Mortal Kombat 1 (MK1) beckons players to check out the arrival of John Cena‘s violent-but-funny superhero Peacemaker with a new gameplay trailer for the upcoming DLC. One of the few highlights of the final DCEU projects before the Warner Bros. and Discovery merger, the 2022 Peacemaker series was a hit on HBO Max – and now Peacemaker can hit ninjas and sorcerers, too.
Director (and now DC Studios Co-CEO) James Gunn lent his irreverent vision to the traditionally straight-laced crimefighter. Meanwhile, John Cena was able to flex his acting range, effortlessly shifting from comedy to dramatic moments in the show.
A second season of the series is already in development – but does Peacemaker make a seamless transition from his eponymous TV series to the Mortal Kombat universe? He certainly isn’t the first guest character to show up in the gory fighting game.
Peacemaker & Janet Cage join #MortalKombat1 https://t.co/U6BiWV87b1
— Ed Boon (@noobde) February 22, 2024
The character’s gameplay trailer, released ahead of his actual in-game debut makes good use of the humor and distinctive traits that fans have come to love. Loaded with foul-mouthed quips and offbeat characteristics, Peacemaker injects a dose of lunkheaded trash talk into Mortal Kombat 1’s pre-fight banter (and yes, that’s John Cena providing his voice talents for the game).
One particular scene from the trailer has Peacemaker referring to Mileena as the “first bangable monster chick” he’s encountered. Of course fans who watched Peacemaker Season 1 know this isn’t true. Christopher Smith (aka Peacemaker) did have sex with a hot chick possessed by one of the parasitic aliens called ‘Butterflies’ in the first episode “A Whole New Whirled”.
Another quirk of Peacemaker in MK1 is that he vocalizes his moves, providing a unique touch by openly announcing which helmet-based superpower he intends to deploy in battle. This seems to be a jab at how fighting game characters like those in Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat would shout something while performing their special moves.
The combat antics reach a pinnacle when Peacemaker fires shotgun shells, perforating the peace sign-shaped exit wounds in his opponents – a whimsically absurd touch that adds a layer of entertainment to the game.
The arrival of Peacemaker coincides with Mortal Kombat 1‘s fourth season in Invasions mode, marking a significant milestone for players. Moreover, NetherRealm Studios will roll out crossplay support for Mortal Kombat 1, enabling cross-platform battles on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X, with the Nintendo Switch being the sole exception.
Following closely on Peacemaker’s heels is the introduction of Janet Cage, a new Kameo Fighter, set to make her debut in Mortal Kombat 1 in March. Janet Cage previously made a memorable appearance in the game’s highly entertaining multiversal finale as a female version of Johnny Cage.
The crossover bug has bitten NetherRealm Studios as well, and Peacemaker stands out not only as the second guest fighter (after Invincible‘s Omni-Man), but also as the second comic book character to join Mortal Kombat 1‘s eclectic roster.
Originating in 1966 and created by writer Joe Gill and artist Pat Boyettte, Peacemaker gained widespread popularity through The Suicide Squad (2021) and his 2022 standalone TV series. The character is poised to expand his presence further with an upcoming appearance in the anime, Suicide Squad Isekai, featuring the voice talent of Takehito Koyasu.
Fans eager to take on Peacemaker’s chaotic fighting style in MK1 can gain early access through the game’s Kombat Pack starting February 28. A broader, standalone release is scheduled for March 6, allowing a wider audience to experience the mayhem. The first Kombat Pack, priced at $39.99, is included in the Premium Edition of Mortal Kombat 1, available for $109.99.
Do you think Peacemaker makes a good fit in the Mortal Kombat universe? What other DC Comics superhero would you like to see in future MK1 updates?
