The Unstoppable Wasp #1 Review and *SPOILERS* - Marvel Monday

Everybody Loves Nadia

Written By: Jeremy Whitley
Art By: Elsa Charretier, Megan Wilson
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: January 4, 2016
Publisher: Marvel

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

So when the new Wasp showed up, I didn’t really know what to think of her. She was the long lost daughter of Henry Pym and she certainly seemed capable but I just didn’t really know what to think. Then we got that issue of All-New, All-Different Avengers that dove into Nadia’s character and who she really was. Seeing that issue really brought me around on her and now she has her own comic. I’m excited to see what they do with it. We’ve established Nadia as this very capable and strong female character but one that is still young and wide eyed about the world. Let’s stop gushing about this book and instead just jump right into it.

Our issue begins with Nadia spending time with Ms. Marvel. Ms. Marvel was supposed to help Nadia take care of her citizenship papers but they got sidetracked by a bit of shopping. Nadia entered into a bakery in Ms. Marvel’s neighborhood and Nadia had to try as many of the treats as she could. After making friends with the baker and purchasing her food, she and Ms. Marvel go to the citizenship office and begin the long process of waiting. Luckily for Nadia, she is able to pass the time with the people in the waiting room by sharing her large stack of treats that she bought at the bakery. She is called in to the office and the woman behind the desk asks her about her lack of information. Nadia tells her that she doesn’t have much information on her due to her past.

This is where we learn Nadia’s backstory for those that are unaware of it. She is the daughter of Henry Pym and Maria Pym who was a woman from Hungary. Unfortunately, some men came and took Maria away from Henry but she was pregnant with Nadia. Maria died in childbirth but Nadia lived and was raised in the Red Room but after finding the secret to Pym Particles she was able to escape. Nadia’s story touches the woman at the office deeply and their meeting is unfortunately interrupted by superhero shenanigans. Outside a woman in a giant robot suit is walking around town while dealing with attacks from Mockingbird.

Mockinbird isn’t able to defeat the robot herself but thanks to Nadia and Ms. Marvel being in the area, they are able to finally topple the robot and stop the woman inside. Unfortunately, the villain has a belt that is able to teleport her away to a preset location and she is able to get away. However, the women celebrate their victory with smoothies. While at the restaurant enjoying their smoothies Nadia learns that Mockingbird’s real name is Barbara Morse. Turns out that Nadia’s hero back when she was in the Red Room was Barbara Morse because she was a strong female scientist who went on lots of adventures. Her tale moves Bobbi to tears as she has never really been seen as a role model or anything.

Bobbi give Nadia a ride back to her home and the two continue their discussions on science and Bobbi’s adventures. During our time at Nadia’s home, Bobbi brings up the S.H.I.E.L.D. list of the smartest people on the planet and that there still is a lack of female names on that list. Recently a young female called Moon Girl found herself at the top of the list and Bobbi tells Nadia that she gives her hope that more women are going to be able to break onto that list. Our issue ends with Nadia gathering all her supplies and getting to work before making a sign for the Genius In-action Research Lab or G.I.R.L. for short this is where the issue leaves us.

I have to say that I absolutely love this issue. The book gives me a history of Nadia and then immediately makes me like her as a character. She is fun, kind, and people just gravitate towards her. In addition, she is incredibly intelligent and is one hell of a fighter. Couple that with the art in this book and you have a real winner. In fact, I have only really one big complaint about this book and that is the ending. While I think it is a strong message to send to young women about their ability to be just as smart as men, I think it’s a bit heavy handed. By reading the book, I already got the sense that Nadia was a strong and intelligent young woman and she sets that example just by being herself. It’s the “show me, don’t tell me” argument. However, that is a small nitpick and one that probably doesn’t even matter that much. I love this book and I can’t wait for more.

Bits and Pieces

This book is an incredible way to start a series and I can’t wait to see more of this story and more of Nadia Pym. This issue is smart and immediately gets the audience to like our new Wasp. Frankly, I’ve never been familiar with the old Wasp and I didn’t know much about this new one going into the book but I’m all in now with this series and I can’t wait for more.

9.0/10