Convention - SDCC 2025 : Peacemaker: HBO Max Ignites San Diego Comic-Con 2025 with Explosive Peacefest and Bold Plans for the DCU’s Future

By Mulder, 11 july 2025

In a Comic-Con already brimming with multiversal announcements and pop culture overload, HBO Max is poised to dominate the 2025 edition of San Diego Comic-Con by unleashing one of its most ambitious fan activations yet: Peacefest. More than a promotional campaign, Peacefest is a fully realized, immersive celebration of everything Peacemaker — the subversive, glam-rock-infused antihero series created by James Gunn, returning this August for a long-awaited second season. And this time, the event doesn’t just tease what’s next — it promises to reshape how fans interact with the ever-expanding DC Universe. From July 24 to 26, the Nova SD nightclub will transform into an 80s fever dream complete with themed bars, wild character experiences, and even a close encounter with the show’s beloved CGI eagle, Eagly. For three riotous days, HBO Max will be offering fans an exclusive portal into the outrageous world of Christopher Smith, just weeks ahead of the show’s Season Two premiere on August 21.

The timing of Peacefest is more than just strategic; it’s a statement. For a series that began its life as a risky spin-off from 2021’s The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker has become the face of the new DCU’s transition era, bridging the chaotic final breaths of the DCEU and ushering in a more character-focused, irreverent, and cohesive cinematic world under the stewardship of James Gunn and Peter Safran. The upcoming season, while technically a continuation, marks a clean narrative slate. No longer anchored in the canon of the DCEU, Season Two picks up after the events of Superman (2025) and functions as a reentry point into this reimagined continuity. Gunn himself has confirmed the soft reboot nature of the show’s return and emphasized that Season Two is more than just more of the same — it’s a recalibration that aligns the character of Peacemaker with the broader mythology and future storylines of the DCU. And at Comic-Con, the new season's trailer will debut in Hall H, unveiling this new narrative direction alongside the returning and newly introduced cast members.

Behind the scenes, HBO Max’s investment in Peacefest reflects a broader shift in how entertainment brands engage with their most loyal followers. The fan experience at Nova SD — complete with Vigilante’s Hero S** Merch Shop*, Harcourt’s KO Corner Bar, and Economos’ Mortal Kombat gaming zone — is a clear signal that HBO Max sees Peacemaker not merely as a show but as a world to inhabit. This immersive pop-up isn’t just a celebration of the series’ return; it’s a bold branding move that ties together the franchise’s comedic bravado with a commitment to audience interactivity. According to Pia Barlow, Executive Vice President of Originals Marketing at HBO and HBO Max, these experiences are designed to “bring fans closer to the series they love,” a philosophy evident in every detail, from the Quantum Unfolding Chamber entrance to the exclusive Eagly meet-and-greet sessions. The addition of headlining rock acts like Foxy Shazam and Steel Panther at the VIP press night only reinforces the series' glam metal DNA and sets the tone for a weekend of unfiltered, high-octane fan engagement.

But perhaps the most tantalizing part of Peacefest is not what’s on display, but what it foreshadows. During the panel on July 26, James Gunn, joined by John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma, Steve Agee, Frank Grillo, Sol Rodríguez, and Tim Meadows, will not only unveil new footage but also discuss how Season Two weaves into the larger fabric of the DCU. And with actors like Frank Grillo (as Rick Flag Sr.), Sol Rodríguez (as Sasha Bordeaux), and Michael Rooker (as a mysterious new character, Red St. Wild) joining the cast, the second season is shaping up to be more than a personal redemption arc — it’s becoming a key piece in DC’s multiyear storytelling roadmap. The teaser released earlier this year teased a multiversal twist with a second Peacemaker possibly entering the fray, and questions continue to swirl around whether this is a hint at alternate timelines or the inevitable crossover with other DCU properties. With Gunn confirming that Season Two will address the Justice League's exclusion from the new canon and directly reference events from Superman, fans are bracing for major continuity developments to be announced during the Hall H panel.

Looking beyond Peacemaker, it’s clear that HBO Max and DC Studios are laying foundational bricks for an interconnected fan experience that goes well past streaming. The delayed but still-happening Waller series, the animated Creature Commandos, and of course, Superman itself, all feed into this sprawling new universe. At the center of it all remains James Gunn, who — despite his executive role — continues to write and direct with hands-on passion. His decision to write every episode of Peacemaker’s second season, while simultaneously directing Superman, is a testament to how central this character and this story are to his broader vision. The use of glam rock, the sharp tonal balance between absurdist humor and emotional vulnerability, and the emphasis on complex, broken characters navigating trauma and identity have become hallmarks of Gunn’s storytelling. Peacemaker embodies all of this, and Peacefest is the physical embodiment of that ethos — loud, bold, weird, and weirdly heartfelt.

As fans line up outside Nova SD and Hall H, eager for their dose of absurdity and mayhem, HBO Max’s Peacemaker activation is emerging as the defining experience of SDCC 2025. But more importantly, it’s setting a precedent for how studios might approach franchise continuity in a post-multiverse era. No longer content with reboots and retcons, Peacemaker is proving that with the right mix of irreverence, authenticity, and fan devotion, you can rewrite canon without erasing character. And as John Cena’s chrome-domed vigilante continues to search for peace through a trail of explosive misunderstandings, fans will be right there with him — cheering, dancing, and maybe even crying into their drinks at Harcourt’s bar. This is Peacemaker reloaded, and San Diego Comic-Con is just the beginning.

Peacefest | Nova SD Club - 454 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA
Thursday, July 24: 11:00am - 8:30pm
Friday, July 25: 11:00am - 8:30pm
Saturday, July 26: 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Saturday, July 26: 7:00pm - 10:00pm (VIP Press Night)

Synopsis : 
The origin story of the DC superhero who is so devoted to world peace that he is willing to use armed force to achieve it.

Peacemaker
Created by James Gunn
Based on Characters from DC
Showrunner James Gunn
Written by James Gunn
Starring  John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Chukwudi Iwuji, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Robert Patrick
Music by Clint Mansell, Kevin Kiner
Opening theme "Do Ya Wanna Taste It" by Wig Wam
Executive producers : Matt Miller, Peter Safran, James Gunn
Producers ! Lars Winther, John H. Starke, John Rickard
Cinematography : Michael Bonvillain, Sam McCurdy, Michael Wale
Editors : Fred Raskin, Todd Busch, Greg D'Auria, Gregg Featherman
Production companies : The Safran Company, Troll Court Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television, DC Studios (S2)
Original release
Network : HBO Max 
Release January 13, 2022 – present
Running time : 39–47 minutes

(Source : press release)