The new DC Universe, led by James Gunn, has distinguished itself through a willingness to showcase greater levels of violence compared to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, particularly in its early projects. Starting with the launch of DCU Chapter One, the franchise mixes stories about major icons and lesser-known characters, carving out a unique space from the old DCEU continuity. The DCU embraces a more mature and intense tone in its superhero content, exemplified in the latest episodes of Peacemaker season 2.
James Gunn’s direction consistently emphasizes action while adapting the style and severity of violence to suit each story. For example, the Guardians of the Galaxy films, part of Gunn’s broader work, lean toward thrilling combat scenes with limited bloodshed, but the approach changes on the DCU side, where projects like The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker fully utilize their mature ratings. This flexibility allows each movie and TV series within the DC Universe to adopt the tone and rating that best fits its narrative.
The debut of the DCU with Creature Commandos set a precedent for graphic content, featuring multiple on-screen deaths and explicit body damage. Even Superman incorporated intense moments, such as a kaiju’s eye being gouged. The violent storytelling continued in Peacemaker season 2, where episode 2 graphically depicts John Cena’s character dismembering and burning a variant of himself, underscoring the DCU’s readiness to display brutal scenes in line with its TV-MA rating.
Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Gradual Shift Toward Mature Violence
In contrast, the MCU maintained a comparatively restrained approach for many years, focusing primarily on PG-13 rated films and avoiding graphic violence. It was not until 2023 that Marvel ventured into darker territories with moments such as Olivia Colman’s Sonya Falsworth torturing a Skrull in Secret Invasion. This scene, showing the cutting off of a finger and blood boiling, marked a stark departure from Marvel’s earlier, lighter tone.
This darker storytelling expanded as Marvel explored more mature projects. Deadpool and Wolverine became the MCU’s first R-rated films, while Disney+ series like Echo and Daredevil: Born Again earned TV-MA ratings, signaling a new direction. The popularity of these mature entries paved the way for upcoming projects like The Punisher’s Special Presentation, which promises to continue the trend of more violent narratives within the Marvel franchise.
The Growing Role of Mature Storytelling in Superhero Media
The early willingness of James Gunn’s DC Universe to display explicit violence highlights a broader industry shift toward mature themes in superhero entertainment. By allowing each project to establish its own tone without conforming to a universal standard, the DCU embraces complex narratives that include high levels of on-screen brutality when the story calls for it. This approach contrasts with the MCU’s initial caution and gradual evolution, which demonstrates two distinct methods of balancing superhero spectacle with mature content.
As Marvel follows the path toward more adult storytelling, fueled in part by positive audience response to violent and R-rated productions, the superhero genre appears poised to retain these grittier elements moving forward. James Gunn’s DC Universe, with its early inclusion of graphic violence and a flexible creative framework, sets the stage for more candid explorations of the darker aspects of superhero storytelling in the years to come.
“While they are parts of a whole, the new DCU, each movie and show will have the tone and rating that best suits its story, rather than having to conform to a set parameter for all.” —James Gunn, Director
“After the Peacemaker season 2 premiere ended with Peacemaker‘s variant dead, John Cena‘s character dismembers and incinerates his variant in episode 2. The DCU can get very violent.” —Source Content
“Falsworth cuts off the Skrull’s finger, which is shown onscreen, and then injects him with a formula that causes his blood to boil.” —Source Content
“With the success of most of the MCU’s more mature projects, the franchise now sees the potential for telling more violent stories, with The Punisher‘s Special Presentation being one of the next to come.” —Source Content
