The Wonder Man streaming series was a surprise smash hit for the MCU. It’s not surprising that Marvel would try to capitalize on this popularity with a new comic. Nor is it a surprise that they might change aspects of Simon Williams‘ history in the comics to better mimic the show. This is particularly true of one retcon revealed in the first issue.
Written by Gerry Duggan, with art by Mark Buckingham and Aure Jimenez, Wonder Man #1 is a crash course introduction to the comics’ Simon Williams. A series of flashbacks confirm his origin as a corporate enemy of Tony Stark, later given superpowers by Baron Zemo as part of a scheme to destroy the Avengers.
When Iron Man and his allies helped stabilize Williams’ new ionic energy form, he turned over a new leaf. He joined the Avengers and his brainwave patterns later formed the basis of Vision‘s mind. He also started an unlikely new career as an actor when he wasn’t saving the world. The new Wonder Man comic keeps this history intact, but introduces one major change.
Retcon gives Wonder Man a sidekick like Trevor
The most endearing aspect of the MCU Wonder Man show was the relationship between Simon Williams and Trevor Slattery. The two actors became friends and Trevor began mentoring Simon after seemingly meeting by chance at a screening of Midnight Cowboy. However, Trevor (who had posed as the terrorist leader called the Mandarin) was being coerced into spying on Simon to prove he was an unlicensed superhuman.
The new Wonder Man comic establishes a similar relationship between Simon Williams and a character who was retconned into his past. The flashbacks reveal that when Simon went to prison for embezzlement, he met a man named Randolph Chancellor. An actor/singer by trade, Randolph sought to befriend Simon hoping the larger man would protect him behind bars.
However, the two became honest friends and the grateful Randolph gave Simon his first lessons in the actor’s craft. Years later, Wonder Man repaid the favor by getting Randolph minor roles in his movies. Ironically, as the new comic opens, this relationship has reversed.
Randolph is now a successful voice actor and Wonder Man is the has-been Randolph has to help get work. Simon is also acting as Randolph’s handler, as his bad behavior off-the-set starts to interfere with his work. This sets up a mystery the new series will explore regarding just what Randolph did to be imprisoned.
Wonder Man #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
