the first issue opens with a comic reader complaining about how comic adaptations “always gotta change it a little from the original.”

The plot finds Peacemaker seeking a new purpose after being released from the service of the Suicide Squad. What he finds, however, is the most adorable dog in the world. This would be wonderful, if the dog (whom he named Bruce Wayne) hadn’t been immediately abducted by The Brain and Monsieur Mallah. To get his dog back safely, Peacemaker must help the pair steal the stolen DNA of some of DC’s most dangerous villains.

While not set in the DCU, Peacemaker Tries Hard! captures the chaotic energy of the show’s first season. Starks’ script is brought to life perfectly by the animated artwork of Steve Pugh. There are also cameos by other weird DC Comics characters like The Red Bee and Snowflame.

Peacemaker Presents: The Vigilante/Eagly Double Feature!

The first comic miniseries set in the DCU timeline, Peacemaker Presents: The Vigilante/Eagly Double Feature was tailor-made for fans of the show. James Gunn served as a story consultant on both halves of the double-feature. This helps keep both stories true to the HBO Max series, despite Gunn not scripting it personally.

The Vigilante story finds Adrian Chase going on a rampage after his best friend mysteriously disappears. Clearly, at least in Adrian’s mind, this means he was kidnapped by the local criminals. The would-be superhero is swiftly dragged into a series of chaotic shootouts with costumed assassins, a mob war, and really disgusting sex.

The irony is that Peacemaker hasn’t been kidnapped by the local mob. He went on vacation with his real best friend, Eagly, seeking the peace and quiet of the Alaskan wilderness. Unfortunately, their plane was hijacked and the two heroes suddenly find themselves among a group of tourists being hunted for sport. This leaves them trying to play the most dangerous game, while getting as many fellow travelers out alive as possible.

Both stories are as shocking and twisted as one would expect for an adaptation of the HBO Max series. It should go without saying that this volume is also a DC Black Label release and aimed at older readers. This is due to the gratuitous amounts of sex, violence, and dark comedy now synonymous with the Peacemaker name.

Peacemaker: Disturbing the Peace

Published in 2022 ahead of the first season of the HBO Max show, Disturbing the Peace offers a different take on Peacemaker. Published through the DC Black Label imprint, one might expect another dark comedy given this one is written by The Boys co-creator Garth Ennis. However, this is a decidedly serious and at times disturbing take on Christopher Smith.

The story finds Peacemaker giving an interview to a psychiatrist in anticipation of assignment to a new unit. She is concerned that he might have issues given his violent past and the high fatalities of his previous assignments. It spoils little to reveal that Christopher Smith does have issues, but they have nothing to do with his comrades dying.

Peacemaker: Disturbing the Peace is unlike the other stories on this list. It is violent and dark, yes, but there is almost no humor to be found here. Certainly there is none of the slapstick associated with the streaming series. It is a compelling read, however, with the gritty artwork of Garry Brown offering appropriately bleak visuals throughout this shocking one-shot.

The Multiversity: Pax Americana

The Multiversity was an unusual series. The brainchild of writer Grant Morrison, Multiversity was meant to start mapping the many worlds making up the the DC Multiverse in the wake of the New 52 revamp. It was also meant to give Morrison a chance to play with their favorite artists, telling some truly off-the-wall stories.

Pax American was relatively sedate by Morrison’s standards. Illustrated by Frank Quitely, the story was set on the new Earth-4. It centered around the titular team, which was made of heroes, like Peacemaker, who were originally created for Charlton Comics.

Comparable in tone to Watchmen, Pax American is more of a political thriller than a superhero story despite its cosmic elements. However, it does stick remarkably close to the classic comics in its treatment of Peacemaker. The super-soldier is tested as never before, pushed to extremes to see how far he will truly go in the name of peace.

How we chose the best Peacemaker comics

Most of these comics were chosen for how well they would appeal to fans of the Peacemaker HBO Max show. However, others were chosen for their quality, even if they offer a take on the character unlike the DCU version played by John Cena. Still others were selected for offering a historical view of the character and how they developed over time.