For those who have been wanting something different in the superhero genre, Wonder Man delivers. A superhero show without powers, tight outfits, or a hint of a big bad.
Wonder Man Review
Despite being a comic reader, Wonder Man was never on my radar. I knew who he was in the context of the West Coast Avengers but his standalone books were not a thing for me. Truthfully, the character as a whole never grabbed my attention like say a Rogue, Scarlet Witch, or a Captain America. Him being a more obscure Marvel hero, especially for the casual MCU fan, is fitting for the type of show Wonder Man is. It's not your average superhero outing, barely any powers, no big bad, and practically crumbs in terms of tie-ins to the larger universe. If Trevor Slattery (Sir Ben Kingsley) wasn't around you might not even realize this is in fact a Marvel Studios project. Which also means, your mileage may vary in terms of enjoyment. If you wanted a WandaVision/Loki level project with implications for the future that features some insane power usage then this isn't the show for you. But if superhero fatigue is a thing (and I hate even using that term because I think it's just ridiculous) then maybe Wonder Man is the perfect palate cleanser.
Wonder Man isn't meant to be a traditional hero-vs-villain showdown or something that ends with a big reveal for Avengers Doomsday. Rather, co-creators Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) and Andrew Guest (Community), have opted for a grounded, character study that just happens to take place in the world that is home to heroes like Black Panther, Spider-Man, and Thor. The key here is to know what you're getting into. It flies in stark contrast to other Marvel Television offerings, focusing on a struggling actor who happens to have a secret and another washed up actor who also has a secret. If you go into this show not expecting superhero flair then I think you will enjoy it for the standalone story that it is.
Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is an actor, struggling to land a role that will carry him into the spotlight. He struggles with anxiety, overthinking, and being a film nerd in a world that just wants him to stand still, say his lines, and leave. Not only does he come off annoying but he also is hiding something that makes him seem like a powder keg ready to explode. When he gets extremely upset, objects around him shake and sometimes explode. Simon tries to control it because he would rather be an actor than a hero. If anyone finds out about his powers he would lose his dream of becoming a star forever thanks to the Doorman Clause which is explained in episode 4. One day, Simon meets Trevor Slattery (Kingsley) at a movie theater. The two bond over their love of film and Trevor becomes a mentor to Simon. Unfortunately, he is also hiding a secret. Trevor is working for the Department of Damage Control to find dirt on Simon in exchange for his freedom.
Wonder Man spends most of its time showing what it's like to be a struggling actor. The grind of trying to get the attention of your agent, casting directors, and the world at large. It's a very meta look at how the industry works and as someone who has visited sets, is friends with people in the business, and works closely with it, I can say it all looks very accurate. Hollywood isn't as glamorous as you may think, the struggle is real, and trying to hide powers would indeed exacerbate all of the problems. Comparisons to the show The Studio are bound to circulate but this show was in production first, it just got caught up in the strikes which delayed its release.
Thanks to that focus on “life as an actor,” the real heart of the show is found– the relationship between Simon and Trevor. It's not meant to act as an odd-couple comedy, but rather something deeper and more meaningful. These two aren't as opposite as they may look on the surface. They are both ostracized men, who happen to nerd out over film and all the various components of how movies are created. It's an affecting friendship, one that lights up the screen. Cretton and Guest do a great job of showing the turmoil within each character. The conflict Trevor faces as he grows to be fond of Simon and the loneliness Simon feels even in a crowded room. These two have a bond that you want to root for and their shared scenes are the highlights of the series.
As mentioned above, this show lacks connectivity to the greater MCU. There aren't easter eggs hinting at someone as mysterious as Mephisto or even comic book deep cuts to make the biggest geeks point like that Leo meme at their TVs. This show won't ignite weekly discussions or theorizing about what it could mean which is why it was released all at once. The binge method works best for this type of story and anyone who was around for and eagerly participated in the WandaVision discussions will agree with me. Now there are some small nods to things we have seen before. Trevor obviously is the biggest, but Agent Cleary (Arian Moayed) also shows back up, hinting that the DODC might still be a threat to heroes living in the MCU. The Doorman episode provides an additional connection to Roxxon (Loki did it first) making some of us hopeful that Cloak and Dagger might make a comeback in the future.
Verdict
Ultimately, if you are looking for a superhero show minus the powers, fighting, deep cuts, and big reveals then Wonder Man should get top billing. This is a series packed with meta-humor, character study, and an inside look at a day-in-the-life of an “average” person in the MCU. Abdul-Mateen II and Kingsley are fun to watch and to cheer on. Kingsley's Trevor has endeared himself to me since Shang-Chi and I was happy they gave us more time with him in Wonder Man. Who knows when we will see him again or if his brother will actually turn into the Grim Reaper, but it's clear that Marvel is experimenting with the formula and variety is never a bad thing.
All eight episodes of Wonder Man are now streaming on Disney Plus.
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