Doesn't really look like a fair fight, does it? And it's not. There's just no way Titania and the Absorbing Man are going to beat Wasp and Ant-Man. Wasp, until very recently (and, unfortunately, not Jan), hasn't gotten a lot of respect. This is one of the founding Avengers, and probably the best chairperson the team's ever had. If a comic can be made about a man with spider powers that becomes one of the most successful superhero comics of all time, why not about a woman with wasp powers? I almost feel like we need to do a real recuperation, perhaps partially fictive, of the histories of the women of the Marvel U that have been "lost." (In that they, from a fictional chronological stance, happened, but from an actual standpoint, they were never written). I suppose that's what flashback-based series are all about. But with the Wasp, I feel like there must be more that we've missed. Every time an Avengers writer wanted her and Hank Pym out of the team, they simply retired and lived off Jan's wealth. But, from all their characterization over the years, I can't believe the two of them, and especially Wasp, didn't get into all kinds of adventures.
Anyway, I was just really feeling some love for the Wasp in today's issue - and in this run in general. There's a letter in today's issue asking for more of the Wasp's costume changes, a trend that was popular for pretty much her entire history in comics. Stern has done away with this to an extent, especially as Jan grows into her role as chairperson. She certainly does love her fashion still, but perhaps we're seeing it separate from a role that she is coming to take very seriously, and in which she is coming to realize she's actually quite good.
When I glanced ahead in the database, I notice that not far from now there's a Walt Simonson-scripted run coming up. The sad part about that is that Mr. Stern's departure from the title is abrupt. There is an apparent disagreement with upper management, and he is fired. Ralph Macchio fills in for a few issues, and then Simonson steps in to take the title to #300. I'm interested to see if this growth of the Wasp lasts beyond Stern's tenure. Which means, of course, I'll inevitably read through to the end of Simonson.
To be continued.
To be continued.
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