Crushing Krisis

Comic Books, Drag Race, & Life in New Zealand

You are here: Home / Crushing Comics – Guide to Reading & Collecting Marvel Comics / Wasp, Janet van Dyne – Definitive Collecting Guide and Reading Order

Wasp, Janet van Dyne – Definitive Collecting Guide and Reading Order

The definitive issue-by-issue comic book collecting guide and reading order for Marvel’s Wasp – Janet van Dyne – in omnibus, hardcover, trade paperback, and digital comics. Part of Crushing Krisis’s Crushing Comics. Last updated January 2024 with titles scheduled for release through April 2024.

Janet van Dyne is one of Marvel’s first female superheroes, a founding member of The Avengers. and the first Marvel heroine to lead her own solo stories in the Silver Age!

She is the most under-used out of all of Marvel’s iconic Silver Age women, in part because she spent so long being tied closely with Hank Pym, the original Ant-Man (and also her ex-husband). The Wasp in Avengers (1998) #71

Janet debuted as The Wasp in March 1963 as Pym’s co-star in anthology title Tales To Astonish. Her debut is both a creaky artifact of the times and a solid blueprint for her enduring personality.

On one hand, you have widower Hank Pym becoming immediately obsessed with Janet because she resembles his deceased wife, even though Janet is “no more than a child.”

Yikes!

On the other hand, Janet’s headstrong and fiercely-loyal streak is established from her earliest panels. She prefers a companion who is “the adventurous type” rather than spend time with “dull, intellectual book worms.” She also leaps at the chance to avenge her father, proving she herself is also of the adventurous type.

At first, Janet comes off as the most well-rounded of all Marvel woman of the early 60s, all of whom were saddled with a secret lust for their leading man. She strikes out on her own mission in her second appearance and repeatedly shrugs off Hanks’ attempts to infantilize her. Janet is often the driver of action, she reprimands Hank for giving her orders, and her sighs of “Oh, Ant-Man! What do we do next?” often come off as subtle sarcasm.

Hank and Janet were drafted into Stan Lee & Jack Kirby’s Avengers alongside other anthology title hit characters Iron Man, Thor, and Hulk – to which they famously added Captain America in issue #4. Janet was immediately minimized in this cast of men, getting none of the moments of bravery and wit she continued to show off in Tales To Astonish. There, just after the debut of The Avengers, she received her own run of solo features from Tales to Astonish (1959) #51-58.

As Scarlet Witch and Black Widow were pulled into the Avengers line-up, Janet felt increasingly sidelined (though she is notable for being an early friend to Hawkeye). She marries in issue #60 and leaves the team for her honeymoon in issue #75. It takes until her return to the team without Hank in issues #150-151 for her to start to have her own plots while in the title

That lead to both the nadir and the early climax of Jan’s reading order. Issue #213 features the oft-referenced moment of domestic violence where a manic, costumed Hank strikes Janet while in civilian clothes, giving her a black eye. Yet, the story is not merely one of Janet being a prop for Hank’s downfall. He is promptly kicked off the team, and in issue #217 Janet proposes herself as the chairman of the Avengers – which Iron Man, Cap, and Thor support unanimously.

Janet’s years as the chair of The Avengers include some of her best moments on the team. They are also the origin of her long-lasting friendship with She-Hulk. From that point forward, Janet always receives some amount of deference whenever she is on an Avengers roster – it continues long after she passes down leadership to Vision (and later to Monica Rambeau, via Cap).

The remainder of the 80s and 90s aren’t a productive time for quality Wasp stories, though they helped cement her status as a fashion designer and socialite. She joined Avengers West Coast, but took a backseat there to the ongoing Scarlet Witch drama. Janet briefly bounced back into the main Avengers squad in the mid-90s, only to be subjected to an inexplicable mutation into an actual wasp-girl (in keeping with the character design trends in the period).

Kurt Busiek and George Perez’s back-to-basics Avengers relaunch in 1998 finally saw Janet put to good use in a modern book where she had room to exist as a character without needing to be a leader. She was a recurring member of cast for over half a decade, until Brian Bendis disassembled the Avengers in 2004. Bendis picked Janet back up for his Mighty Avengers run in 2007, but despite her being a founding member she isn’t seen much outside of the climax of his Secret Invasion – which removed her from storytelling for several years.

Wasp made her return just after Avengers vs. X-Men, which positioned her as one of the classic Avengers to anchor the new Uncanny Avengers squad that combined Avengers and X-Men on a single team. Her initial run with the team during Marvel Now in 2013-2015 is unremarkable; she gets more to do in All-New All-Different Marvel in 2015-2016.

Now completely decoupled from Hank Pym, Janet finally began to see more use as a guest star with interesting plots of her own. She adopts her step-daughter Nadia in a pair of delightful, all-ages Unstoppable Wasp series, and is a partner and equal to Tony Stark in Tony Stark: Iron Man, as well as an occasional Avenger. And, finally, in January 2023, Janet van Dyne got her own solo series!

Patreons make this page possible! Every month, Patrons of Crushing Krisis help to fund its hosting, helper applications, video production, and more! Every dollar contributed by Patrons goes directly to helping sustain and grow this site.

What's new at Crushing Krisis?

New Guides: Ant-Man,Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur, Spider-Man - Peter Parker (2018-present)
Updated Guides: Cable, Excalibur, New Mutants & Young X-Men, Silver Age X-Men, X-Force
Blog Posts: Cable Omnibus Mapping, February 1 2023 Marvel Releases

Join the Crushing On Crushing Krisis mailing list for a notice whenever this page is updated with new collections – plus, a infrequent ping about new comics content.

Janet van Dyne – The Wasp Greatest Hits

Janet van dyne has over 60 years of Marvel appearances, many of them as a part of a large ensemble. Which are the must-reads that carry the core of her story? If you only want to read the very best of Wasp, try this list on for size. Every issue is listed below in the full reading order with context on why it matters.

Click to expand the list of issues

Janet van Dyne – The Wasp Reading Order

Wasp’s debut with Ant-Man in Tales to Astonish (1959) #44-69 (Jun 1963 – Jul 1965)

Hank Pym debuted as Ant-Man in the pages of Tales to Astonish (1959) #27, and returned to anchor the anthology for the superhero age beginning in issue #35 in September 1962. Janet makes her debut the next year in March 1963 as Pym’s co-star.Janet van Dyne debuts as the Wasp on the cover of Tales to Astonish (1959) #44

In issues #51-58, Janet starred in a series of back-up features without Ant-Man to accompany her. These stories helped establish her flirtatiousness and her fashion sense. All of these back-up stories are collected along with Ant-Man material in all f0rmats. Unfortunately, they ended with Hulk joining the title in issue #59; he took over the back-up feature beginning in #60. Hank and Janet bowed out of the title with issue #69 to make way for Sub-Mariner to take over their featured slow.

Janet’s first run with the Avengers in Avengers (1963) #1-16 runs parallel as her co-starting in this title. The Avengers issues are covered in the next section, but also shown integrated into reading order here. The first issue of Avengers occurs during Tales #47; Janet’s original membership ends in Avengers #16, which occurs just after Tales #66. [Marvel Unlimited]

Tales To Astonish (1959) #44-69 & back-up stories in #51-58: See below for the three most common collection formats of this material; for further collections, see the Guide to Ant-Man. Janet is a more heavily-featured co-star in #44-47, 52, 57, 61, 63, 65-69. Notably, #65 has her insisting she can think of a better design for Hank’s costume, which would go on to become one of her defining character traits. She co-stars without as much to do in #48-51, 53-56, 58-60, 62, & 64 (possibly due to receiving her own back-up features in issues #51-58)

in a single B&W Essential edition…

Essential Ant-Man, Vol. 1 (2002 B&W paperback, ISBN 978-0785108221)
Collects Hank & Janet’s entire run in stories from Tales to Astonish (1959) #27 & 35-69, including backups.

in a trio of premium Marvel Masterworks…

Marvel Masterworks: Ant-Man/Giant-Man, Vol. 1 (2006 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785120490 / 2013 paperback, ISBN 978-0785167686 / digital)
Collects Hank & Janet’s stories from Tales to Astonish (1959) #27-52, including the first of her backups.

Marvel Masterworks: Ant-Man/Giant-Man, Vol. 2 (2008 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785129110 / digital)
Collects Hank & Janet stories from Tales to Astonish (1959) #53-69, including backups.

Marvel Masterworks: Ant-Man/Giant-Man, Vol. 3 (2018 hardcover, ISBN 978-1302910792 / digital)
This edition wraps up the last of Hank & Janet’s featured adventures and moves on to begin to cover Bill Foster (as Giant-Man and Goliath) and Scott Lang (as Ant-Man). Collects Hank Pym in Marvel Feature (1971) #4-10 and Iron Man (1968) #44 (backup story), Bill Foster in Power Man (1974) #24-25, Black Goliath (1976) #1-5, & Champions (1975) #11-13, and Scott Lang in Marvel Premiere (1972) #47-48.

in a line of Ant-Man/Giant-Man Epic Collections…

Vol. 1: The Man in the Ant Hill (2015 paperback, ISBN 978-0785198505 / digital)
This paperback collects more than the first Masterworks volume, but still falls short of collecting the entirety of Hank & Janet’s Tales to Astonish stories. Collects Tales to Astonish (1959) #27 & 35-59. Reprinted in 2023 as ISBN 978-1302950354.

Vol. 2: Ant-Man No More (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302949655 / digital)
Collects Hank & Janet in Tales to Astonish (1959) #60-69, Marvel Feature (1971) #4-10, and Hank in material from Iron Man (1968) #44, Bill Foster in Power Man (1974) #24-25, Black Goliath (1976) #1-5, & Champions (1975) #11-13, and Scott lang in Marvel Premiere (1972) #47-48.

Click for a list of guest appearances in this period, with Avengers #1-16 incorporated into the order.

Wasp co-founds the Avengers in Avengers (1963) #1-16 (Sep 1963 – May 1965)

Janet and Hank join up with the other founding Avengers when Rick Jones and his teen brigade summon aid to help exonerate Hulk from fresh accusations of his “rampaging” (which are actually Loki’s fault).

In this larger cast, Janet doesn’t have as much to do as she does in her stories with Hank. She often winds up with just 1-2 lines per issue. Past reading #1-2 for historical context and perhaps #10 or 12 for her in a slightly more-active role, I don’t think these issues are necessary in a Wasp-focused read. [Marvel Unlimited]

Avengers (1963) #1-16: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996).

Avengers (1963) #1.5: A retcon story by Roger Stern published in 1999 that fits between Avengers #1-2. This is typically collected alongside the 1998 Avengers series, since it was published during that run. See Guide to Avengers (1996-2005) for collection information.

Click for a list of guest appearances in this period, with Tales To Astonish #48-69 incorporated into the order.

After her departure, Janet is in a retcon story in Avengers (2016) #1.1 & 5.1, Tales To Astonish (1959) #67-69, Amazing Spider-Man (1963) Annual 37 (2nd story), implied in Fantastic Four (1961) Annual 3

Wasp rejoins The Avengers in Avengers (1963) #26-75 (Mar 1966 – Apr 1970)

Avengers #26 overlaps Janet’s guest appearance in tales to Astonish #78 and explains her return from retirement. She is an active member in the field and in forming strategy throughout this run. One of her ongoing subplots is a fascination with and ultimately friendship with Hawkeye, who can sometimes be aloof with the other members. Janet gets married in issue #60. [Marvel Unlimited]

Before and during #26: guest-starring in Tales To Astonish (1959) #77-78

Avengers (1963) #26-29, 32-44, Annual 1, 45-56, Annual 2, 57-60 & 63-75: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). Janet is implied but unseen in #27 before rejoining the team at the end of #28. During this run, she is most-heavily featured in #26, 29, 33-34, 45-46, 57-60, & 74. She appears only briefly in #43, but it contains a significant development in her continuity. Janet and Hank depart the team for either a honeymoon, retirement, or both in #75.

Click for a list of guest appearances in this period.

Wasp takes a break in Avengers #83 & 90-91 and Marvel Feature (1971) #5-10 (Dec 1970 – Jul 1973)

While Janet is away from the Avengers, she teams up with… the Avengers! Janet makes a pair of key appearances in this period, but also appears alongside Hank for a return to their “Ant-Man & Wasp” duo adventures in Marvel Feature (1971). [Marvel Unlimited: Avengers, Marvel Feature]

Ant-Man & The Wasp in Marvel Feature (1971) #8

Avengers (1963) #83: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). This is the original Lady Liberators story, with Marvel’s first ever all-women hero team – though it’s assembled under suspicious circumstance. Wasp is a player throughout this story.

Avengers (1963) #90-91 (and implied in 93) & 100: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). In #90-91, Janet asks for the team’s help with the case of a missing Hank, but gets briefly caught up in their ongoing plot with Mar-vell. Later, in #100, Janet and Hank are two of a wide cast of Avengers who arrive to assist the team, but we don’t see much of her in the story (sumptuously illustrated by Barry Windsor Smith).

Marvel Feature (1971) #5-10: See below for the two most common collection formats of this material; for further collections, see the Guide to Ant-Man. This ongoing Ant-Man feature began in issue #4, but Janet does not appear. Hank finds her unconscious at the end of issue #5. She begins issue #6 in the role of a damsel in distress, but by the end she is in the thick of the action. She continues in an active co-star role through issue #10.

in premium Marvel Masterworks…

Marvel Masterworks: Ant-Man/Giant-Man, Vol. 3 (2018 hardcover, ISBN 978-1302910792 / digital)
This edition wraps up the last of Hank & Janet’s featured adventures and moves on to begin to cover Bill Foster (as Giant-Man and Goliath) and Scott Lang (as Ant-Man). Collects Hank Pym in Marvel Feature (1971) #4-10 and Iron Man (1968) #44 (backup story), Bill Foster in Power Man (1974) #24-25, Black Goliath (1976) #1-5, & Champions (1975) #11-13, and Scott Lang in Marvel Premiere (1972) #47-48.

in Ant-Man/Giant-Man Epic Collections…

Vol. 2: Ant-Man No More (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302949655 / digital)
Collects Hank & Janet in Tales to Astonish (1959) #60-69, Marvel Feature (1971) #4-10, and Hank in material from Iron Man (1968) #44, Bill Foster in Power Man (1974) #24-25, Black Goliath (1976) #1-5, & Champions (1975) #11-13, and Scott lang in Marvel Premiere (1972) #47-48.

Click for a list of guest appearances in this period.

Wasp rejoins The Avengers in Avengers (1963) #137-214 (Jul 1975 – Dec 1981)

When Thor checks in on Janet to confirm her extended leave of absence from the team, she surprises him by saying she wants to return to the active roster! [Marvel Unlimited]Wasp in Avengers (1963) #181

Avengers (1963) #137-141, 148, 146: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). Janet is the focus of the adventure in #137, but then is implied and unseen in #138 and out of commission in #139-141 (though she does briefly appear in each issue). Issue #146 is a mid-story insert, so occurs after the close of the story in #148, which is why Janet is still convalescing in #148 but then appears to be active in #146.

Avengers (1963) #150-153, Annual 6, 154-162 (and implied in #163): See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). Janet formally rejoins in #150-151, but Hank declines the invitation (though he does frequently turn up adventuring with the team). Issue #153 continues directly to Annual 6. Super-Villain Team-Up (1975) #9 crossers over into #155. In this run, her only significant story is in #161-162 (which, really, its Hank’s story). Janet is implied but unseen in #163.

Marvel Team-Up (1972) #59-60: See Guide to Spider-Man, Peter Parker (1963-2010) or Guide to Marvel Team-Up (eventually). Janet is the featured team-up in these issues!

Avengers (1963) #164 & 166-167: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). Janet is mostly in the background of these issues, though she briefly presents her first fashion show in #167.

Avengers (1963) #170-177, Annual 8, 178-188: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). Despite this run kicking off with a Jocasta story, Janet is mostly a background player other than Annual 8, in which she is the focus. She is selected by the National Security Council to continue on the team in a slimmed-down roster in #181.

Janet is only implied in Avengers (1963) #189 between Defenders #77-78. She is not in Annual 9.

Defenders (1972) #76-81: See Guide to Defenders. Janet teams up with The Defenders, piloting a Quinjet to aid them on their mission in #76-77. She’s as active here as she is in a typical Avengers issue, if not more so! She’s joined by Hank for #78-80, where she continues to be part of the action with the team. She is only in issue #81 to bid the team farewell. Throughout, she takes a slightly more proactive role than she is allowed to take in a typical Avengers story – and she reflects on that in her goodbye in #81!

Avengers (1963) #190-208 & 210-214: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). Issues #194-196 are a featured Janet story, and she is key player in #201-202. She plays a key role in the resolve of #206. Issues #212-213 are the nadir of Janet and Hank’s relationship. Issue #213 feature the oft-referenced moment of domestic violence where a costumed Hank strikes Janet in nightclothes, giving her a black eye. She gets an epilogue scene in #214.

Click for a list of guest appearances in this period.

Wasp, Chairman of the Avengers in Avengers (1963) #217-276 & Annual 11-14 (Mar 1982 – Feb 1987)

In a delightfully in-character bold move in issue #217, Janet informs current Avengers chairman Captain America “I think it’s time someone else had a turn” and promptly nominates herself for the job! Cap, Iron Man, and Thor are unanimous in their support. [Marvel Unlimited: Avengers (1963). Secret Wars]

Wasp in Avengers (1963) #264

Avengers (1963) #217-220, Annual 11, 221-226: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). As the chairman of a slimmer roster of Avengers, Janet has a much bigger role in this run than she had up to this point. Janet is the focus of issue #217 and a main character in #218 (trigger warning for self-harm) and #224. She continues to be prominent through #219-226 (less so in Annual 11, and she only cameos in #223). This run is the origin of her long-running friendship with Jennifer Walters, who joins in #221. She also has her first post-Pym romantic dalliance in #224 (which also sets up some long-running plot threads).

Contest of Champions: See Guide to Marvel Events – Contest of Champions. Jan appears alongside the Avengers and seemingly the entirety of the Marvel Universe in Marvel Super Hero Contest Of Champions (1982) #1. She is not one of the champions selected for the contest, she her presence is only implied in #2. She appears again in #3

Avengers (1963) #227-232, Annual 12, 233-238 & 240-242: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). Janet has a featured role throughout these issues except #241, where she is only in a subplot out of the action. There’s a terrific scene in #227 where she reflects in private on the weight of being the team’s leader. Her relationship with Hank reaches a new resolution in #230. Janet disappears with half of the team at the end of #242, whisked away to Secret Wars.

Secret Wars: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Secret Wars. Janet is one of the heroes summoned to Battleworld by the Beyonder. She appears across this event, though she finds herself deferring to other leaders of the heroic forces – including Captain America, Mr. Fantastic, and Professor X. Her main issues in the event are #3-4 & 6, where she infiltrates Magneto’s base (and his confidence) and then strikes out on her own. She appears in Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars (1984) #1-4 & 6-12, as well as rectons in Deadpool’s Secret Secret Wars (2015) #1 & 3-4.

Avengers (1963) #243-245, Annual 13, 246-251: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). In this period, Janet briefly relinquishes chairmanship to Vision beginning in issue #243. While she continues as an active member of the team, she returns to more of a background role in this run. She goes to a party with Starfox in an entertaining sequence in #246. She is featured in #251, when she goes on a brief vacation, and is implied but unseen in issue #252 (via Wanda receiving her postcard) as her vacation continues.

Avengers (1963) #255-260, Annual 14, 261-264, & 266: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). Janet returns to find the team has quickly fallen to shambles without her in #255. She is the focus of issue #256, where she has 1:1s with various teammates and retakes the chairmanship. Then, she she takes more of a background role, with the title focused on newer members Hercules, Monica Rambeau, and Black Knight. Janet is not a part of the main adventure in #257-258, but travels to space with the team in #259-261 & Annual 14 (some of which is a part of Secret Wars II). Issue #263 is part of the prologue to the launch of X-Factor. Janet is the featured character in #264, confronting a new version of Yellowjacket.

Secret Wars II: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Secret Wars II. Some of issues #259-266 loosely tie in with this event. Janet appears in Secret Wars II (1985) #5 (after #261) & 9 (after #264)

Avengers (1963) #267-272: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). Janet is prominent in a Kang arc from issues #267-269. Janet featured character in #270-271 (with her own solo fight in #270). Issue #272 is parallel to Alpha Flight (1983) #39, and Janet also appears there.

Avengers (1963) Annual 15 & West Coast Avengers (1985) Annual 1: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). or Guide to Avengers West Coast. This is a two-part story featuring the full cast of both Avengers teams.

Avengers (1963) #273-278: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). Janet is a heavily featured player in this arc, fighting The Masters of Evil! Then, she is the lead character in #278, reflecting on recent events of the run and her tenure as chairperson before stepping down to reserve status!

Between #277-278, Janet has a call with Hank, who is with the West Coast team. (Content warning for self-harm.)

Click for a list of guest appearances in this period.

Wasp joins the West Coast Avengers in West Coast Avengers (1985) #32-46 & Annual 2
& Avengers West Coast (1989) #47-74, 76, Annual 2, 4, 6, & 8, and Operation: Galactic Storm (May 1988 – July 1993)

Janet is actually a reserve member of the Avengers for much of this time, but even as a reservist she is pulled into the team’s many adventures – both willingly and unwillingly. [Marvel Unlimited]

Wasp in West Coast Avengers (1985) #43

Avengers (1963) #280, 283-285: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). In #280, Janet appears in a non-continuity capacity in Jarvis’s dreams. Janet does not appear explicitly in #283, but in #284 she is featured and we learn she is also a part of this story of Zeus and the Greek Pantheon. She quickly departs at the end of of the adventure in #285.

West Coast Avengers (1985) Annual 2 & Avengers (1963) Annual 16: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996) or Guide to Avengers West Coast. This is a two-part story featuring the full cast of both Avengers teams.

West Coast Avengers (1985) #32: See Guide to Avengers West Coast. A vacationing Janet drops in on the West Coast team to learn some of the team dynamics – and she’s concerned with what she finds.

After #32, in Solo Avengers (1987) #12 (2nd story), the new Yellowjacket stalks Janet, who we glimpse briefly turning down the romantic advances of Dane Whitman, the Black Knight.

West Coast Avengers (1985) #33-37: See Guide to Avengers West Coast. Janet is just vacationing alongside the team in issue #33 as she sits in on them nominating Moon Knight as a full-time member, but their meeting is interrupted by Hank Pym with startling news that ties back to Janet’s first appearance in Tales To Astonish! She is an active presence in the subsequent adventure in #33-36, which includes some scenes of her navigating her tricky post-divorce relationship with Hank. She departs in issue #37, having failed to prevent the team from fracturing under the weight of its own tricky relationships.

Solo Avengers (1987) #15 (2nd story): Janet stars in a solo back-up story, battling (sort-of) Red Ronin. It appears that this entire run (including back-ups) may be collected in the Hawkeye Epic Collection line. See Guide to Hawkeye for more information.

West Coast Avengers (1985) #42-45: See Guide to Avengers West Coast. This is “Vision Quest,” a significant Vision & Scarlet Witch story. Apparently, Janet had been staying on the campus since her departure, as she whisks into battle with an Ultron in issue #42. She joins the team on their mission in #43, easily slotting into the leader role (much to Hawkeye’s chagrin). She is present in issues #44-45, but in a supporting capacity.

Avengers (1963) #305-306 & 308: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). Captain America summons the full roster of both Avengers teams plus various reservists to announce a change in membership policy: everyone is an Avenger, without any separation between teams or active and reserve members. Then, the amassed group of heroes is sucked into an adventure! Janet doesn’t have much to do in this huge cast; she is implied in #307 but does not appear on-panel, and departs with the rest of the West Coast team in a brief scene in #308.

(While the cover of the book continues updates to “Avengers West Coast” in #47, the indicia still reads “West Coast Avengers.” As a result, it’s common to see this issue listed under either title.)

Avengers West Coast (1989) #47-52 & Annual 4: See Guide to Avengers West Coast. Janet is now a full team member, per Cap’s announcement in Avengers #308, above. She shares a personal moment with Wonder Man in the middle of training in issue #47, but otherwise doesn’t have much to do in these issues. See Atlantis Attacks, just below, for Annual 4.

Marvel Super-Heroes (1990) #9 (1st story): See Guide to Avengers West Coast. This anthology issue lead with full-length Avengers West Coast story – likely developed as a fill-in issue for the main title.

Atlantis Attacks in Avengers West Coast (1989) Annual 4: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Atlantis Attacks or Guide to Avengers West Coast. Janet first appears in Avengers West Coast (1989) Annual 4 (2nd story) slightly before this event, and this is in Avengers (1963) Annual 18. Avengers West Coast (1989) Annual 4, Thor (1966) Annual 14, and Fantastic Four (1961) Annual 22.

Acts of Vengeance in Avengers West Coast (1989) #53, Avengers (1963) #312, Avengers West Coast (1989) #54-55: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Acts of Vengeance, Guide to Avengers West Coast, or Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). Janet is a background player in this story.

Avengers Spotlight (1989) #28 (2nd story): A Wonder Man & Wasp team-up story that fits during between Avengers #312 and West Coast #54. It appears that this entire run (including back-ups) may be collected in the Hawkeye Epic Collection line. See Guide to Hawkeye for more information.

During or after Acts of Vengeance, Janet appears in Avengers West Coast (1989) Annual 5 (5th story). However, for a full Wasp read it can simply be read with the full annual, below.

Avengers West Coast (1989) #56-58 & 60-62: See Guide to Avengers West Coast. These issues are part of the pivotal “Darker Than Scarlet” arc, a major Scarlet Witch story. Janet appears throughout, but is especially featured in #57. Technically, you can read the first few pages of #63 here, as well.

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #48 (3rd story): Not collected. A Janet solo story!

Marvel Super-Heroes (1990) #3 (2nd story): Not collected. A Janet solo story!

Avengers: Deathtrap, The Vault (1991) OGN: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996) or Guide to Venom. An Avengers, Venom, & Freedom Force story. Janet appears but does not have a major role.

The Terminus Factor: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – 1990 Annual Crossovers, Guide to Avengers West Coast, or Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). Janet appears in Avengers West Coast (1989) Annual 5 5th story earlier (see above) and 3rd story just prior to this crossover. Then, she is in Avengers West Coast (1989) Annual 5 and Avengers (1963) Annual 19. She does not appear in the first three chapters in Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor annuals. After the event, she appears in Avengers (1963) Annual 19 (4th story).

Avengers West Coast (1989) #63, 65-74, & Annual 6 (3rd story): See Guide to Avengers West Coast. Janet appears throughout. She is especially prominent in #67 during the Wonder Man / Grim Reaper arc. Issue #70 includes a scene of Janet re-affirming that she and Hank plan to remain just friends. Janet departs the team in #74, but is still a recurring cast member. The annual story is a solo Wasp story! Janet does not appear in the main story in that annual.

Avengers (1963) #340: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). A Wasp & Cap team-up story.

Infinity Gauntlet occurs here. Janet is implied based on other characters and action we see in Infinity Gauntlet (1991) #2 & 6, but she never appears on panel.

Avengers West Coast (1989) #76: See Guide to Avengers West Coast. Janet appears for just a few panels as the team runs into her in her new Hollywood life.

Operation: Galactic Storm: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). Janet is pulled into this massive crossover events as a reserve member. She appears in Avengers (1963) #345, Avengers West Coast (1989) #81-82, Captain America (1968) #400 (2nd story), Avengers West Coast (1989) #83, and an epilogue in Captain America (1968) #401

Infinity War: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Infinity War. Janet appears in Infinity War (1992) #2-4. During Infinity War (1992) #2-3 she is also in Fantastic Four (1961) #367-368, Marc Spector: Moon Knight (1989) #41, Wonder Man (1991) #13. She implied in Alpha Flight (1983) #110 but unseen. During Infinity War (1992) #4 she also implied in or adjacent to action in Alpha Flight (1983) #111 and Marc Spector: Moon Knight (1989) #42-44

Avengers West Coast (1989) Annual 8: See Guide to Avengers West Coast. Janet briefly comes to blows with the team.

Click for a list of guest appearances in this period.

Tales to Astonish (1994) #1 & Marvel Double Feature: Avengers (1994) #379-382 (Oct – Dec 1994)

Marvel Double Feature: Avengers was a limited release of Ant-Man stories released as a flip-book with the Avengers issues. Prior to the release of this trade paperback, this was piece of “lost media” in the digital world, since no digital versions include the back-up “Double Feature” story! As a result, I can’t check this one for you!

Tales to Astonish was released later, but reads first in continuity order. [Marvel Unlimited]

Tales to Astonish (1994) #1: A fully-issue, fully-painted Wasp, Hank Pym, & Hulk team-up.

Avengers #379-382 (Marvel Double Feature backups): Ant-Man/Giant Man: Growing Pains (2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302913816 / digital)
Collects Avengers (1963) #28 & 139, Avengers #379-382 (Marvel Double Feature backups), Avengers Academy #7, and Tales To Astonish (1959) #49.

After Double Feature: implied but unseen in Midnight Suns Unlimited (1993) #8, then in Tales Of The Marvels: Wonder Years (1995) #2

Wasp rejoins the Avengers for The Crossing, First, Sign, & Onslaught in Avengers (1963) #390-402 (Sep 1995 – Sep 1996)

Technically, Janet is not an Avenger until #396. During this run, she mutates into a more wasp-like appearance. Ah, the 90s! [Marvel Unlimited]

Avengers: The Crossing: See Guide to Avengers (1963-1996). Janet appears through this 25-part crossover in Avengers (1963) #390, Avengers: Crossing (1995) #1, Avengers (1963) #391 Iron Man (1968) #322-323, Avengers (1963) #393, (only implied in Force Works (1994) #19 and Iron Man (1968) #324), Avengers (1963) #394, Avengers: Timeslide (1996), Iron Man (1968) #325, and Avengers (1963) #395

Between #390 and “The Crossing #1” the Avengers guest in the nearly unintelligible Lunatik (1995) #1-2 .

Avengers (1963) #396-397: See Guide to Avengers (1963 – 1996). Issue #397 is part of the “First Sign” crossover. Janet does not appear in other chapters. She appears only briefly in #397.

After #397: In Iron Man (1968) #327, Janet is one of many Avengers at the reading of Tony Stark’s will.

Avengers (1963) #398-399: See Guide to Avengers (1963 – 1996)

Avengers Unplugged (1995) #6: Not collected. The full cast of Avengers appears in a Black Knight / Blood Wraith story.

After #399 & Unplugged: in Spider-Man Team-Up (1995) #4 for a team-up with the Avengers.

Avengers (1963) #400: See Guide to Avengers (1963 – 1996)

Onslaught: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events. Janet appears in Onslaught: X-Men (1996) #1, Avengers (1963) #401, Fantastic Four (1961) #415, X-Men 1991) #55, Avengers (1963) #402, and in flashback in Onslaught: Marvel Universe (1996) #1.

Heroes Reborn: Wasp in Avengers (1996) #1-4 & 8-12 (Nov 1996 – Oct 1997)

Janet appears in this Image-style Avengers relaunch in a pocket reality as a civilian until issue #9, when she joins the team on a rescue mission as Wasp. None of these issues are relevant to Janet’s longer-term plot. [Marvel Unlimited]

Avengers (1996) #1-4 & 8-12: See Guide to Avengers (1996 – 2005). Janet appears in the crossover from Fantastic Four (1996) #12 to Avengers (1996) #12 to Iron Man (1996) #12 to Captain America (1996) #12

Wasp re-launches The Avengers in Avengers (1998) #1-84, 500-501, & Finale (Oct 1998 – Nov 2004)

Janet appears in the first arc of this relaunch alongside nearly every Avengers ever, and then joins the cast more permanently after the conclusion of the Avengers Forever side-series. [Marvel Unlimited: Avengers (1998), Avengers Forever, Maximum Security, Avengers/Thunderbolts]

Wasp in Avengers (1998) #61

#1-4 & 10-11 (& implied in #8): See Guide to Avengers (1996 – 2005). In issue #1, Janet is part of the core group of original Avengers returned from their jaunt into the pocket dimension of Heroes Reborn who summon all past Avengers to join their mission. She is the background player in #2-3. In Issue #4 she does a lot of the talking in assembling a new permanent team, but also demurs from coming back as a full-time team member. She is one of many members attending a parade in #10-11 when the team is attacked by former members; she has no significant action.

Avengers Forever (1998) #1-8 & 11-12: See Guide to Avengers (1996 – 2005)

Ant-Man’s Big Christmas (1999) #1: See Guide to Ant-Man. This is a decidedly silly (but somewhat adult) holiday comic where Hank and Janet decide to spend Christmas with a young fan who has a rocky relationship with his extended family. It’s very Honey I Shrunk The Kids, and Janet gets plenty to do.

Contest of Champions II (1999) #3-4: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Contest of Champions

#16-23: See Guide to Avengers (1996 – 2005). In an issue #16 subplot, Janet runs into Carol Danvers on the street, who disappears abruptly after their chat. That leads to her mounting a rescue mission with Hank and a b-team in issue #17. She is in the deep background of #18, but comes to the fore in a substantial role in issues #19-22 for an Ultron story. In #23 she observes a group of protestors outside the mansion

#25 & 27-34: See Guide to Avengers (1996 – 2005). Issues #32-33 form an unofficial crossover with Thunderbolts (1997) #43-44, resolving in issue #34. In issue #25, Janet briefly counsels Wonder Man and joins the team for a mission in the deep background. With protests against the team mounting, in issue #27 Jan rejoins and takes a leadership position (alongside Wanda). As with Janet’s first turn at leadership, that makes her more prominent in issues #28-31 (though nothing is plot significant for her).

Maximum Security in Avengers (1998) #35: See Guide to Avengers (1996 – 2005) or Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Maximum Security. Janet is in Maximum Security (2000) #1-2, Avengers (1998) #35 (in the background), and Maximum Security (2000) #3

#36-43 & Annual 2001: See Guide to Avengers (1996 – 2005). In #36, Janet leads the team remotely and on the field, and kicks off a subplot with Hank’s suspicious behavior. She is mostly in the background until the end of #37, when she asks Cap to return to the team after a particularly tough run of losses. She bustles about in issues #38, showing off new tech to the refreshed membership, and then leads the team on a Gamma-related mission in #39-40 (where Hank has some difficulty), in #41-42 (against Kang), and the subsequent fallout in #43. The Hank plot comes to a head in Annual 2001, which is a significant issue for both Janet and Hank.

#44-46 & 48-49, 52-54: See Guide to Avengers (1996 – 2005). Janet is present in issue #44-46 & 48, but doesn’t do much aside from take a government meeting with Cap and react to a surprising show of force from the US government. In the silent “‘Nuff Said” issue #49, Janet must represent the world in admitting Kang has won. (#51 flashes back to this scene, but has no new Janet material). Janet is rescued in #52 and takes charge of Earth’s response to Kang. She is only in the margins of #53-54.

#55 & 57-62: See Guide to Avengers (1996 – 2005). Implied in #64. In issue #55, Janet is one of the senior team of Avengers rebuilding the team and mourning the dead; she doesn’t have many lines but she is a significant presence. She is the featured star of the first half of #57, reflecting on her new focus in the wake of the tragedy of the Kang arc, which continues to a sequence in the end of issue #58 and opening of #59 before being resolved by the whole team in issue #60. She is in the background of reassembling the team in #61. She appears briefly in #62, welcoming Scott Lang to the team.

#71: See Guide to Avengers (1996 – 2005). A Janet-focused issue that brings a (temporary) new resolve to her relationship with Hank (plus sees her in some brief superhero action).

Avengers/Thunderbolts (2004) #1-6: See Guide to Avengers (1996 – 2005) or Guide to Thunderbolts & Dark Avengers. Janet seems to act as co-leader with Captain America in issue #1, but after that she is a background character.

#77-81: See Guide to Avengers (1996 – 2005). Janet appears throughout this arc, “Lionheart of Avalon.” She is the centerpiece of a massive action sequence in issues #77 and 80, and between them has a massive confrontation with Hank in #79 that acts as a second part to the confrontation in issue #71.

#82-84: See Guide to Avengers (1996 – 2005). This arc includes soap-opera style personal developments for Janet.

#500-501 & Finale AKA Avengers Disassembled: See Guide to New Avengers or Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Avengers Disassembled. Janet is a background player in this major Avengers story.

Click for a list of guest-appearances in this period.

Wasp in House of M (Jun – Jul 2005)

Janet pops up early in this alternate-reality event driven by Scarlet Witch. [Marvel Unlimited]

House of M: See Marvel Universe Events – House of M. Janet appears in House of M (2005) #1-2 and Pulse: House of M (2005) #1 AKA Special

Before House of M, flashbacks in Young Avengers (2005) Special and Mighty Avengers (2007) #15. Also, implied but unseen in New Avengers (2005) #42.

After House of M, Janet appears in Pulse (2004) #11-12. Then, in Marvel Holiday Special (1991) 2005 (2nd story). Janet appears at an Avengers holiday party.

Wasp in Beyond! (2006) #1-6 (Jul – Dec 2006)

Janet is one of nine powered beings summoned together for a return to Battleworld, alongside Hank Pym! Several of the beings have a specific tie to the original Secret Wars. While this doesn’t have long-term significance for her, she has scenes throughout. [Marvel Unlimited]

#1-6: Beyond! (2007 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785126249 / 2008 paperback, ISBN 978-0785120131 / digital)

In She-Hulk (2005) #7 we glimpse Janet in a flashback to an older period of Avengers, then in the modern day having lunch with Jennifer Walters. She is one of many heroes at Avengers poker night in Thing (2006) #8.

Wasp, founder of the Mighty Avengers in Civil War, Mighty Avengers (2007) #1-11, 20, & Secret Invasion (Mar 2006 – Dec 2008)

This Avengers team is put together over a brief span of time in flashbacks in issues #1-2, hand-picked by Iron Man and Carol Danvers as Ms. Marvel. In Carol’s recruitment meeting with Janet in issue #2, there’s a sense both of nostalgia and that Carol trusts Janet to be great more than Janet even trusts herself.

Starting with issue #12, this series switches to providing deep background on Secret Invasion, with the Avengers team itself appearing in the main event book while their title tells smaller stories featuring individual players from #12-18. [Marvel Unlimited: Civil War, Mighty Avengers, Secret Invasion]

Wasp in Mighty Avengers (2007) #20

Civil War: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Civil War. Janet appears in Civil War (2006) #1-4 & 6-7 on the Registration side of the war, though it’s never made clear why she joins that side other than her allegiance to Tony and Hank. Really, this simply acts as a prelude for her time in Mighty Avengers.

Click to expand a summary of Janet\'s participation in every issue of Civil War and its tie-ins.

Mighty Avengers (2007) #1-6: Guide to Mighty Avengers & Ultimates. Though she doesn’t have much to do in the first arc of #1-6, she is implicitly one of the main characters due to the team’s foe. She also has a scene setting her status quo with Hank in #6.

Mighty Avengers (2007) #7-9 & 11: Guide to Mighty Avengers & Ultimates. Issue #8 is key for Janet, not only due to her part in a fight against Venom, but because it sets up her role at the close of Secret Invasion.

Giant-Size Avengers (2007) #1: Guide to New Avengers (though this is not collected at this time). Janet is one of the narrators in the framing sequence of this issue.

Avengers/Invaders #2 & 4-12: See Guide to New Avengers, Guide to Mighty Avengers & Ultimates, or Guide to Invaders (eventually). Janet appears throughout this maxi-series with the combined Avengers teams, but she is not one of the focal characters.

Click to expand a summary guest appearances in this period.

Secret Invasion: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Secret Invasion. In Secret Invasion (2008) #2, Janet cameos as one of the assembled Avengers who warily greet and then battle a suspicious group of heroes. She is still with the group in Secret Invasion (2008) #6 and has one throwaway line. However, she is central to the ongoing battle in Secret Invasion (2008) #7 – it’s one of her key issues. We briefly glimpse the aftermath of that in Secret Invasion (2008) #8. Mighty Avengers (2007) #20 is an epilogue in which Janet does not appear, but which is relevant to her plot.

We see another angle on the same climactic fight in Secret Invasion: Front Line (2008) #5 and glimpse it in flashback in Avengers (2010) #33. In Incredible Hercules (2008) #129, we get a possible glimpse of Janet in the aftermath of that moment, but it’s not strictly in continuity.

Heroic Age: Wasp returns in Avengers (2010) #31-34 (Oct – Nov 2012)

Brian Bendis often makes a practice “putting the toys back on the shelf” when he ends a run on a title, and so in the wrap-up to his Avengers run he returns Janet to active status. [Marvel Unlimited]

Avengers (2010) #31-34: Guide to Avengers Flagships (2010 – present). This is a major Wasp-focused story with Janet as the main character.

In Avengers Assemble (2012) #11, Janet cameos as part of a crowd viewing Spider-Woman’s prank/bet. In Avengers Assemble (2012) #16-17, she is a background player in the “Enemy Within” crossover with Captain Marvel.

Marvel Now: Wasp in Uncanny Avengers (2012) #5, 7-13, 21-23 & AXIS (Mar 2013 – Dec 2014)

Janet is part of the Uncanny Avengers team in this period, which begins with the implication that she is an active Avenger with business in the mansion – just not business that relates to the main Jonathan Hickman run on the title in the same period. [Marvel Unlimited: Uncanny Avengers, Uncanny Avengers Annual, AXIS]

Uncanny Avengers (2012) #5, 7-13, & 21-23: See Guide to Uncanny Avengers. In issue #5, Janet takes exception to Rogue’s redecoration of the Mansion. Issues #7-13 & 21-22 include some elements of a time loop story. Janet still recalls all of it afterwards, which is driven home by the final scene in #22. Issue #23 sets up AXIS.

Infinity: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Infinity. Janet is one of the featured characters holding back the enemy forces in Avengers Assemble (2012) #20.

AXIS: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – AXIS. Janet appears in AXIS Avengers & X-Men: AXIS (2014) #1-5, 7, & 9

Uncanny Avengers (2012) Annual 1: See Guide to Uncanny Avengers.

Click to expand a summary guest appearances in this period.

All-New, All Different Marvel: Wasp in Avengers: Rage of Ultron (2015) OGN
& Uncanny Avengers (2015) #9-12 & 15-30 (Apr 2015 – Dec 2017)

In this period Janet is primarily an active Avengers on the “Unity” squad that combines Avengers, mutants, and Inhumans. However, she also spends some time interacting with the main Avengers team and makes several guest-appearances. [Marvel Unlimited: Rage of Ultron, All-New All-Different Avengers, Uncanny Avengers, Unstoppable Wasp]

Avengers: Rage of Ultron (2015) OGN: Guide to Avengers Flagships (2010 – present). This was the earliest post-Secret-Wars-2015 story told by Marvel. This confirms that Wasp is one of the massive cast of active Avengers in the wake of Secret Wars. She is one of the heavily-featured players in this story, which helps to recap and move forward her relationship with Hank.Wasp in Uncanny Avengers (2015) #17

Ant-Man (2015) Annual 1: See Guide to Ant-Man. Janet visits Scott Lang in the wake of Rage of Ultron to discuss Hank Pym’s last will. It establishes Janet is actively controlling the Pym estate, which comes in handy in her upcoming stories with Nadia.

Also in this period: In Astonishing Ant-Man (2015) #5, Janet yells at Scott Lang via teleconference for his mismanagement of Pym’s lab (she does not appear in #2). In Rocket Raccoon And Groot (2016) #4, we see Janet playing a table-top RPG with the team.

All-New Wolverine (2016) #5: See Guide to Wolverine, X-23. This issue is a full Wasp Team-Up! This follows up on the plot thread of Janet controlling Hank’s estate.

All-New All-Different Avengers (2016) #10 & 12: See Guide to Avengers Flagships (2010 – present). Janet is in sub-plot pages in these issues helping Nadia adjust to her new American life.

Uncanny Avengers (2015) #9-12: See Guide to Uncanny Avengers. In issue #9, Steve Rogers calls a surprised Janet with news of Hank Pym’s seeming return, which leads to a dramatic and excruciating (for Janet) scene in #10. She is nominally part of a fight in #11-12, but it’s made more significant because it is personal to her.

All-New All-Different Avengers (2016) #14: See Guide to Avengers Flagships (2010 – present) or Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Civil War II.We see Janet training and spending quality time with Nadia when they are interrupted by news of the events of Civil War II (2016) #3. We also see this in brief flashback in The Fallen (2016) #1, as well as Janet at a subsequent funeral.

Uncanny Avengers (2015) #15-17: See Guide to Uncanny Avengers or Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Civil War II. Janet is a background player in Rogue’s rogue mission after Steve Rogers disbands the team. She has a few funny lines, but not major plot significance saving for re-upping her commitment to Rogue’s leadership at the end of the arc.

Janet makes her appearances in Unstoppable Wasp (2017) #3 & 7-8 between Uncanny Avengers #17-18

Unstoppable Wasp (2017) #3 & 7-8: See Guide to Unstoppable Wasp. Janet appears briefly in #3. Issues #7-8 are a Janet story which she narrates. They’re some of the best moments of character focus she had in years!

Uncanny Avengers (2015) #18-25: See Guide to Uncanny Avengers. Janet continues as a background player. She has a surprising amount of tolerance (and even affection) for Deadpool’s antics. Issues #24-25 are a part of Secret Empire.

Secret Empire: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Secret Empire. We glimpse Wasp in a panel of Secret Empire (2017) #0 coordinating the defense of New York (she is not seen in the same scene in Amazing Spider-Man (2016) #29). We see the immediate aftermath of that in the opening scenes of Uncanny Avengers (2015) #24. Later, Janet is implied in the subsequent defense of Washington DC (we see what could be Janet heading off-panel in U.S.Avengers (2017) #7). In Secret Empire (2017) #9 in the background of the final battle. She subsequently appears in Generations: Sam Wilson Captain America & Steve Rogers Captain America (2017) #1.

Uncanny Avengers (2015) #26-30: See Guide to Uncanny Avengers. Janet mostly is a cameo in these issues, with barely any scenes or action. The exception is that she has a substantial scene with Rogue in issue #28 where she reaffirms her support of Rogue’s leadership.

Also in this period, flashback or retcon appearance in All-New All-Different Avengers (2016) #7, 9 & 15, Vote Loki (2016) #1 (flashback to Avengers #1), Power Man and Iron Fist (2016) #6 (flashback to Civil War), Deadpool: Back in Black (2016) #1 (flashback to the original Secret Wars), Avengers (2016) #1.1 & 5.1 and 5-6, and Captain America: Sam Wilson (2016) #24 (flashback to Sam receiving the shield).

Marvel Legacy: Wasp rejoins The Avengers for No Surrender in Avengers (2016 / 1963) #675-690 (Jan – Apr 2018)

In Marvel Legacy, the casts of all four ongoing Avengers titles merge into a single team for a 16-part weekly event called No Surrender. Janet is active in the field throughout the story. [Marvel Unlimited]

Avengers (1963 / 2016) #675-690: See Guide to Avengers Flagships, 2010 – Present. During this event Janet appears in #675-677, 680-682, 684-685, & 687-690

Also in this period, flashback or retcon appearance in Rise of the Black Panther (2018) #6

Marvel Fresh Start: Ant-Man & the Wasp: Living Legends (2018) #1 (June 2018)

This Scott Lang + Janet van Dyne one-shot was printed in June 2018 but it occurs while Lang is running his security company, which may place it prior to Secret Empire. [Marvel Unlimited]

Ant-Man & The Wasp: Living Legends (2018) #1: Avengers Assemble: Living Legends (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302916381 / digital)
Collects the one-shots Thor: Where Walk The Frost Giants, Black Panther: The Sound And The Fury, Avengers: Shards Of Infinity, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Living Legends, Captain Marvel: Braver & Mightier. Also collected in Marvel-Verse: Ant-Man & The Wasp (2023 digest-size paperback, ISBN 978-1302950668 / digital)

Marvel Fresh Start: Wasp in Unstoppable Wasp (2018) #1-10 (Oct 2018 – Jul 2019)

Janet co-stars throughout this second volume of Unstoppable Wasp as Nadia’s guardian and mentor. Janet joins the cast of Tony Stark: Iron Man just before this Unstoppable run, but it continues past the end of this run. See the next section for details. [Marvel Unlimited]

Unstoppable Wasp (2018) #1-10: See Guide to Unstoppable Wasp, Nadia van Dyne

Also in this period, Despicable Deadpool (2017) #300

Wasp co-stars in Tony Stark: Iron Man (2018) #4, 6-11, & 13-19 (Oct 2018 – Dec 2019)

Tony Stark summons Janet in issue #4 to help him establish a baseline for Jocasta’s brain waves. Upon her arrival, he immediately has romance on his mind. Janet quickly becomes a co-star and an unpredictable heroic foil to Tony, considering the rest of the supporting cast of this book are largely his employees. She is often the “adult in the room.”

While no single issue of this series is especially significant for Janet, her overall involvement in Stark’s life and business in this period is. Early in this run, Janet first makes an appearance as a reserve member of Jason Aaron’s Avengers; see the next section for details. [Marvel Unlimited]

Tony Stark Iron Man (2018) #4, 6-11, 13-19: See Guide to Iron Man. Issues #12-13 glancingly tie in to War of the Realms, but Janet is only in #13 and these are very early in the event. See the next section for her participation.

After Tony Stark Iron Man (2018), in Iron Man 2020 (2020) #1-2 Janet cameos in one panel per issue, disclaiming any knowledge of the current Iron Man, and for a battle montage and a final page in Iron Man 2020 (2020) #6 asking Tony what comes next for him.

Wasp, Agent of Wakanda and occasional Avenger (Nov 2018 – present)

Early in Jason Aaron’s run on Avengers, he introduces Wasp as a reservist who is also a sleeper agent. This role is expanded in Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda, but a continuation of that series into Empyre was unfortunately cut short by the industry-wide pause in 2020 due to the pandemic. [Marvel Unlimited: Avengers, Agents of Wakanda, Empyre, AXE Avengers]

Avengers (2018) #10 & 12: See Avengers Flagships (2010 – present). In a back-up story to issue #10 (which is legacy issue #700), Janet kicks off the long-running vampire subplot in this title by discovering a captive Blade. Then, in issue #12, T’Challa recruits her to his Agents of Wakanda team (and she continues her vampire plot).

War of the Realms in Avengers (2018) #12: See Avengers Flagships (2010 – present) or Guide Marvel Universe Events – War of the Realms. We glimpse Janet in a panel leading civilians to safety. Her appearance in Tony Stark: Iron Man (2018) #13 occurs directly before this issue.

Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda (2019) #1-3 & 5-6: See Guide to Black Panther. Janet is one of the senior members of this team, and appears prominently throughout the series. The title was meant to continue into Empyre, but their tie-in was cancelled during the industry-wide Pandemic Pause.

Empyre: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Empyre. Janet appears in Empyre (2020) #3 & 6 as part of the Agents of Wakanda.

A.X.E.: Avengers (2020) #1: See Marvel Universe Events – A.X.E., Judgment Day.

Also in this period: Iron Man (2020) #1 & 9, Fantastic Four (2018) #24, Marvel (2020) #1 & 6, X-Men: The Trial of Magneto (2021) #1-5, The Darkhold (2021) Alpha & Omega, She-Hulk (2022) #1, Ant-Man (2022) #1, T.E.S.T. Kitchen Infinity Comic (2022) #3, and Damage Control (2022) #2. 

Also in this period, flashback or retcon appearances in Avengers (2018) #38, Cosmic Ghost Rider Destroys Marvel History (2019) #5, Avengers: Loki Unleashed! (2019) #1, Marvels Snapshots: Avengers (2020) #1, Captain America Anniversary Tribute (2021) #1, Kang the Conqueror (2021) #3, Hulk: Grand Design (2022) Monster, and Avengers: War Across Time (2023) #1

Wasp (2023) #1-4 (Jan – April 2023)

Janet’s first ever solo series! After this concludes, she is next in Avengers Inc. – also by Al Ewing. See Guide to Avengers Flagship Titles (2010 – Present). [Marvel Unlimited]

#1-4: Small Worlds (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302951955 / digital)
Collects Wasp (2023) #1-4 and material from Tales to Astonish (1959) #44

Didn’t find what you were looking for?
Check Amazon for Marvel’s newest Wasp titles.

Back to Crushing Comics