With the new series, James Gunn has introduced us to more interesting characters other than just Peacemaker and Amanda Waller, who makes a tiny appearance. All characters seem to have some past baggage and backstories that might be explored in the upcoming episodes.
However, the character that fascinated me the most was Peacemaker’s father, Auggie Smith, who, as it turns out, is also called The White Dragon by some of his loyal followers. But who exactly is the White Dragon?
Well, let’s find out!
Peacemaker’s father is the White Dragon, a toxic masculine white supremacist who likely wants to be rid of minorities. He despises the Peacemaker for not being man enough, and as the White Dragon, has a loyal following. His main motive, however, remains unknown as of now.
Auggie Smith as the Father
Auggie Smith seems to be the conventional father of the previous era who believes that people these days are not tough enough. They are ruining society with their “progressive” and “liberal” agendas.
We see multiple instances of his toxic masculinity and white supremacy.
- The first instance is when he offers Peacemaker a helmet that would give him the Scabies disease. He suggests it and justifies by saying that every “man” should challenge himself with it.
- The second instance is when the police knock on his doors to ask him questions. He looks at the Black lady cop and asks the man why he should answer any of her questions.
- The final and a little terrifying instance is when he enters prison and threatens a Black man who seems to be sitting in “his spot.” Here’s where his loyal followers kneel around him and unanimously roar, “Hail the White Dragon!”
These qualities clearly show him to be a conventional toxic figure. But the third instance hints that he’s bigger than what we might’ve thought of him.
The White Dragon
The White Dragon is a mantle taken up by multiple people in the comics. However, one of the most popular ones was William Heller. He was a white supremacist who joined a team of Neo-Nazi villains, whose oath was to take down the descendants of patriotic superheroes. However, they were defeated by the Justice Society of America.
James Gunn seems to have been inspired by this piece of comic book history and wants to create his own version of the White Dragon, perhaps one more relevant to current times. What remains a mystery is what was Smith doing all this time, and now that he has apparently resurfaced as the White Dragon, what will be his next move?
I guess we have five more episodes to find out.
I love the entire series because it isn’t directly picked from the comics but is instead inspired by it, right from the idea of Project Butterfly to character arcs and now even the White Dragon. It looks like James Gunn is trying to bring his own lens to these old comic books and characters, and I can’t wait to find out what more he’s got up his sleeve.
About Peacemaker
Peacemaker is a DC Extended Universe series that will delve into the past of the titular character, who’ll make his cinematic debut in James Gunn’s DCEU film, The Suicide Squad (2021). The character will be portrayed by John Cena, who will reprise his role in the HBO Max series.
Other cast members include Steve Agee, Danielle Brooks, Robert Patrick, Chris Conrad, and Chukwudi Iwuji among many others.
James Gunn will also helm the HBO Max series for its second season.
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