Convention - SDCC 2025 : Peacefest Rocks San Diego with HBO Max’s Peacemaker Season 2 Celebration

By Mulder, San Diego, Nova SD Club, 25 july 2025

From the moment HBO Max announced that it was bringing Peacefest to San Diego Comic-Con 2025, expectations ran high, but few could have predicted just how fully the event would capture the unhinged spirit of Peacemaker. Taking over the Nova SD Club in the heart of the Gaslamp from Thursday, July 24 to Saturday, July 26, the activation wasn’t just another offsite — it was a chaotic, 1980s glam rock fever dream that felt ripped straight from the mind of James Gunn himself. Fans entered through the glowing Quantum Unfolding Chamber, instantly immersed in the hyper-saturated, tongue-in-cheek world of Christopher Smith. Inside, every corner offered a discovery: Adebayo’s Hero Test Photo Booth for those ready to flaunt their superhero style, John Economos’ Mortal Kombat gaming station for competitive button mashers, and Emilia Harcourt’s KO Corner Bar keeping the drinks flowing all day. True to Peacemaker’s offbeat humor, Adrian Chase’s “Hero S***” merch shop offered a blend of collectibles from McFarlane Toys, Sideshow, DC Shop, and more, making it dangerously easy to leave with your hands — and wallet — lighter.

But Peacefest wasn’t just about the static set pieces; it pulsed with the energy of live music that transformed the Nova SD into a raucous glam rock venue. Across the weekend, bands like The Mighty Crabjoys — fresh from their Superman appearance — kept the crowd singing along, with setlists that naturally included the infectious Peacemaker anthem, “Do Ya Wanna Taste It?” by Wig Wam. For a select few, the magic climbed even higher, quite literally, when they were escorted to the rooftop to meet Eagly, the scene-stealing bald eagle partner of Christopher Smith. This wasn’t a mascot in costume but a real bird from Dollywood’s eagle sanctuary, a rare and memorable encounter that left attendees beaming. In an event landscape where fan interactions are often rushed or superficial, Peacefest stood out for giving people the time and space to savor the experience — a full 45 minutes to explore, mingle, and soak up the outrageous atmosphere.

The Peacefest hype also served as a perfect lead-in to the reveal of Peacemaker Season 2, premiering August 21 on HBO Max. The upcoming season promises more multiversal mayhem as Christopher Smith grapples with his identity and flirts with the dangerous idea of replacing himself with a parallel-universe version. With personal struggles mounting — an unrequited crush, Rick Flagg Sr.’s thirst for vengeance, and rejection from the Justice Gang — Chris’s journey promises the same blend of absurd comedy and heartfelt character beats that made Season 1 a cult hit. Returning allies like Emilia Harcourt, Leota Adebayo, John Economos, and Adrian Chase will once again be there to ground (and sometimes enable) his antics, ensuring that even dimension-hopping won’t let him escape his problems for long.

Beyond Peacefest, DC Studios flexed its creative muscle at SDCC 2025 with additional reveals, including the trailer for Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires, an ambitious animated tale set against the backdrop of colonial conflict, reimagining classic villains like Two-Face and The Joker in a historical context. The Eisner Award-winning Absolute Wonder Woman, written by Kelly Thompson with art by Hayden Sherman, also took a victory lap after being named Best New Series of the Year, stripping away Diana’s traditional origins to explore her essence in a bold alternate universe setting. Meanwhile, Sideshow capitalized on the Peacemaker buzz with exclusive merchandise and a giveaway of the Peacemaker™: Eat Peace… statue, now waitlisted, along with Sam Green’s stunning Peacemaker Fine Art Print, perfectly capturing the irreverent charm of the DC antihero.

In a year where DC Studios is riding high off the critical and commercial success of Superman, Peacefest solidified Peacemaker’s place as one of the studio’s most distinctive and fan-focused properties. By marrying immersive theming, exclusive access, and genuine cast-and-fan interaction, James Gunn and HBO Max proved they understand that Comic-Con isn’t just about showing footage — it’s about crafting memories that fans will carry long after the convention floor closes. Peacefest was loud, weird, joyful, and unabashedly itself — much like Peacemaker — and it left San Diego buzzing with anticipation for the mayhem to come.

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Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville