As the Marvel Cinematic Universe gears up for its next major phase, a mix of excitement and uncertainty fills the air. New heroes are emerging, old ones are stepping aside, and the stakes for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ are higher than ever.
However, amid the buzz, one new hero, Wonder Man, might already be walking toward an unavoidable fate. Though his live-action debut is still months away, theories are swirling that Simon Williams, a.k.a. Wonder Man, is destined for tragedy. It’s not surprising, as his comic book history paints him as both a symbol of resurrection and a constant victim of fate.
Wonder Man’s MCU Journey Feels Predestined
On paper, Wonder Man should be a beacon of optimism for Marvel fans. Simon Williams, a failed industrialist turned ionic-powered superhero, is unlike most MCU characters we’ve seen so far. He’s flawed, introspective, and carries the heart of a man constantly torn between humanity and power. His upcoming Disney+ series, ‘Wonder Man’, promises to explore those inner conflicts. However, fans familiar with the comics know that Simon’s story starts, and restarts, with death.
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In his very first comic appearance back in 1964’s Avengers #9, Wonder Man is introduced as a tragic figure manipulated by Baron Zemo into infiltrating the Avengers. His debut ends in heartbreak: Simon sacrifices himself to save the very heroes he was ordered to destroy. The emotional weight of this act defined his entire legacy. Additionally, it wouldn’t be the last time Simon Williams faced death. Years later, it’s revealed that Wonder Man didn’t truly die but was instead trapped in a state of suspended animation.
Though he was eventually revived, the trauma of dying, or feeling dead, never left him. His resurrection gave him a unique kind of existential dread; he’d already experienced mortality, and it haunted him. For decades, Marvel writers leaned into this duality. Simon was powerful but deeply afraid of losing control, of fading into nothingness again. In many ways, he’s Marvel’s most human “immortal.” This is precisely why his addition to the MCU at this stage feels possibly tragic.
How Wonder Man’s “Death” Could Become The Emotional Centerpiece Of New Avengers Era
Marvel has long used death as a storytelling tool, not just for shock value, but to evolve its heroes. Iron Man’s sacrifice in ‘Endgame’ reshaped the MCU’s emotional foundation. Now, it might be Wonder Man’s turn. The MCU’s timeline places Wonder Man’s series right before ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, suggesting that Marvel is introducing Simon just in time to include him in the multiverse-shattering chaos. This timing feels intentional, almost too intentional.
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In the comics, Kang the Conqueror plays a key role in Wonder Man’s resurrection. And Kang is the connective tissue between all major upcoming MCU events. Even if the franchise is reworking its villain lineup, Kang’s legacy still lingers, and Wonder Man’s ties to that storyline could make him both a victim and a vessel for something bigger. However, here’s where it gets fascinating: Wonder Man’s “death” doesn’t have to be permanent. It can serve as a catalyst. Simon Williams could die in one timeline, only to return in another.
