The second season of Peacemaker has turned its hero’s world upside down by bringing back his dead father, but in a way no one expected. The show has revealed the true nature of Auggie Smith, the White Dragon, on the dystopian Earth-X, showing a version of the character that is far more complex than the straightforward villain from Season 1.
White Dragon to Blue Dragon
In the main world of the DC Universe, Auggie Smith was a violent white supremacist supervillain known as the White Dragon. He was an abusive father to his son, Chris Smith, aka Peacemaker, and was ultimately killed by him at the end of the first season. His legacy was one of pure hatred and racism.
However, Season 2 introduces an alternate reality known as Earth-X, a universe where the Nazis won World War II and took control of America. In this world, Auggie Smith is not the White Dragon but the Blue Dragon. He is a celebrated hero and a member of the beloved “Top Trio” superhero team, alongside his sons Chris and Keith, who are both still alive. His armor is blue and white, a direct contrast to the menacing red and white of his original counterpart.
A Father with a Different Morality
The most significant difference between the two versions of Auggie is their core morality. The original White Dragon was defined by his racist ideology and cruelty. The Blue Dragon of Earth-X, however, claims he does not share the N*zi beliefs of the regime that surrounds him.
This version of Auggie presents a more complicated figure. He is not the abusive zealot Chris remembers. Instead, he argues with his sons about using excessive violence and expresses a desire to do good within the confines of a terrible system. Creator James Gunn explained the character’s nuanced perspective, stating:
“We wanted to show that context can completely change a person’s choices. Auggie in Earth-X is a reminder that morality isn’t black and white, even for the White Dragon.”
This complexity forces Chris to confront a painful question: was his father in his own world inherently evil, or was he a product of his circumstances who could have been different?
A World Built on a Dark Secret
The setting of Earth-X is crucial to understanding this new Auggie. This world is a nightmare version of America, where US flags feature swastikas and the population appears entirely white. The show subtly built up to this reveal, with fans noticing the lack of racial diversity in the background of Earth-X scenes long before a swastika flag was explicitly shown.
This world is based on the established DC Comics concept of Earth-X, a universe where President Roosevelt died early, leading to a prolonged war that the Nazis eventually won through mind control. In this world, Auggie Smith is a hero, but he is a hero living within and, to some extent, benefiting from a Nazi state.
A Heartbreaking Event
The relationship between Chris and this alternate Auggie takes a tragic turn. In Episode 7, just as this new version of Auggie shows compassion for Chris and tries to help him return home, he is brutally killed by Vigilante. This moment is described as sudden and devastating, with Chris’s reaction echoing the trauma of losing his brother all over again.
This death shatters any chance Chris had of reconciling with a better version of his father. It reinforces his belief that he is a source of pain in every reality and that he can never escape the cycle of violence associated with his family.
Use of the Multiverse
Peacemaker Season 2 uses the concept of the multiverse not for simple fan service, but to explore deeper philosophical questions about identity, legacy, and whether people are fundamentally good or evil. By replacing the White Dragon with the Blue Dragon, the show forces its hero to grapple with the idea that the man he hated could have been someone else under different conditions. This makes Chris’s journey toward being a better person much more difficult and emotionally complex.
Also Read: James Gunn Explains Why Peacemaker Missed the Nazi Clues in Season 2
