Peacemaker Season 2 is on HBO Max and has found success with critics and some viewers, but not everyone is happy about it. The series, part of the new DC Universe, continues its adult-oriented story with drug use, strong language, and frequent nudity, including full frontal male nudity which has sparked complaints. This comes just one month after the family-friendly Superman movie hit theaters, and the studio promoted Peacemaker season 2 as a contiuation of the story. How does DC reconcile the presence of explicit content such as gay orgies and lots of vulgarity tied to its most famous character’s universe? It seems clear that the studio is pushing the boundaries by linking its most wholesome hero to debauchery.
Some critics and viewers have expressed shock, especially over orgy scene, labeling it as inappropriate for younger viewers who might have also watched Superman which featured Peacemaker in an after credits scene. Their anger is not about violence or language as much as it is the full frontal male nudity. Back in the 1980s, films were often hit with an X rating for showing male frontal nudity. The reasoning being was that male genitalia are inherently more graphic than female ones.
When it comes to adult superhero movies, R ratings usually come from violence and language, not sex or nudity. Films like Deadpool, Logan, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, and The Suicide Squad all have graphic violence but no major sexual content. Was DC not paying attention to the controversy in Disney’s She-Hulk when she had a one night stand with Daredevil? Fans hated it.
Hypocritical or not, Peacemaker is facing a backlash for embracing TV-MA content in a series that even James Gunn admits is not aimed at children. It’s for adults suffering from arrested devlopment. However, the hypocrisy deepened when Gunn also proclaimed that you have to watch this season of Peacemaker because it directly sets up the Superman sequel.
The DC Universe’s first official entry, Creature Commandos, was also a very mature animated show full of sex, blood, and strong language. The same goes for The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker’s first season, which were quickly folded into the DCU. Superman’s PG-13 rating is the true oddity in this landscape thus far. DC’s new universe openly embraces a range of tones—from the family film Superman to the violent, adult-themed Peacemaker, a detective-style Lanterns series, and even body-horror tales like Clayface. This diversity may set DC apart from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which tends to maintain safe, all-ages content even if it experiments slightly with mature tones.
Marvel has its R-rated shows and movies on platforms like Netflix or adult-themed projects such as Echo and Deadpool & Wolverine. Still, most MCU movies keep it clean. Will the upcoming Punisher in Spider-Man: Brand New Day cause outcry? The Punisher is an R-rated character, but fans may either complain about the violence being toned down or not realize his background. It is clear that violence is more accepted for young viewers than any hint of sexual content.
James Gunn, the show’s creator, has a long history of pushing boundaries and subverting expectations. His work often challenges social norms and offends some audiences. He was even fired by Disney over tasteless pedo-jokes. Could it be that DC’s attempt to blend Superman’s ideologically clean image with Gunn’s provocative style explains some of the backlash? If so, this is no surprise. Gunn’s approach makes clear that the new DC Universe will not shy away from tackling taboo subjects and adult themes. If the fans find this unsettling, they may want to tap out now.
Whether you approve or not, the DCU is boldly experimenting beyond the limits of family-friendly entertainment, precisely why it provokes strong reactions from some fans.
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