Yesterday, Marvel Comics published Unstoppable Wasp #4 by Jeremy Whitely, Gurihiru, Joe Caramagna, Carlos Lao and Alanna Smith. Which sees Janet Van Dyne, the Wasp, dealing with the aftermath of an AIM incident, with injured superheroes and civilians – including herself. Trying to deal with people, help them – and help herself incidentally. In terms of superhero action, it’s on pause. In terms of character development, it’s a leap forward.
Because for her adopted daughter Nadia Van Dyne, the Unstoppable Wasp, we see more than ever why that adjective is applied to her. Because she has to fix everything.
Which starts with a greenboard, a frenzied expression and spins and out of the laboratory.
The Red Room, which as we know makes monsters of people. The frenzied expression may have gone but this is worse.
The Superman Complex, as defined by Dr Frederick Wertham, is the belief that one can do acts beyond anyone, can control every eventuality, can fix everything. An opposite to Imposter Syndrome, it turns out it can affect superheroes too.
And it’s even more familiar for Janet Van Dyne. Who remembers what her father, Hank Pym, Ant Man, was like.
Hank Pym, diagnosed as bipolar. Nadia showing similar signs. And her friends trying to intervene.
Which leads us to revisit a famous Avengers episode. Where, now calling himself Yellowjacket, found himself in trouble with the Avengers, after shooting a supervillain in the back…
..found himself being court-martialled in Avengers#213, by Jim Shooter, Bob Hall, Dan Green, Don Warfield, Janice Chiang and Jim Salicrup.
And decided the answer was not in the arms of Janet van Dyne but in the laboratory….
Berating himself for his own failings.
Clearly the only solution was to build another robot.
As Hank Pym went a little like Syndrome in The Incredibles…
Not quite the solution one might have ezpected. But also of Hank Pym’s desire to fix everything, which led to his most infamous moment of all.
With Hank Pym’s appeals becoming more manic… 
…and the revelation as to what had happened to Janet clear as day. Which is what brings us back to today’s Unstoppable Wasp #4.
Just be grateful she’s not up for designing robots right now. The scene brought much comment on social media, especially regarding the way neurodiversity is portrayed in this comic.
If you’re not reading Unstoppable Wasp, now is the time to start. Today’s issue has been in my head all day. My heart broke once I realized what was happening. It’s beautifully written and important. @jrome58 has created an amazing series that is so much more than meets the eye.
— JGiampietro (@JGiampietro) January 31, 2019
I just finished reading Unstoppable Wasp 4 and wow that was amazing
It made me really sad but it was a really really really amazing issue and I hope everyone reads it
— Katie: Protector of the Young Avengers (@JewishSpeed) January 30, 2019
It was the first book I read in this week’s haul, and it was a truly fantastic issue in an already wonderful series. It makes me all the more a fan of Nadia. Thank you for presenting this so well.
— Sailor Bear Zodar (@zodarzone) January 31, 2019
Yeah, I literally wrote this comic five months ago and have been terrified about how it would be received since then, so yeah, I’m excited people are enjoying it. I’m pretty human that way.
— Jeremy Whitley (@jrome58) January 31, 2019
I’ve frequently said that telling stories with fun and lovable characters not only doesn’t mean stories can’t have stakes, but when they do, that the audience will be more invested.
— Jeremy Whitley (@jrome58) January 31, 2019
I finished reading #unstoppableWasp. @jrome58 wrote a heck of an issue.
I don’t want to spoil anything but I’ll say this: if you think the new Wasp is super happy puppy funtime?
It’s dealing with some real issues, in a very solid manner.
— Mordechai Luchins (@typolad) January 31, 2019
THE UNSTOPPABLE WASP (2018) #4 – one of the best single issues i’ve read in a long time. there’s a lot of care put into the story, the characters, and the way nadia’s mental illness is handled. and it’s always great to see superheroes be human. pic.twitter.com/hlYG22rYNG
— cham
(@CHIMCHAMS95) January 31, 2019
A note about today’s Unstoppable Wasp:
For most of us the hardest battles we’ll ever fight aren’t against killer robots or supervillains, they’re quiet battles that we fight on our own and sometimes others never see.
But please remember, you’re not alone. It’s ok to need help.— Jeremy Whitley (@jrome58) January 30, 2019
Here is what’s to come in three short weeks:
UNSTOPPABLE WASP #5
(W) Jeremy Whitley (A) Gurihiru (CA) Stacy Lee
Nadia believed that when A.I.M. attacked her lab, she had reached rock bottom. She was wrong. And now she is finding out that she has more in common with her father than she ever knew. This issue of UNSTOPPABLE WASP will change everything about Nadia’s life.
Rated T+ In Shops: Feb 20, 2019 SRP: $3.99
The post Hank Pym – and Maybe Nadia Pym – Diagnosed as Bipolar in Unstoppable Wasp #4 (Spoilers) appeared first on Bleeding Cool News And Rumors.
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