The next project in the MCU is a new series. With Wonder Man, a new approach is being tried that makes fun of superheroes. But who is this hero actually?
What kind of series is this? On January 27, 2026, the new Marvel series Wonder Man will premiere on Disney Plus. The story focuses on the actor Simon Williams, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen III. In the first trailer for the series, it is shown: He desperately wants to land the role as Wonder Man.
As a new teaser reveals, it is important that he has no superpowers. But even with this, it is hinted: Something is not right.
What exactly the series does with the character is still unclear, but how does it look in the comics?
First a villain, then a hero
Who is Wonder Man in the comics? Even in the comics, Simon Williams is Wonder Man. Despite a difficult childhood with his father, he took over his father’s company. But because the competitor Stark Industries was significantly more efficient and successful, Williams bankrupted the company due to a lack of experience.
After Spider-Man destroyed one of his labs, Williams tries to get money in dubious ways. In doing so, he gets caught and lands in prison. But then the villain Baron Zemo approaches him. He offered him superpowers and the opportunity to get revenge on the Avengers, especially Tony Stark. Simon accepted the deal, but he was double-crossed by Zemo and would die without an antidote from Zemo. So he entered the fight.
But he could not kill the Avengers, which is why he changes sides and joins them to confront Baron Zemo and his group, the Masters of Evil. In the process, he seemingly died (he was actually in a special coma). But comic characters never stay dead for long. Before he was resurrected, Ultron implanted his brain patterns into Vision. However, Simon later awakens and confronts Ultron and his evil brother Eric together with Vision.
Depending on the storyline, he then worked for various teams and helped multiple times in saving the world. But he also found a new goal: He wanted to become an actor. The discrepancy between being an actor and a superhero is an ongoing theme in his stories. In that process, he possesses quite powerful abilities.
A pretty powerful guy
How powerful is Wonder Man? That’s a question that’s not so easy to answer. On one hand, he is based on ionic energy, which has massively increased his strength (he can lift up to 100 tons) and stamina. Injuries don’t bother him, and he doesn’t need human resources like food, water, or air. Unlike other heroes, he cannot be infected by symbiotes like Venom.
Additionally, he can fly, change his form (such as becoming larger), and create and shoot energy projectiles. When he gets angry or worked up, his power increases. In the past, Wonder Man defeated powerful figures like Captain Marvel, Ultron, Namor, or the Red Hulk (via cbr.com).
His most powerful trait is probably regeneration and resurrection. Due to his special ionic biology, he cannot age or die from diseases. Therefore, he is virtually immortal and can regenerate even from great destruction.
In the comic Uncanny Avengers No. 6 (2013), despite his abilities, he ultimately decides to become a pacifist who does not want to solve everything with violence.
The humorous approach in the MCU
How will Wonder Man be portrayed in the MCU? After the first trailer, it is still unclear what abilities and enemies the hero will have in the MCU; one aspect, however, seems important: acting. The main character in the series desperately wants to play the role in movies.
The trailer implies with the demand that no one with superpowers is wanted for the role, but already suggests that Wonder Man seems to have some. What those are is still unclear. When comparing the series to the first MCU series WandaVision, one can strongly assume that there will again be a twist that gives the character a bit more depth.
In 2026, the series Vision Quest will also premiere. Considering the connection between Vision and Wonder Man in the comics, a connection could also emerge here. You can learn more about the upcoming Marvel movies and series here: MCU: Order – All Marvel Movies and Series at a glance
