Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Avengers Assemble #3! Simon Williams aka Wonder Man you’re about to do yours UCM debuts in Disney+’s next original miniseries, Wonder Man. While he may be just entering the scene in the live-action realm, Wonder Man has been one of the Avengers’ main heroes for some time now and is currently serving as one of Earth’s most powerful heroes in the modern day. In fact, during his last mission, Wonder Man gets a new nickname ahead of Simon Williams’ MCU debut – and it’s absolutely perfect.
In a preview for Avengers montage #3 by Steve Orlando and Marcelo Ferreira, the Avengers Emergency Response Squad (also known as AVENG.ERS) is at Avengers Mansion in New York, awaiting an emergency. When a colony of newly turned daywalker vampires (remains of Blood Hunt) is attacked by fanatical vampire hunters, the AVENG.ERS spring into action – and Wonder Man is on the list.
The AVENG.ERS fight against the team of vampire hunters called the Nightstalkers, and the AVENG.ERS do not stop in their ferocity as they fight these vampire-slaying villains. However, at least one of them takes no pleasure in causing harm to anyone, and that hero is Wonder Man. In fact, this is perfectly captured by his new nickname, which his AVENG.ERS colleagues gave him right before this mission: “The Wise Old Pacifist”.
Wonder Man’s new nickname is “The Wise Old Pacifist”
Simon Williams’ nickname is perfect for his portrayal in the MCU
It has been established in more recent comics (most notably in X Force Vol. 6) that Wonder Man has become something of a pacifist. Though he’s still ready to be a superhero in a heartbeat – hence why he’s currently serving as an Avenger and why he helped the Beast during the events of X Force Vol. 6 – Simon has made it clear that he derives no personal pleasure from the action. He is a truly powerful force in the Marvel Universe and feels called to use his powers for good, but that doesn’t mean he enjoys using them.
This depiction of Wonder Man is absolutely perfect for the MCU, especially considering what fans have seen in the Wonder Man teaser trailer released by Marvel Studios. In the MCU, Simon Williams is an actor who plays Wonder Man. He doesn’t really want to fight, nor does he have the superhuman ability to do so (at least apparently). And interestingly enough, Marvel Comics’ Wonder Man decided to focus on his acting career when he became a pacifist, which even more aligns with the MCU’s portrayal.
“The Wise Old Pacifist” wouldn’t always have been the best nickname for Wonder Man
Wonder Man began his career in Marvel Comics as an Avengers villain
Simon Williams was not always “The Wise Old Pacifist” that he is today, as he actually began his career as a an Avengers villain working with Baron Zemo and the Masters of Evil. After Williams was sent to prison for embezzlement (a case in which Star Industries was involved), he blamed Tony Stark. Then, Zemo used Williams’ anger to convince him to undergo “ion ray” treatment, transforming Williams into Wonder Man. Upon becoming superhuman, Wonder Man attacked the Avengers and nearly brought the team he would eventually join to a quick and violent end.
Wonder Man has certainly come a long way from his villainous past (even if he did redeem himself in that same story arc), as he is no longer someone who takes pleasure in the idea of hurting people, truly becoming “The Old Man.” Pacifist Sage.” And the timing for this couldn’t be better, as Wonder Man gets a new nickname that is an absolutely perfect representation of what fans will see in his UCM debut.
Avengers Montage #3 from Marvel Comics is now available.
Launching on Disney+ as a limited series, Marvel Studios’ Wonder Man introduces the titular Avengers hero to the MCU. Starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as actor-turned-superhero Simon Williams, Wonder Man also features Ben Kingsley, who reprises his role from Iron Man 3, and Shang-Chi as eccentric dramatic actor Trevor Slattery.