Another famous Marvel superhero will be making his MCU debut soon as actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was recently announced to be playing Simon Williams, AKA Wonder Man, in an upcoming Disney+ series for the character. This marks yet another powerful hero that will be introduced into the Multiverse Saga chapter of the long-running franchise.
In the comics, Wonder Man has been a part of several teams, including the Avengers and the West Coast Avengers. As such, he has had a chance to perform numerous heroic actions in order to save his friends and the world. But some of his actions have to be weighed as far more heroic than others, and these 10 moments in Wonder Man's history are him at his best.
10 Letting Rogue Absorb Him
Uncanny Avengers #21
When Exitar the Executioner attacks the Earth, Wonder Man and his current team, the Avengers Unity Division, are among the heroes that are called upon to stop him. But the plan would only be able to succeed thanks to one person, Rogue.
The plan is for Rogue to absorb the powers of almost every superhero she can in order to hold off Exitar single-handedly. In a show of trust, Wonder Man allows his own powers to be absorbed, which, given that he's a being of pure ionic energy, meant his entire physical form is absorbed as well. His sacrifice helped pave the way to victory, though he himself would remain trapped inside Rogue for years later until a kiss between her and Deadpool allowed himself to return.
9 Saving Vision From Grim Reaper
Avengers Vol 1. #160
Recently, Marvel announced that a new series starring Vision is also in the works, and there are already plenty of fan theories about it. But what many may not realize is how close Vision and Wonder Man are in the comics, and how Wonder Man saved the android's life once.
Trapped by Wonder Man's brother, the villain Grim Reaper, and put on trial to figure out who the real Wonder Man is, the villain decides to execute Vision due to his brainwaves only being modeled after Wonder Man rather than Wonder Man himself. Wonder Man protects Vision and is able to defeat his brother easily due to being immune to his weapons. Since then, Wonder Man and Vision often consider themselves brothers.
8 Fighting Against Hydra's U.S. Takeover
Secret Empire
The Secret Empire storyline - in which an evil Captain America helps Hydra take over the United States - was easily a miss for fans. But Wonder Man once again shows off his heroic side during this event.
After the takeover is complete, he remains part of a resistance led by the remaining heroes against Hydra and its forces. Though his role in the overall event remains small, this showing of rebellion against Hydra and their plans for world domination is still quite an act to do, especially with so many other powerful heroes imprisoned or sealed off in New York City. Hope for victory is small, and the betrayal of Captain America runs deep, but Wonder Man still fights to save the country and the world.
7 Helping To Destroy Damocles Base
Avengers Vol 3 #52-54
Kang the Conquerer has been set up to be the next big bad of the MCU, but he was even more dangerous in the comics when he managed to essentially take over the world in the Kang Dynasty event.
However, Wonder Man proved to play a key role in defeating the villain for good. Knowing that Damocles Base, Kang's stronghold, is key to his plans, Wonder Man volunteers for a mission with Thor, Iron Man, Warbird, and Firestar to destroy the base. Even when Kang returns to the base and the mission turns into a no-win scenario, Wonder Man goes through with the mission anyway, knowing that it's the only way to save the world from Kang's rule.
6 Protecting Laussa Odinsdottir
War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery
When Malekith led an attack on Earth during the War of the Realms, Odin's daughter, Laussa, became a target and was pursued by Ares. Because of this, Balder the Brave assigned a group of heroes of protecting her and taking her west.
Despite being a pacifist, Wonder Man was a part of this team. He and the others, including Miles Morales and Kate Bishop, went on a cross-country road trip to protect the girl from Ares and his minions. Even though Wonder Man refuses to strike anyone, even when the fate of the world and Laussa is at stake, he still proves his worth and remained a part of the team until the end.
5 Rescuing Wasp From The Microverse
Avengers Vol. 4 #34
There are many things only comic book fans know about the Wasp, including the fact that her apparent death at the conclusion of Secret Invasion was really her getting trapped in the Microverse, where she remained for years.
Wonder Man, wanting to repent for past actions against the Avengers, played a key role in saving her. After following the founding Avengers into the Microverse using Pym Particles, Wonder Man saves their lives when he appears and manages to attack Lord Gouzar, breaking his helmet and giving the team the opening to attack, letting them defeat Gouzar and finally get the chance to bring Wasp home.
4 Battling The Warbound
World War Hulk
What many may not realize about the facts of World War Hulk is just how large of scope the war was and just how many heroes were involved, including Wonder Man himself.
As part of the registered heroes (due to this story taking place after Civil War), Wonder Man joins Earth's heroes in defending New York from Hulk's Warbound when he comes to take revenge on the Illuminati. Despite Wonder Man's immense power, however, he still is unable to last forever against the savagery and the expert fighting skills of the Warbound, and he is eventually captured. Still, defending allies even when they've done something wrong is a noble and heroic act.
3 Foiling Doom's World Takeover Plot
Marvel Graphic Novel: Emperor Doom - Starring The Mighty Avengers
Wonder Man hasn't always been a side character helping teams out in his more heroic actions. There was one time when he played the most important role in saving the world from Doctor Doom.
Doom managed to take complete control of the world by kidnapping the villain Purple Man and using his mind-control powers to enslave the planet, including the Avengers. However. Wonder Man remains unaffected due to being in a sensory deprivation chamber at the time. Seeing the world under Doom's control, he sets out and frees several Avengers from Doom's influence before taking the fight directly to him and taking him out, saving the world once again.
2 Betraying Zemo
Avengers Vol. 1 #9
Wonder Man's first appearance in the comics was as a villain set to trick the Avengers at the behest of Baron Zemo. But this was not set to last.
Surprised by the Avengers' kindness and their willingness to help him find a cure to the poison he had been inflicted with despite not knowing him, Wonder Man betrays Zemo and his team of villains after leading the Avengers into a trap. He manages to save the Avengers and the Masters of Evil are defeated, but ultimately apparently dies of the poison in the end. In reality, however, he is merely in a coma, and he later is revived even stronger than before.
1 Overcoming His Fears To Battle Korvac
Avengers Vol. 1 #177
Wonder Man struggles with his fears of death throughout his early appearances, making him difficult to get into battle. All this would change when fighting one of the Avengers' most powerful enemies, Michael Korvac.
After Korvac kills nearly every single hero sent to stop him, Wonder Man overcomes this fear of death after seeing Captain America bravery stand his ground against the villain only to fall before him. He launches his own attacks against him, fighting with everything he has. This would still not be enough, as Korvac would take him down moments later. In the end, however, Wonder Man and the rest of the fallen heroes would be resurrected following Korvac's apparent death.