DCU Bombshell Reveals James Gunn’s FIFTH Anti-Hero Team

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James Gunn clearly enjoys collaborating with people he’s close to, and it shows in his work. He often casts friends, like Michael Rooker, in significant roles across both the Marvel and DC universes – a testament to his belief in surrounding yourself with people you trust and enjoy. This isn’t just about personal preference for Gunn, though; he also strives to create a strong sense of camaraderie and connection between the characters in his films.

James Gunn excels at building compelling characters, making each one memorable and independent. He then unites them with a shared purpose, preventing constant conflict. He’s successfully used this formula four times to create teams of flawed heroes with great promise. Now, a fifth team has emerged, and it shows even more potential than its predecessors.

James Gunn Keeps Going Back to the Anti-Hero Well

James Gunn clearly has a fondness for flawed characters, and his first superhero movie, *Guardians of the Galaxy*, showcases that perfectly. From the moment Peter Quill appears, it’s obvious he’s no traditional hero – he’s a liar and a thief, but with a certain charm. As we meet the rest of the Guardians, we begin to see beneath the surface, realizing Peter is a vulnerable person who’s been longing for a family. He ultimately finds that connection with Gamora, Drax, Groot, Rocket, and Mantis – a group of equally imperfect individuals all striving to be better.

James Gunn successfully replicated the team dynamic from *The Suicide Squad* in his subsequent work. The reformed Task Force X returns, forging stronger bonds and ultimately prioritizing saving Corto Maltese from Starro over following orders. However, not everyone embraces a happy ending; Peacemaker chooses loyalty to his organization, even at a personal cost. This sets the stage for his character development in his own show, where he begins to confront his past mistakes. He’s aided in this journey by the 11th Street Kids, the A.R.G.U.S. team who evolve into something far greater by the end of the first season.

Before continuing Peacemaker’s story, the series shifts focus to Creature Commandos – a team similar to the Suicide Squad, but made up of monsters. While they don’t work together as smoothly as other groups, they successfully complete their mission and feel good about it. Their leader, Rick Flag Sr., leaves to take charge of A.R.G.U.S., but his newfound power goes to his head, and he unintentionally sets the stage for Gunn’s next team of anti-heroes.

Checkmate Comes Together Because It Wants to, Not Because It Has to

In Season 2 of *Peacemaker*, Flag Sr. uses his wealth and power to track down Peacemaker after he killed his son. However, the general becomes increasingly unhinged and begins using a confiscated device, the Quantum Unfolding Chamber, to find a planet where he can exile dangerous super-powered individuals. This mission results in the deaths of A.R.G.U.S. agents, leading John Economos, Emilia Harcourt, and Sasha Bordeaux to question their roles within the organization. Ultimately, they decide to leave and join Leota Adebayo in forming “Checkmate,” a new group dedicated to doing more good than harm.

Checkmate stands out because its members genuinely *want* to be there, seeing it as a place to improve and develop their skills. This is different from Gunn’s other teams, which are formed out of necessity – either because they’re required to participate or face a challenge too big to handle alone. This positive and proactive approach will be a major advantage as Checkmate begins its first task: finding and saving Peacemaker.

Peacemaker Season 2 is streaming on HBO Max.

What’s your favorite team of flawed heroes created by James Gunn? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-10-12 01:40