The premiere of Peacemaker Season 2, titled The Ties That Grind, immediately ties into James Gunn and Peter Safran’s expanding vision for the DC Universe by introducing elements connected to Batman’s world. One notable inclusion is the appearance of the White Rabbit, a lesser-known Batman villain, who shows up during an audition scene for the Justice Gang. Portrayed by Brey Noelle, the White Rabbit’s unexpected cameo hints at deeper connections within the storyline.
During the audition, Peacemaker (played by John Cena) encounters a woman in a distinctive white and pink bunny costume, visibly upset as she leaves the room. This character is Jaina Hudson, also known as White Rabbit, who originated in Batman: The Dark Knight #1, created by David Finch. Unlike other frequent Batman villains, she has no link to the Mad Hatter. Jaina’s unique ability allows her to split into two separate entities: her normal self and the White Rabbit persona, making them essentially two distinct individuals. This explains the marked difference between Jaina’s Indian descent and the pale-skinned, white-haired White Rabbit. Although Batman captured her once during the Arkham Asylum breakout, she escaped again after the Crime Syndicate released villains worldwide during the Forever Evil storyline by Geoff Johns and David Finch.
Connections Between White Rabbit and the Justice Gang in the DC Universe
The White Rabbit’s presence in Peacemaker sets up a significant moment later in the episode. While Peacemaker is interviewed by Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn), Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), an audio mishap reveals them making disparaging remarks about him. It is strongly implied that White Rabbit experienced similar mistreatment during her audition, as Maxwell Lord confesses to insulting her behind the scenes. This suggests that the Justice Gang’s rejection might push her towards villainy or perhaps indicate a potential ally role within the DC Universe, blurring the lines between heroism and villainy.
Batman’s Influence Extends Across Peacemaker and the Larger DC Studios Universe
White Rabbit is not the only Batman-related reference in Peacemaker’s second season debut. The episode also features Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) watching news footage about breakouts at both Arkham Asylum and Belle Reve. Additionally, Peacemaker’s journey to an alternate reality reveals his family’s belief that he has traveled to Bludhaven, a city known as Gotham’s sister city and the former home of Batman’s protégé Nightwing. This layered storytelling fits into a broader pattern seen across DC Studios projects where Batman’s presence is continually felt. For instance, the series Creature Commandos references the Caped Crusader’s role in apprehending the villain Dr. Phosphorus (Alan Tudyk), while Superman depicts citizens fleeing Metropolis to seek refuge in Gotham following a catastrophic dimensional breach orchestrated by Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult).
James Gunn’s Vision for Batman and His Rogues Gallery in the DC Universe
James Gunn has hinted that his version of Batman within the DC Universe will abandon campy or silly portrayals, opting instead for a more serious and nuanced take. The inclusion of the White Rabbit in Peacemaker signals a willingness to explore lesser-known corners of Batman’s extensive villain roster. Given that many Batman stories have traditionally focused on familiar adversaries like the Joker, introducing new or obscure villains helps to diversify the threats faced by the heroes and enriches the story world. This approach not only broadens the scope of the DC Universe but also creates opportunities for fresh storytelling experiences.
New episodes of Peacemaker continue to release weekly on HBO Max, promising further developments connected to Batman and James Gunn’s evolving DC Universe.
