Peacemaker season 2 has taken a bold step into one of DC's darkest realities. We are talking about Earth X, a universe where the Nazis won World War II, creating a society steeped in white supremacy.
John Cena's character, Chris Smith, also known as Peacemaker, is initially unaware of the true nature of this world, given his powerful and celebrated persona. However, it doesn't take long before he and his team uncover the oppressive regime, even finding that the organization Argus is controlled by Nazis.
Earth X, originally appearing in Justice League of America #107 in 1973, was created by Len Wein and Dick Dillin. The universe reflects a radical historical divergence with a society heavily influenced by Nazi ideology. Through various storylines, notably by Grant Morrison in the Multiversity series, Earth X has been expanded to show that usual heroic figures are often corrupted.
Despite the dark themes, there is a resistance element with heroes like the Freedom Fighters opposing the oppressive regime, a concept mirrored by the Guns Sons of Liberty in Earth X's version depicted in Peacemaker.
This storyline offers a unique exploration of moral inversion and historical consequences, making it a grim mirror to the main DC universe. Earth X holds a significant place in the DC multiverse, unlike Marvel's what-if series, and its portrayal in Peacemaker is a testament to its rich comic history.
Showrunner James Gunn has expressed excitement in exploring alternate realities such as Earth X, and while there is no official word on its appearance in other DC IPs, the comic suggests a wealth of storytelling potential. It allows an examination of Chris Smith's morality in a world celebrating values he knows are wrong, offering endless narrative possibilities.