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WASPJANET VAN DYNE • THE AVENGERS' HEART
The woman who named the Avengers. Janet Van Dyne is a founding member of Earth's Mightiest Heroes and one of the team's most frequent leaders. A fashion designer who gained the ability to shrink, fly, and fire bioelectric "stinger" blasts, Janet brought style and heart to the Avengers. She's not just Hank Pym's partner—she's a hero in her own right, having led the team through some of its greatest challenges. In the MCU, Michelle Pfeiffer plays the original Wasp, while Evangeline Lilly carries the legacy as Hope Van Dyne.
CARD
#088
DEBUT
1963
FIRST
TTA #44
DEMAND
HIGH
AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY WATCH
LIKELYJanet Van Dyne is a FOUNDING Avenger who named the team. In the comics, she's led the Avengers multiple times. The MCU has established both Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Hope (Evangeline Lilly) as Wasps. For a major Avengers event like Doomsday, having a founding member present would honor the team's legacy. Her size-changing abilities and tactical experience make her valuable.
FOUNDING AVENGER STATUS
Janet was there at the beginning—she literally named the team "Avengers." For a culminating event like Doomsday or Secret Wars, having founding members present provides narrative weight. Her leadership experience and tactical abilities make her more than just a legacy character.
INVESTMENT IMPLICATION
Tales to Astonish #44 (first Wasp) is a significant Silver Age key. Her founding Avenger status ensures lasting relevance. Evangeline Lilly's MCU presence drives modern demand. Any major Avengers event appearance would boost values.
Card Gallery
2025 TOPPS MARVEL MINT
This premium trading card is part of the 2025 Topps Marvel Mint collection. Each card showcases Marvel's greatest heroes and villains with exceptional artwork and collectible value.
The Winsome Wasp
The Wasp first appeared in Tales to Astonish #44 (June 1963), created by Stan Lee, Ernie Hart, and Jack Kirby. Janet Van Dyne was a socialite whose father, a scientist, was killed by an alien creature. She sought out Hank Pym (Ant-Man) to help her avenge her father, and he gave her the ability to shrink and grow wings. Together, they became founding members of the Avengers.
Janet is often underestimated because of her bubbly personality and fashion obsession, but she's one of the Avengers' most capable leaders. She's led the team through multiple crises, including the Kree-Skrull War and Secret Invasion. Her tactical mind, combined with her ability to shrink to wasp-size and fire bioelectric stingers, makes her a formidable hero.
Her relationship with Hank Pym has been complicated—including a controversial storyline involving domestic abuse that the comics have since addressed. But Janet has always been more than just "Hank's partner." She's a hero, a leader, and the heart of the Avengers. She named the team, and she's been there through its greatest triumphs and darkest hours.
Powers and Abilities
SIZE MANIPULATION
- Shrink to wasp-size (retains strength)
- Grow to giant-size (Giant-Woman)
- Bio-synthetic wings for flight
COMBAT ABILITIES
- Bioelectric "Wasp's Sting" blasts
- Expert hand-to-hand combatant
- Tactical leadership
MCU: Two Generations of Wasps
The MCU features two Wasps: Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and her daughter Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly). Janet was introduced as a founding hero who was lost in the Quantum Realm for decades, finally rescued in "Ant-Man and the Wasp" (2018). Hope took up the Wasp mantle, becoming Scott Lang's partner and a hero in her own right.
Evangeline Lilly's Hope appeared in "Ant-Man" (2015), "Ant-Man and the Wasp" (2018), "Avengers: Endgame" (2019), and "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" (2023). She's established as a capable hero and Avengers ally. Michelle Pfeiffer's Janet brings gravitas and experience. Together, they represent the Wasp legacy in the MCU.
INVESTMENT ALERT: Wasp cards are HIGH value Gold tier investments. Tales to Astonish #44 (first Janet) is a significant Silver Age key. Her founding Avenger status ensures lasting relevance. Two MCU actresses (Pfeiffer and Lilly) drive demand. Any major Avengers event appearance would boost values.
Team Affiliations
AVENGERS
Founding member and leader
AVENGERS UNITY DIVISION
Human-mutant team
LADY LIBERATORS
All-female team
2025 Marvel Mint Collector Analysis
Card #088 Wasp is a HIGH value Gold tier card representing a founding Avenger. Her Silver Age first appearance is a significant key. Her founding member status ensures lasting relevance. Two MCU actresses drive modern demand. Any major Avengers event appearance would boost values. Essential female hero for any collection.
PARALLEL CHASE
Yellow and Black parallels match her iconic costume
INVESTMENT RATING
HIGH - Founding Avenger with active MCU presence