Did people like Wonder Man?

I mean like, ever?

Three things are needed for a superhero character to be successful and engaging.

1. An Iconic look - Costumes can change but need to share some basic design elements. For example Batman's costume has been slightly modified several times but it's always clearly Batman. The same can be said for Thor, Iron Man, Wolverine, etc. The also need to be dynamic and, for lack of a better word, cool.

Behold Wonder Man -



Now to be fair most of them do have some type of 'W' motif as a chest symbol, but remember for a big chunk of time he wore this:



Which at least was unique. I don't think that any of these costumes are particularly appealing or cool looking but I suppose they're passable.

2. Unique and Interesting Powers - They don't have to be anything too crazy but they need to be simple to explain and need to have some kind of twist to differentiate the character from others. This applies even to a teams 'strong man' which is what Wonder Man was for The Avengers. What are Wonder Man's powers? He's super strong and more or less invincible. That's it, no twist, nothing to set him apart from other super strong characters.

3. Personality - This can includes attributes, character flaws, and back story. Wonder Man's back story is convoluted, not to the point of some Marvel heroes (Psylocke), but still messier then your Icons (Spider-Man, Iron Man, Hulk etc.) His personality? Not very likable. For a long time he was unsure of himself and afraid of death which, while understandable, is not particularly heroic. Then for years he was a pompous asshole that thought he was better then all the other Avengers. You can only get away with thinking your better then your teammates if you're Batman, since, you know, he is.

For contrast let's look at some other Marvel Powerhouses.



The Hulk

Iconic look? Green (sometimes gray) behemoth with purple shorts. Check. Twist on an easily explained power? Super strength with an adaptation, the angrier Hulk gets, the stronger Hulk gets. Check. Personality? Easily explained back story, Jekyll/Hyde mental disorder, sympathetic quest to find inner and outer peace. Check. That would be 3 for 3.



The Thing

Look? Made of orange rocks, stocky. Check. Powers? Pretty generic Super Strength but he's made of rocks people and rocks are strong therefore, I'm calling that a unique twist. Check. Personality? No one in the Marvel Universe is more likable then Ben Grimm, dude is solid (not a pun). He's super nice, never gives up, and never lets his friends down. Plus how can you not sympathize with a guy that's stuck being a big rock creature, can't be easy getting ladies. And his back story is simple; cosmic rays. Empathic Check. Final count 3 out a 3.



Colossus

Look? Dude's made of fuckin' metal. Check. Powers? Super Strength and Invulnerability because he's made of fuckin' metal (should start Death Metal band with Thor, Wolverine, and Death). Check. Personality? Easy to explain back story, gentle giant type (likes to paint, sensitive), shy around girls. Nothing groundbreaking but likable enough. Check. 3 for 3.

I could go on but i think you get the idea. Basically what I'm saying is that there's a reason Wonder Man only shows up in a comic book like once a year.



The boring kind.

-egs

edit

Oh, and I hate that he has a rocket belt. I mean I understand how it's convenient for a motherfucker to be able to fly but why does he get a rocket belt/pack and no one else does? Because a team where everybody has the same stuff would be hell a boring. Still it's like, you have Thor level strength and invulnerability what the fuck do you need a jet belt for? Dude has serious self-esteem issues. You don't see Capitan America whining about how he can't fly, he just gets shit done. Be happy with who you are Simon.