Wonder Man #1 (1985)

Writer: David Michelinie
Pencils: Kerry Gammill

Marvel’s Wonder Man is/was always an odd one for me. The actual name “Wonder Man” seems like a Golden Age leftover, or one that somehow slipped through the cracks. Sure, it’s basically taking “Wonder Woman” and changing the gender, which makes it a good thing that DC already had a “Super Woman” character. Otherwise, Marvel might’ve aped that name, as well.

Yet what’s always been especially odd about Wonder Man was/is his 1970’s/1980’s costume. A red safari jacket with black (sometimes blue, depending on the inking/lighting) pants…and yellow highlights. Another obvious swipe, but this time at Superman. However, that is not what’s odd about the costume, to me. When I first saw him in Marvel Comics, circa 1979, with pockets all over his jacket, I always thought he was a “gadget guy”. That is, I expected him to reach into a pocket and pull out a grappling hook, flashlight, comb, glob of flubber, cosmic screwdriver, or whatever other device was required for the plot. Kinda’ like Dr Pym, circa 1987, or Afro-Man from the Harlem Globetrotters Superheroes, or even Ladybug from “Miraculous”. When he’d slap on his “rocket belt” so he could fly, I figured he was just pulling this from his infinite gaggle of gadgets in that jacket.

But nope… the jacket was just there to (possibly) make his Hollywood connection. After all, in his civilian ID of Simon Williams, Wonder Man was always trying to be a movie star. Thus, the “movie star jacket ” like Charlton Heston or Roger Moore would sport in the 70’s. Mixed with the Superman color palette, of course.

Apparently, there’s no way to babble about Wonder Man on the Internets without mentioning this costume…as well as his other Pantone Color Palette Nightmare outfits. Thus, I’m certain YOU have your own take on this topic and we have the “Comments” field, below. So whattabout this actual FIRST ISSUE comic?! Well, I’m glad I asked. At the time of publication (early 1985), Wonder Man had just joined the all-new West Coast Avengers and their fairly successful four-issue mini-series. This was all after he had spent most of his existence in the pages of “Avengers”, dating all the way back to 1963.He had a case of DEATH for about 12 years, but came back around 1977 and became a stalwart of the main Avengers team. Around late 1980, the Avengers reshuffled and Wonder Man was kinda’ in comic book limbo until he reappeared in “West Coast Avengers”. The title graduated to an ongoing monthly title…but it was still a few months away. So in the lull, why not release a Wonder Man one-shot FIRST ISSUE to spotlight this guy?

Our story is actually a flashback, as it’s set before Wonder Man’s recent adventures in the West Coast Avengers mini-series, during his time in comic book limbo. His acting career hasn’t been going well, mainly because he keeps forgetting to turn off his ionic RED eyes.

Wallowing in his sorrow, Wondy then takes a taxi to Avengers Mansion to work on his superhero-ing. Along the way, he performs a semi-homage to Action Comics#1 and even meets Ant-Man (Scott Lang):

Ant-Man (as Lang) actually gives Wonder Man a job lead: a company called “CORDCO” is looking for someone with “unique talents”. A scientific-y spin-off or Stark International, they’re out to “take the most unusual, off-the-wall ideas– ones that no other company would consider– and explore them thoroughly, with no limits on funds or imagination”. Wonder Man agrees to take on their job as “#1 troubleshooter”. Basically, an enhanced security guy; similar to the jobs taken by Hawkeye and Quasar in previous years. He meets his new boss, Mr. Calvin Oakly, his manager, Ms. Dulcy Kimble and even the friendly security guard, Al and his dog Belker. Basically, Wonder Man’s checking the boxes of a new Status Quo and is even building a Supporting Cast.

No way this could go bad, right?! Turns out, a Dr. Ed Wheetly is working on a way for CORDCO to observe other dimensions. Of course, something goes wrong and Ol’ Ed accidentally summons a gaggle of tiny little orange trolls, dressed up in gladiator gear, beating the tar out of each other.

Wonder Man jumps into action, trying to corral the little demons and sabing CORDCO. He even takes time to save his new canine buddy, Belker. How heroic.

Wonder Man saves the day/lab by turning off the dimensional generator and sending all the little orange goobers back to their main dimension. Ms. Kimble, however mentions that the damage he caused is coming out of his paycheck. *Gulp* oh golly gee. However, Al takes the nervous Wonder Man out for a beer that night, as thanks for saving Belker (Wonder Man actually orders a Coke, cuz’ he’s a Good Guy). Well, this is kind of a quirky start for the hero, but hey, it looks like he’s got a new environment from which he can leap into all sorts of wacky misadventures. So you might expect this book to end, right? Nope…

The next day, Dr. Wheetly is up to it, again, and this time he actually zaps Mr. Oakly into the other dimension. Oh no! Call Wonder Man. He gets all geared up to go into the dimension, along with Ms. Kimble to save Oakly. However… he gets a page on his beeper (remember: 1985).

So yeah…Wonder Man immediately apologizes LEAVES his new Status Quo. How, umm…UN-heroic. Kimble decides to press on, without him. Wonder Man makes it to a special “East Medical Research Center” (helpfully labelled as such), where the SANDMAN locked off in a lab and haphazardly trying to release all sorts of random radiation to cure his cancer. Since the labs are full of radiation and would destroy/kill anybody else (even the Vision), the Avengers need someone composed of pure energy to help. Being composed of ionic energy, Wonder Man is the guy.

Obviously, Sandman doesn’t want to listen, which results in about 4 or 5 pages of good ol’ fashioned Marvel fisticuffs. Eventually, Wonder Man is able to douse Sandman with a treated hose, replace some radioactive rods and prevent a total meltdown. Again, a handy sign helps relay the message:

After that, Captain America and the rest of the Avengers congratulate Wonder Man on his “exemplary” job of saving the day. Yet, there are some patented Marvel Pathos going on in his head! Which would be best read in a William Shatner voice:

Wonder Man flies back to CORDCO…but they’ve solved the problem. Kimble and Oakly are having coffee and reflecting on their adventure. Oakly respects Wonder Man and understands that he has Special Powers. However, CORDCO requires a full-time guy for the job, so they part ways amicably and Wonder Man even gets a little peck from Potential Romantic Interest, Ms. Kimble. He walks out thinking that he’s been a “hero” the entire time.

Huh. Very odd story. The first 20-25 some pages are spent trying to establish Wonder Man in his new environment, but then it does a complete 180, he bails, and has to engage in some Obligatory Marvel Supervillain Fightin’. Sure, I think everybody would rather see Wonder Man vs. Sandman, instead of Wonder Man vs. Little Orange Gladiator Trolls, but it makes you think: “why’d we even bother with the first 75% of the story?’ He didn’t even get some Science Gadgets to put into those pockets! I guess the point is that civilian jobs should be left to civilians and Superhero jobs to Superheroes? Especially since it turned out that Wonder Man wasn’t even needed. To top it off, I don’t believe CORDCO and its characters were ever seen or mentioned, again. I suppose it’s safe to assume they eventually hired an ordinary schmoe, or else a d-list “hero” like Tagak the Leopard Lord, to take their job. If they ever filled the position. Ms. Kimble seemed to be fine handling interdimensional mishaps, all by herself.

After this, you can jump to Wonder Man’s appearance and return to the Avengers in “West Coast Avengers #1”. Like I said, I was a big Avengers fan, at the time, and wondered (no pun intended) what I missed in this book. I always wanted to pick it up, but the original $1.25 was a bit steep for me. It wasn’t until about 2006 that I picked it up in a dollar bin, and it turns out I didn’t miss much of anything. But hey, I saved myself 25 cents, at least!

Summary: Wonder Man gets a job and new friends. Abandons them and punches Sandman, instead.
Cover Price: $1.25
Rating: 35 cents.