Janet van Dyne / Wasp
Founding member of the Avengers and superheroine
Hank Pym's lover with shrinking and flight abilities, founding member of Marvel Comics' Avengers.
Quotes
- "I seize my own place with my own power."
- "Even when small, I have a strong heart."
- "The Avengers are family."
- "My wings aren't just for flying. They're for battle."
- "Even in the quantum world, I am myself."
Trivia
- Wasp is one of the earliest founding female heroes in Marvel Comics.
- Her name derives from the wasp insect, reflected in her abilities and suit design.
- In the MCU version, portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer, with quantum realm storyline as a key element.
- Depicted staying in the quantum realm for over 30 years and gaining special abilities.
- Original comics feature complex romance with Ant-Man (Henry Pym) including marriage and divorce.
- Established position as a female leader within the Avengers.
Alternate names
Wasp
Janet Pym
Janet Van Dyne
Profile
- Species
- Human
- Gender
- Female
Appearance
- Overall appearance
- Slender human woman. Possesses shrinking ability and wears a special suit with transparent wings modeled after winged ant wings.
- Height
- Approx. 165cm
- Weight
- Secret
- Eye color
- Brown
- Hair color
- Blond
- Distinguishing features
-
- Special transparent fiber wings resembling those of a winged ant
- Suit with a yellow and black wasp-inspired design
- Iconic items
-
- Wasp Suit (especially Mark I)
- Bio-Wings
- Wasp's Sting (bio-electric energy attack)
Personality and abilities
- Core personality
- Bright and sociable
- Detailed personality
- From a wealthy family background yet has selfish and willful traits, but brave and caring toward comrades. Outgoing among the Avengers and serves as the team's mood maker.
- Keywords
-
- Brave
- Whimsical
- Confident
- Caring for comrades
- Sociable
- Talents
-
- Shrinking ability (size change via Pym Particles)
- Flight ability (via wings)
- Bio-electric energy blast attack
- Insect telepathy (especially wasp control)
- Knowledge of science and technology (as a researcher)
- Survival ability in the Quantum Realm
- Skills
-
- Combat techniques
- Team leadership
- Tactical judgment
- Scientific equipment operation
- Motivation
- Protecting Earth's peace together with comrades. Maintaining relationship with beloved partner Pym.
- Habits
- Devoted to Pym, at times openly dwelling on his feelings and displaying jealousy.
- Favorite foods
- Red wine, Chocolate
- Hobbies
- Attending social events, Scientific research
- Favorite places
- San Francisco
- Disliked situations
- Discord with comrades, Helplessness
History
- Backstory
- Born in Cresskill, New Jersey, as the daughter of a wealthy scientist. After the incident where her father was killed by a cosmic monster, she received assistance from Henry Pym who possesses Pym Particles, became a hero, and fell in love with Pym. Active together as founding members of the Avengers. Later married Pym but divorced due to complicated relations with his split personality Yellowjacket and mental health issues. Served as a powerful leader for many years. In Secret Invasion, turned into a human bomb and died in the process.
- Debut date
- June 1, 1963
- Work title
- Tales to Astonish #44
- Media type
- Manga
Avengers Founding
- Significant event
- Avengers Founding
- Description
- Became a founding member of the Avengers together with Henry Pym.
Marriage to Pym
- Significant event
- Marriage to Pym
- Description
- Married Henry Pym during Avengers activities.
Illness and Divorce
- Significant event
- Illness and Divorce
- Description
- Divorced Pym due to mental strain and became Avengers leader.
Death in Secret Invasion
- Significant event
- Death in Secret Invasion
- Description
- Turned into a human bomb by Skrulls and killed by Thor.
Relationships
Henry Pym (Ant-Man)
Spouse
Former spouse, long-term partner and lover. Deep bond despite complicated mental state.
Hope van Dyne
Child
Daughter. Maintained parent-child relationship in the Quantum Realm, involved together in Avengers and scientific activities.
Scott Lang (2nd Ant-Man)
Teammate
Teamed up in the Quantum Realm and earned trust as family member.
Vision
Leader teammate
Teammate who succeeded as Avengers leader.
Avengers
Avengers: leader
West Coast Avengers
West Coast Avengers: unknown
Lady Liberators
Lady Liberators: unknown
Media appearances
Tales to Astonish
Manga / Protagonist
June 1963 issue
Avengers
Manga / Protagonist
From issue #1 for several issues
Ant-Man & the Wasp
Movie / Supporting
2018
Avengers: Endgame
Movie / Supporting
2019
Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes
Anime / Supporting
2010s
Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers
Anime / Supporting
2010s
Marvel Future Avengers
Anime / Supporting
2010s
Voice cast and creators
Masara Takashima
- Voice actor
- Masara Takashima
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- MCU live-action dubbing
Michelle Pfeiffer
- Voice actor
- Michelle Pfeiffer
- Language
- English
- Version or series
- MCU live-action films
- Notes
- First appearance in Ant-Man & the Wasp
Kaori Mizuhashi
- Voice actor
- Kaori Mizuhashi
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers
Peg Dixon
- Voice actor
- Peg Dixon
- Language
- English
- Version or series
- The Marvel Super Heroes (original animated series)
Stan Lee
- Creator name
- Stan Lee
- Role
- Original author
Ernie Hart
- Creator name
- Ernie Hart
- Role
- Writer
Jack Kirby
- Creator name
- Jack Kirby
- Role
- Character designer
Related goods
Wasp Figure
- Item name
- Wasp Figure
- Category
- Figure
- Availability
- Regular
Wasp Costume
- Item name
- Wasp Costume
- Category
- Apparel
- Availability
- Limited
Wasp Stationery Set
- Item name
- Wasp Stationery Set
- Category
- Stationery
- Availability
- Regular