The Peacemaker series on HBO Max crafted a terrifying and terrible villain in White Dragon, also known as Auggie Smith, Peacemaker's father. DC Comics fans know substantial differences exist between the live-action version, and the various iterations that have appeared in the comics over the years and could inform future screen takes on the character.

The White Dragon shares some personality traits with the DCEU version and similar armor, but the biographical details are very different. The DCEU White Dragon combines aspects from the different comic book takes on the character as well as Peacemaker's actual father. Together, they form arguably the DCEU's most revolting character.

Updated November 28th, 2022, by Darby Harn:

Fans likely see White Dragon again with Peacemaker getting a second season on HBOMax and the announcement James Gunn will co-lead Warner Bros Discovery's DC Studios. The comics present opportunities for live-action to expand and explore the character, as the White Dragon has appeared in different forms in different eras. In any era, White Dragon stands among the most despicable characters in DC Comics lore. His misguided and dangerous beliefs and heinous actions make him a revolting figure and in some instances in the comics, one best forgotten.

No Connection To Peacemaker In The Comics

One thing fans of the show won't find in the best Peacemaker comic books is the White Dragon. Peacemaker originated in Charlton Comics before DC purchased the company in the 1980s, long after varying White Dragons appeared in mainstream DC continuity, and so the villain has never really crossed paths with Peacemaker in his various forms.

Peacemaker's father is a racist and supremacist, but the live-action version borrows from other sources in the comic books to create a new character in Auggie Smith, played by Robert Patrick.

Peacemaker's Father

Elements of Peacemaker's father from the comics do inform the live-action version, but he is a separate character from White Dragon. Comic book fans know that Peacemaker's father was a Nazi soldier. Though his father had died, he continued to haunt the character for years after.

His father counts among Peacemaker's most powerful villains in the comics, thanks to his power and impact on Christopher Smith's mental state. The show seems to borrow this element as it looks forward to season 2.

Golden Age White Dragon

The first White Dragon in DC Comics dates back to the Golden Age. The first villain to bear the name appeared in Flash Comics #23 in 1941, fighting The Whip in a backup story. Though completely different from later versions, he nonetheless fit in, attacking and kidnapping Chinese people.

This White Dragon fails to chart with the best Golden Age comic book characters, disappearing after his first issue. Thanks to numerous changes in DC continuity over the years, the character and concept appeared in different forms.

The White Dragon

Daniel William Ducannon emerged as the White Dragon in modern DC Comics. His racist beliefs led him to reprehensible actions that sought to hurt and kill others. Though he possessed a remarkable intellect, it failed him regarding his fellow man. Ducannon informed the live-action version White Dragon, including his armored outfit, reproduced on screen very faithfully.

The Peacemaker series invented other elements, making him more of an amalgamation of the various comic versions which also include characters like William Heller.

Hawkworld

Ducannon first appeared in Hawkworld #27 in 1992. The comic introduces White Dragon's power and ethos right away as he uses his pyrokinesis to set fire to low-income neighborhoods on a hot Chicago summer evening. This leads him directly into conflict with Hawkman and Hawkwoman, who are patrolling the city.

He participated in several clashes with superheroes in later comics, including Black Adam, this story could appear in live-action in the future.

The Meta-Bomb Event

White Dragon obtained his pyrokinesis and flight superpowers from the Meta-Bomb Event, a cataclysmic moment from Invasion!, the 1989 DC Comics crossover. This bomb activated the meta-gene in humans, making them superhumans. White Dragon generates fire and also controls it, something he accomplishes in the DCEU thanks to his unique armor.

In the original comic book, alien races known as the Dominators and Khunds band together to invade Earth and destroy its entire metahuman population for fear they will take over the universe.

The Last Laugh

The Joker proved that he's more than just Batman's most powerful enemy in Joker: Last Laugh, when he Jokerized numerous supervillains, including White Dragon. When Joker attacked the Slabside Penitentiary where Ducannon was incarcerated, the Joker transformed him into a frenzied villain who lashed out with his pyrokinetic powers.

White Dragon torched everything he could get his hands on after escaping the prison until he ran into Militia, a mercenary who fits perfectly into the aesthetic that the Peacemaker show established.

William Hell

Another White Dragon succeeded Ducannon in DC Comics. A character named William Heller, better known as William Hell, made his first appearance in Suicide Squad #4, in a costume that was very different from his eventual armored look.

William Hell proved as much a racist and supremacist as Ducannon and became a vigilante who targeted disenfranchised people. He became a target himself of the Suicide Squad in the comics, but like many villains, his connection to that team would take an interesting turn.

Friends With Deadshot

William Hell also shared another intriguing connection to the Suicide Squad. He grew up friends with Floyd Lawton. Lawton eventually became Deadshot, a ruthless mercenary and a powerful DC Comics martial artist. Their rocky relationship only intensified when both men found themselves on the Suicide Squad.

This also led to bizarre if comical incidents. Deadshot appeared at a white supremacist meeting in Heller's place and gave a speech advocating for unity and understanding. Heller then appeared, leading to a challenge to prove which one was the real White Dragon.

Member Of The Suicide Squad

Comic book fans know Suicide Squad takes unsavory characters, including former villains, and forces them into action for the government. William Hell ed the team after being pursued by them, and his armor was fitted with a shock device to ensure his obedience.

He never changed his ways and actually attempted to kill Amanda Waller, the head of Task Force X, and take over Suicide Squad. As is usually the case with characters who take on Amanda Waller, it didn't work out to White Dragon's advantage.