Wonder Man’s Ending Is Hiding a Secret Twist Only Hardcore Marvel Fans Noticed

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Disney+’s Wonder Man is quickly becoming a fan favorite in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, praised for its engaging story and strong performances. But the show also included a surprising element that especially resonated with those familiar with the character’s history.

Wonder Man’s Brother Was Hiding a Dark Secret

In the series Wonder Man, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays Simon Williams, an actor struggling to find success. The third episode, ‘The Barrel Of Clothes At The Party,’ reveals a tense relationship between Simon and his brother Eric, who constantly criticizes him and resents the financial support he receives from their mother. This pressure causes Simon to lose control of his abilities, resulting in accidental damage to his mother’s newly renovated kitchen.

People unfamiliar with the story saw a typical brotherly squabble. But for comic book readers, the moment Eric Williams was mentioned, everything changed – it hinted at a storyline that ultimately delivered in a big way.

Wonder Man’s Eric Williams Is a Serial Killer

In the Marvel comics, Simon’s brother, Eric, is a truly awful villain known as the Grim Reaper. He frequently battles the Avengers, initially using a high-tech scythe and later gaining the ability to control the dead. While the show Wonder Man seemed unlikely to make Eric such a dramatic villain, viewers generally anticipated he would have some hidden, darker side.

Okay, let’s talk about Eric, the villain. The comics paint a really disturbing picture of his origins. He wasn’t just born bad; he had a truly horrific childhood. Basically, Simon’s parents favored their other son, and Eric suffered terrible abuse. It started early – we’re talking cruelty to animals as a kid – and escalated into serious criminal activity. He didn’t just fall into villainy, he became a full-blown supervillain and, frankly, a serial killer. It’s a dark backstory, and it definitely explains a lot about his actions, though it certainly doesn’t excuse them.

After TV Eric discussed his achievements on the third episode, viewers started to think he might be involved in criminal activity, and some even wondered if he had superpowers he was keeping secret.

Wonder Man Masterfully Played Comic Fans

The initial storyline didn’t really go anywhere, but things picked up with episode seven, ‘Kathy Friedman.’ In that episode, Simon starts to worry a journalist is digging into his past, particularly after she reveals she spoke with Eric. He frantically tries to reach his estranged brother, but can’t get in touch.

It turned out to be a deception. Eric consistently presented a positive image, even claiming he didn’t support Simon. However, in episode eight, he’s visibly moved while watching Simon’s film, a reaction Simon notices and acknowledges with a smile.

The scene itself was a satisfying resolution, helping to mend the strained relationship between Simon and Eric. But for comic book readers, Wonder Man cleverly tricked expectations. It presented a character many Marvel fans assumed would be Simon’s main enemy, only to reveal him as Eric – a brother who was troubled, but ultimately loving.

The MCU Needs to Learn from How Wonder Man Subverted Comic Lore

Although some viewers might have wished for Eric to have a more dramatic weapon, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has achieved something special with Wonder Man. The show took a different path than the original comics, and it actually made the story more enjoyable for those familiar with the characters.

Okay, so the show could’ve easily avoided any connection between the character Eric and, well, Death by just giving him a different name. But honestly, showrunner Andrew Guest played us all brilliantly. He had us questioning Eric’s motives, making us think he was something other than what he seemed. And then, revealing him as who he was? It made the reveal so much more powerful and emotionally resonant. It wasn’t about hiding the connection, it was about maximizing its impact, and it totally worked.

Wonder Man included a clever surprise that longtime Marvel fans really appreciated, but it was subtle enough that new viewers wouldn’t have picked up on it. This was a key element that made the show stand out.

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2026-02-08 19:59