Peacemaker Just Let Us Know This Bizarre Character Exists In The DCEU
"Peacemaker" recently dropped its first three episodes on HBO Max and it's just as wacky and wild as everyone was hoping it would be! However, like James Gunn's other work, the series is more than just crazy fun: it also injects a surprising amount of heart into these installments. Some fans wondered why, out of all the standout characters in "The Suicide Squad," John Cena's Chris Smith was the one most deserving of a spinoff? "Peacemaker" not only answers this question rather gleefully, but also pushes the boundaries of superhero television while it's doing so.
"Peacemaker" follows the immediate aftermath of "The Suicide Squad" for Chris Smith, who returns home from the hospital only to be forced back into Amanda Waller's (Viola Davis) employ in order to maintain his freedom. Gunn has put together another lovable crew of misfits that includes fellow masked goofball Vigilante (Freddie Stroma), "The Suicide Squad" alums Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) and John Economos (Steve Agee), team leader Clemson Murn (Chukwudi Iwuji), and newcomer Leota Adebayo (Danielle Brooks), who isn't exactly what she seems.
This wouldn't be a James Gunn project if it didn't include some of the more obscure characters from DC Comics. Spoilers ahead, but aside from introducing White Dragon and Judomaster in the show's first three episodes, there was one character who was only mentioned that happened to catch the attention of fans. So, who was named dropped in "Peacemaker" episode 2, "Best Friends, For Never?"
Bat-Mite To The Rescue!
The conversation takes place while Economos patches up Chris' wounds from the previous episode and the two start bickering — how many times can a man endure being called "dye-beard?" Economos makes it clear that he would rather work with pretty much anyone over Peacemaker, including Harley Quinn, the Weasel and ... Bat-Mite! Of course, Chris asks for more info about the latter and Economos explains that he's a "two-foot-tall interdimensional imp who stans Batman." Gunn even took to Twitter to confirm that Bite-Mite is now canon.
One of the more bizarre pieces of the Dark Knight's history, Bat-Mite is, indeed, a reality-warping imp who has an obsession with Batman. He was created in 1959 by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff and made his first appearance in "Detective Comics" #267. If you're a bigger fan of Superman, you may be more familiar with Mr. Mxyzptlk, another interdimensional imp — created in 1944 — who antagonizes the Man of Steel. However, while Bat-Mite adores and wants to help Batman (even if he usually turns out to be a hindrance), Mxyzptlk loves tormenting Superman. Still, the two imps have teamed up on multiple occasions.
It's likely we'll never actually see Bat-Mite appear onscreen, though I'm hesitant to rule out anything completely with Gunn, who not only brought T.D.K. to life (however briefly), but also made viewers truly care about Polka-Dot Man and Ratcatcher 2 in "The Suicide Squad." Gunn also famously turned the Guardians of the Galaxy into household names, whose most beloved characters include a talking tree and an anthropomorphic raccoon. Point being, Bat-Mite officially exists in the DCEU, so there's always a possibility we'll see him someday!