Marvel’s Wonder Man Series Teases Oddball Avengers Line-Up

Marvel Studios is gearing up to shake things up with its upcoming Wonder Man series, promising something a bit left of centre compared to the usual superhero fare. The show is already making waves by bringing in some of the more offbeat characters from the comics, and it looks like the Great Lakes Avengers might be getting their time in the spotlight.

Among the confirmed cast is Doorman, a lesser-known mutant whose unique power lets him turn his body into a portal of dark energy. He’s now the second Great Lakes Avenger to pop up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, following Mister Immortal’s brief but memorable appearance in She-Hulk, where he was portrayed as a rather dodgy ex-husband.

Meet the Great Lakes Avengers

Alongside Mister Immortal and Doorman, the original line-up of the Great Lakes Avengers features three more oddballs: Dinah Soar, a human-pterodactyl hybrid; Flatman, who’s basically two-dimensional and can bend in all sorts of ways; and Big Bertha, a supermodel who can inflate herself to enormous proportions.

The team first showed up in 1989’s West Coast Avengers #46, created by John Byrne. They’re a group of hopeful heroes who decided to borrow the Avengers name and declare themselves the protectors of America’s heartland, while the main Avengers handled the East Coast and the West Coast Avengers looked after the other side. Their use of the Avengers title was never officially approved, but Hawkeye and Mockingbird from the West Coast squad took them under their wing to help them find their feet. Still, they never quite made it to full Avengers status.

Changing Names, Same Oddball Spirit

The Great Lakes crew didn’t stick with the Avengers name for long. They’ve had a few rebrands over the years, first calling themselves The Lightning Rods after the Thunderbolts, then switching to the Great Lakes X-Men once they realised they were all mutants. Eventually, they landed on Great Lakes Champions, borrowing a name that’s been used by several other Marvel teams, most recently a group of teenage heroes.

Despite the name changes, the team’s last comic appearance saw them return to the Great Lakes Avengers moniker. It’s still not officially sanctioned, but their ongoing attempts at heroism have at least earned them a bit of tolerance from the bigger players, even if they’re not exactly top-tier heroes.

What’s Next for the MCU’s Strangest Team?

It’s not clear yet how big a role Doorman will play in Wonder Man, but he’s definitely tied into the story. There’s mention of a “Doorman Clause” – an insurance waiver in the MCU’s world that actors have to sign to confirm they don’t have superpowers. That pretty much guarantees he’ll be showing off his abilities at some point in the series.

Whether Marvel is actually building up to a full-blown team of misfits is anyone’s guess. The studio is known for dropping hints and cameos, but until they make an official announcement, punters will just have to wait and see who else might turn up.

There’s a chance that the inclusion of multiple Great Lakes Avengers members is leading to something bigger, but it’s just as likely that Mister Immortal and Doorman are one-off appearances to flesh out the universe and give long-time fans a bit of a nod. With so many other characters still waiting in the wings – like Hercules, Clea, and Skarr – it’s hard to say if Marvel will put much effort into this oddball crew.

Still, for those who enjoy seeing the weirder side of Marvel, the arrival of these quirky heroes is a welcome surprise. If Marvel Studios does decide to bring the Great Lakes Avengers together, it’ll be one for the books. After all, if Wonder Man can get his own show, anything’s possible.

All eight episodes of Wonder Man are set to drop on Disney Plus on 27 January. Stay tuned for more updates on what’s coming next in the Marvel universe.