Content Warning: The following article contains discussions of suicide.
HBO Max series Peacemaker is finally making good use of the DC Comics character known as Vigilante after versions of the antihero briefly appeared in Arrow and Stargirl. On the DCEU show, Vigilante is introduced as a restaurant busboy named Adrian Chase who happens to look up to Peacemaker.
Several creative liberties have been taken with the character to make him fit better into the events. While some of his mannerisms mirror those of Adrian Chase from the comics, he is different in many ways too. Comic fans are also aware that Adrian isn't the only version of Vigilante; several individuals have served as the crime-fighting character over the years.
Alan Welles
In Vigilante #20, Alan starts operating as Vigilante without authorization when his friend Adrian Chase hangs up his boots. He is eventually killed by Adrian, so these two definitely cannot be counted among the best friendships in DC Comics.
Alan's recklessness and penchant for violence make him an unlikeable character, as he doesn't mind executing even petty thieves and police officers. His stint as Vigilante is also a brief one because he gets outed pretty quickly after choosing to operate in secret. Unlike the DCEU version of Vigilante who is shown to respect his friends, Alan isn't honorable enough to tell his friend Adrian that he has taken over his duties. This causes friction, leading to the former's death.
Adrian Chase
Adrian is introduced as a New York District Attorney in New Teen Titans #23. When his wife and children get killed by mobsters, he opts to fight crime by becoming the new Vigilante.
Adrian is arguably the most tragic among all the versions of Vigilante. He is often conflicted, wondering whether he should continue to chase after lawbreakers or quit. He also has poor fighting skills, evident from how he gets beaten by Peacemaker during their only fight, then gets unmasked live on air. Through him, themes of mental health are also highlighted. After a string of frustrating occurrences, the character takes his own life.
Dave Winston
Dave takes over as Vigilante after the death of Alan Welles in Vigilante #23. Unlike the previous versions of the character, he has a "no-kill" rule like Batman.
Dave is a well-mannered individual who is passionate about eradicating crime. He is understandably not fond of Peacemaker either since the Suicide Squad member never minds taking the lives of criminals. And unlike Alan, Dave respects the work of Adrian Chase and that's why he opts to save him during a plane hijacking incident. Sadly, he gets murdered by Peacemaker.
Justin Powell
In Vigilante (Vol 2) #3, Justin, an ordinary citizen, subconsciously becomes the Vigilante. Vigilante appears to know about Justin but Justin has no idea he even fights crime.
Justin's version is undoubtedly one of the most complex ones, but that's what makes him more intriguing. He also has some similarities with Batman, having witnessed also a murder as a child. Eventually, Justin does manage to reconcile his two personalities, thus becoming aware that he is Vigilante. He proves to be a great team player too by helping defeat the Madmen, the Trigger Twins, and the second Spellbinder in one of the most important events in DC comics, the Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Pat Trayce
Gotham City detective Patricia Trace becomes the new Vigilante when she begins dating Deathstroke in Deathstroke the Terminator #6. She first works with Deathstroke but after getting proper training, she starts operating alone.
Pat is seen to enjoy her stint as Vigilante a bit more than the rest. In what could be considered baffling moves, she even quits the police force and abandons her adopted son so that she can work full time as Vigilante. Lacking money doesn't bother her as she is content with surviving from the little she takes from the criminals she kills. But she isn't without her redeeming moments. She ends up being of great assistance to the Justice Society of America during the war between the universe and the Imperiex cosmic entity.
Adeline Kane
Adeline is best known in the comics as the leader of H.I.V.E. and as Slade Wilson's ex-wife. However, she briefly serves as Vigilante too in Green Lantern #25.
When no one else appears willing to take over as Vigilante when Pat's stint ends, the proactive Adeline gladly takes over. Her time as the antihero is a relatively peaceful one since she manages to prevent crimes without going on to any extreme measures. Moreover, she is the only Vigilante to have a proper relationship arc though she and Slade are among DC couples that only exist in the comics.
Donald Fairchild
Donald is a former basketball player who makes his first appearance in Vigilante: Southland. After his girlfriend gets killed by a local gang, he starts using the Vigilante moniker as he attempts to get revenge.
Donald is the only Black Vigilante so far and his inclusion goes a long way in promoting diversity in the superhero comic landscape. The young adult has few weaknesses to speak of, as he has great reflexes, stemming from his days as a basketball player, and happens to ride the Vigilante bike a lot faster than his counterparts.
Dorian Chase
Dorian is introduced in Nightwing #133 and is revealed to be Adrian Chase's father. He also operates using the identity of the criminal known as Joe Flynn to keep himself mysterious.
Dorian is shown to be much more redoubtable than his brother, Chase. He is more intelligent, to the point that he invents a technology that can graft another person's face and skin onto his own. His past has also shaped him into a tougher Vigilante. Not only did he serve as an enforcer for the mob but also spent time behind bars. And on occasions when his fake identities have been exposed, Dorian has always managed to come up with a new one.
Greg Saunders
The son of a Wyoming Sheriff, Saunders first starts out as a country singer in DC's Action Comics #42. When his father gets killed, he heads back home, acquires the moniker, Vigilante. and dedicates his life to fighting crime.
Many things make Saunders unique, including his fashion sense. He distinguishes himself by wearing cowboy attire instead of a masked costume like many of his peers. And like many great heroes, he has a sidekick with a cool name: Stuff the Chinatown Kid. And despite having no special abilities, Saunders' marksmanship skills always enable him to defeat the strongest of villains. He holds the honor of being one of the few people to save Superman, an act he did by shooting a werewolf that was about to maul the Man of Steel to death.