The Avengers are among the most celebrated superheroes in comics, yet somehow, one original member doesn't get the same respect as her fellow heroes: The Wasp. While Hulk, Thor, and Iron Man have all become household names with ongoing series of their own, The Wasp has become a secondary character, hasn't been part of the Avengers for some time, and is often disregarded as a founding member of Earth's Mightiest Heroes - and it's time she got the respect she deserved.
In Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's Avengers #1, the world was introduced to heroes that would become pop culture icons, with the original team featuring Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, Yellowjacket (Hank Pym), and The Wasp. The team would grow in the coming issues adding numerous fan-favorite heroes, including Captain America, Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and Scarlet Witch. And while almost all the original Avengers have been celebrated and remain key parts of the team to this day, The Wasp has become a supporting character of sorts despite Janet Van Dyne's integral role in forming and naming the Avengers in the first place. Thankfully, there is reason to believe that is about to change and she is finally getting respect.
Despite helping form the Avengers, The Wasp has been an afterthought in the pages of Marvel Comics for some time. She's been a member of a sub-Avengers team, an Agent of Wakanda, and hasn't been a full-time Avenger in years - while the current team features the likes of Starbrand and Nighthawk, who aren't exactly big names. Considering her status as an original Avenger and where her stories have been taken, most recently being made a love interest for Iron Man, The Wasp deserves much more respect - which is seemingly finally coming.
It Took Nearly 60 Years, But The Wasp Is Getting Her Own Solo Series
Thankfully, Marvel is finally giving The Wasp her own solo comic book miniseries, a four-issue title from Al Ewing and Kasia Nie that will rightfully give Janet Van Dyne a much-deserved spotlight. However, it's still somewhat sad that nearly six decades into her existence, it took this long for her to get her first solo series and that it's not an ongoing title but a four-issue mini. Still, considering how the character has been respected and used recently, any starring role is welcome for The Wasp.
With the character finally getting her own solo title, starring in the MCU, and seemingly gaining more prominence, Marvel seems to be using The Wasp like they should have been years ago. The Wasp is one of the original Avengers and is the first female member of the team and should be celebrated and respected as such. She should be as relevant as Hulk, Thor, and Iron Man. So, when the next Avengers roster is announced, The Wasp should be its leader and finally given a starring role among Earth's Mightiest Heroes in modern-day comics. She's too important to keep sidelining.