With the series set to drop on Disney, it’s time for a recap of one of the lesser-known Avengers.

The Avengers have a long and rich, arguably complex, history. They have been around long enough, and had enough members, that they hit many tropes. Two of their recurring ideas, “reformed villain joins the team” and “character is now back from the dead” combine in the person of Simon Williams, much better known as Wonder Man.

Simon was an engineer who inherited Williams Innovations from his father. The company was doing badly, losing out in competition to Stark Industries. Following bad advice from his brother Eric, Simon began embezzling, but got caught and arrested. Not seeing many other options, and blaming Stark for his problems, he accepted an offer from Baron Zemo and the Enchantress. He was subjected to an experimental process, his body undergoing many changes, and he was dubbed Wonder Man. Zemo told Williams that he needed a serum that only Zemo had in order to survive, and was ordered to help lead the heroes into a trap. Simon rebelled, helped save the Avengers, and then apparently died. But, as I’ve said many a time, no one dies forever in comics. His brother Eric blamed the Avengers for Simon’s death, and eventually became the villain known as the Grim Reaper.

Simon’s body was undergoing changes, and he became a being composed of ionic energy. While he was dead to the world, Ultron stole his recorded brain patterns, using them to create the Vision, both creating a strange familial link on the team, and placing the Vision at the top of Grim Reaper’s enemy list. Finally recovering, Wonder Man joined the Avengers, becoming best friends with the Beast.  Growing interested in acting, he moved to Hollywood, and became a reserve Avenger. He mostly got work as a stuntman, since his body was now essentially invulnerable from physical harm. He also at times tested new defense equipment for various companies. Wonder Man was a founding member of the West Coast Avengers, and the subsequent team Force Works. He died and came back several more times, each time his body changing more. Simon has been a member of, and clashed with, the Avengers at various times in his career. Despite some odd takes on the character, he returns to his heroic status and answers the team when they call for his help.

Wonder Man has become a being of pure ionic energy. His strength is comparable to Thor, and his body can take enormous amounts of damage with no apparent effect. He has reflexes and speed that are far superior to human. Simon has developed the power to fly under his own power, no longer needing the rocket belt he used earlier in his career. His eyes look like drifting patterns of energy when he doesn’t concentrate, and his entire body glows with energy when he uses his powers later in his career. He does not need to eat, sleep, or breathe, but does so to blend in with people and make himself feel more human. Simon is so far from human that, when Rogue first appeared as a member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants and attacked him, her powers could not affect him, to their mutual surprise.

Wonder Man has been in cartoons and video games. Despite earlier rumors about Nathan Fillion playing him in Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2, the forthcoming Disney+ Series marks his first time in live action.

Simon has had many different looks over time, and humorously listed his past costume designers as among his worst enemies.