The Unstoppable Wasp #2 Review and *SPOILERS* - Marvel Monday

A Lab of Their Own

Written By: Jeremy Whitley
Art By: Elsa Charretier, Megan Wilson
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 1, 2016
Publisher: Marvel

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

The first issue of this series wasn’t perfect but I still thoroughly enjoyed the book. It introduced us to a new and likeable character and gave us a story going forward. There was a some criticism that this book garnered and while I don’t agree with it, I do understand it. That said, I think it is important for young female comic fans to have a character like this. Sure, there are plenty of female driven books but the ones dealing with this age group and encouraging interest in STEM fields are few and far between. At least, that is what I see this book being about. It’s about a young girl who loves science and as long as that continues, I’m all in for this book. Let’s stop talking about it and just jump right into the next issue.

We catch back up with Nadia at the home of Hank Pym where she is residing these days. She is woken up by a phone ringing and eventually finds a landline. On the other end is Jarvis. Nadia and he exchange words while she marvels at the old tech of the landline (God… I’m old). Jarvis tells Nadia that he is outside ready to take her to see a lawyer so that her citizenship can be taken care of. Nadia invites him in and he is horrified by the mess that has accumulated throughout the house. Nadia updates Jarvis on her new goal of starting her own lab with other young female minds. She promises to go to the lawyer tomorrow if Jarvis promises to take her around the city so she can begin recruiting and he agrees.

We cut to Washington Heights where we see some neighborhood girls playing hockey. However, the one guarding the goals is not a player but rather a small robot. Unfortunately, it’s arm breaks under the pressure placed upon it by the puck. Nadia arrives and immediately begins investigating the robot. After a few exchanges we finally meet the creator of said robot, Tania Miranda. The two talk for a bit longer and Nadia reveals that Ultron is kind of her brother, since both were made by Hank Pym. The meeting ends though with Nadia presenting a small video in hopes of recruiting Tania to her lab and she agrees. In the presentation Nadia talked about Moon Girl  and Tania asks about her. Nadia immediately realizes that she should have obviously thought of including her as well.

We cut to Manhattan where Nadia rings the doorbell belonging to Moon Girl’s guardians only to find that she is across the street. Lunella is hesitant of this new girl as she is not only a stranger but also believes that she is simply trying to see her something. However, they are interrupted by a rumble and a giant rat appears before them. Jarvis attempts to protect the girls but the two decide to team up and face the monster. During the fight, Nadia is swallowed by the rat where she finds a device that she disarms immediately. She is released from the rat and it shrinks to normal size. Turns out the device is one that Nadia built with her old lab partner Ying from the Red Room. Nadia immediately searches the area until she finds her old lab partner in a nearby alley who tells her she was sent after Nadia. This is where the issue leaves us.

Having a fun and quirky character is awesome and it really worked for the benefit of this book in the first issue. That being said, the weight that the first issue had isn’t here. Instead we have the beginning of some conflict but most of the issue is spent recruiting different girls to Nadia’s new lab. I have a feeling that I just don’t know Nadia’s character well enough yet for the book to be introducing a new supporting cast. Granted, I wouldn’t say this issue is bad but thoroughly underwhelming. Maybe it’s just me though. I think new fans of this character will be interested in seeing where this story goes from here, especially young female fans. That said, I guess I’m becoming more of an old fart. I need more than this from a comic to keep me interesting.

Bits and Pieces 

The Unstoppable Wasp started out perfectly for me which makes me a bit saddened by the fact that this second issue is so lackluster. Granted, this is a book aimed at a much different demographic than I belong to and perhaps that will have some bearing on whether those fans will continue to stick with this book. I found this issue to be VERY exposition heavy and not in a good way. I need more from a comic to keep me interested. 

5.5/10