The next accommodates main spoilers for Unusual #6, accessible now from Marvel Comics.
When he was first launched in Unusual Tales #110’s “Physician Unusual Grasp of Black Magic!” (by Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, Stan Goldberg, and Terry Scenics), Wong was a one-dimensional character completely outlined by his steadfast loyalty to Stephen Unusual. Within the a long time since his debut, nevertheless, Wong has blossomed right into a extra fleshed-out character in each comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, along with his look in She-Hulk establishing him as one in all Part 4’s most influential (and hilarious) characters.
Sadly, Unusual #6 (by Jed MacKay, Lee Garbett, Java Tartaglia, and VC’s Cory Petit) has added a brand new, much-less optimistic layer to Wong’s character by revealing the tragic nature of his upbringing. Not solely does this info recontextualize Wong’s early relationship with Dr. Unusual, but it surely additionally makes the previous Sorcerer Supreme’s latest passing much more heartbreaking.
The homicide of Dr. Unusual plunged the world right into a state of utter chaos, denying these closest to the Sorcerer Supreme the flexibility to correctly mourn his passing. As one in all Unusual’s oldest buddies and the one who had the misfortune of discovering his physique, Wong has had a very tough time coming to phrases with Unusual’s passing. That ache was rivaled solely by that of Unusual’s formerly-estranged spouse and appointed successor Clea. Whereas Wong’s grief is primarily born out of the ache of shedding a long-time pal, Unusual #6 revealed that can be tied to a warped notion of his self-worth that was pressured onto him as a baby.
Whereas looking down leads on the mysterious Blasphemy Cartel, Wong mirrored on his childhood, wherein he was skilled to succeed his father because the servant of the Sorcerer Supreme. Wong’s father, who shared his title, did not mince phrases instilling in Wong the severity of their ancestral obligation, flatly telling his son that his life was nugatory when in comparison with that of his future grasp. After having been raised by his father to consider that their obligation was extra necessary than their lives, Wong’s father informed the weak younger boy that outliving the Sorcerer Supreme would mark him as an entire failure.
Though there was nothing Wong may have completed to forestall Unusual’s dying, his harsh upbringing made his passing much more devastating for him. Wong admitted that his father’s phrases had been unfaithful, however the feeling that his life was second to that of Unusual’s caught with him nicely into maturity. The truth that he ended up outliving the Sorcerer Supreme left him with an awesome feeling of sorrow and anger. When confronted by a gang of thugs hopped up on pixy mud, Wong brutally takes out his pent-up frustration on them, brazenly admitting that he wished he may punish himself half as harshly.
Making issues even worse for Wong is the data that Unusual himself by no means noticed him as a sacrificial pawn. Through the a few years they spent collectively within the Sanctum Sanctorum, Unusual made it clear that he noticed Wong as greater than only a servant, even going out of his solution to save Wong when he developed a deadly mind tumor. Sadly, Wong at all times discovered it tough to let go of his perception that their relationship was one in all grasp and servant and struggled to simply accept and return the love Unusual confirmed him.
Now that Unusual is gone, Wong should not solely reside with the sensation that he failed to guard his grasp, however he should additionally reside with the pains of shedding a person who had change into like a brother to him. Wong is at present unaware that Unusual is “alive” as soon as once more within the type of the Harvestman, and the guilt of failing his cost is unlikely to fade anytime quickly. Whereas Wong has discovered a brand new goal in serving and defending Clea, the reminiscences of his harsh upbringing have turned what must be a brand new chapter in his life into a relentless reminder of his previous failings.
