Wonder Man will soon be debuting in the live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe through a live-action series currently in the works, with the fascinating superhero embodied by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. That said, it sounds like a good time to discuss the character’s origins, powers, and most importantly, his hatred for Tony Stark, aka Iron Man.
The son of industrialist Sanford Williams, Wonder Man, aka Simon Williams, is a former actor turned superhero empowered by ionic energy. Initially, a normal person, he didn’t start his life with superpowers. It was only after Baron Heinrich Zemo’s experiment that he was transformed into an ion-powered superhero with incredible, formidable strength (more on this later).
The experiment had Simon enduring the “ionic ray” bombardment, which fuses his body with Pym Particle-charged energy. This, in turn, transforms him into something far beyond human, as his flesh and bones are replaced by living ion energy, making him a being who no longer bleeds, breathes, or ages. He once even confirmed he wasn’t made of flesh and blood at all, because of which, he cannot be infected by alien symbiotes, either.
His power set is a staggering catalogue of superhuman feats. Wonder Man’s superpowers basically include superhuman strength, stamina, speed, agility, reflexes, and senses, alongside added perks like invulnerability, flight, self-power augmentation, resurrection empowerment, immortality, ionic-regenerative healing, shapeshifting, size alteration, power recycling, teleportation, and a ton of energy manipulation abilities.
Simon possesses tremendous strength and is capable of lifting over 100 tons. He has even been called one of the strongest beings on Earth, standing in the same league as Hercules, the Hulk, and even the Sentry. His body can easily shrug off high-caliber gunfire, fall from orbit, and even re-enter through Earth’s atmosphere without any damage.
What makes this particular superhero’s powers even more formidable is how, with every death, he resurrects stronger than before. This is because his ionic body rebuilds itself, granting him functional immortality and complete self-sustenance to the point where he needs no food, water, or sleep, and can survive indefinitely in the vacuum of space.
Over the years, Simon has learned to channel the full potential of his energy-based physiology. He can fly at supersonic speeds, unleash devastating ionic blasts and beams, create energy constructs, and manipulate electromagnetic fields. His body can regenerate from virtually any damage, even reforming after total disintegration.
At times in the comics, his powers have even taken unexpected turns: From shapeshifting into demonic forms to growing in size, or even accidentally transferring his energy to others, spawning an entire team of powered individuals. Wonder Man’s strength often fluctuates with his state of mind, with his powers surging when his emotions spiral out of control.
Why Does Wonder Man Hate Iron Man?
Wonder Man shares a pretty long shared history with Iron Man in the comics. It goes back to when Simon Williams inherited his father’s company, Williams Innovations. After inheriting his father’s fortune, Simon is unable to sustain the company due to stiff competition from Tony Stark’s Stark Industries. Plus, his brother Eric Williams’ criminal dealings further led to the company’s financial ruin.
When Simon gets caught trying to embezzle funds for the company, he is incarcerated. He naturally blames Tony Stark, since his company went under after losing out on contracts to Stark Industries, leading to this eventual turn of events. Thus, he vows vengeance on Stark. And he got the chance to take it, too, after being approached by Baron Heinrich Zemo.
A man with his own malicious intentions, Zemo transforms Simon into an ion-powered superhero named Wonder Man. Zemo uses him as his pawn, entrusting him to infiltrate the Avengers and betray them. To ensure his cooperation, he also tells him that a side effect of the treatment that gave Simon his powers was that it altered his metabolism, such that he would die within the week unless given regular treatments of an unspecified antidote.
Thus, earning the trust of the Avengers before betraying them is what Simon sets out to accomplish, before an attack of conscience makes him turn against Zemo. He sacrifices himself to save the team, ending up in a deathlike coma due to the unstable process, displaying no vital signs.
Wonder Man Went From a Supervillain to a Superhero in Marvel
In the comics, Simon Williams really goes from being a supervillain with formidable strength to a superhero. But his story doesn’t end with his betraying Zemo and ending up in a coma, as he is later revived by Voodoo magic in New Orleans under Eric’s control, who becomes the Grim Reaper. After being brought back, Simon once again attacks the Avengers. However, this time around, too, he regains his will with their help.
After eventually recovering, Wonder Man joins the team full-time, battling enemies like Ultron and Graviton. He then moves to Hollywood as well, finding success in acting once again before rejoining the superhero life with the Avengers West Coast. At the time of the Superhuman Registration Act conflict, he sides with the pro-registration faction and joins the Mighty Avengers, fighting in the Secret Invasion and World War Hulk while dating Ms. Marvel.
Moving forward in his story, the Wonder Man also opposes Norman Osborn and forms the Lethal Legion. Disillusioned yet again, he forms the Revengers to confront the Avengers directly. However, he ends up defeated by them. Still, later on, he redeems himself by helping rescue the Wasp and joining the Avengers Unity Division. Simon continues his heroism by helping protect Laussa Odinsdottir from Malekith during the War of the Realms.
Now that he is being brought forth in the live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe as well, it will be interesting to see what approach Yahya Abdul-Mateen II will take while taking over the role. It’s worth noting, though, that Disney recently gave a first glimpse of the character through an official teaser trailer for the upcoming television series. Take a look at the teaser here:
Looking at the teaser, it feels like Simon will struggle with the extent of his powers in live-action, too, just like he did in the comics. But how exactly will his character be tamed and brought to the screens, especially with those magnanimous superpowers that he sports? Guess that’s something only time can tell.
Either way, are you excited for this upcoming show on Wonder Man from Marvel? Got some thoughts or opinions of your own to share about it? Do make sure to let us know in the comments section below!
The Wonder Man miniseries is set to be released in January 2026 in the USA on Disney+.
