With audiences craving superhero stories that feel fresh, character-driven, and self-aware, Marvel’s Wonder Man drops not a moment too soon. This eight-episode Disney+ limited series, premiering January 27th, 2026, offers an accessible entry point well positioned to drive both longtime MCU fans and curious newcomers toward Wonder Man comics.
Simon Williams is a character with deep Marvel roots and a long history of reinvention. First introduced in The Avengers #9 (1964) by Stan Lee, Don Heck, and Jack Kirby, Wonder Man began as an antagonist before evolving into a core Avenger. His shifting identity – between hero, outsider, and celebrity – has become a staple of this character, making his longtime dream of becoming an actor a natural foundation and an intuitive starting point for this series.
Photo via David Livingston/FilmMagic/Image via Marvel Comics
In the Disney+ series, Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is a struggling actor chasing a breakthrough in the industry. When he learns his childhood favorite film, Wonder Man, is getting revamped, Simon is determined to land a role. In pursuit, he crosses path with Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley), who’s looking to revamp his career that has been derailed by his supposed Ten Ring ties as the “Mandarin.” The two encounter Von Kovach (Zlatko Burić), the legendary director who comes out of retirement hoping to redefine the very genre of superhero filmmaking. The three come together, each at a different point of their Hollywood careers, pursuing relevance, redemption, and reinvention. What happens when the superhero actor is actually a superhero? Where does Slattery’s allegiance ultimately lie? And will Von Kovach succeed in rewriting the superhero narrative?
Tonally, Wonder Man promises a blend of action, comedy, sci-fi, and satire. Focused on both performance and identity as well as superpowers, Marvel positions Hollywood as the metaphor for how superheroes function within the modern cultural psyche. By pulling back the curtain on spectacle, Marvel positions Wonder Man as both entertainment and commentary, signaling a conscious effort to refresh the genre in-world and beyond.
Co-created by Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings, Spider-Man: Brand New Day), and Andrew Guest (Community, Hawkeye), the series balances strong character development with clear MCU connectivity. This approach shows the continued efforts of Marvel to satiate long time MCU fans while also broadening its appeal by attracting audiences drawn to smart satire, outsider narratives, and emotionally grounded storytelling.
Wonder Man, Disney+ 2026
For retailers, the Wonder Man series presents a clear runway to position Wonder Man titles in-store and online. For those looking for an accessible and affordable entry point, Marvel-Verse: Wonder Man (9781302954543) will be a go-to, and for those looking for a deeper cut, Wonder Man: The Saga of Simon Williams (9781302956844) will provide a comprehensive dive. With Wonder Man debuting in late January, the series arrives just ahead of the key Final Order Cutoff date for the new upcoming Wonder Man comic series (75960621326900111). Additionally, all these drops come just as award speculation begins, so retailers can expect press coverage and word of mouth boosting audience engagement. With both Kinglsey and Abdul-Mateen II, two performers with established awards recognition, the series is well positioned to sustain attention beyond its premier, making now an ideal moment for retailers to review orders and shift shelf space to make way for Wonder Man.
