MCU Finally Introducing Obscure Marvel Superhero After 37 Years Explained By Disney+ Series Creator

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Andrew Guest has explained the decision to feature the relatively obscure superhero Wonder Man in the new Disney+ series, even though the character first appeared in comics over thirty years ago.

All eight episodes of the new Marvel series became available on January 27th. The series also introduced a new character, Simon Williams, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The story revolves around his pursuit of the lead role in a movie being made about Wonder Man.

During a conversation with Ash Crossan from ScreenRant about the upcoming series Wonder Man, co-creator, showrunner, and executive producer Kyle Guest explained the decision to feature the relatively unknown character Doorman.

I recently found out that episode 4, “Doorman,” actually started as an idea from Zeke Nicholson, the writer behind it. Once the team learned more about the superhero featured in the episode, our showrunner, Guest, felt it was exactly the type of character that would fit perfectly into our world.

Adding the character Doorman enhanced Simon’s storyline throughout the season and created genuine consequences that impacted his future.

The guest wanted viewers to understand the potential impact on his career – whether it could be cut short, damaged, or never truly begin.

Let me tell you about a fun addition to the show. One of our writers, Zeke Nicholson, introduced us to this obscure Marvel character, DeMarr Doorman Davis – a Great Lakes Avenger! The concept is wonderfully strange: he started as a doorman and then became a door – yeah, a literal door! It felt perfectly suited to our show’s tone. We were really looking for a way to illustrate the potential consequences facing Simon, a cautionary tale about a career that could fizzle out, be compromised, or never even launch. DeMarr Davis became that vehicle. It gave us these really clear stakes – a simple, understandable threat. The ‘doorman clause,’ as we called it, meant everyone understood: if Simon’s secret was revealed, that was it. Career over. No ambiguity, just a stark, definitive consequence.

In season one of Wonder Man, the “Doorman Clause” was established as a major obstacle, particularly for Simon and other people with superpowers. Essentially, this rule prevents superheroes from working as actors, which presents a significant problem for Simon, who is both an actor and possesses powers.

DeMarr Davis, known as The Doorman, is a central character in the fourth episode of Wonder Man. He’s a doorman who develops the ability to pass through solid objects – phasing – after being exposed to hazardous waste.

Okay, so this episode is really interesting. It stars Josh Gad, but he’s playing a version of himself, and his life gets completely turned upside down when he meets this doorman, DeMarr. DeMarr actually ends up saving Josh’s life, which unexpectedly throws him into the public eye. It’s a bit tragic, though, because DeMarr’s moment in the spotlight doesn’t last, and he unfortunately starts relying on alcohol after things fall apart.

Okay, so the fallout from all of this is huge for the superhero community. We’re introduced to something called the ‘Doorman Clause,’ and trust me, it’s a game-changer in how heroes and Hollywood do business. It really hit home when I heard Guest explain what exposure would mean for Simon – and it’s bleak. He basically said if Simon’s powers became public, that would be it – career over, plain and simple. It’s a really stark warning about the stakes involved, and it adds a fascinating layer to everything.

I first discovered Doorman way back in 1989 when he showed up in West Coast Avengers #46. But I really got to know him through the G.L.A. comics – that’s where the Great Lakes Avengers hang out, and it’s a fantastic team including Squirrel Girl, Mr. Immortal, Big Bertha, Flatman, and of course, Doorman himself!

Currently, the show Wonder Man is highly rated on Rotten Tomatoes with a 90% score. It has also gained popularity on Disney+ and introduced many viewers to the character Doorman.

It’s currently unclear if this character will return in future Marvel Cinematic Universe projects, but fans can now enjoy Byron Bowers – known from shows like Adam DeVine’s House Party and The Chi – portraying the relatively unknown superhero on television.

Wonder Man is available to stream on Disney+.

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2026-01-29 01:01