I’m Putting Together A Team
Sequel Soldiers - Part Four
Team Two: Heroes of second installments of movie franchises that were better than the original.
Fictional heroes, villains, and everyone in between have formed unlikely alliances to answer a common calling: which group of kindred characters is the mightiest of them all? United by a shared theme, troops of four fabulous fictional characters will figuratively compete in a tournament of television, movie, and literature’s finest where only one foursome can be crowned kings and queens of popular entertainment. Join in on the roll call to learn more about these similar characters and delve into their individual histories. It's time to assemble the analogous all-stars and find out who is the best, one team at a time.
The second time's the charm for these cinematic commandos, and they have the box office blowouts to back them up. Each member of this “Part Two” party is featured in a film that is widely considered to be superior to the first. Subjectivity can sway opinions, but there is no doubt that these characters are a force to be reckoned with.
Sequel Soldiers, assemble!
4. Peacemaker
First appearance (on screen): The Suicide Squad (2021)
Popular entertainment of 2021:
Spider-Man: No Way Home - film starring Tom Holland and Benedict Cumberbatch
Superman & Lois - television series starring Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch
Falling - novel written by T.J. Newman
Air Force pilot and custom weaponsmith extraordinaire Christopher Smith set out to make peace - by any means he deemed necessary. Appearing in 1966 in the fortieth issue of the Charlton comic book, Fightin’ Five, Peacemaker was unleashed upon criminals everywhere. In the comic’s backup tale credited as written by Joe Gill and penciled by Pat Boyette, The Peacemaker debuted, unloading his unique brand of justice (as well as his unique sense of superhero fashion). With a bizarre chrome helmet and a white dove emblem adorned upon his chest, Smith took it upon himself to bring about peace through violence.
Peacemaker’s original comics run was cut short and the character dwelled in relative obscurity for two decades until Charton’s intellectual properties were sold to DC Comics in the 1980s. A revamped origin story saw Christopher Smith’s father as a former Nazi commander who killed himself to avoid a trial (in front of a very young Christopher). Once old enough, Smith went to Vietnam where he would see war up close and personal.
Consistencies of Peacemaker’s lore over time include him being a highly skilled marksman and vigilante. His deadly philosophy carried into his role as a Government special agent, permanently removing anyone considered an enemy of the state. As Peacemaker, Smith’s complicated upbringing from his abusive father haunts him - so much so, that he believes the spirits of those he has slain possess his signature silver helmet (at least, in some iterations).
The live action adaptation of Suicide Squad (2016) starred Will Smith, Margot Robbie, and Jared Leto, joining what was DC Comics’ cinematic universe at the time. The movie showcased Task Force X, a collection of incarcerated (and expendable) villains who carried out government-backed secret missions with the incentive that their service could grant them a pardon - and an explosive device implant also helped encourage the team to follow orders. The film received mixed reviews but it wouldn’t be long before a revamped sequel targeted cinemas everywhere in 2021.
The successor film directed by James Gunn rocked moviegoers, and the praise flowed. Actor, writer, and WWE Superstar wrestler John Cena portrayed Christopher Smith and his performance garnered favorable press. Cena’s muscular stature, large presence, and over the top willingness to commit to the part propelled his role as Peacemaker into a spinoff series on the streaming service HBO Max.
The Terminator, Hicks, Rambo, and Peacemaker make for an impressive party of four, but they’ll have to use their brains (or cybernetic learning computers) as well as brawn to the test if they want to be the last team standing.
The Terminator, Hicks, Rambo, and Peacemaker make for an impressive party of four, but they’ll have to use their brains (or cybernetic learning computers) as well as brawn to the test if they want to be the last team standing.
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