The Deep Cuts of Peacemaker Season 2
Peacemaker Season 2 has made it clear that it's not holding back when it comes to diving into the depths of DC lore. The show’s clever retcon has seamlessly integrated elements from the old DCEU into the new DCU, and even the first episode is packed with Easter eggs that range from obvious to incredibly obscure. One such reference in Episode 1 stands out as a nod to one of the earliest and most bizarre DC supervillains.
In the “perfect” dimension where Peacemaker’s (John Cena) brother (David Denman) and father (Robert Patrick) are alive, there’s a specific character that the Top Trio defeated. This call-back is an under-the-radar reference that fans might have missed at first glance. At the end of the first episode, before Chris encounters his other self and accidentally kills his doppelgänger, he takes a look at the trophy room/library of his family’s home in this alternate dimension. Among the newspaper headlines celebrating the Top Trio’s victories is one that reads: “Top Trio Save Gotham From Ultra-Humanite.”
Who Is the Ultra-Humanite?
The Ultra-Humanite made his debut in Action Comics #13, published in June 1939. He was introduced as the opposite of Superman, a villain who possessed the most agile and learned brain on Earth. His bald appearance might make some readers think he was a draft for Lex Luthor, but he predates the Man of Steel’s archenemy.
In his first appearance, the Ultra-Humanite explains, “I am known as ‘the Ultra-Humanite.’ Why? Because a scientific experiment resulted in my possessing the most agile and learned brain on Earth! Unfortunately for mankind, I prefer to use this great intellect for crime.” Initially, he served as a Professor Moriarty-like figure opposing Clark Kent, but after the Golden Age, he evolved into a more complex villain capable of transferring his consciousness into other bodies. In 1981, it was revealed that the Ultra-Humanite had his mind inside a white gorilla, which became his most recognizable form among comic book fans.
The DCU and the Multiverse
While the mention of the Ultra-Humanite in Peacemaker Season 2 is likely just an Easter egg, it raises interesting questions about the structure of the DCU. Some details suggest that the dimension Peacemaker has entered may be analogous to Earth Two from Pre-Crisis DC lore. Introduced in 1961 via The Flash, Earth Two was a parallel dimension that housed Golden Age versions of DC characters, preserving older storylines that were no longer part of the main continuity.
It’s possible that Peacemaker Season 2 has introduced its own version of Earth Two into the newly rebooted DCU. In the comics, Earth Two was eventually merged with other dimensions during the famous Crisis on Infinite Earths miniseries from 1985 to 1986. While it’s unlikely that the DCU under James Gunn will face a new Infinite Crisis, the new Peacemaker Earth Two could serve a similar purpose as the old one—acting as a refuge for alternate versions of characters, including classic heroes and unusual supervillains.
Conclusion
With its intricate storytelling and deep ties to DC history, Peacemaker Season 2 continues to surprise and delight fans. The inclusion of the Ultra-Humanite in the first episode is just one example of how the show is weaving together elements from the past to create something new and exciting. As the series progresses, it’s clear that the world of Peacemaker is expanding in ways that could have lasting implications for the broader DC universe.
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