A new series from Marvel has started with Wonder Man. Even though it revolves around an unknown hero, MeinMMO editor Nikolas Hernes believes that all 8 episodes are worth watching.
What is the series about? The title Wonder Man sounds like a classic superhero story, but in the new series, which premiered on Disney+ with all 8 episodes on 28.01.2026, it centers around Simon Williams, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. He wants to make it big as an actor, but even small supporting roles slip away from him because he wants too many changes in the script.
One day, however, he meets actor Trevor Slattery, played by Sir Ben Kingsley. MCU fans know him as the fake Mandarin from Iron Man 3 (2013) and later from Shang-Chi (2021). Thanks to Trevor, Simon learns that there will be a remake of Wonder Man, one of his favorite films. However, both have a secret that could threaten their acting careers.
You can already tell from the description: This doesn’t sound much like Marvel or a superhero series. But Wonder Man is probably the best Marvel series because it perfectly utilizes the format.
The Marvel Universe is not just about battles between superheroes
Marvel series are a thing for me. I love Daredevil (even though that doesn’t really count), but the many other MCU series have always left me cold. They weren’t particularly bad (except maybe Secret Invasion), but they never stuck with me. There are cool moments in Moon Knight, but most of the time it feels like watching the little brother of an MCU action movie. Creative concepts were missing, even though a series format would be perfect for it.
That’s why I was eager for Wonder Man. The trailers already showed: This will probably not be a classic superhero story. And to put it briefly: That’s exactly how it is. Wonder Man is about acting, friendship, and a tiny bit about superpowers.
What I particularly liked about Wonder Man is the subtle use of jokes and the camera. Often, it lingers for a long time, and many jokes are not one-liners but gags about the show business, Netflix, and other practices in Hollywood. That makes it particularly fun because it gives the two main actors plenty of room to act.
The camera is often held steady or moved slightly, with few cuts. This allows Abdul-Mateen II and Kingsley to show that they are strong performers. This is particularly effective because most of the series focuses on their friendship. Trevor serves as a kind of mentor for Simon as an older actor. Their conflicts, as well as beautiful moments, feel so organic, as I’ve rarely seen in MCU productions.
This especially pleases me for Ben Kingsley’s role. In Iron Man 3, he is a kind of false Mandarin and thus one of the biggest disappointments of the MCU because a legendary villain was hinted at, only to be explained that he was just a drunken actor. The MCU must handle forgotten or even hated characters similarly. They should not be forced to be good
, but should be developed authentically.
Something like Wonder Man is needed in the MCU
Wonder Man is different, it won’t appeal to everyone, but that’s exactly what is good about it. The MCU suffers from trying to squeeze every series and movie into the known mold. This causes many films to lack identity; they are less an independent product than a chapter in the larger phases.
Wonder Man shows that there is another way: The series takes place in the MCU but feels different. It wants to appeal to a smaller audience. There are no cameos from other heroes or a teaser for any major event. Wonder Man is like a comic book you found in some corner and only read because of the cover, and it suddenly becomes a hidden gem.
In my view, for the MCU to continue to exist, Marvel must go exactly in this direction. It’s important to establish series, films, and characters that you don’t use as disposable material to fill up the next big event film full
.
I wish for more of this in the future. Marvel should try more ideas and produce more films and series that stand on their own. The multiverse is too vast to watch everything. This not only makes planning easier for studios but also enhances the viewing experience for audiences.
I can only recommend that you watch Wonder Man. The marketing seems not as big as with other MCU productions, which is why I am quite worried that the series will fly under the radar. You can learn more about Wonder Man from the comics here: Marvel is soon releasing a new series about a special character that hardly anyone knows
