Wonderman

I would love to know how many people googled “Wonderman comics”, or “Wonderman powers” after the show dropped on Disney+. They were intentionally vague and they really separated themselves from the source material. And quite frankly that was a good decision. Because as far as comic book characters go Wonderman really isn’t that impressive or interesting. But who is he in the comics? Well we know I have the answers so here we go.

Wonderman first appeared in 1964 in The Avengers #9. Wonderman was in fact created in response to DC having Wonder Woman and was shortly discontinued because of it. But once DC released Power-Girl after Marvel created Power Man, Wonderman was brought back.

In the comics Simon is the son of a business tycoon that is one of Stark’s main competitors. Eric, Simon's brother, convinces him to embezzle money but he gets caught and locked up. Because of his vulnerable state he agrees to work with Zemo.

Zemo has a plan to infiltrate the Avengers and it hinges upon Simon. Zemo transforms Simon into an ion-powered superhuman. So he started with super strength and durability. He seemingly dies in his first story causing his brother Eric to turn into a supervillain.

It's revealed that Wonderman is actually in suspended animation where he stays. Ultron (who was a Hank Pym creation in the comics) uses Wonderman’s brain patterns to create Vision.

Wonderman was then revived by Kang, and resurrected as a zombie to attack the Avengers. When he is actually brought back to life he joins the Avengers officially. This takes place over Avengers #151-#156 in 1976.

In the time he spent in suspended animation he became a being of ionic energy. He also developed a fear of death that after conquering does in fact lead to Simon developing a love for acting. He takes small roles and does stunt work. And he eventually helps form the West Coast Avengers. In doing so Wonderman and Vision begin to see themselves as brothers. But after Vision is dismantled and in need of being rebuilt. Wanda begs Wonderman to provide the brain patterns to bring her love back to life. Wonderman refuses, realizing that he has feelings for her himself.

This dispute breaks up the team, and Wonderman gets himself destroyed. Wanda, being the badass she is, brings him back to his ionic level and eventually to a much more human form.

He was pro-registration in the Civil War storyline. And after this he spends a good amount of his time opposing the Avengers. When Captain America offered him a position on a new Avengers team Simon responded saying that the Avengers caused more problems then they solved. For the next three years Simon’s storylines revolve around him opposing and fighting the Avengers. He is in and out of prison and sews doubt among the public about the effectiveness of the Avengers.

He then gets a redemption arc, earning his way back into the Avengers good graces. When he does so he and Scarlet Witch rekindle their relationship. His powers get absorbed by Rogue and it's Wanda who drains Rogue of all of the heroes powers that she absorbed, with the exception of Wonderman. His consciousness is later expelled from Rogue.

As far as his powerset goes he’s got; Super strength, speed, stamina, durability, reflexes. Invulnerability, and immortality. After being resurrected by Wanda he gained the ability to transform himself into pure ionic energy (similar to Monica Rambeau's powers). With this came the ability to sustain himself without food, water or air. He later gains the ability to fly and teleport.

As you can see this is vastly different from the series on Disney+ but that’s a good thing because honestly Wonderman is not a great character on his own. The series was so much more interesting and fun to watch. For more comic book history please check out my book!