On the surface, ‘Wonder Man’ can appear to be a small, character-driven Disney+ show about fame, identity, and the price of living a double life. However, under the surface, the show seems to be preparing one of the most unusual, weakest, and unconventional Avengers teams in the MCU to exist.
As the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been busy developing gods, super-soldiers, and cosmic warriors, ‘Wonder Man’ is a hint at a much different part of the superhero universe. And in this universe, powers do not equal respect, and the Avengers’ name is something people try to borrow rather than earn. And at the heart of that change is a curious rule, an obscure character, and a team that was never meant to save the world in the traditional sense.
MCU Is Quietly Preparing A Very Different Kind Of Avengers Team
Among the most eye-opening facts that have come out of the promotional content of ‘Wonder Man’ is not a fight scene or a villain tease, but a legal provision. The series posters mention a document known as The Doorman Clause, which prohibits super-powered people from working in Hollywood. It is a smart joke on the surface, and it also suits the satirical tone of the show. However, take a closer look, and it becomes a surprisingly smart piece of MCU world-building.
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The reason why Simon Williams has been struggling to conceal his powers becomes a lot more apparent. Being an actor is his source of livelihood, and in this version of the MCU, the open display of superpowers would automatically terminate a career. Not because powers are illegal, but because they are a liability. Studios are afraid of accidents, lawsuits, and the mess that ensues with enhanced individuals attempting to lead normal professional lives.
The most significant hint is the name of the clause itself. In the Marvel Comics, Doorman is a mutant who can transform his body into a living door and transport other people through himself. It is a weird power, and precisely the sort of thing that can be disastrously misused on a movie set. The connotation is nearly too good. The Doorman of the MCU might have been a former working actor or stunt performer whose abilities resulted in an expensive or dangerous event.
Suddenly, what sounds like a throwaway joke becomes a plausible, human reaction to a world filled with superheroes. It is also perfectly compatible with the MCU, which has increasingly been interested in how normal systems, such as law, business, media, etc., are accommodating superhuman anarchy. From damage control agencies to the copyright lawsuits, Marvel has been delving into the banal implications of extraordinary individuals. ‘Wonder Man’ seems to be willing to carry on with that trend with humor and heart.
The Great Lakes Avengers: The MCU’s Most Self-Aware Team
Should Doorman really be the same character that fans of the comics recognize? His appearance opens the possibility of something unexpected: the eventual creation of the Great Lakes Avengers. The Great Lakes Avengers are not superheroes in the Marvel Comics. They are a team of young, inexperienced, and usually clumsy people who use the Avengers name without authorization. Their intentions are pure, but their implementation is dubious.
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Early stories leaned heavily into comedy, with the team being so ineffective that it was once beaten by Hawkeye single-handedly in a one-sided five-on-one match. And still, that is why they may work in the MCU. The franchise has already made some unexpected additions. ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’ brought in another main character from the Great Lakes Avengers, Mr. Immortal. This further proves that Marvel is not afraid to explore its more bizarre side.
As Doorman is going to be featured in Wonder Man, two of the team members are already canonized. More importantly, the MCU has publicly admitted that the Avengers brand is not a light matter. In ‘Thunderbolts’, the lawsuit filed by Sam Wilson against another team on copyright infringement over the name Avengers was a joke. It also set a precedent that not every person who wants to be an Avenger gets to be one.
The Great Lakes Avengers do well there. They live in the shadow of real heroes, attempting to live up to a name that seems to be beyond their reach. In a world of multiversal deities and intergalactic wars, it is a breath of fresh human air to have a team that fights, loses, and continues to fight. If Marvel does choose to bring the Great Lakes Avengers to life, they won’t be the weakest team in terms of heart, only in reputation.
