James Gunn‘s Peacemaker was met with wide acclaim when it premiered in 2022.
The drama series is set in the DC Extended Universe and follows the titular character, whose motto is peace no matter the cost. Peacemaker stars John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, and more.
While superhero movies and major fictional universes have never offered decent, if any, queer representation, Gunn is trying something different.
The series streams on HBO Max and offers unparalleled queer representation, featuring diverse characters from the queer community.
Chris Smith (aka Peacemaker) has been portrayed as bisexual, even though the character had to hide his attraction to men to prevent facing the wrath of his father, Auggie (Robert Patrick).
His team consists of a band of misfits, among them is the scene stealer, Vigilante (also known as Adrian Chase). Since the show premiered, there has been constant speculation that Chris and Adrian might have something between them.
However, it’s complicated based on some clues that have unfolded throughout the seasons.
Superhero Crush or Real Crush?
Photo: Jessica Miglio/HBO MaxWhen the show starts, Adrian is portrayed as Chris’ biggest fan. He stalks Chris and invades his privacy on several occasions, sometimes scaring him.
It is established that Adrian has a significant crush on Chris and would do anything to be friends with him. Eventually, he wears Chris down and ingratiates himself with Chris’ team.
However, things don’t end there, with Adrian making passes at Chris consistently, but Chris fails to get the hint.
I mean, who gets themselves arrested for someone they don’t care about?
The sexual innuendos, constant offers, and emotional outbursts are constant events in their friendship. Sounds like lovers to me.
That Little Thing Called Sexuality
Photo: Curtis Bonds Baker/HBO MaxDespite strong pointers that Adrian might have feelings for Peacemaker, this might not happen, folks.
While Chris is bisexual, he is not really in touch with that side of him that likes men. It could be because of the homophobic trauma he sustained living with his father, or the fact that he has feelings for someone else.
He has spent most of Season 2 fawning over Harcourt in another dimension after developing feelings for her in this dimension.
That’s partly why he hasn’t noticed Adrian’s constant advances. Another reason would be that Adrian can be quite annoying.
I know that if I had someone doing everything Adrian does for Chris, I would be very annoyed.
Chris regarded Adrian as a nuisance but has warmed up to him over time. However, he still views Adrian as a wild card and doesn’t read too much into him.
And on Vigilante’s side, it might not be that easy, given that there are strong signs of him being asexual and aromantic.
By his own admission, Adrian does not experience feelings like those of regular people. Now, there is a slim chance he was talking about other feelings, but romantic feelings are part of that group.
In Season 2, Episode 6, “Ignorance is Chris,” Adrian meets a version of himself from another dimension, and they start comparing notes to see how similar they are.
It turns out they are both grossed out by the feel of human skin, hinting that physical intimacy is not on their priority list.
Based on where both characters are emotionally, it doesn’t seem like they would work as a couple.
This is just a case of a massive superhero hard-on that Adrian has for Chris.