Who are the Sons of Liberty? Peacemaker villains explained

The Sons of Liberty are a terrorist organisation introduced in Season 2 of Peacemaker, but the group was originally introduced in a DC Comic.

Peacemaker Season 2 sees Christopher Smith journey to an alternate dimension where life is better for the title character.

In our world, his relationship with Harcourt has broken down, but in that world, there appears to be a chance for them to be together.

In Episode 3 of Season 2, they have lunch in a park, start talking about their feelings, but before they can build on that interaction, the Sons of Liberty appear…

Who are the Sons of Liberty in Peacemaker?

HBO Max

In Peacemaker Season 2, the Sons of Liberty are a ragtag group who see themselves as freedom-fighters, but who Christopher Smith very much believes to be terrorists.

They announce themselves with an explosion, and state: “We the Sons of Liberty are united in fighting out oppressors… we are going to continue to destroy one government agency a week until our demands are met.”

We learn that they recently blew up a Housing and Development Office, while in Episode 3, they plant bombs throughout the DMV.

HBO Max

We also see that they aren’t particularly professional, arguing amongst themselves, and looking terrified when the proverbial hits the fan. While their bombs are also pretty easy to disarm.

All of which makes them easy prey for Peacemaker, who takes them out in wildly violent fashion.

One takes an axe to the head, another is made to stab himself in his own eye, while there’s a truly brutal death by pencil, before Smith shoots the rest of the Sons of Liberty dead.

Sons of Liberty in the comics and on TV

DC Comics

Created by Jerry Ordway – and first introduced in Superman Vol. 2 #53 in 1991 – the Sons of Liberty were a patriotic paramilitary group who aim to restore ‘American values’ by overthrowing the US government.

The group was founded by former US Air Force Major Charles Holcraft, while its most prominent operative was Agent Liberty (Benjamin Lockwood), a disillusioned former CIA agent.

Lockwood initially served the Sons faithfully, using his skills and powers to further their agenda – until they ordered him to assassinate key political figures like Pete Ross. That moment marked his breaking point.

Lockwood’s defiance was dramatic: he turned on his own organization, eliminating high-ranking members such as Jay Harriman and Ronald Kramer, then leaked everything to Clark Kent at the Daily Planet, effectively dismantling the core Sons network.

Under pressure, the group attempted a resurgence, this time plotting to destroy the White House via a suicide airplane attack. Yet again, Agent Liberty intervened, halting the plan and destroying the threat.

Later DC reboots reimagined the Sons of Liberty more overtly as a violent domestic terrorist organization. While spinoff group the Children of Liberty were an anti-alien movement – again led by Benjamin Lockwood – who appeared in Season 4 of Supergirl.

Peacemaker is now airing on HBO Max in the US and Sky Max in the UK. For more comic book action, here’s Dexerto’s ranking of the best superhero movies ever, plus our list of the best superhero shows of all time. You can also check out our guide to every upcoming DCU project.