7 Things Only Marvel Comics Fans Know About Wonder Man Before His MCU Show

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Wonder Man will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2026, and those unfamiliar with the comics might be wondering who he is. He first appeared in Marvel Comics back in Avengers #9, but he wasn’t a hero then. He was a villain, tricked into using his powers to help a group called the Masters of Evil. Created by Stan Lee and Don Heck, his initial role was small, but he quickly became more important and eventually joined the Avengers as a hero. Over the years, Wonder Man has been portrayed in different ways – some writers depict him as boastful, while others show a more relatable and sympathetic side.

As a lifelong Marvel fan and movie buff, I’m really excited to see Yahya Abdul-Mateen II play Wonder Man in the upcoming Disney+ series. But before the show drops in 2026, I thought it would be fun to share some background on the character that even casual Marvel fans might not know. He’s got a surprisingly rich history in the comics!

7) He Started As a Supervillain & Immediately Died

When Wonder Man first appeared in Marvel Comics, he wasn’t a hero. He was the wealthy son of an industrialist who inherited the family business. His brother, Eric (later the villain Grim Reaper), talked him into stealing money and associating with organized crime. This led to a trial and the possibility of jail time. Luckily, the Enchantress bailed him out, and Baron Zemo recruited him to join the Masters of Evil. They then used a special ray to transform him into a supervillain.

The surprising truth is that Simon Williams wasn’t actually a villain. He already regretted the things he’d done at his father’s company. Because of an accident with an ionic ray, he needed regular treatments to stay alive, forcing him to team up with Zemo against the Avengers. During the battle when the Masters of Evil attacked, Simon fought with the Avengers, ultimately sacrificing himself to prove he was a hero.

6) His Powers Involve an Ionic Energy Form

Baron Zemo originally empowered Simon Williams with ionic energy, greatly increasing his strength. This initial process was later aided by Pym Particles to ensure his survival. Now possessing incredible power – able to lift over 100 tons and rivaling the Sentry – Williams has proven his strength by defeating both Red Hulk and Abomination. He’s also virtually indestructible and doesn’t experience fatigue, allowing him to fight endlessly. Furthermore, his ionic powers allow him to heal quickly from injuries, and each time he’s defeated and returns, his powers actually increase.

5) His Brainwaves Were Used to Create The Vision

Vision’s arrival was a complete surprise – no one knew where he came from or what he was. It turned out he was created by Ultron, mirroring how Ultron himself was created by Hank Pym. Ultron used the body of Jim Hammond (later changed in the story) and the brain patterns of Wonder Man, which Hank Pym had saved after Simon’s supposed death, all with help from the Mad Thinker. This complicated origin has caused ongoing conflict between Simon and Vision, and often involved Scarlet Witch, who found herself caught in the middle of their sibling rivalry.

4) He Was A Member of Several Avengers Teams

After being revived from a coma that resembled death, Wonder Man joined the Avengers. But he faced challenges as a hero for years. The experience of being clinically dead left him traumatized, sometimes making him fearful and hindering his ability to fully use his powerful abilities. Despite this, he was a member of several Avengers teams, including the main Avengers, the West Coast Avengers, Avengers Unity Division, the Mighty Avengers, and Force Works (a team started by Iron Man after the West Coast Avengers broke up). Interestingly, he’s also criticized the Avengers at times, believing the team has led to the deaths of too many heroes.

3) Wonder Man Is a Successful Actor In the Comics

The Disney+ series Wonder Man portrays Simon Williams as a struggling actor, constantly auditioning and hoping for his big break. However, the comic book version of Simon Williams is already a Hollywood veteran. He began his career as a highly sought-after stuntman with the West Coast Avengers and later became a successful action movie star – a much more established celebrity than the series suggests.

2) Wonder Man & Beast Were the Best of Friends

As a longtime comics reader, I’ve always been fascinated by the bond between Wonder Man and the Beast. They first connected as Avengers, and quickly became incredibly close – close enough to even headline their own series together. It was heartbreaking to watch their friendship fracture as Beast started down a darker path, becoming increasingly corrupted. But what really struck me was how Wonder Man stepped up when Hank was at his lowest, ultimately being the one to talk him back from the brink. In a truly selfless act, their friendship led Beast to make the ultimate sacrifice, allowing a clone carrying his original memories to take his place. It’s a powerful story, and one of the most compelling friendships Marvel has ever presented.

1) Wonder Man Is Now a Pacifist In the Comics

Wonder Man’s motivations have shifted throughout his time as a hero. At one point, he even created a team called the Revengers to oppose the Avengers, believing they often caused more harm than good. While he eventually realized this wasn’t the right approach, he still questions whether groups like the Avengers do as much damage as they prevent. Now, Wonder Man is a pacifist in the Marvel Universe, choosing to de-escalate conflicts instead of participating in them.

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2026-01-11 18:41