'Wonder Man' Episode Offers a Path Forward for the MCU
In a report from Nytimes, critic Maya Phillips examines the Disney+ series 'Wonder Man,' writing that it foregrounds character-driven storytelling as an alternative within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The piece highlights Episode 4, which centers on DeMarr 'Doorman' Davis, a club doorman who gains portal powers after touching dumpster sludge. Presented in black and white, the episode follows his rise to fame as a valet and actor for Josh Gad and his eventual downfall as debts and overuse of his gift end his career, while also engaging with racial themes such as the magical Negro trope.
Phillips notes that 'Wonder Man' treats the superhero as a product and is part of the Marvel Spotlight sub-brand, arguing that the franchise's future may depend more on the artistic merit of individual stories than on large crossover events like the December 'Avengers: Doomsday.' Whether the MCU will move in that direction, the critic adds, remains to be seen.