James Gunn has never been shy about blending irreverent humor with bold storytelling, and his latest twist in the DC Universe is one that few fans saw coming. With the release of ‘Peacemaker’ season 2, episode 6, Gunn has officially made Marvel’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man canon in the DCU.
The revelation comes in a hilarious yet clever scene that nods to one of the internet’s most enduring memes. The reference may only last a few seconds. However, its implications ripple across the larger DC landscape, leaving fans buzzing about what it means for the future of Gunn’s interconnected universe.
How Spider-Man Became Canon In The DC Universe
The setup is pure ‘Peacemaker’. At this point in season 2, Chris Smith has abandoned his own dimension, choosing to live as his alternate-universe self after accidentally killing his doppelganger. When his ragtag friends follow him into this strange new world, chaos inevitably ensues. Adrian Chase, aka Vigilante, wastes no time seeking out his own alternate self. When the two finally meet, Gunn stages the encounter as a direct homage to the legendary Spider-Man pointing meme.
Related: Why ’Peacemaker’ Season 2 Episode 4 Isn’t “Weak” And Very Essential For What’s Next
Two masked Vigilantes stand opposite one another, pointing fingers and blurting, “We Spider-Man meme’d.” The moment is goofy, self-aware, and quintessentially Gunn. However, it also does something groundbreaking: it confirms that Spider-Man exists in the DC Universe, at least as a fictional character. If the meme exists, then so does Spider-Man, meaning that the wall-crawler is culturally significant enough in this world for the joke to land.
It’s a clever way of acknowledging Marvel without breaking the fourth wall completely. For decades, Marvel and DC fans have argued about potential crossovers. And while legal realities make a full-blown cinematic team-up unlikely, Gunn’s wink toward the audience keeps the possibility alive in spirit. It also shows that the DCU is not afraid to acknowledge the pop culture fabric its characters inhabit. Moreover, Gunn’s decision to bring it into Peacemaker cements the meme as one of the most enduring jokes in superhero culture.
What ‘Peacemaker’s Alternate Dimension Reveals
While the Spider-Man gag provides a moment of levity, episode 6 of ‘Peacemaker’ season 2 doesn’t shy away from darker storytelling. Once the team explores the alternate dimension more deeply, they realize it isn’t simply a quirky new world; it’s a nightmare. Harcourt quickly notices that she hasn’t seen a single person of color since arriving. The group’s suspicions grow when Peacemaker himself spots that the American flag in this reality bears a swastika instead of stars.
Related: James Gunn Explains New ‘Superman’ Move, And It’s All About ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2
The horrifying truth becomes clear: they’ve entered a dimension where the Nazis won World War II. The episode’s climax makes this reality even more chilling. When Adebayo ventures outside, she is met with shock, fear, and outright hostility from the locals. Her mere existence as a Black woman is treated as an impossibility. The scene escalates until she is forced to flee for her life, chased by a society that cannot accept her presence.
To add even more intrigue, the episode includes a cameo that could shape the wider DCU. Rick Flag Sr. pays a visit to Lex Luthor, who agrees to help locate Peacemaker and the alternate dimension in exchange for a transfer to a better prison facility. This cameo links Peacemaker directly to Gunn’s ‘Superman’ movie and hints at how interconnected the DCU will become moving forward. Could Lex’s involvement in alternate dimensions influence ‘Man of Tomorrow’?
