Warning: Contains major SPOILERS for Peacemaker

The Justice League has a surprise cameo appearance in the season 1 finale of Peacemaker, and Superman is wearing his original blue costume instead of his newer black suit. Superman’s iconic blue and red costume made its DCEU debut, along with Superman himself in 2013’s Man of Steel, but Clark Kent donned a new outfit in Zack Snyder’s Justice League after his resurrection. Though Superman continues to use the black suit after Steppenwolf’s defeat, his return to the classic costume in Peacemaker indicates the TV show’s place in the DCEU timeline and Superman’s character progression according to Zack Snyder’s plans.

As the prototypical and ultimate superhero, Superman’s blue bodysuit and red cape make him instantly recognizable. Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, making his debut in 1938. Superman’s costume, like that of most Golden Age superheroes, was based on that of a circus strongman, which was fitting for the time, as circus performers were seen as the primary examples of strength and athleticism.

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Superman appears alongside the majority of his Justice League teammates in Peacemaker, though the Man of Steel is played by an unknown actor and his face is obscured in shadow. Though almost a silhouette, Superman’s red cape and blue suit are visible in the episode, indicating that he’s no longer wearing his black outfit. On the surface, this may seem slightly surprising. However, considering both the black suit’s specific purpose and Zack Snyder’s plans for Superman to don the blue costume once again, Superman’s seemingly outmoded appearance in Peacemaker actually makes sense.

Superman looking up in Zack Snyder's Justice League

In the DCEU, Superman’s blue costume is technically a Kryptonian undergarment, meant to be worn underneath armor and space exploration gear. As with other Kryptonian suits, it features a logo on its chest, indicating its affiliation. General Dru-Zod’s suit and armor had the emblem of the House of Zod on its chest, while Superman (Kal-El) had the House of El emblem on his. The House of El is represented by an S-like glyph which symbolizes hope and altruism. As a Kryptonian garment, Superman’s suit is as durable as he is, easily surviving bullets and explosions without sustaining any damage.

The suit was damaged when Doomsday stabbed Superman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice but was either repaired or replaced in Superman’s Fortress of Solitude (a Kryptonian Scout Ship in the DCEU) by the events of Justice League, as an identical outfit is shown in the film. Like his comic counterpart, the recently-resurrected Superman dons a black version of his costume in Justice League, which absorbs more solar radiation and helps him return to his full strength. Superman is still wearing the black regenerative suit at the end of the film, but his return to the classic blue costume coincides with his intended character trajectory from Zack Snyder.

Though Zack Snyder’s planned DCEU solo films and Justice League installments seem unlikely to make it to the big screen, he intended for Superman to eventually don the blue costume again, indicating that he’s reached the end of a multi-film story arc. With Superman wearing the blue costume once more in Shazam! and Peacemaker and a potential continuity reboot in the upcoming The Flash, Superman might have completed his journey offscreen in a sense, allowing him to use his classic outfit in what might be some of his final appearances. Henry Cavill’s future as the DCEU’s Superman is, unfortunately, uncertain for now, so having Kal-El wear his first costume in Peacemaker indicates that he’s completed a degree of character development since his last appearance at the very least.

Next: Zack Snyder's Justice League Sequel Plans Superman Wouldn't Truly Turn Evil

Peacemaker is now streaming on HBO Max

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