Who Is Wasp? Origin, Powers and Key Facts

Wasp is a Marvel comic book character, the alter ego of Janet Van Dyne, with over 3,700 comic issue appearances. Genetically altered by Ant-Man (Henry Pym), Janet Van Dyne gained the ability to alter her size, fly at rapid speeds, and fire bio-electric energy "stings". Calling herself "Wasp", she became Pym's superhero partner. Later, she became a founding member and the first female member of the Avengers.

Who is Wasp?

Origin Pym turning Janet into the Wasp. Janet Van Dyne is the daughter of world-renowned scientist, the late Vernon Van Dyne . In her early years, she was a beautiful but flighty and self-centered dilettante, living resplendently off of her father's fortune. She had an on-and-off romantic relationship with the world-renowned soldier-of-fortune named Paladin. Tragedy struck when a deadly alien called a Kosmosian was brought to Earth as a result of one of her father's experiments, and the elder Van Dyne was murdered by the alien. A grieving Janet then contacted her father's colleague, Dr. Henry Pym. She told Pym of her resolve to bring her father's killer to justice.

Key facts

Wasp is of human origin and first appeared in "The Creature From Kosmos!!". The character is published by Marvel. With 3,700 recorded issue appearances, Wasp ranks among the most featured characters in comics.