History ComicBook / WonderMan

Blaming [[ComicBook/IronMan Tony Stark]] for his company's troubles, Simon was about to be sent to prison when his bail was paid by Amora, the Enchantress. Temporarily free, Simon was faced with a proposition from Baron Zemo, the leader of the Masters of Evil: superhuman powers in exchange for destroying Franchise/TheAvengers from within. Agreeing, Simon accompanies the Masters to UsefulNotes/SouthAmerica, where he was granted superhuman strength and durability via Zemo's "ionic ray" treatment. Calling his creation "Wonder Man", Zemo has Simon test his strength against Amora's companion, Skurge the Executioner. Besting Skurge, Wonder Man was informed that the treatment that gave him superpowers also altered his metabolism. Without periodic doses of a special serum, Simon would die within a week. This was intended to ensure Simon's loyalty to Zemo, the only man who could provide the serum.

Simon was [[{{Blackmail}} unwillingly drafted]] into the pro-registration side of the [[Comicbook/CivilWar2006 Civil War]]. In the wake of the Comicbook/SecretInvasion, he became increasingly disillusioned with the perpetual cycle of superhero-supervillain violence. After repeatedly asking the Avengers not to re-assemble, he put together a team of similar malcontents (including a new Goliath, angry over his uncle's death during Civil War) who attack Avengers Mansion and Stark Tower, demanding that the Avengers be disbanded. The Avengers lock him up without a trial, effectively proving Wonder Man's point: the Avengers are powerful without accountability.

In the aftermath of the ''Comicbook/AvengersVsXMen'' event, Wonder Man joined the cast of ''ComicBook/UncannyAvengers'', a title launched as part of the Comicbook/MarvelNOW initiative.

No relationship to Franchise/WonderWoman, if you're [[{{Pun}} wondering]]. Though they have faced each other in [[IntercontinuityCrossover some crossovers]]. Also, he has nothing to do with [[ComicBook/WonderManFox an old superhero made by Will Eisner]] of the same name made decades before this one.

Simon was [[{{Blackmail}} unwillingly drafted]] into the pro-registration side of the [[Comicbook/CivilWar Civil War]]. In the wake of the Comicbook/SecretInvasion, he became increasingly disillusioned with the perpetual cycle of superhero-supervillain violence. After repeatedly asking the Avengers not to re-assemble, he put together a team of similar malcontents (including a new Goliath, angry over his uncle's death during Civil War) who attack Avengers Mansion and Stark Tower, demanding that the Avengers be disbanded. The Avengers lock him up without a trial, effectively proving Wonder Man's point: the Avengers are powerful without accountability.

Arranging a staged battle between himself and the Masters of Evil, Wonder Man was successful in winning the Avengers over. After explaining his reliance on Zemo's serum, the Avengers attempt to cure him but are unsuccessful. Left with no choice but to remain loyal to Zemo, Wonder Man leads the Avengers into an ambush by the Masters of Evil. During the battle, Simon has a change of heart and helps the Avengers defeat the Masters instead, knowing full well that he was sacrificing his lifeline in the process. Proud of his choice, Simon succumbs to the treatment's deadly side effect and falls into a coma. Unable to find any life signs, the Avengers come to the conclusion that Simon passed away. Placing his body in suspended animation for the trip back to the United States, Iron Man creates a copy of Simon's brain patterns in the hope that one day they'll be able to revive him. The brain patterns were later used by the super-villain Ultron to create a personality matrix for ComicBook/TheVision, a synthezoid who would turn against his master and join the Avengers. Given Simon's history of having done exactly the same thing, this wasn't one of Ultron's smartest plans.

Blaming [[ComicBook/IronMan Tony Stark]] for his company's troubles, Simon was about to be sent to prison when his bail was paid by Amora, the Enchantress. Temporarily free, Simon was faced with a proposition from Baron Zemo, the leader of the Masters of Evil: superhuman powers in exchange for destroying Franchise/TheAvengers from within. Agreeing, Simon accompanies the Masters to South America, where he was granted superhuman strength and durability via Zemo's "ionic ray" treatment. Calling his creation "Wonder Man", Zemo has Simon test his strength against Amora's companion, Skurge the Executioner. Besting Skurge, Wonder Man was informed that the treatment that gave him superpowers also altered his metabolism. Without periodic doses of a special serum, Simon would die within a week. This was intended to ensure Simon's loyalty to Zemo, the only man who could provide the serum.

Blaming [[ComicBook/IronMan Tony Stark]] for his company's troubles, Simon was about to be sent to prison when his bail was paid by Amora, the Enchantress. Temporarily free, Simon was faced with a proposition from Baron Zemo, the leader of the Masters of Evil: superhuman powers in exchange for destroying the Franchise/TheAvengers from within. Agreeing, Simon accompanies the Masters to South America, where he was granted superhuman strength and durability via Zemo's "ionic ray" treatment. Calling his creation "Wonder Man", Zemo has Simon test his strength against Amora's companion, Skurge the Executioner. Besting Skurge, Wonder Man was informed that the treatment that gave him superpowers also altered his metabolism. Without periodic doses of a special serum, Simon would die within a week. This was intended to ensure Simon's loyalty to Zemo, the only man who could provide the serum.

* IWasQuiteAFashionVictim: In an issue of the '90s series, Wondy makes a list of his top ten villains. Number 2 was "everyone who's designed one of my previous costumes."

No relationship to Franchise/WonderWoman, if you're [[{{Pun}} wondering]]. Though they have faced each other in [[IntercontinuityCrossover some crossovers]]. Also, he has nothing to do with [[ComicBook/WonderManFox an old superhero made by Will Eisner]] of [[NamesTheSame the same name]] made decades before this one.

A ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'' DeletedScene with posters for a Simon Williams movie festival teases the thought of adding Wonder Man to the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse, and casting Creator/NathanFillion (a member of director Creator/JamesGunn's ProductionPosse) as him.

[[redirect:Characters/Avengers70sMembers]]

[[redirect:Characters/MarvelComicsWonderMan]]

[[quoteright:306:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Wonder_Man_Vol_1_1_9268.jpg]]

->''"I know, blast it! But you don't know what it's like to die and come back. To be haunted by death... seeing any part of you alive makes you feel immortal. I can't have kids, you know -- I'm just an ionic energy... thing. When your mind was based on mine, you were the closest I'd ever get to a son. And when she fell in love with your mind... I could feel a little closer to her."''
-->-- '''Wonder Man''' to ComicBook/TheVision, ''Wonder Man #8''

Wonder Man is a Creator/MarvelComics superhero created by Creator/StanLee, Don Heck, and Creator/JackKirby. Making his debut in ''Avengers #9'' (October, 1964), Simon Williams is one of the Avengers' strongest, most outspoken members. He won the SuperpowerLottery with his "ionic energy", which gives him speed, strength, immortality, flight, and plenty of other powers besides. (They tend to change with time.)

Originally the head of Williams Innovations, a munitions company competing with Stark Industries, Simon Williams was bright but inexperienced. Simon inherited the business after the death of his father, Sanford Williams. After his company's profits started to fall, Simon acted on bad advice from his brother, Eric, and was arrested for embezzlement. Eric's ties to the Maggia, an international crime syndicate, also placed Simon and his company in a bad light.

Blaming [[ComicBook/IronMan Tony Stark]] for his company's troubles, Simon is about to be sent to prison when his bail is paid by Amora, the Enchantress. Temporarily free, Simon is faced with a proposition from Baron Zemo, the leader of the Masters of Evil: superhuman powers in exchange for destroying the Franchise/TheAvengers from within. Agreeing, Simon accompanies the Masters to South America, where he is granted superhuman strength and durability via Zemo's "ionic ray" treatment. Calling his creation "Wonder Man", Zemo has Simon test his strength against Amora's companion, Skurge the Executioner. Besting Skurge, Wonder Man is informed that the treatment that gave him superpowers also altered his metabolism. Without periodic doses of a special serum, Simon would die within a week. This was intended to ensure Simon's loyalty to Zemo, the only man who could provide the serum.

Arranging a staged battle between himself and the Masters of Evil, Wonder Man is successful in winning the Avengers over. After explaining his reliance on Zemo's serum, the Avengers attempt to cure him but are unsuccessful. Left with no choice but to remain loyal to Zemo, Wonder Man leads the Avengers into an ambush by the Masters of Evil. During the battle, Simon has a change of heart and helps the Avengers defeat the Masters instead, knowing full well that he was sacrificing his lifeline in the process. Proud of his choice, Simon succumbs to the treatment's deadly side effect and falls into a coma. Unable to find any life signs, the Avengers come to the conclusion that Simon passed away. Placing his body in suspended animation for the trip back to the United States, Iron Man creates a copy of Simon's brain patterns in the hope that one day they'll be able to revive him. The brain patterns were later used by the super-villain Ultron to create a personality matrix for ComicBook/TheVision, a synthezoid who would turn against his master and join the Avengers. Given Simon's history of having done exactly the same thing, this wasn't one of Ultron's smartest plans.

Meanwhile, his brother Eric, blaming the Avengers for his death, became the super-villain called The Grim Reaper and allied himself with other villains to gain revenge. He even had a voodoo priest reanimate Simon's body to attack them. It turned out however, that he wasn't dead, merely in a coma while he changed into an "ionic" form. In this form he was even more powerful and didn't need the serum to survive, though his eyes now glowed red.

The revived Simon joined the Avengers as Wonder Man, and was a member for years, becoming best friends with The Beast (from The ComicBook/XMen, at the time an Avenger) and later had a romantic relationship with Wanda the Scarlet Witch (who ironically had once been married to The Vision.) Simon was one of the founding members of the West Coast Avengers, and began a side career in Hollywood as an actor and stuntman. After the dismantling of the West Coast branch, he joined Iron Man's new team, Force Works, but was disintegrated on the team's first mission. Many months later, he would remanifest in a purely energy state, thanks to the Scarlet Witch subconsciously using her powers to call on him in times of need; she would later find a way to fully restore Simon to a physical body.

Simon was [[{{Blackmail}} unwillingly drafted]] into the pro-registration side of the [[Comicbook/CivilWar Civil War]]. In the wake of the Comicbook/SecretInvasion, he became increasingly disillusioned with the perpetual cycle of superhero-supervillain violence. After repeatedly asking the Avengers not to re-assemble, he put together a team of similar malcontents (including a new Goliath, angry over his uncle's death during Civil War) who attack Avengers Mansion and Stark Tower, demanding that the Avengers be disbanded. The Avengers lock him up without a trial, effectively proving Wonder Man's point: the Avengers are powerful without accountability.

In the aftermath of the ''Comicbook/AvengersVsXMen'' event, Wonder Man joined the cast of ''ComicBook/UncannyAvengers'', a title launched as part of the Comicbook/MarvelNOW initiative.

In the ComicBook/UltimateMarvel universe, Wonder Man is the current form of [[ComicBook/UltimateFantasticFour Ultimate Ben Grimm]], after he "metamorphs" out of his classical {{golem}}-like form.

A ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'' DeletedScene with posters for a Simon Williams movie festival teases the thought of adding Wonder Man to the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse, and casting Creator/NathanFillion (a member of director Creator/JamesGunn's ProductionPosse) as him.

No relationship to Franchise/WonderWoman, if you're [[{{Pun}} wondering]]. Though they have faced each other in [[IntercontinuityCrossover some crossovers]]. Also, he has nothing to do with [[ComicBook/WillEisnersWonderMan an old superhero made by Will Eisner]] of [[NamesTheSame the same name]] made decades before this one.

[[AC:{{Comics}}]]
* ''Wonder Man'' vol. 1. (1986). One-shot.
* ''Wonder Man'' vol. 2 (1991-1994)
* ''Tales of the Marvels: Wonder Years '' (1995)
* ''Avengers Two: Wonder Man and Beast'' (2000)
* ''Wonder Man'' vol. 3 (2007)

'''Storylines'''
* ''ComicBook/JLAAvengers''
* ''Comicbook/CivilWar''
* ''Comicbook/DarkReign''
* ''ComicBook/AvengersNoSurrender''

[[AC:VideoGames]]
* ''VideoGame/CaptainAmericaAndTheAvengers'': Non-playable, Wonder Man appears with a hovercraft to help Captain America and Hawkeye cross large gaps.
* ''VideoGame/MarvelUltimateAlliance2'': Non-playable, Wonder Man is a boss for the Anti-Registration side.
* ''VideoGame/MarvelAvengersAlliance'': He was winnable as a limited-time Special Operations hero.
* ''VideoGame/LegoMarvelSuperheroes2''

[[AC:WesternAnimation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersUnitedTheyStand''
* ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes''

----
!!Tropes seen in these series include:
* ActualPacifist: Simon takes this up once he joins the [[ComicBook/UncannyAvengers Avengers Unity Squad]], stating that things can't always be solved by punching things. He proves that during the ''ComicBook/{{Infinity}}'' storyline as he prevents his teammates from attacking a man who for reasons involving his wife turning out to be an Inhuman is now thirty feet tall, and is able to find out what happened to his family.
* AlwaysSomeoneBetter: DC's Franchise/WonderWoman during ''JLA/Avengers''. In an alternate reality where the Justice League and Avengers co-exist, Wonder Woman always beats Wonder Man in an annual arm wrestling contest with a smile on her face. Their fight in the Savage Land also goes Wonder Woman's way after she ties up Simon with her lasso.
* AsleepForDays: In the graphic novel ''Emperor Doom'', Simon goes into a sensory deprivation tank for a month, and thus isn't around to notice when Doctor Doom uses his MindControl device to TakeOverTheWorld. Since he's immune to the Purple Man's powers, it's up to Simon to stop Doom and restore free will to the world.
* BackFromTheDead: More than once, like most heroes.
* BerserkButton: ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} learned the hard way that you '''don't''' taunt Simon about his unrequited feelings for the Scarlet Witch after being punched through a wall like a common {{Mook}}.
* BrainUploading: Ultron used the comatose Simon's brain patterns to create a personality matrix for the synthezoid Vision. Coming to terms with the Vision, who was dismantled by the U.S. government after attempting to take control of the world's computer systems, Simon suddenly refuses to allow the Avengers to use his brain patterns after reassembling the synthezoid. Calling the procedure a violation, Simon refers to his "brother" as nothing but a copy.
* [[BroughtToYouByTheLetterS Brought To You By The Letter W]]: And on some costumes, the letter M.
* CainAndAbel: As kids, Simon was always the favorite while his brother, Eric, was considered the "black sheep" of the family. This made Eric jealous and bitter, leading to his later career as the villainous Grim Reaper.
* CelebrityIsOverrated: Torn between becoming a full-time actor and his superhero duties, Simon comes to this conclusion after the Abomination attacks during his latest movie's public relations gathering. Instead of being concerned by the destruction, Simon's actor friends are shallow and materialistic, forcing Simon to reconsider his life.
* CivvieSpandex: Though his original costume was a garish red-and-green affair, for much of Wonder Man's career he just fought crime in civilian clothes, or pants and a tank top with a big "W" symbol on it.
* {{Claustrophobia}}: Simon became mildly claustrophobic after years in suspended animation.
* CoolShades: Originally worn to hide his red eyes, the shades become part of Simon's costume during his time in Hollywood.
* CowardlyLion: Early in his career thanks to his fear of death.
* CurseCutShort: During his fight with the assassin, Ladykiller, in ''Wonder Man: My Fair Super Hero #1'':
--> '''Wonder Man''': Ah-ah. None of that. This is Hollywood, and this fight's been rated PG.
* DecompositeCharacter: In the Comicbook/UltimateMarvel Universe, "Wonder Man" is a bit of an odd duck. Ben Grimm 'evolves' from his traditional rock-monster Thing look back into his burly human form with similar abilities ("ionic" energy projections, FlyingBrick, etc) to the 616-Wonder Man. However, a later story arc in Comicbook/TheUltimates introduced it's own version of Wonder Man (who is actually named Simon Williams at that). His power set is significantly downgraded from his 616-incarnation, merely being gifted with SuperStrength and SuperToughness acquired from his days as a Professional Bodybuilder and Olympian who fell from grace when it came to light he was using PED's laced with Mutant Growth Hormones.
* {{Embezzlement}}: Simon nearly went to prison for embezzling from his own company. Later, Simon would embezzle from his non-profit foundation, Second Chances.
* EnergyBeing: Initially downplayed, his flesh and blood tissues were fortified with an ionic treatment, meaning he was an energy being possessing an organic body. After he seemingly died, his body entered a coma that turned himself more completely into energy, a form he occasionally takes.
* FingerlessGloves: Some of his costumes have these.
* FlyingBrick: Much like Superman, he just started off as an invulnerable superhuman capable of InASingleBound, replicating flight with various JetPack implements. Eventually he developed enough control over his energy form to perform true flight and eye beams.
* HeelFaceRevolvingDoor: He started off as a mole for the Masters of Evil before BecomingTheMask. As of late he switches between an ally and antagonist to the Avengers.
* HorribleHollywood: Simon becomes an arrogant movie star during his time in Hollywood. His actor friends aren't portrayed in the best light either.
* {{Immortality}}: Simon's immortality has always been an issue because it makes him feel less human.
* JetPack: Wonder Man used a jet belt to get around until he learned how to fly on his own.
* MinovskyPhysics: His super strength is later explained by the Watcher as being derived from Pym particles, which are capable of modulating strength and density along with mass.
* TheMole: Wonder Man was created to destroy the Avengers from within. He ended up BecomingTheMask and sacrificing himself for them.
* MonumentalDamage: The remains of the Statue of Liberty appear in ''Wonder Man: My Fair Super Hero #3''. [[spoiler: The statue was relocated to Paris after relations between the United States and France break down.]]
* TheNeedless: Simon neither breathes or consumes food, though he'll order meals on occasion when in shared company.
* [[OldShame/InUniverse Old Shame]]: Since ''Dark Reign'', where he becomes despondent after Norman Osborn's rise to power, he's been treating his time in the Avengers as this. He first tries to convince Steve not to reform the team and, when that fails, he decides to attack the team while Noh-Varr was building a time machine for them.
** There's also part of his acting career, being truncated by his constantly glowing eyes and drastic musculature, as sunglass wearing leotard clad "Mr. Muscles". Beast found it hilarious.
* OnlyMostlyDead: Presumed dead after helping the Avengers defeat the Masters of Evil, Simon was actually in a deep coma while his body converted itself into ionic energy. And again after his death in ''Force Works'', but it took some time for him to come all the way back.
* OurZombiesAreDifferent: Type V. Eric Williams tried to revive Wonder Man using voodoo magic in New Orleans, but the Houngans' magic turned Simon into a mindless zombie.
* PurpleIsPowerful: Even though the most visible side effect of his powers is glowing red eyes his occasional ionic form is purple.
* QueerFlowers: Invoked in the case of Wonder Man and ComicBook/BeastMarvelComics. When Wonder Man returns from the dead again in the pages of the Busiek/Perez Avengers, Beast shows up with a bouquet of roses, tackles him, and gives him [[http://i881.photobucket.com/albums/ac19/Rem_Rant/Beastkiss.jpg a sloppy kiss on the lips.]] In an issue of Marvel's AlternateUniverse ''ComicBook/{{Exiles}}'', the team's Alterna-Beast chooses not ot return to his own universe because, with his lover Wonder Man dead, there was nothing left for him there.
* TheRival: Simon sees Iron Man as his rival from their time as competing business executives.
* RomanticRunnerUp: To the Vision, the synthezoid who possesses Simon's brain patterns. The relationship between Vision and Scarlet Witch might have been influenced by Simon's unrequited feelings for Wanda
* RobotMe: ComicBook/TheVision, who possesses a copy of Simon's brain patterns. Initially disturbed by the synthezoid, Simon eventually recognizes the Vision as a "brother".
* SecondPlaceIsForLosers: Simon's father used to beat him if he got anything less than straight A's in school.
* SelfMadeMan: WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes retcons Simon into one. Instead of inheriting Williams Innovations from his father, he built it from nothing.
* ShoutOut: ''Wonder Man: My Fair Super Hero #3'' directly references Franchise/PlanetOfTheApes using the Statue of Liberty. In the same issue, Beast uses [[Series/{{Frasier}} Frasier Crane's]] "I'm listening" catchphrase, which is a reference to Creator/KelseyGrammer, who played Beast in ''Film/XMenTheLastStand''.
* SizeShifter: Now latent, Simon used to have the ability to change size in battle.
* SmartPeoplePlayChess: More brains than brawn growing up, Simon loved to play chess as a kid.
* StuntDouble: InUniverse. Taking advantage of his invulnerability, Simon worked as a stuntman when he couldn't find acting jobs.
* SuddenSequelDeathSyndrome: Simon is killed in a HeroicSacrifice in the first issue of ''Force Works''. [[NiceJobBreakingItHero This lead to his second volume being accidentally cancelled because of it.]]
* SunglassesAtNight: He virtually always wears a pair to cover up his glowing red eyes when in civilian clothes.
* SuperStrength: Often considered the third strongest Avenger after [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]] and [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHercules Hercules]], Wonder Man is one of the strongest Earth-based heroes in the MarvelUniverse. Captain America once described Simon's strength as [[ComicBook/TheSentry Sentry-level]], while Simon himself compared his punches to blows from {{Mjolnir}}, Thor's enchanted hammer.
* TalkingTheMonsterToDeath: Thanks to his pacifism, he tries this with a resurrected and ''extremely'' angry Hulk in ''Avengers: No Surrender''. Unfortunately, since this Hulk isn't the typical misunderstood Savage Hulk, what Simon gets is a venomous TheReasonYouSuckSpeech.
* TragicVillain: Simon's actions against the Avengers post-''Siege'' are pushing him in this direction.
* TheUnfavorite: Eric Williams, Simon's older brother, at least with their mother. Dad was horrible to both of them pretty equally.
* WeAreStrugglingTogether: At points with the Uncanny Avengers, with some of his teammates, Wanda included, being irritated by his pacifism, and the constant preaching thereof.
* WelcomeBackTraitor: After the whole debacle with the Revengers, he's brought back into the Avengers fold after he helps rescue the Wasp from the Microverse.
* WestCoastTeam: Simon is one of the founding members of the West Coast Avengers.
* WhoWantsToLiveForever: He's had some angst over being immortal.
* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: His heel face revolving is eventually figured to be a result of the energy that sustains his body leaking causing instability.
* TheWorfEffect: To the point where it became a running joke in ''{{Comicbook/Runaways}}'' comic and in the Mighty Avengers he had to keep reminding everyone he was supposed to be as strong and tough as either ComicBook/TheSentry or ComicBook/TheMightyThor.
----

* ActualPacifist: Simon takes this up once he joins the [[ComicBook/UncannyAvengers Avengers Unity Squad]], stating that things can't always be solved by punching things. He proves that during the ''ComicBook/{{Infinity}}'' storyline as he prevents his teammates from attacking a recently activated Inhuman and is able to find out what happened to his family.

* BerserkButton: {{Wolverine}} learned the hard way that you '''don't''' taunt Simon about his unrequited feelings for the Scarlet Witch after being punched through a wall like a common {{Mook}}.

* PurpleIsPowerful: Even though the most visible side effect of his powers is glowing red eyes his occasional ionic form is purple.
* [[OldShame/InUniverse Old Shame]]: Since ''Dark Reign'', where he became a supporter of Norman Osborn's rule, he's been treating his time in the Avengers as this. He first tries to convince Steve not to reform the team and, when that fails, he decides to attack the team while Noh-Varr was building a time machine for them.

* OnlyMostlyDead: Presumed dead after helping the Avengers defeat the Masters of Evil, Simon was actually in a deep coma while his body converted itself into ionic energy.

* TheUnfavorite: Eric Williams, Simon's older brother.

Blaming [[Franchise/IronMan Tony Stark]] for his company's troubles, Simon is about to be sent to prison when his bail is paid by Amora, the Enchantress. Temporarily free, Simon is faced with a proposition from Baron Zemo, the leader of the Masters of Evil: superhuman powers in exchange for destroying the Franchise/TheAvengers from within. Agreeing, Simon accompanies the Masters to South America, where he is granted superhuman strength and durability via Zemo's "ionic ray" treatment. Calling his creation "Wonder Man", Zemo has Simon test his strength against Amora's companion, Skurge the Executioner. Besting Skurge, Wonder Man is informed that the treatment that gave him superpowers also altered his metabolism. Without periodic doses of a special serum, Simon would die within a week. This was intended to ensure Simon's loyalty to Zemo, the only man who could provide the serum.

In the aftermath of the ''Comicbook/AvengersVsXMen'' event, Wonder Man will be joining the cast of ''Uncanny Avengers'', a title launched as part of the Comicbook/MarvelNOW initiative.

* HeelFaceRevolvingDoor: He started off as a mole for the Masters of Evil before BecomingTheMask.As of late he switches between an ally and antagonist to the Avengers.

* AlwaysSomeoneBetter: DC's WonderWoman during ''JLA/Avengers''. In an alternate reality where the Justice League and Avengers co-exist, Wonder Woman always beats Wonder Man in an annual arm wrestling contest with a smile on her face. Their fight in the Savage Land also goes Wonder Woman's way after she ties up Simon with her lasso.

* ShoutOut: ''Wonder Man: My Fair Super Hero #3'' directly references Franchise/PlanetOfTheApes using the Statue of Liberty. In the same issue, Beast uses [[Series/{{Frasier}} Frasier Crane's]] "I'm listening" catchphrase, which is a reference to Creator/KelseyGrammar, who played Beast in ''Film/XMenTheLastStand''.

%%* BackFromTheDead

%%* [[BroughtToYouByTheLetterS Brought To You By The Letter W]]

%%* ClothingDamage

%%* EnergyBeing: Initially downplayed, his flesh and blood tissues were fortified with an ionic treatment, meaning he was an energy being possessing an organic body. After he seemingly died, his body entered a coma that turned himself more completely into energy, a form he occasionally takes.

Blaming [[IronMan Tony Stark]] for his company's troubles, Simon is about to be sent to prison when his bail is paid by Amora, the Enchantress. Temporarily free, Simon is faced with a proposition from Baron Zemo, the leader of the Masters of Evil: superhuman powers in exchange for destroying the Comicbook/TheAvengers from within. Agreeing, Simon accompanies the Masters to South America, where he is granted superhuman strength and durability via Zemo's "ionic ray" treatment. Calling his creation "Wonder Man", Zemo has Simon test his strength against Amora's companion, Skurge the Executioner. Besting Skurge, Wonder Man is informed that the treatment that gave him superpowers also altered his metabolism. Without periodic doses of a special serum, Simon would die within a week. This was intended to ensure Simon's loyalty to Zemo, the only man who could provide the serum.

No relationship to WonderWoman, if you're [[{{Pun}} wondering]]. Though they have faced each other in [[IntercontinuityCrossover some crossovers]]. Also, he has nothing to do with [[ComicBook/WillEisnersWonderMan an old superhero made by Will Eisner]] of [[NamesTheSame the same name]] made decades before this one.

* StuntDouble: Taking advantage of his invulnerability, Simon worked as a stuntman when he couldn't find acting jobs.

The revived Simon joined the Avengers as Wonder Man, and was a member for years, becoming best friends with The Beast (from The ComicBook/{{X-Men}}, at the time an Avenger) and later had a romantic relationship with Wanda the Scarlet Witch (who ironically had once been married to The Vision.) Simon was one of the founding members of the West Coast Avengers, and began a side career in Hollywood as an actor and stuntman. After the dismantling of the West Coast branch, he joined Iron Man's new team, Force Works, but was disintegrated on the team's first mission. Many months later, he would remanifest in a purely energy state, thanks to the Scarlet Witch subconsciously using her powers to call on him in times of need; she would later find a way to fully restore Simon to a physical body.

''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'' teases the thought of adding Wonder Man to the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse, and casting Creator/NathanFillion (a member of director Creator/JamesGunn's ProductionPosse) as him.

* ''MarvelUltimateAlliance 2'': Non-playable, Wonder Man is a boss for the Anti-Registration side.

-->-- '''Wonder Man''' to TheVision, ''Wonder Man #8''

Wonder Man is a MarvelComics superhero created by Creator/StanLee, Don Heck, and Creator/JackKirby. Making his debut in ''Avengers #9'' (October, 1964), Simon Williams is one of the Avengers' strongest, most outspoken members. He won the SuperpowerLottery with his "ionic energy", which gives him speed, strength, immortality, flight, and plenty of other powers besides. (They tend to change with time.)

Arranging a staged battle between himself and the Masters of Evil, Wonder Man is successful in winning the Avengers over. After explaining his reliance on Zemo's serum, the Avengers attempt to cure him but are unsuccessful. Left with no choice but to remain loyal to Zemo, Wonder Man leads the Avengers into an ambush by the Masters of Evil. During the battle, Simon has a change of heart and helps the Avengers defeat the Masters instead, knowing full well that he was sacrificing his lifeline in the process. Proud of his choice, Simon succumbs to the treatment's deadly side effect and falls into a coma. Unable to find any life signs, the Avengers come to the conclusion that Simon passed away. Placing his body in suspended animation for the trip back to the United States, Iron Man creates a copy of Simon's brain patterns in the hope that one day they'll be able to revive him. The brain patterns were later used by the super-villain Ultron to create a personality matrix for TheVision, a synthezoid who would turn against his master and join the Avengers. Given Simon's history of having done exactly the same thing, this wasn't one of Ultron's smartest plans.

* RobotMe: TheVision, who possesses a copy of Simon's brain patterns. Initially disturbed by the synthezoid, Simon eventually recognizes the Vision as a "brother".

In the UltimateMarvel universe, Wonder Man is the current form of [[ComicBook/UltimateFantasticFour Ultimate Ben Grimm]], after he "metamorphs" out of his classical {{golem}}-like form.

No relationship to WonderWoman, if you're [[{{Pun}} wondering]]. Though they have faced each other in [[IntercontinuityCrossover some crossovers]].