The DCU Might Have Made Another Controversial DCEU Character Canon (But Is It Worth It?)

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The DC Universe has largely been restarted, with a new Superman focused on direct help rather than self-pity. Lex Luthor has also been reimagined, now seeking allies instead of exploiting heroes. However, James Gunn, the head of DCU, is keeping some elements from the old continuity, specifically the shadowy government organization A.R.G.U.S. and its often ruthless methods.

Rick Flag Sr., Joel Kinnaman’s character’s father from *The Suicide Squad*, shows up in everything related to the DC Universe, and he never misses an opportunity to talk about his son’s death. He blames Peacemaker (Christopher Smith) for it and actively tries to track him down, especially in Peacemaker’s own series. However, it’s difficult to stay focused on the conflict between Flag Sr. and Peacemaker, not just because of all the Nazis they’re fighting. The show *Peacemaker* keeps hinting at other characters from the DC Extended Universe, which creates problems for the overall franchise.

Peacemaker Continues to Push the Idea That Suicide Squad (2016) Is Canon

James Gunn’s first foray into the DC Universe is essentially a new take on the Suicide Squad concept – a team of expendable individuals sent on missions no one else wants. We see some familiar faces return, like Harley Quinn, Rick Flag, and the ever-ruthless Amanda Waller, but honestly, this film feels like a fresh start. It doesn’t lean heavily on what came before, which I really appreciated. Interestingly, the *Peacemaker* series isn’t playing by the same rules. Even as everything shifts from the DCEU to the DCU, *Peacemaker* Season 2 is already dropping some big backstory about Rick Flag, including a preSuicide Squad* affair with Emilia Harcourt. It’s a bold move, and definitely adds another layer to the unfolding narrative.

In a flashback during *Peacemaker*, Flag Jr. talks about his past with June Moone, also known as the Enchantress, who only appeared previously in the 2016 film *Suicide Squad*. Since the Enchantress wasn’t a particularly strong villain, her mention suggests James Gunn likely doesn’t have major plans for her. A similar situation arises in *Peacemaker* Season 2, Episode 6 when Lex Luthor references a “bear-sized man with dragon skin” – a clear description of Killer Croc, another character from *Suicide Squad*. While Gunn might just be using these characters for brief appearances and jokes, repeatedly doing so undermines the idea of a fresh start, or reboot.

Killer Croc Deserves Justice as Much as Any Other DCEU Character

It’s unfair to blame James Gunn for everything that went wrong with previous DC movies. He should be free to tell the stories he wants without needing to fix every character from the old DCEU. That said, completely abandoning some of those characters feels like a missed opportunity. While Killer Croc isn’t one of Batman’s most famous villains – often just a strong enemy in the sewers – he’s sometimes written as a complex character, even an anti-hero who tries to do good in his own way. Another creative might have been able to do something interesting with him.

James Gunn is allowing creators to develop Clayface as a complex character, moving beyond the typical villain archetype, and will explore his origins with a focus on body horror. Meanwhile, Killer Croc seems unlikely to receive a serious portrayal in the new DC Universe. Although *Peacemaker* doesn’t explicitly confirm the identity of the character next to Lex Luthor as Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Gunn’s deliberate approach suggests it’s heavily implied. While it’s easy to poke fun at the previous DCEU’s mistakes—which ultimately led to the creation of the DCU—it shouldn’t come at the cost of telling compelling stories.

Peacemaker Season 2 is streaming on HBO Max.

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2025-10-07 20:10