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Through movies like Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, James Gunn established himself as an auteur of sorts when it comes to telling compelling stories about b-tier superheroes. Now, thanks to the HBO Max series Peacemaker, Gunn has taken his specialty to the next level, diving deep into what makes someone put on a shiny silver helmet and brutally kill in pursuit of peace.
With Peacemaker returning for season two, and Gunn hinting towards more DC TV shows, it seems his future lies in telling more in-depth stories about his favorite characters: lame superheroes with a heart of gold. Which is good because there are many characters in the DC Universe ripe for Gunn to tackle.
Dogwelder
Dogwelder is, unfortunately, exactly what he sounds like: a vigilante who welds dogs to the flesh of criminals. Created by writer Garth Ennis, who is known for his demented creations, Dogwelder is a member of the superhero team, Section 8, named after the US military designation for "mentally unfit for duty". That definitely describes Dogwelder. But that could be the hook for an adaptation of Section 8. What makes someone think the best way to fight crime is by melting puppies?
Outside his Marvel Studios work, James Gunn enjoys pushing boundaries when it comes to the content of his films. He makes hard-R movies with violent gore and raunchy humor. However, Dogwelder would be the biggest test of what an audience is willing to watch in their superhero shows. Ripping bad guys limb from limb? Sure. But burning poor, innocent dogs? If anyone could make it work it's James Gunn.
Detective Chimp
The DC Universe is full of brilliant detectives: Batman, The Question, Elongated Man. But none of them are quite like Detective Chimp. Created during the Golden Age of comic books, when they weren't afraid to be quite silly, Detective Chimp is an animal with superhuman intelligence. He uses his abilities, and his Sherlock Holmes hat, to solve the toughest of mysteries and has even become a member of the mystical Justice League Dark.
Much like he did with Rocket Raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy, James Gunn could create a very human character out of an animal with Detective Chimp. It's one of Gunn's strengths to turn the strangest of characters into ones the audience creates a deep connection with.
Ambush Bug
Ambush Bug is one of the more bizarre characters in the DC Universe, and would be rather tough to adapt into live action. Created by Keith Giffen, Ambush Bug is a fourth-wall breaking, absurd comedy character with a canonically unclear origin story, who has been both a hero and a villain. He may remind you of another fourth wall breaking hero who has become quite a hit on the big screen, but what makes Ambush Bug different is how the character's entire personality embraces the silliness of his concept.
Yet, for all the complexity the character has in his creation, Ambush Bug has not had that many adventures throughout his comic book history. So, adapting him to the small-screen would give James Gunn some creative freedom to make the character his own. If anyone can use a silly character in a meaningful way, it's James Gunn.
Condiment King
Batman has one of the most iconic rogue's gallery of villains in all of comics, from The Joker to Two-Face to Mr. Freeze, if you're thinking of a great supervillain, chances are they've probably fought Batman at some point. Someone else who has also fought Batman, is the Condiment King, a villain whose primary weapons are various condiments and sauces. Created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for Batman: The Animated Series, the Condiment King made the leap to comic books and has been a go-to character for Batman writers to show the silly side of Gotham City.
As we saw in The Suicide Squad, James Gunn has a talent for turning silly supervillains, like David Dastmalchian's Polka-Dot Man, into compelling and lovable losers. Condiment King would fit right in to Gunn's take on The Suicide Squad, and, if he has enough mustard, he just might make it out alive.
Matter-Eater Lad
Many DC superheroes can fly or throw a car, but Matter-Eater Lad definitely has a unique superpower amongst his colleagues. A member of the Legion Of Super-Heroes, Matter-Eater Lad is from the planet Bismoll, where the natives possess the ability to eat any form of matter. Whatever the problem is, he can solve it by simply eating it. This could make for some truly wild and demented adventures across the DC Universe.
Matter-Eater Lad was confirmed to exist in James Gunn's corner of the DCEU through an off-hand reference in an episode of Peacemaker, asserting he ate an entire Wendy's restaurant, bricks and all. So, it's not outside the realm of possibility that he makes his live-action debut in an upcoming Gunn DC project.
Brother Power The Geek
Brother Power The Geek is a character that, when you hear his origin, you might br shocked to learn was created by the co-creator of Captain America, Joe Simon. Brother Power was a clothing store mannequin, dressed in the bloody clothes of hippies, who was brought to life by a lightning strike, and then joined the traveling circus as a geek. Which is someone who behaves like a rabid animal, including eating live animals, and gets abused for shock and entertainment. In some ways, Brother Power The Geek is like a Frankenstein's monster for the hippie age.
This character is incredibly strange. But there's a real sense of humanity to the story of a tortured outsider just looking for a way of life. Being a master at blending the strange with the meaningful, James Gunn could really make Brother Power The Geek a character full of pathos and humanity.
Deadman
The story of Deadman is one ripe for a cinematic adaptation. Boston Brand was a circus performer shot and killed during a trapeze performance. As his body laid on the ground, his sprit disconnected from the mortal coil and continued on as a ghost on Earth. Unable to be seen or heard without possessing someone's body, Deadman has proven himself to be quite a crime-fighter in the DC Universe, able to be witness to crimes without anyone else knowing.
Boston Brand aka Deadman has come close to making his live-action debut several times, most notably in Guillermo del Toro's unproduced supernatural comic book film, Justice League Dark. However, James Gunn's style could suit the character as well, playing on Boston's sarcastic attitude and the absurd world of the supernatural.
Heckler
Described by creator Keith Giffen as "a superhero Bugs Bunny", Heckler was created to be an absurd, comedic take on the superhero. He is the alter-ego of Stu Moseley, an awkward, shy businessman. But when his puts on his Heckler costume, Stu becomes a smart, sarcastic jokester who uses his sense of humor to distract the bad guys. In his history as a comic book character, Heckler hasn't had very many grand adventures. His latest work is for what is essentially a superhero call center in the comic book "One-Star Squadron" by Mark Russell and Steve Lieber.
This character is tailor-made for a live action adaptation by someone like James Gunn, who infuses all of his work with a sense of humor. It's always difficult to write a character who is meant to be funny, because it requires that you be funny yourself, but if anyone has proven they're up for the task, it's James Gunn.
Kite Man
Kite Man has actually been rising in popularity over the past few years, mainly thanks to his regular use by comic book writer Tom King, and his supporting role on the Harley Quinn animated series. Real name Charles Brown, Kite Man is a villain who uses kites in his schemes. No matter how lame that may sound, what makes Kite Man such a great character is his earnestness and dedication to the gimmick. You can't help but root for this lame kite-based villain with a heart of gold as he tries to go toe to toe with Batman.
Kite Man is perfect for James Gunn to adapt because, like Peacemaker, Kite Man is a character whose flaws are his strengths. The things that make him less powerful are what makes him interesting. He even has a tragic backstory that provides some insight into why he is the way he is. With Kite Man, James Gunn could recreate his success with Peacemaker by finding the humanity within the ridiculous.
Larfleeze
If you're not a hardcore comic book fan, you might not know that there are more than just the one Lantern Corps in the DC Universe, each with their own color and emotion-based power. The strangest of them all has to be the Orange Lantern Corps, of which there is only one member, Larfleeze. The emotion associated with the Orange Lantern is avarice, hence Larfleeze being the only living creature with an orange lantern ring. He's so greedy, he keeps all the power for himself.
Any of the Lantern Corps could make for a fun movie that would allow James Gunn to flex his cosmic muscles in the DC Universe, but his characters are always the losers and the loners who are trying to find their way in life. And if there's anyone who fits that description in all the cosmos, it's Larfleeze.