The season 2 finale of Peacemaker, titled “Full Nelson,” wrapped up the show’s multiversal story with a treasure trove of DC Comics references. The episode saw Chris Smith and his friends break away from ARGUS while setting up major new elements for the future of the DC Universe.
Big Belly Burger and Looney Tunes
The episode opened with a classic DC location, showing Chris Smith and Emilia Harcourt eating at Big Belly Burger. This fast-food chain is a staple across DC films and television shows. In a fun nod to other Warner Bros. properties, the episode also featured namedrops of classic Looney Tunes characters Yosemite Sam and Pepé Le Pew.
LuthorCorp’s Growing Influence
The connection between the show and the wider DCU was strengthened with the appearance of several LuthorCorp employees. After a debut in the previous episode, the finale featured Otis Berg, Amanda McCoy, and Ms. Jessop. These characters, who also appeared in Superman, are established figures from DC Comics. Their presence confirms that Rick Flag Sr. is working directly with Lex Luthor, who was seen at Belle Reve prison in an earlier episode.
A Multiverse of Monsters
The exploration of the Quantum Unfolding Chamber (QUC) allowed the show to showcase a variety of bizarre and dangerous dimensions, each a potential Easter egg.
- Imps: The first door ARGUS opened led to a Candyland-like world full of vicious, tiny creatures. This paid off the “Imp” conversation from the season’s premiere and continued a running gag of Imp appearances in DCU projects.
- Black Hole: Another portal opened directly onto a black hole, visually matching the one that threatened Metropolis in Superman.
- Terror Tales Homage: One door revealed a dimension with giant, screaming skulls on spider bodies. This is believed to be a homage to Terror Tales, a classic pre-Comics Code horror comic series.
- DCeased Nod: A horde of Colonial-era zombies poured through another portal, exciting fans of the popular DC comic book storyline DCeased by Tom Taylor.
Salvation Run and a Comic-Accurate Prison
A major plot point involved the discovery of a seemingly peaceful, uninhabited planet. ARGUS and LuthorCorp plan to turn this world, which they name Salvation, into an inescapable prison for metahumans. This is a direct reference to the 2007-2008 comic book storyline Salvation Run, where many of DC’s villains were exiled to a similar planet.
The finale justified this extreme plan by having characters reference the frequent security failures at two famous DC prisons: Arkham Asylum from Batman lore and Belle Reve, the home of Task Force X.
The Birth of Checkmate
In response to ARGUS’s dark turn, the core team decided to form their own independent agency. Led by Leota Adebayo and funded by Vigilante’s hidden cash, the 11th Street Kids established Checkmate. They were joined by former ARGUS agents Sasha Bordeaux and Langston Fleury, along with Judomaster.
In the comics, Checkmate is a covert operations and spy agency originally founded by Amanda Waller. This new version appears to be taking a more positive and independent direction within the DCU.
A Shocking Ending and a Dark Future
The finale concluded with a brutal twist. Rick Flag Sr., still seeking revenge for his son’s death in The Suicide Squad, had Peacemaker kidnapped. He then used the QUC to maroon Chris alone on Salvation, leaving him stranded with only the clothes on his back as the portal closed for good.
The final moments showed that the planet is not as tranquil as it first appeared. As Peacemaker looked around, the sound of monstrous roars echoed from the nearby forest, hinting at the dangers he will face. In the comics, the planet Salvation is revealed to be a training ground for the New Gods of the villainous planet Apokolips, overseen by Darkseid’s lieutenant, DeSaad.
A Signature Style
The episode also featured a slow-motion walk set to “Oh Lord” by Foxy Shazam, mirroring the iconic opening sequence from season one. This stylish callback reinforced the team’s unity as they stepped into their new roles.
