Warning: Contains Spoilers forThe Vision and the Scarlet Witch #1!
One of theMarvelUniverse’s most fearsome villains is set to make a major comeback, as the brother ofWonder Mangets a powerful upgrade before Simon Williams makes his official MCU introduction. Since theWonder ManDisney+ series is set to debut later this year, Marvel is bringing new attention to the hero’s villainous sibling as Eric Williams, the Grim Reaper, is resurrected to fight his old Avengers foes.
The Vision and the Scarlet Witch#1, written by Steve Orlando with art by Lorenzo Tammetta, sees the powerful magic user and synthezoid reunite for an all-new team-up adventure. However, things take a turn for the deadly whentheir old enemy, the Grim Reaper, reappears with a vengeance and a new source of power.
After coming back from the dead,the Grim Reaper is seemingly responsible for Death Doors popping up around the universe. He returns to the scene of his death to kill his longtime rival Vision, with new powers from Blood of the Nameless and a place called the Graverealm.
Before Debuting in the MCU, Marvel Resurrects the Grim Reaper to Terrorize Two Iconic Heroes
The Vision and the Scarlet Witch #1by Steve Orlando, Lorenzo Tammetta, Ruth Redmond, and VC’s Travis Lanham
The so-called Master of Death has returned to go head-to-head with two of the Avengers he’s been battling for decades, and it couldn’t be happening at a better time. The Grim Reaper is Eric Williams, the villainous brother of Simon Williams, also known as Wonder Man. WithWonder Man’s MCU debut coming up soon, and Eric Williams reportedly having a role in the series,it’s the perfect time for the Grim Reaper to be resurrected as a major threat in Marvel Comics. He was already a formidable villain, but the Grim Reaper’s powerful new upgrades make him even more fearsome.
Both Simon and Eric Williams have a deep connection with the Vision and Wanda, so it’s only right that the Grim Reaper returns to cause trouble for the two Avengers in his grand return. The Grim Reaper has died and been resurrected several times before, buthe was last killed by Vision’s android wife, Virginia, inThe Vision #1by Tom King and Gabriel Hernandez Walta. With Eric Williams’ body still buried in Vision’s backyard, the Grim Reaper is able to use his new powers to impale the hero, setting the stage forhis death and return as White Vision.
Eric Williams Explained: The History of Grim Reaper & Wonder Man
Wonder Man’s MCU Show is Reportedly Set to Release in 2025
Despite being brothers, the Grim Reaper has becomeWonder Man’s greatest nemesisand a powerful enemy of the Avengers. While Eric Williams chose a darker path as Grim Reaper, his brother,Simon Williams, became a key part of the Avengers' story.Simon originally worked for Baron Zemo and attempted to infiltrate the team, but he ultimately sacrificed himself to save them. His brain waves were later used to help program the Vision. Fueled by grief and anger, the Grim Reaper teamed up with the Tinkerer to create his iconic scythe weapon and set out to take down the Avengers in a twisted effort to avenge his brother and use Vision as a way to bring Simon back.
Eric and Simon had rough childhoods, with Simon being the golden child and Eric left as the black sheep of the family. However, Eric’s mission to bring his brother back proved thatthe rivalry between Wonder Man and Grim Reaper was built on their strong brotherly bond.When Wonder Man befriended the Avengers and became a full-fledged hero, Eric descended further into villainy and went through several evil plotsbefore being killed in theVisionseries. With theWonder ManMCU series on the horizon and Grim Reaper’s return, the brothers’ relationship should be explored again in the comics.
Wonder Man & Grim Reaper Should Make a Grand Return in Marvel Comics’ Future
Eric’s Arc in Wanda and Vision’s New Series Lays the Groundwork
Grim Reaper returns with devastating power inThe Vision and the Scarlet Witch.Marvel Comics should keep the ball rolling by reuniting him with Simon and raising both Williams brothers’ profiles before theWonder Manseries debuts. Simon Williams has just made a recent appearance in the latestWest Coast Avengersseries. Asone of the strongest members of that team, Wonder Man should be getting more stories in the universe to build hype for his Disney+ show and expand the character’s lore.The Grim Reaper immediately killing an Avenger after his resurrection thankfully signals a strong comeback.
Eric Williams was already a strong Avengers villain, but his supernatural upgrades could make him a true terror in the Marvel Universe. Actor Demetrius Grosse will soon bring the character to life in the MCU, and the character’s new developments could spell a greater role for this villain moving forward. With his killer scythe, necromancy powers, and new abilities still being unlocked inThe Vision and the Scarlet Witch, the Grim Reaper is only becoming more threatening. With the sinister brother ofWonder Manreturning with a vengeance,Marvelmay have just brought back one of their most terrifying villains.
The Vision and the Scarlet Witch #1is available now from Marvel Comics!
