As part of Marvel’s new TV show push, the lesser-known Wonder Man will get his own series.

In the midst of the enthusiasm for Daredevil: Born Again, Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Manand Marvel Zombiesthe name Wonder Man might have escaped some minds.

But there is more to this hero than meets the eye, and the new tv show in Marvel’s next roster could turn out to be the most meta yet.

Here’s everything you need to know about Wonder Man’s comic book origins and his new show.

Who is Wonder Man?

Simon Williams (aka Wonder Man) first appeared in Marvel Comics during The Avengers #9, originally starting out as a supervillain who fought the Avengers.

The comic was published in October 1964 and features Wonder Man as a comic book enemy who died in the same issue.

Wonder Man was initially fired after his debut appearance because Marvel Comics He was sued for his similarities to DC’s Wonder Woman.

In 1978, Stan Lee said: “You know, years ago we put out Wonder Man, and (DC Comics) sued us because they had Wonder Woman, and… I said, well, I’ll discontinue Wonder Man. And all of a sudden they have Power Girl (after Marvel will present Power Man). Oh, boy. How unfair.”

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However, he returned four years later, and the Avengers explained to him that they saved his mind electronically in a computer.

He didn’t fully return until The Avengers #102 in 1972, making a cameo while in a coma. In Avengers #131-132, he was brought back to life by Kang, and once again by Black Talon in #152.

He wouldn’t be fully revived until The Avengers Annual #6, when he was brought back by Living Laser.

In The Avengers #106, Wonder Man became fully conscious and joined the superhero team as a full-time hero. In particular, Wonder Man was good friends with the X-Men’s Beast, and the two would go out on the town together. (Even after both characters left the Avengers, they remained friends.)

The character later became a founding member of West Coast Avengers, a spin-off miniseries. Over the years, he would go back and forth between the original group of Avengers and finally got his own eponymous graphic novel in 1986.

It is important to note that, in 1981, Wonder Man broke away from the Avengers to use his strength and become a stuntman and actor.

Wonder Man’s origins explained

Wonder Man is the alias of Simon Williams, the rich son of Sanford Williams, who transforms into a superhuman after being released from prison by the villainous Baron Heinrich Zemo.

Like Tony Stark, Simon inherited his father’s company, Williams Innovations, when he died. However, competing against Stark Industries was a difficult task and Simon saw his company’s profits collapse.

His brother Eric suggested that Simon embezzle company funds to invest in other companies, but he is later caught and arrested for doing so.

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Blaming Stark for his downfall, Simon accepts Baron Zemo’s help on the condition that he infiltrate the Avengers.

When he accepts, Simon is transformed into a superhuman through chemical and radiation treatments. This gave him incredible strength, durability, speed, and reflexes. (His power level has even been compared to that of Thor and Sentry.) Of course, Zemo’s plan failed when Simon’s conscience made him unwilling to betray the Avengers.

Over the years, he would also develop regeneration abilities, the ability to dispense with air, food and water, and energy projection.

But the most interesting thing about Wonder Man is his canon status as a stuntman and talented actor, which looks like it will come into play during the upcoming Marvel show. (Read below to learn more about that!)

What is the Wonder Man Marvel show about?

Wonder Man will get his own self-titled TV show in December 2025, starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams/Wonder Man.

The character was originally created for his MCU debuts in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, played by Nathan Fillion. However, their scenes were later removed from the final film.

The Marvel television show will follow Simon Williams as an actor and stuntman who gains superhuman abilities and then becomes Wonder Man. In October 2024, a preview of Marvel’s 2025 releases was released, including a preview of Wonder Man.

From the teaser, it looks like Simon is a struggling actor who is auditioning for the role of Wonder Man in an upcoming movie. (In the comics, Simon already became Wonder Man before pursuing his acting career, so there’s a chance he’s already a superhuman in the TV show.)

The series also stars Ben Kingsley as Trevor Slattery, reprising his role from Iron Man 3 and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Also in the cast are Demetrius Grosse as Eric Williams, Simon’s brother, and Ed Harris as Neal Saroyan, Simon’s agent.

The show will have ten episodes and will premiere on Disney+.

Will it be part of the MCU?

Yeah, Wonder Man will be included in Phase 6 from the MCU!

With the inclusion of Trevor Slattery, it’s clear that Simon Williams is already entering an existing version of the MCU. So what does this mean for his future beyond the TV show?

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Well, with Marvel’s new approach to television and movies under the “Spotlight” banner, he may not have as big a role as one might assume. However, we know from his history in the comics that he was deeply involved in the Avengers stories.

It may not play a major role in Avengers: Judgment Day either Avengers: Secret Warsbut since Wonder Man will be released before both films, it is possible that he will appear as an already established character.

For more information, take a look at our guides to all the best superhero movies to look at now. You can also keep up to date with spider man 4, Captain America: Brave New Worldand Good heavens. Don’t miss all the new movies It’s coming out this month too!