Editing Wonder Man (section)

==Fictional character biography==
'''Simon Williams''' is the son of rich industrialist Sanford Williams, owner of Williams Innovations. Simon inherits the munitions factory after his father's death, but the company's profits fall due to its biggest competitor [[Iron Man|Tony Stark]] and his company [[Stark Industries]]. On the advice of his brother [[Grim Reaper (Marvel Comics)|Eric]], Simon tries to embezzle funds from his company but is caught and incarcerated. Simon, desperate and blaming Stark for his predicament, accepts an offer from the master villain [[Heinrich Zemo|Baron Heinrich Zemo]]. [[Enchantress (Marvel Comics)|Enchantress]] pays his bail, so Simon agrees to become a pawn in Zemo's plan to infiltrate the Avengers. As a result, Simon is transformed into an ion-powered superhuman. His powers are tested, and he is shown to have great superhuman strength and durability, even defeating the Executioner. Called Wonder Man by Zemo, he is then sent to meet and join the Avengers, with instructions to betray them at a critical moment so that Zemo's [[Masters of Evil]] can destroy the Avengers. Zemo ensures Wonder Man's loyalty by advising him that as a result of the treatment his body now requires periodic doses of a serum to survive—a serum that only Zemo can provide. The Avengers are lured into a trap and captured. The plan fails when Wonder Man decides to save the Avengers and aid them against Zemo, apparently at the cost of his own life. Hank Pym records Wonder Man's brain patterns in the hope that one day he can be revived.<ref>''The Avengers'' #9 (October 1964) and #58 (November 1968). Marvel Comics.</ref> Unbeknownst to the Avengers, Wonder Man's body has simply entered a catatonic state as it adjusts to the effects of the treatment.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=July 2009}} Eric Williams becomes distraught over the apparent death of his sibling and, blaming the Avengers, assumes the identity of the [[Grim Reaper (Marvel Comics)|Grim Reaper]] in an effort to destroy them. The Grim Reaper steals Simon's body at one point,<ref>''The Avengers'' #102 (August 1972). Marvel Comics.</ref> and attacks the Avengers three times before Wonder Man finally returns.<ref>''The Avengers'' #52 (May 1968); #79 (August 1970); #102 (August 1972); #107-108 (January – February 1973). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Wonder Man remains in suspended animation for years, and it is during this period that [[Ultron]], the evil robot creation of [[Hank Pym]], steals the brain patterns recorded by the Avengers for use as a template for the synthezoid [[Vision (Marvel Comics)|Vision]].<ref>''The Avengers'' #57-58 (October – November 1968). Marvel Comics.</ref> It is later revealed that Vision is built from the [[Human Torch (android)|original Human Torch]], an android created by Professor [[Phineas Horton]].<ref>''The Avengers'' #134-135 (April – May 1975). Marvel Comics.</ref> This only happened in mainstream continuity and other origins were possible due to the [[Forever Crystal]] of [[Immortus]].<ref>''[[Avengers Forever]]'' #1-12 (December 1998 – February 2000). Marvel Comics.</ref>

During this vulnerable time, Wonder Man is used as a pawn on three occasions. Wonder Man is briefly revived by [[Kang the Conqueror]] to battle the Avengers as part of his [[Legion of the Unliving]],<ref>''The Avengers'' #131-132 (January – February 1975); ''Giant-Size Avengers'' #3 (February 1975). Marvel Comics.</ref> and later "resurrected" as a [[zombie]] by [[Black Talon (comics)|Black Talon]] and the Grim Reaper to attack the Avengers once more.<ref>''The Avengers'' #151-153 (September – November 1976). Marvel Comics.</ref> On the final occasion, the Living Laser hypnotizes a now-awake but still very weak Wonder Man, in an unsuccessful attack on the Avengers.<ref>''The Avengers'' Annual #6 (1976). Marvel Comics.</ref> After this encounter, Wonder Man was restored to true life and chooses to remain with the Avengers, aiding them against [[Attuma]] and [[Doctor Doom]].<ref>''The Avengers'' #154-156 (December 1976 – January 1977). Marvel Comics.</ref> He also fought the Vision, and helped the Avengers battle [[Graviton (comics)|Graviton]].<ref>''The Avengers'' #158-159 (April – May 1977). Marvel Comics.</ref> He soon after defeats the Grim Reaper, who was intent on destroying the Vision as he was "artificial" and a "mockery" of his brother; Wonder Man at this point is revealed to have become a being of ionic energy.<ref>''The Avengers'' #160 (June 1977). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Wonder Man eventually joins the Avengers in a full-time capacity and becomes close friends with his teammate, the [[Beast (Marvel Comics)|Beast]]. For several months after his resurrection, Wonder Man suffers from slight claustrophobia and a fear of dying in battle, as he did once before. Wonder Man finally overcomes his fear of death during the final battle with [[Korvac]].<ref>''The Avengers'' #177 (November 1978). Marvel Comics.</ref> Wonder Man invaded his former plant which had been taken over by the [[Maggia (comics)|Maggia]], and fought [[Madame Masque]] and the [[Dreadnought (comics)|Dreadnought]].<ref>''Marvel Premiere'' #55 (August 1980). Marvel Comics.</ref> Developing an interest in acting, Wonder Man stars in minor roles before moving to Hollywood, where fellow Avenger [[Hercules (Marvel Comics)|Hercules]] uses his contacts to establish Wonder Man's career.<ref>The beginning of this relationship is seen in ''The Avengers'' #211 (September 1981).</ref> Wonder Man also works for a time as a stuntman, an ideal vocation since he is invulnerable to virtually all conventional weapons.<ref>Mentioned by the Vision at the conclusion of ''The Avengers'' #250 (December 1984).</ref>

Wonder Man helps form the [[West Coast Avengers]],<ref>''The West Coast Avengers'' #1 (September 1984). Marvel Comics.</ref> and his new-found confidence begins to become arrogance. He develops a serious rivalry with Iron Man, but sees the error of his ways after a brutal battle with the [[Abomination (character)|Abomination]].<ref>''The West Coast Avengers'' vol. 2 #25 (October 1987). Marvel Comics.</ref> He also foils Doctor Doom's plot to control the world.<ref>''Marvel Graphic Novel'' #27 ("Emperor Doom - Starring the Mighty Avengers", 1987). Marvel Comics.</ref> His acting career rises, and he is cast as the villain in the fourth film in the successful [[Arkon]] franchise.<ref>''The West Coast Avengers'' vol. 2 #31 (April 1988).</ref> Wonder Man eventually accepts the Vision as his "brother", but there is a setback when the Vision is dismantled and rebuilt as an emotionless machine by a global conglomerate. The [[Scarlet Witch]]—the Vision's wife—asks Wonder Man to provide his brainwaves once again to rebuild the foundational personality matrix of the original Vision, but Wonder Man refuses, having feelings for her himself. The [[Wasp (character)|Wasp]] further deduces that the Vision's original relationship to the Scarlet Witch may even have been predicated by Wonder Man's initial donation for the original personality matrix; at this, Wonder Man confirms that several of his hesitations about making the attempt arise from these doubts and the subconscious desire he's felt toward the Scarlet Witch since her separation from her husband.<ref>''Avengers West Coast'' #42-45 (March – June 1989). Marvel Comics.</ref> He is then ensorcelled by the [[Enchantress (Marvel Comics)|Enchantress]], and battles the Avengers.<ref>''Marvel Comics Presents'' #38-45 (December 1989 – March 1990). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Wonder Man battles old foes [[Erik Josten|Goliath]]<ref>''Wonder Man'' #1 (September 1991)</ref> and the Enchantress,<ref>''Wonder Man'' #2 (October 1991). Marvel Comics.</ref> before meeting his would-be sidekick "Spider" and battling Gamma-Burn, resulting in wrecking his jet-pack.<ref>''Wonder Man'' #3 (November 1991). Marvel Comics.</ref> Wonder Man then battles the assassin Splice for the first time.<ref>''Wonder Man'' #4 (December 1991). Marvel Comics.</ref> Wonder Man takes part in the Kree/Shi'ar War, and had his powers altered when he and the Vision failed to prevent the Shi'ar Nega-Bomb from detonating.<ref>''Avengers West Coast'' #80-82 (March – May 1992); ''Quasar'' #32-33 (March – April 1992); ''Wonder Man'' #7-9 (March – May 1992). Marvel Comics.</ref> He battled Angkor,<ref>''Wonder Man'' #11-12 (July – August 1992)</ref> and then journeyed to Hades where he battled [[Mephisto (Marvel Comics)|Mephisto]], [[Blackheart]], the Enchantress, and the Grim Reaper; he then learned that he was immortal.<ref>''Wonder Man'' #22-25 (June – September 1993). Marvel Comics.</ref> When Avengers West Coast (renamed) disbands after a dispute, Wonder Man becomes a founding member of its successor group [[Force Works]], but is disintegrated in an explosion during their first mission against the alien [[Kree]].<ref name="Force Works' 1994">''Force Works'' #1 (July 1994). Marvel Comics.</ref> Many months later, the Scarlet Witch accidentally resurrects Wonder Man in ionic form; while in this form he appears when she is in need.<ref>''The Avengers'' vol. 3 #3 (April 1998). Marvel Comics.</ref> Several months later, the Scarlet Witch is able to fully revive Wonder Man and he now exists in an independent, more human form. It is also discovered later that the Grim Reaper - dead at the time - is also revived.<ref>''The Avengers'' vol. 3 #10-11 (November – December 1998). Marvel Comics.</ref> Wonder Man becomes romantically involved with the Scarlet Witch, but ends their affair during the [[Kang Dynasty]] saga, due to her residual feelings for the Vision.<ref>''The Avengers'' vol. 3 #51 (April 2002). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Wonder Man is blackmailed into working for [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] during the ''[[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]]'' storyline. Due to charges of misappropriation of funds in his non-profit organization, Wonder Man is pressured to work for the pro-registration side in the ensuing [[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]] drama. In addition to capturing renegade vigilantes and criminals, Wonder Man is instrumental in creating televised messages to educate the public and yet-unregistered superhumans about the specifics of the Registration Act.<ref>''Civil War'' #1-7 (May 2006 – January 2007). Marvel Comics.</ref> Wonder Man became a member of the [[The Mighty Avengers|Mighty Avengers]].<ref>''The Mighty Avengers'' #1 (May 2007). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Wonder Man began a romantic relationship with fellow Mighty Avenger [[Carol Danvers|Ms. Marvel]] warning her not to use her position as leader of the Avengers to keep him out of potentially dangerous situations just because of their relationship.<ref>''The Mighty Avengers'' #6 (October 2007). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Following the events of the ''[[Secret Invasion]]'', [[Norman Osborn]] created a [[Dark Avengers|new team of Avengers]], effectively retiring Wonder Man during the ''[[Dark Reign (comics)|Dark Reign]]'' storyline. Wonder Man later appears on television, lamenting his tenure as an Avenger, claiming it was all a waste of time, and that using violence to uphold justice has caused nothing but heartache and death. He ends his speech by sadly admitting that having Osborn in charge is exactly what the country deserves.<ref>''The New Avengers'' #51 (May 2009). Marvel Comics.</ref> After this, Wonder Man is imprisoned as a member of the new [[Lethal Legion]]. This group opposes the tyrannical efforts of Osborn; Wonder Man joins to try to keep them from hurting innocents.<ref>''Dark Reign: Lethal Legion'' #1 (August 2009). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Wonder Man has been seen alongside his old [[West Coast Avengers]] teammates [[Ronin (Marvel Comics)|Ronin]], [[Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)|Mockingbird]], [[Tigra]] and [[War Machine]] in battle with a new version of [[Ultimo (Marvel Comics)|Ultimo]].<ref>''War Machine'' #8 (September 2009). Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the ''[[Heroic Age (comics)|Heroic Age]]'' storyline, Simon is approached by Steve Rogers to join the new team of Avengers. Simon refuses stating that the Avengers have caused more problems than they have solved and implies as Rogers leaves that he will make sure his old allies realize the mistake they are making. Simon also mentioned as having been in jail until Steve bailed him out.<ref>''The Avengers'' vol. 4 #1 (July 2010). Marvel Comics.</ref> After learning that Rogers had disregarded his advice, Wonder Man attacks the new team causing some damage to their base before inexplicably disappearing.<ref>''The Avengers'' vol. 4 #2 (August 2010). Marvel Comics.</ref> Thor and Iron Man later contact him to try and reason with him, but Simon refuses to listen to their arguments, stating that the dead heroes that have resulted from the Avengers working together should be a clear sign that the concept is doomed, departing as Thor and Iron Man try to argue that all heroes are aware of the risks when they begin. Significantly, Iron Man notes that Simon is 'leaking' ionic energy, suggesting that his current mental condition may relate to his powers rather than being simply a matter of choice.<ref name="Avengers' 2011">''The Avengers'' vol. 4 #7 (January 2011). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Wonder Man put together the [[Revengers]], a team of super-powered people to stop the Avengers because he believes they do more harm than good, blaming the Avengers for Ultron's existence, the damage caused by the Scarlet Witch and the Hulk, the Civil War, and Osborn's Dark Avengers. His team subsequently defeats the [[The New Avengers (comics)|New Avengers]] in a quick attack on the mansion before he moves on to attack [[Avengers Tower]],<ref>''The New Avengers'' Annual vol. 2 #1 (September 2011). Marvel Comics.</ref> stating that he will destroy the tower unless the Avengers immediately disband. Although Iron Man manages to trap him in a prison specifically designed to contain his ionic energy with the Revengers being quickly defeated by the combined Avengers teams, Wonder Man has still successfully managed to spread doubt among the population about the merits of the Avengers as a concept particularly since Captain Rogers has yet to officially rebuff any of his arguments, asking Beast to remember his words simultaneously reflecting that he may be able to see the Avengers from the outside as he has not been 'real' since his resurrection before he apparently disappears from his prison.<ref>''The Avengers'' Annual vol. 4 #1 (January 2012). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Wonder Man later reappears to [[Captain America]] (Steve Rogers), telling him that he feels sorry for his past actions and that he is trying to redeem himself. Before he can accept help from the Avengers, he is attacked by the [[Thunderbolt Ross|Red Hulk]]. He managed to take him down and looks at Avengers Tower, claiming that he will "earn his way back".<ref>''The Avengers'' vol. 4 #31 (December 2012). Marvel Comics.</ref> He later plays a pivotal role in rescuing [[Wasp (comics)|the Wasp]] from the [[Microverse]]. After this, Wonder Man is shown celebrating Jan's return alongside the rest of the Avengers at Stark Tower.<ref>''The Avengers'' #34. Marvel Comics.</ref>

At Wasp's urging, Simon later joins the [[Uncanny Avengers|Avengers Unity Squad]]. During conversations with Jan and [[Sunfire (comics)|Sunfire]], he makes it clear has no intentions of fighting, and only wants to help use his PR skills to win over skeptical citizens.<ref>''Uncanny Avengers'' #5. Marvel Comics.</ref> He and the Scarlet Witch rekindle their relationship. During the final confrontation with the Celestial Executioner, he allows [[Rogue (comics)|Rogue]] to absorb him to give her the power to oppose the Celestial,<ref>''Uncanny Avengers'' #21. Marvel Comics.</ref> but his essence remains in Rogue after Wanda expels the other absorbed powers from her,<ref>''Uncanny Avengers'' #22. Marvel Comics.</ref> leaving Rogue with Simon's powers and once again unable to touch others.<ref>''Uncanny Avengers'' #23. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the ''[[AXIS (comics)|AXIS]]'' storyline, Wonder Man's consciousness was still in Rogue at the time when the X-Men and the Avengers were inverted by an inversion spell. Rogue used Wonder Man's powers when helping the X-Men.<ref>''Avengers & X-Men: AXIS'' #4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

At the time when the Avengers Unity Squad traveled to Counter-Earth to find Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, Rogue was captured by High Evolutionary's right-hand man Master Scientist who removed Wonder Man's consciousness from Rogue.<ref>''Uncanny Avengers'' vol. 2 #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

After Rogue was unable to see or hear Wonder Man, he was still in Rogue's mind. When Rogue kissed Deadpool, Wonder Man was freed from Rogue's body as the result of Deadpool's healing factor acting like a circuit breaker that enabled Wonder Man to escape from Rogue's body.<ref>''Uncanny Avengers'' vol. 3 #22-23. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Secret Empire (2017 comic)|Secret Empire]]" storyline, Wonder Man appears as a member of the Underground which is a resistance movement against Hydra ever since they took over the United States.<ref>''Secret Empire'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Empyre]]" storyline, Wonder Man, Quicksilver, and [[Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)|Mockingbird]] deal with the [[Kree]] and the [[Skrull]]'s fight with the [[Cotati (comics)|Cotati]] near [[Navojoa]]. When Quicksilver is hit by special spheres fired by the Cotati magicians, Mockingbird and Wonder Man come to his aid and help the Kree and the Skrull turn the tide against the Cotati.<ref>''Empyre: Avengers'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>