Wonder Man #1 Is Pure MCU Synergy, But In a Good Way (Review)

by

The announcement of a Wonder Man show in the MCU was unexpected, but its quality turned out to be an even bigger surprise. Simon Williams has always been a strong, though often overlooked, member of the Avengers, frequently appearing in stories revolving around Scarlet Witch – a refreshing change, as it’s more common to see female characters defined by their relationships to male heroes. His unique background as a former criminal and a Hollywood star makes him a compelling character, and he’s incredibly powerful, essentially able to cheat death. While many Avengers deserve more attention, Wonder Man has been a fan favorite for a long time, so a dedicated series felt overdue.

The first issue of Wonder Man is a good example of how Marvel’s comics and movies are increasingly connected – something many comic book fans dislike. Often, Marvel seems to be altering its comics to appeal to moviegoers who aren’t likely to become regular comic readers, and this can be annoying. But the team behind this comic – writer Gerry Duggan and artist Mark Buckingham – clearly understood what fans wanted, delivering a fantastic, classic-style first issue.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Pros Cons
Duggan captures the feel of Hollywood, while nailing the characters and giving readers a fun, accessible story This book is a great read, but it’s not going to reinvent wheel and it definitely isn’t about the MCU Wonder Man
Buckingham is an old pro, and his art is fantastic
Cool mystery plot, a fun return, and a big surprise add up to a great first issue

Duggan Captures the Hollywood Hero Perfectly

The positive buzz around Wonder Man made a comic series feel inevitable, but a show was more surprising. Writer Gerry Duggan is a bit of a mixed bag – he brilliantly reinvented Deadpool, but also contributed to some of the issues with the recent X-Men storyline. While his Godzilla comics were successful, West Coast Avengers wasn’t. However, his understanding of the Hollywood scene, gained through working with Brian Posehn, makes him a great fit for this Wonder Man series. From the very beginning, you can tell he’s using that experience to capture the right feel, something many other Wonder Man creators haven’t achieved.

Okay, so as a fan, I’d say Gerry Duggan writes reliably solid superhero stories. He’s not trying to reinvent the wheel, and honestly, that’s fine! He excels when he focuses on straightforward narratives, and this new issue is a perfect example. It’s not going to revolutionize comics, but it doesn’t need to. It’s a classic first issue – it sets up the world, gets new readers up to speed, and throws in a really compelling mystery. What really works is the characters; there are some familiar Marvel faces here that just make it a fun read. This isn’t a radical reimagining of Wonder Man, and it’s not trying to be. It’s just a well-done, classic superhero story, and that’s exactly where Duggan shines.

Buckingham Was the Perfect Choice for This Comic

Mark Buckingham is a consistently reliable and talented artist in comics. He’s skilled at both penciling and inking, and can elevate any story he’s given. This talent is on full display in Wonder Man #1, which is visually stunning. The comic’s page layouts are perfectly executed, often using a six-panel structure to effectively pace the narrative. A unique touch is the use of sprocket holes as page borders – a detail inspired by his work with Chris Bachalo, where they were known for creative border designs. This adds to the issue’s strong Hollywood atmosphere.

Like Duggan, Buckingham’s art isn’t showy, but it’s incredibly solid and immediately noticeable. This book features stunning, detailed linework and expressive characters that bring the story to life. It genuinely feels like it’s set in Los Angeles – likely because Duggan, an accomplished photographer, provided the artist with reference photos, despite Buckingham being from Britain. All these elements combine to make a truly captivating read.

Wonder Man #1 isn’t revolutionary for the comic book world, and viewers of the upcoming TV show shouldn’t expect a direct adaptation. However, it is a strong first issue that will leave readers wanting more. The characters are engaging, the story is thrilling, and the artwork really enhances the experience. While connections to the Marvel Cinematic Universe often cause issues for comic fans, this comic is a great example of that synergy working perfectly. Marvel, we’d love to see more comics like this!

Wonder Man #1 is on sale now.

https://comicbook.com/comics/list/wonder-mans-7-deadliest-enemies-in-marvel-comics/embed/#

Read More

2026-04-01 17:14