Peacemaker #2 is an issue of the series Peacemaker (Volume 1) with a cover date of May, 1967.
Synopsis for "The Survivors!"
The diplomat Christopher Smith arrives to inspect an Eastern European uranium processing facility after the world powers had accepted his nuclear disarmament plan tentatively. Marshal Uv shows him that the complex is not working anymore, but Smith questions him where the workers are. Uv claims that they were shifted from the facility after it was shut down, but Smith recognizes he is lying as people there were forced to work like slaves in the uranium mines.
After finding the guards pointing their guns at the mine entrance, Smith decides to investigate. Uv warns that it is a restricted area, but Smith reminds him that he was authorized to inspect anywhere. Investigating further into the mine, he remembers the stories about the men working them becoming mutated, with their hair disappearing entirely and eyes being unable to tolerate light. Spotting a figure in the dark, he assures them that he means no harm, but is soon attacked by the mutated people and restrained. The leader of the mutants reveals he knows Smith and he would serve in furthering his plans, before introducing himself as Beel. As they go further inside, Smith sees a city which Beel states they had uncovered while digging.
The powerful weapons found in the old city had allowed the mutated miners to overthrow the authority of the troops forcing them to work. Beel also reveals to Smith that the exposure to uranium has granted them powers to shapeshift, and shows him what he looked before being mutated, before stating he had decided to don his appearance. He also explains that the uranium provides them with light, while the reflective surfaces allow a candle's light to magnified many times, providing them with enough warmth. Beel then shows Smith a mole machine they have built, adding they used it to create tunnels to conquer every continent. As Smith gets puzzled how they'll defeat the entire world's forces, Beel reminds him about the weapons they discovered earlier.
Realizing Bee's ambitions of conquest are serious, Smith runs off into the maze-like mine and dons his Peacemaker disguise. While trying to find Beel, he soon gets caught in an escapable cage designed by the former masters of the miners. As Beel shows him how the Survivors will disguise themselves as world leaders to further their invasion, it allows Smith to plant an explosive on the cage without being caught. The cage is destroyed, but he is soon overwhelmed by the survivors. As Beel orders them to launch their invasion, the mutants leave Smith alone in excitement. This however allows him an opportunity to destroy the mole machine with a laser-beam. The blast however sets off a chain reaction and he escapes using jetpack.
Outside, Uv gets shocked at the destruction of the mine and wonders what to tell to his nation's Premier. Smith then tells him that he should simply say the inspection team was satisfied that no illegal tests would be conducted there.
Appearing in "The Survivors!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Marshal Uv (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
- The Survivors (Single appearance)
- Beel (Single appearance; dies)
- Lig (Single appearance; dies)
Other Characters:
Locations:
- Earth-Four
- Russia
- Ural Mountains
- Russia
Items:
- Peacemaker's helmet
- Peacemaker's jetpack
Vehicles:
- Mole machine (Destroyed)
Synopsis for "The Ultimatum"
Having discovered the military build-up of Premier Gekk, Christopher Smith hurries to his home in the Swiss Alps and tells the White House that Gekk would be showcasing his arms to the world at a parade in three days. He warns the American government to be ready for any attack, adding he didn't believe Gekk will change his mind even if he tried persuading him. Later at the parade, Smith is struck with awe at the sight of the weapons and worries about Gekk's new warplane.
Gekk states that his new warplanes can travel at 3,000 miles per hour and are equipped with a recoil-less cannon that fire atomic shells. In addition, he states that their guided rockets are tipped with atomic charges and he has a whole fleet of them. As the warplanes arrive, he demands that the United States surrender and tells Smith to deliver the ultimatum to his President. Though the United States is fully prepared to counter the attack, Smith knows they will cause widespread destruction of Gekk's forces and thus heads to his room to don the disguise of the Peacemaker. Flying to the U-X plane using his jetpack, Smith arms the plane's anti-radar system.
The missiles are fired by Gekk's forces when they spot the U-X, but the anti-radar system messes with their targeting system, causing them to land on their own soil. Gekk's new warplanes soon intercept the U-X and the commanding plane fires its guided missiles at the U-X, which Smith destroys with his own plane's missiles. The commanding plane is also destroyed and the squadron pursues the U-X, trying to target it with their atomic cannon. Smith however deftly evades them and causes them to crash. Smith soon knocks out Gekk's ground forces using a noxious gas and radios the UN inspection teams to tell them that Gekk is willing to disarm his troops.
After dealing with Gekk, Smith goes back to his diplomatic career and efforts at persuading world powers to peace. At his private château, his secretary comes to inform him bout the arms report from Central Asia arriving by mail. He tells her that he has already read it and will be sending a stern letter next time.
Appearing in "The Ultimatum"
Featured Characters:
- The Peacemaker (Flashback and main story)
Antagonists:
- Premier Gekk (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Peacemaker's secretary
Locations:
- Earth-Four
- Central Asia
- Switzerland
- Washington, D.C. (Mentioned only)
- White House (Mentioned only)
Items:
- Peacemaker's Jetpack
Vehicles:
- U-X
Synopsis for "The Canadian Caper"
The Fightin' 5 are sent to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the Americans working at an Arctic radar site and are joined by Sonya, who the CIA accepted despite her being a Soviet. As they get captured by the Red Army, Sonya uses her credentials as an NKVD to gain their trust and frees the others, allowing them to escape with the imprisoned Americans,
Appearing in "The Canadian Caper"
Featured Characters:
- The Fightin' 5
- Frenchy the Fox
- Granite Gallero
- Hank Hennessy
- Sonya (Joins team)
- Tom-Tom
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Central Intelligence Agency (Mentioned only)
- Irv "The Nerve" Haganah (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- Canada
- Moose Springs (Single appearance)
- Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Mentioned only)
- United States of America (Mentioned only)
Items:
- Belt jets
Vehicles:
- Convair B-58
Notes
- This comic issue was published by Charlton Comics, a defunct comic book publishing firm owned by Charlton Publications. DC Comics acquired the rights to most of Charlton's super-hero characters in 1983.
- The Fightin' 5 were not acquired by DC, therefore the Peacemaker's stories are the only one completely covered here.
- The issue is reprinted in Peacemaker (Modern) #2.
- Smith's secretary in "The Ultimatum" is different than Miss Blair, who appeared in Fightin' 5 #40.