How WONDER MAN Paid Homage to Years of Marvel Comics Costumes

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The new Marvel show, Wonder Man, starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, is a bit different from typical superhero stories. The main character does have powers, but he doesn’t actually fight crime – he’s an actor who plays a superhero in a movie. Despite this, the show’s creators cleverly included nods to the many different costumes Wonder Man has worn in the comics, which were designed by legendary artists. Here’s a look at the key comic book costumes that the show references.

The Original Wonder Man Costume (Color Scheme Only) Avengers #9 (1964)

Wonder Man’s first costume, created by artist Don Heck, appeared in 1964’s Avengers #9. However, the character, Simon Williams, died in that same issue, making the costume’s debut short-lived. Marvel brought the character back about ten years later, and he officially joined the Avengers. The original red and green color scheme briefly returned with a new costume designed by George Pérez.

The West Coast Avengers #12 Costume (1985)

His initial look didn’t stick around for long, quickly followed by a red jacket. The red and green colors eventually reappeared in a new costume for Wonder Man, designed by Al Milgrom and featured in the West Coast Avengers comic series. This costume first appeared in West Coast Avengers #12 in 1985, but it was only used for a few issues before being changed again. Interestingly, Marvel Television chose this specific costume for Wonder Man’s on-screen appearance in shows set in the 1980s, recreating the design almost exactly, including the large yellow jetpack.

The Avengers #167 Red Jacket Costume (1977)

Simon’s second most recognizable look came in the late 1970s. It featured a bright red safari jacket worn over a black turtleneck, paired with black or blue pants and red boots. He wore this outfit throughout the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, during the start of his career as a Hollywood actor and stuntman, and it was also his costume in his first solo comic book series. The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Wonder Man wears a similar red jacket and black turtleneck at the premiere of his movie, a clear nod to this classic look. The sunglasses Simon wore to conceal his glowing eyes during this period are also prominently featured in the series.

The West Coast Avengers #25 Red and Black Costume (1985)

Wonder Man is best known for the black and red costume he started wearing in the late 1980s. His earlier red and green outfit didn’t resonate well with fans, so he switched to the more popular look, which features a sleeveless shirt to highlight his physique. He’s worn variations of this costume for almost forty years, and it’s the one he sports in the recent Wonder Man movie. While the movie version isn’t made of traditional spandex, he looks fantastic in it. Sadly, we don’t get to see him in the suit much in the Wonder Man series, but when he is, it’s a perfect fit.

The Avengers (Vol.3) #2 “Energy Costume”

In the series finale, Simon rescues his friend Trevor from prison and then flies away surrounded by vibrant purple energy. This is a direct reference to Wonder Man’s comic book ability to transform into a being of pure energy, a look that first appeared in the Avengers comics in 1998, during the run by Kurt Busiek and George Pérez. It’s a bit disappointing that we only see Simon in this form from far away, but there’s still hope we might see more of it later.

All episodes of Marvel’s Wonder Man are now streaming on Disney+.

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2026-01-28 09:05