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Marvel’s latest superhero series, Wonder Man, further proves that audiences can be entertained by characters, not just constant action scenes. Since it hasn’t been announced, fans are left wondering when or where Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley) will turn up next.

To hold ourselves over until their next appearance, here are some Wonder Man-esque titles to check out.

Unstable Superheroes

Legion (2017–19)

Created by Noah Hawley (Fargo), FX’s Legion is another character-driven Marvel show with very few fight sequences (most fight scenes are mental battles, sometimes accompanied by a little song and dance). 

While Simon Williams hasn’t officially been labeled a mutant, he shares a lot in common with David Haller (Dan Stevens), the omega-level mutant who doesn’t know he’s the son of telepath Charles Xavier, aka Professor X. Growing up estranged from his birth father and later diagnosed with schizophrenia, David grew up not understanding his psionic abilities. The instability of his explosive, emotionally-triggered powers makes him a danger to everyone around him.

Legion is more of a psychedelic story about mental illness. But if you’re looking for another series centered on a destructive, super-powered character, then Legion is the show for you. 

Where to watch: Hulu

Watchmen (2019)

If you’ve read the DC Comics series or watched its 2009 film adaptation, you already know that Watchmen is very bleak. Damon Lindelof’s (Lost, Lanterns) take on the popular IP keeps that same tone for his 2019 miniseries, and includes even more tragic, real-life events, like the 1921 Tulsa race massacre. 

Regina King leads the series as Tulsa Police detective Angela Abar, aka Sister Night. In this world, the police have to hide behind masks for safety, a necessary move due to the white supremacist group called the Seventh Kavalry that murdered countless officers who protected minorities and their access to reparations. 

The series also stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Angela’s husband, Cal. Most fans probably already know his true identity, but for the sake of being spoiler-free, I won’t reveal it. 

Watchmen explores extremism and racial injustice, which is obviously much darker than Wonder Man. While it doesn’t have that whimsical feel of a Marvel show (this is DC, after all), Watchmen is a bold series with a phenomenal cast that will have you hooked for its nine episodes. Watch, or revisit, the 2009 movie while you’re at it! 

Where to watch: HBO Max

Surreal + Existential

Black Mirror (2011-)

Netflix’s anthology series Black Mirror isn’t about comic book characters. But several episodes have similar subject matter and vibes, like Season 4’s sci-fi-centric “USS Callister,” and the seventh season follow-up, “USS Callister: Into Infinity.” 

Speaking of highly immersive virtual reality-based games, Season 5’s “Striking Vipers” stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Karl Houghton, an old friend of Danny Parker (Anthony Mackie) who tries to reconnect through their shared love of video games. But when they start playing Striking Vipers, it sends their relationship in a whole new direction. 

“Hotel Reverie,” also from Season 7, isn’t exactly the kind of behind-the-scenes filmmaking process we see in Wonder Man, but it follows an actress, producer, and studio head as they attempt to remake a 1940s classic using AI.

If you’re a Yahya fan in general, you’ll love his episode, but the series rarely misses, and it’s worth checking out the rest as well. 

Where to watch: Netflix

Atlanta (2016–22)

Wonder Man’s captivating, Atlanta-coded fourth episode, “The Doorman,” is a poignant exploration into the dark side of showbiz, while introducing a lesser-known Marvel Comics character to the MCU. It centers on nightclub doorman turned actor DeMarr Davis (Byron Bowers) as his new powers skyrocket him into overnight fame, and then drag him down to rock bottom. 

The style and tone of the cautionary tale are reminiscent of Atlanta, Donald Glover’s genre-bending series known for its standalone episodes, including Season 2’s “Teddy Perkins” and Season 3’s “Rich Wigga, Poor Wigga.” The latter episode doesn’t feature any of the main cast, much like “Doorman,” though DeMarr’s story ties back around to Simon’s struggle to make it in Hollywood. 

If you enjoyed Wonder Man’s surreal, black-and-white Twilight Zone-esque bottle episode, then Atlanta is the perfect series for your next binge watch.

Where to watch: Hulu

Hollywood Struggles

Barry (2018–23)

If there’s one non-comic book TV series that matches the tone of Wonder Man, it’s HBO’s hit series Barry, co-created by Bill Hader (Documentary Now!) and Alec Berg (Silicon Valley). The dark comedy centers on Barry Berkman (Hader), a Marine vet working as a hitman. But when he goes to L.A. and follows a target into an acting class, he rethinks his current occupation and wants to be an actor. 

Balancing his killer job with becoming a performer makes his life even more chaotic than it already was. The Jayden (Brandon Wardell) and Esteban (Carlito Olivero) bike situation in Wonder Man’s episode 3, “Found Footage,” is like a scene from Barry, especially the chasing after someone and later running from someone else.

Like Simon, Barry hides his violent past from everyone, but channels his anxiety into moving performances. His relationship with his new acting teacher, Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler), isn’t exactly like what Simon has with Trevor. However, Gene and Trevor’s mentorship is instrumental in making their respective series so entertaining and, at times, deeply emotional.

Where to watch: HBO Max

Galaxy Quest (1999)

In the very first scene of Wonder Man’s premiere episode, we see Simon Williams as a kid, sitting in a theater with his dad, watching the original Wonder Man from the 1980s. He’s not just a lonely actor with no friends; he’s a film nerd who saw a sci-fi adventure movie with a person he loved and admired, and it means more to him than people know. 

This satirical ’90s classic is about actors who played in a Star Trek-like TV show. It’s been a decade, and they’ve spent some time on the convention circuit. Commander Peter Quincy Taggart star, Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen), is self-centered like Simon, and we watch both characters have similar arcs. 

As for Jason’s co-stars, each actor’s character represents a different sci-fi show clichés. Gwen DeMarco (Sigourney Weaver) is the only female and therefore the sex symbol, while Alexander Dane (Alan Rickman) is the Shakespearean actor above all the silly fantasy stuff. And we can’t forget Tommy Webber (Daryl Mitchell) is the token Black character. 

Galaxy Quest is the perfect movie about sci-fi nostalgia, fandoms, and aging actors trying to stay relevant.

Where to watch: MGM+ via Prime Video

Ed Wood (1994)

Films and TV shows set in Los Angeles almost always feature a gaggle of eccentric characters, whether they’re hipsters, influencers, or annoying neighbors. In Wonder Man, actor Joe Pantoliano fits the bill, playing a heightened version of himself. The visionary director Von Kovak (Zlatko Burić ) also brings a mad artist energy every time he’s on screen. 

Shot in black-and-white, Tim Burton’s biopic tells the story of Edward D. Wood Jr. (Johnny Depp), the titular outcast filmmaker, struggling to make his mark in 1950s Hollywood. It’s his relentless optimism that allows him to make his low-budget sci-fi movies, like Bride of the Monster and Plan 9 from Outer Space, which don’t look that different from the original Wonder Man movie Simon fell in love with as a kid. The late Martin Landau plays actor Bela Lugosi, known for his iconic role as Count Dracula in 1931. Ed also befriends other showbiz oddballs, including The Amazing Criswell (Jeffrey Jones), Bunny Breckinridge (Bill Murray), and Vampira (Lisa Marie).

It may not look like Simon and Ed have anything in common. But their ambition, frustration, and friendships with older actors are very similar, not to mention the way their passion and personalities frustrate others. 

Anyone who loves filmmaking, Tim Burton, and/or old sci-fi B movies will love Ed Wood. It’s a fun watch for Halloween, too!

Where to watch: Prime Video

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