UPDATE: Marvel Comics Will Introduce A New, Black WONDER MAN Later This Year

UPDATE: Marvel Comics Will Introduce A New, Black WONDER MAN Later This Year

It's been confirmed that Marvel Comics will introduce a new version of Wonder Man, who is clearly inspired by the version played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in the MCU.

News
By JoshWilding - Feb 20, 2026 11:02 PM EST
Filed Under: Marvel Comics
Source: Bleeding Cool

UPDATE: We now have a much clearer look at Marvel's new Wonder Man.

As a reminder, we don't believe this is Simon Williams; instead, it's likely a new character who gains Wonder Man's powers via an Origin Box.

He could be the Ultimate Simon transplanted to Earth-616, but that is very much TBD.

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Wonder Man premiered on Disney+ last month to glowing reviews. If one thing has become clear since then, it's that MCU fans want to see more of Simon Williams and Trevor Slattery moving forward. 

Marvel Studios made some big changes to the character during his journey from page to screen. In the comics, Simon is given powers by Baron Zemo and tasked with taking out The Avengers. He eventually sees the error of his ways, and while Wonder Man has flirted with villainy over the years, he's become a mainstay in the superhero team (his brain patterns were even used as a basis for Vision).

The MCU's Simon was introduced as an actor, and likely another mutant whose powers emerged during his formative years. After starring in a reboot of "Wonder Man," he breaks Trevor out of the Department of Damage Control's Supermax prison and blasts away. 

Marvel Comics has long been influenced by what happens on screen, and it's now been confirmed that we're getting a new, black Wonder Man later this year. The original Simon is white, but Marvel Studios cast the immensely talented Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for its version, a decision which has been met with widespread approval, given how superb the Watchmen star is in the role.

What's the deal with this new Wonder Man? We don't know. He was shown to ComicsPRO attendees alongside another new character, Hostilicus. Chances are that they'll both get these powers after being exposed to the Origin Boxes that Miles Morales brought back from the Ultimate Universe.

As a reminder, in that alternate reality, The Maker stopped countless people from becoming heroes by storing away the reason for their respective transformations (for example, he stole the spider that was meant to bite Peter Parker).

It's not clear what this means for the original Wonder Man, but it could be the end of the line for him. When Marvel Comics introduced a Black Nick Fury, he was revealed as Nick Fury Jr., the son of the original version, who was later turned into a villain before vanishing. The weird thing there was that Samuel L. Jackson's Nick was actually based on his lookalike in the alternate reality Ultimates series. 

You can check out a first look at the new Wonder Man below. It turns out he was also on the cover for Reborn: Ultimate Impact #1, we just didn't realise it at the time. 

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THE ULTIMATE UNIVERSE'S LEGACY LIVES ON!

MILES MORALES returned from the Ultimate Universe with a plan: safeguard the ORIGIN BOXES – catalysts for the creation of new super heroes – before they fall into the wrong hands! But the secret is out as Miles' battle over the boxes engulfs the entire Marvel U! This May, Chris Condon (ULTIMATE WOLVERINE) and Stefano Caselli (ULTIMATE BLACK PANTHER) team up to create stunning and unforgettable new characters on both sides of a conflict that will shape the future of the 616!

REBORN: ULTIMATE IMPACT #1 (OF 5)
Written by CHRIS CONDON
Art by STEFANO CASELLI
Cover by BEN HARVEY
On Sale 5/20

About The Author:
JoshWilding
Member Since 3/13/2009
Comic Book Reader. Film Lover. WWE and F1 Fan. Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic and ComicBookMovie.com's #1 contributor.
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Vigor
Vigor - 2/20/2026, 10:49 AM
More Interested in that Hostilicus
Great design there from what little I can see
dragon316
dragon316 - 2/20/2026, 1:47 PM
@Vigor - looks like body armor/hunting vest
alten2345
alten2345 - 2/20/2026, 10:51 AM
Meh
GComix85
GComix85 - 2/20/2026, 10:53 AM
How about just titling this as "A New Wonder Man"? Guess mentioning race gets people riled up and drives up the clicks and ad revenue.
Steel86
Steel86 - 2/20/2026, 11:15 AM
@GComix85 - Ha, was literally thinking this.
Scarilian
Scarilian - 2/21/2026, 6:58 PM
@GComix85 -
Honestly, same reason the comic has even done this. It generates conversation, even if that conversation does not translate to people actually supporting the comic.
UnderBelly
UnderBelly - 2/20/2026, 10:58 AM
The show was cool, but urgh.

For the comics if we need to fill a quota, then please just make new character or give a spotlight to the minorities that already exist...

For the screen i get it (to an extent) but please stop doing it where it's not neccesary.

Miles Morales, i get, it wasn't influenced by a movie or a TV series, but THIS? c'mon.


Anyway, to b honest i've not picked up a comic in a few year, so i guess i'm just venting. We'll see how this one goes.
epc1122
epc1122 - 2/20/2026, 12:00 PM
@UnderBelly - I don’t understand the difference if the change is influenced by tv/movies or if it starts in the comics. You mentioned getting miles morales but don’t agree with this change. At the time when miles came out, people were pretty upset about there being a black spider-man. I’m also trying to have an open honest conversation and trying to understand your viewpoint.
UnderBelly
UnderBelly - 2/20/2026, 1:33 PM
@epc1122 - When Miles came out and the reason he came out was a good example.

Miles came out as a new Spider-Man in the ultimate universe, which in itself was inspired by the 616 but going in its own direction etc...

The decision of killing Peter Parker for good in the universe gave birth to him, whilst the audience still had the 616 Spider-Man so he wasnt exactly replacing the Spider-Man mantle persay like Samuel L Fury did and this new Wonder-Man

Plus There's always been multiple 'spider' people so an addition of that calibur was ok to me. Yeah there was alot of noise about it, but remembering back to those years there was alot of positive feedback and it putting life (for a moment) back into the promise the ultimate universe had given fans.

This happened in the books first which I feel should always be the basis of influence for the movies/shows/games etc...like the Samuel L Jackson inspired Fury in The ultimates, which then went to the movies (but then back to the 616...urgh)

Wonder man bringing a new black version seems to be a reactive response to the show. Wonder-Man has never really been a top teir character with affiliates etc like Spder-Man so I guess thats why I get the Miles introducion a bit more. It felt more organic.

Thats just my take.
epc1122
epc1122 - 2/20/2026, 2:03 PM
@UnderBelly - I still don’t really understand the difference or the significance why someone would care which comes first or which inspired one or the other. If the story is entertaining, than what’s the difference? But it is what it is. For the record, it made sense to have miles morales and people still complained because Peter Parker was deemed the only true spider-man and he was being replaced by someone who wasn’t white. It was deemed a stunt and won’t lost. I just think it’s silly to get upset over whether or not theres black wonder man in the comics. Comics and media is always fluid and changing and going back and forth. Even a characters death isn’t permanent in this genre. But again, it is what it is. I appreciate your post and trying to explain but I guess I just don’t necessarily agree whether the change is first in the comics or some other media, as long as the story is entertaining and resonates with me. Hope you’re having a nice day. 😊
UnderBelly
UnderBelly - 2/20/2026, 3:14 PM
@epc1122 - like I said. Just an opinion.

What i will say about TV or movies and race changes though is that I'd normally be open to changes of a character's race or gender from the source if it adds some kind of cultural significance.. For example Namor! I loved what Coogler did there.

But if and when its done to pre established characters due to trying to meet quotas or check boxes of inclusion without any consideration for cultural impact then i'd think it's better to invent a new or enhance an underrated character and get us interested into them. Then make them spectacular in their own right.

Like the whole James Bond argument. I feel he should remain white and British.

The desire to have a black or other race for Bond should be met with a character who's well written, with his own backstory and some consideration for the choice's background to give some cultural impact rather than the easy and controversial option of just replacing. I say this as a black man myself, and see this introduction of the new Wonder-Man in the comics as a just a way to cash in on the positive reception for the show.

I could and welcome being wrong though.

You have a good day too. I appreciate the civility where we can disagree peacefully.
epc1122
epc1122 - 2/20/2026, 4:31 PM
@UnderBelly - in large part I agree with you. Not necessarily about bond because he’s just an agent and it almost makes sense that he’s different actors with different races to help with the under cover disguise but as far as the other stuff, agreed. But coming from someone who’s a short white guy, I’m not sure what the best way to have more equality. It’s almost a case by case situation. The show had a black actor as wonder man so to me, it’s logical to integrate that into the comics. The show in large part was well received. They already have a wonder man in the comics so I would assume it’s a multiverse character (don’t read comics much nowadays). Anyways, again, appreciate your post and again, hope you’re having a nice day. 👍
Ssturns19
Ssturns19 - 2/20/2026, 10:34 PM
@epc1122 - it's less about there being a black wonder man and more about the reason behind the decision. Like the other guy said with miles that was an organic decision made because Peter was going to be killed and Brian Michael bendis has an adopted daughter that is black so he wanted to add more people like her for his daughter. However with this, it feels far more like they simply wanted to make wonder man black because it will make more money. Hell, the version in the show is Simon Williams this is a completely different guy who has nothing to do with him other than the wonder man title. Again, nothing wrong with it conceptually, but the timing makes it come across a little gross
epc1122
epc1122 - 2/20/2026, 10:57 PM
@Ssturns19 - thanks for your post but humbly disagree. We really don’t know how organic miles morales really came about. Bendis said it was for his daughter but that could just be p.r. This new version of Wonder Man being a completely different character than the tv show almost sounds really similar to there being a Peter Parker and a miles morales. Again, I remember people being upset that there was a miles morales because to people, there’s only one spider-man. Personally, I think people read too much into this stuff. with wonder man the the tv show being generally liked, it makes sense to try to bring that popularity to the comics which is generally on the decline. Whether it’s movies, tv, art, toys, books, even schools, it’s all about making money. Some of the creators don’t care about the money and want to send some sort of message but the reality is, these companies want eyes on their product and to make money but also entertain. Again, I can see what you’re saying but I I just don’t really agree. Like the other poster, I hope you had a nice day and have a nice night!!
Ssturns19
Ssturns19 - 2/21/2026, 12:14 AM
@epc1122 - I mean I guess he could've been lying seems like a weirdly personal lie to make but I'm working off the facts given think what you want. Obviously this is all about money that is not lost on anyone, but this is also a creative field. They want to do something because it's in line with the movies, sure but have a reason further than thinking that changing a mans race will be a magic bullet to generate more money. And again, if your saying they are doing this to be in line with the show then change Simon to just be black if you care that little
epc1122
epc1122 - 2/21/2026, 12:33 AM
@Ssturns19 - I think people, especially on here do forget that this is a business and people get offended or upset way too easily. As far as Bendis goes, I could see Marvel asking Bendis what he could do to bring more diversity to spider-man and them collaborating to see what they can do. He could have went to marvel with an idea but ultimately they get the final say. I don’t think marvel is thinking it’s a magic bullet with this new wonder man and with them changing the color of wonder man will automatically bring in money, but it wouldn’t be the first time comics have tried to align with movies/tv. I think what they’re doing now with wonder man is actually really similar to what they did with spider-man. Making a new version of the character that’s black. They didn’t just make a black Peter Parker. Miles was a new character but still a new spider-man. It’s also similar to having John Stewart as a green lantern. Instead of people embracing this and maybe enjoy the story, people are getting offended over nothing really.
Ssturns19
Ssturns19 - 2/21/2026, 1:31 AM
@epc1122 - its really not the same thing as those are heroes already established as having many people with the same title. And again, if it was trying to be in line with the movies then they would make Simon black not create a completely new guy. I feel like you're making two different arguments that don't work together. Also I'm not offended by it and I seriously doubt a lot off people are, simply saying it comes off a bit gross given the timing with the show
Vigor
Vigor - 2/21/2026, 4:54 AM
@Ssturns19 - do we really know this isnt Simon?
skyshark03191
skyshark03191 - 2/21/2026, 7:52 AM
@UnderBelly - I just read Unlimited. Haven’t bought a hard copy in almost a decade.
epc1122
epc1122 - 2/21/2026, 8:35 AM
@Ssturns19 - I don’t agree with you. What’s the difference if those characters had established multi characters as the title or if they change it? Originally Superman was the only survivor of krypton with powers because they wanted to make him special and now there’s many kryptonians. Time change but unfortunately some are opposed to change. Regarding people being offended, people were upset they even made a wonder man show and there were countless unneeded conversations that it was a show people didn’t ask for. Now people are complaining that they’re trying to align the comics with the show. Can never win lol
Antitrollpatrol
Antitrollpatrol - 2/21/2026, 10:51 AM
@UnderBelly - I may be wrong, but the Wonder Man in the ultimates universe from the early 2000s was black in the comics.
UnderBelly
UnderBelly - 2/21/2026, 11:16 AM
@Antitrollpatrol - I don't think he was black, but he didn't look white.

Personally I would have been ok with that. Like I said the (original) ultimate universe was doing some wild and amazing stuff and reinventing characters with some original concepts...it wasnt trying to cash in on something else being popular.
Ssturns19
Ssturns19 - 2/21/2026, 11:28 AM
@epc1122 - people are gonna be upset over anything you don't have to care about vocal minorities because most of the time they blow over. Again, not offended and if this
Ssturns19
Ssturns19 - 2/21/2026, 11:31 AM
@Ssturns19 - if this ends up being good then who cares, this is based off an initial image and I'm giving my thoughts.and again this is not aligning it with the show. As far as we know, this is not Simon Williams. This is a different man who also happens to be black. Those are not the same people. If they wanted to make them more synergistic, they would make Simon black
epc1122
epc1122 - 2/21/2026, 12:11 PM
@Ssturns19 - I think in large part it’s a black wonder man so there is some synergy. Wonder man the character is what marvel is looking at, not necessarily the secret id. But it is what it is. I wouldn’t lose sleep over it. Hope you’re having a nice day. 👍
MisterBones
MisterBones - 2/20/2026, 11:03 AM
STOP. GIVING. BLACK. COMIC. MALE. CHARACTERS. THE KILLMONGER CUT!
UnderBelly
UnderBelly - 2/20/2026, 11:12 AM
@MisterBones - HAHAHA you know it!
MisterBones
MisterBones - 2/20/2026, 12:21 PM
@UnderBelly - its gotten so ridiculous
RaddRider
RaddRider - 2/20/2026, 11:12 AM
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Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 2/20/2026, 11:15 AM
Marvel Is done lol such a Mickey mouse company ..Charlie Kirk died for us AND this Is what amerifa has become what a jokes i wish i was in Uttar Pradesh redeeming like a Patel
epc1122
epc1122 - 2/20/2026, 12:01 PM
@Malatrova15 - Charlie Kirk didn’t die for you.
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 2/20/2026, 3:46 PM
@epc1122 - i say for us
epc1122
epc1122 - 2/20/2026, 3:54 PM
@Malatrova15 - you’re included in “us” and I’m saying he didn’t die for you or anyone else for that matter. He was making a lot of money with the rhetoric he had and angered the wrong person. It’s unfortunate he died but he didn’t die in a war or for a good cause. He was no philanthropist.
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 2/20/2026, 4:05 PM
@epc1122 - oh but he was, his main goal was an united America , proud and untamed and we are wining
epc1122
epc1122 - 2/20/2026, 4:33 PM
@Malatrova15 - he didn’t want a united America. He wanted an America that he approved of which isn’t the same since everyone has a right to live the way they see fit as long as they aren’t hurting anyone else.
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 2/20/2026, 4:38 PM
@epc1122 - well if he wanted that im cool whit It too. So ITS ok..His Legacy lives on for we aré Charlie Kirk
epc1122
epc1122 - 2/20/2026, 4:44 PM
@Malatrova15 - really racking up the dumb posts today. 👍👍
Bucky74
Bucky74 - 2/21/2026, 8:59 AM
@epc1122 - He didn’t “die” he was murdered by a trans-furry loving lunatic who couldn’t handle the inconvenient truths about biological reality Kirk was debating
epc1122
epc1122 - 2/21/2026, 9:13 AM
@Bucky74 - and that person came from a conservative family whose family didn’t agree with what he did along with a partner who also cooperated with law enforcement. This was a sick individual but that doesn’t change the point that Kirk would go around and debate for money and was no philanthropist and certainly didn’t try to help people. He debated students who didn’t know how to debate and built a brand that made him a lot of money. whoknows if he really believed the garbage that he said. I do know that his wife and people around him moved on pretty quickly from him which is pretty sad. While Kirk did nothing illegal and by no means should have been murdered, but he built his brand by trying to divide people.
Bucky74
Bucky74 - 2/21/2026, 11:37 AM
@epc1122 - I personally believe that Kirk did wholeheartedly embrace and practice (you can see what a devout Christian he is and family man in many personal photos and videoes and his personal life was "scandal free"), but yes, Turning Point became a big organization. Isn't that what most people try to do, though, make a career out of something they love and believe in? I was miserable in my last job and wish I could have made a living doing what I love (I was a personal trainer for years when I was younger, but it's hard to support a family like that because it's too inconsistent). I get your point, but look at it both ways. And as far as moving on goes, I'd imagine that the only way for his wife to make sense and get through something like that is to find meaning in it (now it's her calling) and keep his organization and memory alive.

I also strongly dispute that he built a brand on "trying to divide people." In most cases, he was arguing against insane ideas with logic and reason, trying to convince others not to dogmatically invest in "bad ideas" that contradict reality. That these kids were ill-equipped to win their Ivey-league-professor approved arguments was not his problem. Reality matters. Dogmatic ideas SHOULD be challenged with reason and facts. Those who make the strongest argument should influence academia and public opinion. The prevailing idea on the Left is that any speech that they disagree with or that contradicts their narrative is "Hate speech" and should be silenced. Kirk was trying to UNITE people with open discourse and debate, while trying to prove that his ideas are better and more rational.
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