The reviews are in for HBO Max's Peacemaker. The series stars John Cena as Christopher Smith/Peacemaker, an anti-hero that sets out to achieve peace no matter the cost. Along with Cena, the series will also star Steve Agee, Danielle Brooks, Robert Patrick, Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma, and Chukwudi Iwuji. In the eight-episode series, Brad Anderson will direct one episode, while James Gunn, who also directed and wrote its origin story, The Suicide Squad, will direct the other seven.

The show will follow the events of The Suicide Squad, in which Peacemaker betrayed the team and killed Rick Flag to prevent him from revealing not-so-pleasant secrets about the U.S. government's Project Starfish. However, Peacemaker is also brutally injured and left to die in Jötunheim by Bloodsport (Idris Elba), the laboratory which houses Starro. It is not until the post-credits scene that it is revealed that Peacemaker is alive and that Waller has left her subordinates in charge of supervising him. Peacemaker will follow Smith's journey and develop his character by exploring his origins, along with his missions post-The Suicide Squad.

Related: The Suicide Squad: Why Katana Didn't Return

While the show does not debut until January 13, reviews are already pouring in, and they are glowing. Critics apparently see the show as a breath of fresh air from the typical DC and Marvel shows. Rolling Stone says that the show "declares war on self-serious superheroes," and that it is "a gloriously goofy sendup and a sincere character study rolled into one.CNN says the series lets Cena and Gunn "cut loose" and that the director's creative freedom allows the show to excel. Check out more overwhelmingly positive reviews in the posts below.

Reviews for the series seem to unanimously agree that Peacemaker offers up an interesting character study of a "third-tier superhero," while also bringing out the Gunn-esque qualities that blend heart, humor, and violence — often in one scene. It also appears that Peacemaker has proven itself to be a breath of fresh air from previous superhero projects. Like its predecessor, The Suicide Squad, so-far released Peacemaker trailers certainly mark a divergence from the more family-friendly content of Marvel films like the recent hit Spider-Man: No Way Home, with plenty of extreme violence and cursing being prominent features of its marketing material. Reviews also agree that Gunns style helps flesh out Cena's anti-hero character, all while creating a stand-out show.

It should come as no surprise, however, that Peacemaker is a critical hit. Gunn has already garnered plenty of praise for his work in superhero films with the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise and The Suicide Squad. Gunns track record with superhero films shows his love not just for comics and film, but for underdog character studies from the Marvel/DC catalog. Before Guardians of the Galaxy, no one would have thought that a group of D-list heroes that consist of a talking tree and raccoon would have become iconic, let alone likable, but Gunn pulled it off. Gunn has a talent for taking characters that may not be popular, or are just plain weird, and making them relatable with heart and humor. Peacemaker, it appears, will do the same when it debuts on HBO Max on January 13.

Next: Why Amanda Waller Isn't Involved In Peacemaker

Source: Twitter (various)

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