Nadia Pym returns in The Unstoppable Wasp #1, an all-new series from Marvel. The book feels like a decent jumping-on point for new readers. However, there’s enough material to please returning fans of the character, too.
The Story
Nadia’s been busy since Volume 1 of her story wrapped last year. With the Agents of G.I.R.L., her backup team of young super-scientists, she’s managed to build a pretty respectable operation at Pym Labs. Nadia’s occupied with her lab work, but still finds time for crime-fighting between her other activities.
Our story picks up when her driving lesson with Jarvis is interrupted, and she’s tasked with busting up an A.I.M. raid. The writing is setup to appeal to readers of all ages, but young teens are the clear target audience here.
In all, it’s a solid reintroduction to the character. Nadia learns that whateverA.I.M. is planning, it has something to do with her father Hank (Ant-Man), whom Nadia presumes to be long dead. It’s an interesting twist, and writer Jeremy Whitley is clearly planting the seeds of the broader story.
That said, there’s not really as much to hook new readers as you’d hope for in a first issue. The supporting cast falls a little flat, and there’s hardly any sense of tension throughout. The Unstoppable Wasp #1 has enough charm to warrant picking up issue two next month. It’s not an immediate hit, though.
The Artwork
The artwork for Unstoppable Wasp #1 is provided by Gurihiru (the team of Chifuyu Sasaki and Naoko Kawano). Fresh off their run on The Unbelievable Gwenpool, the pair brings the bright palette and softer lines that have become their trademark. Lots of vibrant colors on every page make the artwork pop and give it a cartoonish look.
There’s a lot of spontaneity to the page layout, which contributes to that cartoonish vibe as well. It works…but it can get a little disorienting from time to time.
Final Thoughts
The Unstoppable Wasp #1 doesn’t hit the mark across the board. However, it’s a fun story that’s fit for all ages. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of Marvel’s other titles featuring younger heroes like The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl or Ms. Marvel.
