WONDER MAN #4 – Coming Together

Creative Team – Gerry Duggan, Laura Braga, Rachelle Rosenberg, VC’s Joe Caramagna, Luciano Vecchio

Published by Marvel Comics

Catch up with Wonder Man #3!

The Story

This comic review is brought to you by the dynamic duo of Megan and Shawn!

Shawn – Gerry Duggan is really giving us a masterclass in writing Simon Williams. I’ve always liked the character of Wonder Man, but he’s never been a favorite. Duggan, with this limited series, is really making me see the possibilities of what a focused writer can do with Simon Williams. One of my favorite things about this series, and especially this issue, has been the subplot of the relationship between Patsy and Simon. I think they just work so well as a couple, and they feed off each other’s strengths and weaknesses well

Who knew smog was so strong? Apparently, Simon Williams did, and that allowed Duggan to give us something we haven’t really gotten before from Simon. We learn more about the dynamic between Simon, Randolph, and Walters. Duggan also does a really good job of letting the reader start to put the pieces together before laying out the climax heading into the final issue of this limited series.

Megan – Wonder Man #4 continues the exciting story of Simon Williams in Hollywood and shows us just how dark the showbiz world can be. It’s much darker than Simon realizes, but fortunately, Hellcat is on the mission and using her intuition to get answers. Trish, AKA Hellcat, realized who may be behind all of the chaos, all of the violence, and all the planning. Coming to this realization, she knows that she will have to prove it if anyone is to believe her, so she recruits Simon to find the truth to her theory. 

Wonder Man #4 gives us a good look at the relationship blossoming between Trish and Simon. There’s been so much flirtation and so much tension between the two; it was a great climactic feeling seeing the two finally express their feelings… in more ways than one. 

The Art

Shawn – What a final panel. The art in this issue was stunning. Laura Braga and Rachelle Rosenberg combined to make a beautiful issue. Braga’s linework is beautiful, showing off clear details, whether it’s the wrinkles in a hospital gown or the stars in the sky. Braga shines best in Wonder Man #4 with the relationship between Hellcat and Simon. You can feel their chemistry seeping off the page, and that is because of the emotion and care she draws between the two. Simon and Patsy, locked in an embrace with the Hollywood sign in the background, is such a fitting design for this series.

Rachelle Rosenberg continues to stun, and the setting of some pretty important panels involving moonlight lets us see where she really shines. Again, she makes the bright lights of LA shine even at night. The moonlight stuns and glows in a way only Rosenberg can do. Rosenberg makes Patsy’s eyes and hair glow, framing her face perfectly with shading. Joe Caramagna does a great job telling the story through word bubbles in a way that still allows the words and art to shine. Caramagna also does a great job with creating memorable and impactful SFX in this issue.

Megan – I absolutely loved what Laura Braga brought to the pages ofWonder Man #4! There was a distinct old-school feeling to the characters and their facial expressions that sold the story for me. The characters wore their emotions on their sleeves as Braga left nothing to the imagination, which was absolutely perfect. 

Alongside Braga is Rachelle Rosenberg, who handles the coloring. Rosenberg absolutely excels when it comes to vibrancy; you don’t need to look any further for proof than Wonder Man #4. The panels with Simon and Trish are nothing short of stunning, with the bright colors giving off the happy emotions of the characters. Joe Caramagna comes in to wrap this package in a perfect bow with his work on the lettering. Having an excellent flow of dialogue that captures the emotions of the story masterfully, Caramagna makes each tone felt clearly by the reader.

Final Thoughts

Shawn – 9.5/10 This continues to be another great limited series from Marvel that feels like it should be an ongoing. Duggan is making Simon Williams interesting to me as a character in ways I’ve never been before. The chemistry between Simon and Hellcat is off the charts, and we would all be better off if we got to see their relationship fleshed out more in a longer series. This series has been fun, lighthearted, and stunningly beautiful.

Megan – 9.3/10. This run has been so fun, and it continues to do that with the fourth issue. With the character dynamics at play, the great mystery revealed, and the stakes as high as they’ve been yet, Wonder Man #4 captures the reader in the excitement and doesn’t let go.

Overall Grade – 9.4/10

Let us know in the comments what you thought of Wonder Man #4!