If there’s one thing that’s true about James Gunn it’s that he loves his oddball characters. With Vigilante, he managed to take a fairly ordinary masked crimefighter and turn him into arguably the quirkiest character in Peacemaker. Considering the show’s lineup, that is a remarkable feat.
Over the decades, there have been nine different characters to assume the Vigilante moniker. While the HBO Max streaming series focused on Adrian Chase, there could be room for others to follow in his footsteps. At the moment, it’s Adrian’s key issues that have caught fire.
ACTION COMICS #42
Like so many DC characters, Vigilante’s career began in the Golden Age. This version of the crime fighter was the masked cowboy Greg Saunders.
After making his first appearance in 1941’s Action Comics #42, he would go on to join the Seven Soldiers of Victory with the likes of Green Arrow, Speedy, Crimson Avenger, and some other less-famous names.
As pop culture shifted away from Westerns, the Greg Saunders Vigilante faded into obscurity.
NEW TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #2
In 1983, DC Comics resurrected the Vigilante. Compared to the original incarnation, this was in name only, and Greg Saunders was put out to pasture.
This time, Adrian Chase would don a new costume that was a better fit for a modern audience.
Following Adrian’s first appearance in New Teen Titans #23, he would make his first cameo appearance as Vigilante in New Teen Titans #35.
The issue that collectors are scouring the internet to own is New Teen Titans Annual #2, which featured his first full appearance and his first cover appearance.
VIGILANTE #1
Another issue to watch is Vigilante’s first starring role in his own self-titled comic, Vigilante #1.
This is more of a companion piece to the aforementioned New Teen Titans Annual #2 and the early appearances of Adrian Chase, but it is a worthy addition to your collections.
In the event that Vigilante proves popular enough (or even survives the first season of Peacemaker) to warrant his own live-action show, speculators will turn their attention toward this issue.
VIGILANTE #36
It wasn’t until 1986 that Vigilante first teamed with Peacemaker. For those who have caught the HBO Max show, it’s his relationship with Peacemaker that has fans clamoring for more.
Hopefully, the pair will keep their team up alive in any future seasons the show may have in store for us. Again, if Vigilante gets his own show, this issue could prove to be more valuable in the long run, but it likely won’t ascend higher than minor key status. Still, it’s a fun addition for Vigilante fans.
ALL EYES ON VIGILANTE
The extreme black-and-white thinking on right and wrong is what drives this character. The satirical portrayal lands perfectly with today’s climate, and the character’s well-intentioned murders are a clear offshoot of characters like the Punisher.
When it comes to Vigilante’s keys, the speculation hinges on his future. Will he become more important going forward? That is the question.
