All 5 Main Teams in James Gunn’s DCU Slate, Explained

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James Gunn, known for his work with superhero teams, has built the new DC Universe around groups instead of individual heroes, as many expected. He’s particularly focused on smaller, lesser-known teams, rather than large, established ones like the Justice League or Teen Titans. This is a smart approach, as it opens up exciting possibilities for exploring new stories and characters.

Although not officially announced, several other teams may appear in future projects. A film focusing on The Authority is reportedly being developed, and rumors suggest the entire Bat-family will be featured in The Brave and the Bold. The recent Superman movie also hinted at the Justice Society of America (JSA) by showcasing a long history of superheroes, including appearances of characters like Jay Garrick and Wildcat in a mural.

So far, these are the teams in existence.

Top Trio

In the second season of Peacemaker, Christopher Smith, also known as Peacemaker, travels to a special chamber called the Quantum Unfolding Chamber. This chamber leads to different universes, and he finds himself on an alternate Earth where his childhood brother, Keith, is still alive. He discovers that in this reality, his father, Auggie Smith (Blue Dragon), and another version of himself are superheroes, forming a team called Top Trio to defend people from danger.

A Series Exclusive Team

I have to say, James Gunn really surprised me with this new series! DC has so many established teams, but he went and created a completely new one – the Top Trio. It’s cool because it really plays into the whole ‘What If?’ idea surrounding Peacemaker’s backstory. We get to see what Chris’ life could have been like with a normal, loving family and a good dad. But honestly? Even with a perfect upbringing, this version of him was still a bit of a mess – aggressive and violent! It kind of proves that Peacemaker is just… Peacemaker, no matter what his childhood was like. His environment doesn’t change who he is, which is a really interesting take.

In the comic books, Chris is a member of just three teams: The Suicide Squad, Checkmate, and Shadow Fighters. His time with Checkmate is particularly memorable. He becomes a key member of a special forces unit dedicated to fighting terrorists, but his tendency towards violence ultimately proves to be a problem. He is eventually killed in action while battling the villain Eclipso in Eclipso #13.

Justice Gang

The Justice Gang isn’t found in the comics. This early version of the Justice League first appears in the Superman storyline and includes Guy Gardner (Green Lantern), Kendra Saunders (Hawkgirl), and Michael Holt (Mister Terrific). Financed by Max Lord’s company, LordTech, they help Superman thwart Lex Luthor’s schemes. Later, they add Metamorpho to the team.

Likely To Morph into the Justice League

For DC fans disappointed by the lack of strong Justice League films in the DC Extended Universe, The Justice Gang feels like a welcome alternative. While it’s naturally compared to the better-known team with Batman and The Flash, this group ultimately delivers a fun and enjoyable adventure.

The Justice Gang played a key role in rewriting a previous storyline. A recap at the start of Peacemaker‘s second season reveals they were the heroes who arrived after the events of “Project: Butterfly,” not the Justice League as originally presented. The recap also confirms Superman and Supergirl are members. Later, a funny scene shows Peacemaker trying to join the group, but he’s rejected and teased by its members, highlighting his deep-seated need for acceptance and affection.

Task Force X, aka, The Suicide Squad

Task Force X is a top-secret government program that sends imprisoned supervillains and individuals with special abilities on dangerous, unofficial missions. It’s nicknamed ‘The Suicide Squad’ because the missions are incredibly risky and most team members don’t survive. The program operates as part of A.R.G.U.S., a super-human research organization, and is overseen by Amanda Waller.

Waller’s Toys

James Gunn established that his initial DC projects, The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, would officially be part of the new DC Universe he’s creating. This decision allowed for a compelling storyline to develop involving characters like Chris and Rick Flag Jr. In Peacemaker, Chris travels to an alternate world where he encounters a different version of Rick Flag Jr. – the one he killed in The Suicide Squad. In a surprising turn, he also wins over that universe’s Emilia Harcourt, essentially achieving a double victory over his enemy.

The upcoming series, Waller, has a lot of potential, and it’s likely we’ll see familiar faces like Bloodsport, King Shark, and Harley Quinn return – they were all great in the movie! The show could also introduce new members to the team, as the comics have featured a wide range of DC villains in Task Force X, including characters like Manchester Black, Penguin, and Bane.

Green Lantern Corps

The Green Lantern Corps is a peacekeeping organization that spans the galaxy. It was created long ago by the Guardians of the Universe and is made up of individuals called Green Lanterns. These Lanterns, chosen from different worlds, use powerful rings fueled by their own willpower. They act as galactic law enforcement, keeping order in various sectors of space – including the one where Earth is located.

Enter the Space Cops

Green Lantern fans have been waiting a long time for this! After being overlooked in live-action films for years, the Green Lantern Corps is finally getting some attention. We got a brief glimpse in Superman, where Guy Gardner was shown to be the Green Lantern responsible for protecting Sector 2814. He was then recruited by the wealthy Maxwell Lord to join a team – which Gardner jokingly called the ‘Justice Gang’ – and quickly appointed himself as its leader.

Fans of DC Comics have a new Green Lantern series to look forward to in 2026! Starring Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, the show promises exciting character development for these iconic heroes, who are being described as “Space Cops.” James Gunn has revealed the series will have a similar feel to detective shows like True Detective and Slow Horses, and the director of Slow Horses, James Hawes, will be directing the first two episodes.

Creature Commandos

So, things are tricky for Amanda Waller right now. Congress has put the brakes on her using Task Force X – apparently, they’ve decided A.R.G.U.S. can’t deploy prisoners on missions anymore. But Waller’s not one to be stopped! She’s rolled out Task Force Monster, or Task Force M – think of them as the Creature Commandos. This team is made up of… well, monstrous inmates, each with their own special abilities. It started with General Rick Flag Sr. leading the charge, but eventually the Bride took over as leader. It’s a whole new level of black ops, honestly.

Perfect Replacements

While the Creature Commandos feels like a supporting team – with only Amanda Waller and Rick Flag Sr. expected to play major roles going forward – the show was crucial as the first installment in the new DC Universe. It established the overall feel of the DCU and, importantly, introduced supernatural and occult elements, setting the stage for characters like Constantine and Swamp Thing to appear.

As a huge movie fan, I always figured James Gunn wouldn’t ignore the weirder side of the universe. Look at Guardians of the Galaxy – he clearly loves creating creatures, not just as monsters, but as genuinely interesting characters with depth. It really got me thinking… could we ever see a crossover where Superman hangs out with this crew? Knowing Gunn, anything is possible, so I’m definitely keeping my fingers crossed!

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2025-10-25 00:37