Janet van Dyne, also known as the Wasp, has been a part of the Marvel Universe for almost 60 years. Now, another Wasp is buzzing into the Marvel Universe: Nadia Van Dyne — and she’s unstoppable!
Created by writer Mark Waid, artist Alan Davis, and editor Tom Brevoort, Nadia originated as a nod to Hope van Dyne, the version that appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, played by Evangeline Lilly. She made her first appearance in Free Comic Book Day 2016, during the Civil War II event — like another legacy character, Riri Williams.
Nadia is the daughter of Hank and his first wife, Maria Trovaya. She was kidnapped at birth and raised in the Red Room in Moscow, where she studied science and received training as an assassin. Until she escaped, that is.
Unfortunately for Nadia, her father was essentially dead by that point. This didn’t stop her from building herself a Wasp suit using old Ant-Man suits and materials. When it came time to choose her legal name, she opted for the surname ‘van Dyne’, as she knew nothing about her birth parents, but Janet believed in her and supported her.
Although Nadia is a relatively new character in the Marvel Universe (only 10 years!), she has already had her own solo book, been a member of the Avengers and the Champions, and created G.I.R.L., an all-female team of teenage superheroes.
Related Marvel Characters Reading Orders
Unstoppable Wasp Comics Reading Order
Introducing Nadia
Nadia made her first appearance in Free Comic Book Day 2016, during the Civil War II event. Her backstory is exposed, she met The Avengers, Janet Van Dyne, and lives her first adventures in the Marvel Universe.
- All-New, All-Different Avengers Vol. 2: Family Business
Collects All-New, All-Different Avengers #7-12 and material from Free Comic Book Day 2016 (Civil War II).
The Unstoppable Wasp, member of the Avengers
Nadia is spreading her wings with her own solo book! With Jarvis at her side, she’s on a mission to bring together the brightest girl geniuses of the Marvel Universe! But Nadia didn’t count on evil scientists, man-eating giant rats or Devil Dinosaur – or the lethal lady wrestlers known as the Grapplers! And even as Nadia’s recruiting drive continues, the Red Room is on her trail – and they’ll pull out all the stops to get her back! This volume is written by Jeremy Whitley, with artists Elsa Charretier (#1-6), Veronica Fish (#7), Ro Stein and Ted Brandt (#8.)
- The Unstoppable Wasp Vol. 1: Unstoppable!
Collects The Unstoppable Wasp #1–4 and All-New, All-Different Avengers #14 - The Unstoppable Wasp Vol. 2: Agents of G.I.R.L.
Collects The Unstoppable Wasp #5-8 and Tales to Astonish #44.
At the same time, Nadia joined the Avengers when the team confronts Kang, the Infamous Doctor Doom joins them, and the world is put upside down following the revelation that Steve Rogers is a member of Hydra in Secret Empire (see reading order).
- Avengers: Unleashed Vol. 1: Kang War One (optional)
Collects Avengers (2016) #1-6. - Secret Empire (optional)
Collects Secret Empire #0-9, Free Comic Book Day 2017 Defenders #1 - Avengers: Unleashed Vol. 2: Secret Empire (optional)
Collects Avengers (2016) #7-11. Issues #9-11 are tie-ins to Secret Empire.
Nadia, member of The Champions
The Avengers and The Champions clash as the High Evolutionary sets the Earth on a collision course with destruction! It will lead to the end of an era and a new beginning for the teams, with Nadia joining the Champions.
- Avengers & Champions: Worlds Collide
Collects Avengers #672-674 & Champions (2016) #13-15. - Avengers: No Surrender
Collects Avengers (2016) #675-690. - Champions Vol. 3: Champion For A Day
Collects Champions (2016) #16-18 and #1.MU. - Champions Vol. 4: Northern Lights
Collects Champions (2016) #19-21 and Infinity Countdown: Champions #1-2. - Champions Vol. 5: Weird War One
Collects Champions (2016) #22-27 and Champions Annual
The Unstoppable Wasp Fresh Start (2018-)
Marvel had a Fresh Start in which Nadia van Dyne has her second solo book (and a novel!), but also lives a subatomic adventure with Ant-Man, guest-stars in Ironheart, and become an Outlaw in the Champions event.
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Lost & Found
Collects Ant-Man and the Wasp #1-5 - The Unstoppable Wasp: Unlimited Vol. 1: Fix Everything
Collects The Unstoppable Wasp (vol. 2) #1-5 - The Unstoppable Wasp: Unlimited Vol. 2: G.I.R.L. VS. A.I.M.
Collects The Unstoppable Wasp (vol. 2) #6-10 - Ironheart Vol. 2: Ten Rings
Collects Ironheart (2018) #7-12. Nadia appears in issues #8-9 - Unstoppable Wasp: Built on Hope
Novel written by Sam Maggs - Champions Vol. 1: Outlawed
Collects Outlawed (2020) #1, Champions (2020) #1-5 - Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit
Collects Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit (2021) #1-5. Nadia appears in issues #3-5 - Avengers Unlimited Infinity Comic Chapter #21-23
This is a Nadia and Riri team-up.
Celebrate 60 years of the wondrous Wasp with a team-up between Janet Van Dyne and her fellow Wasp, Nadia from writer Al Ewing (also the man behind the comic anniversary for Ant-Man).
- Wasp: Small Worlds
Collects Wasp (2023) #1-4, Tales to Astonish (1959) #44 (Ant-Man and the Wasp story).
These days, Nadia just want to be a scientist. While she is not active as a super-hero, she has made a few, mostly optional, appearances. She came to dance to Gwenpool’s Unbelievable Pride Party in Marvel’s Voices: Pride (2023), appears with the Champions in Fallen Friend #1, met her father for the first time in Avengers Inc. #5, and was attacked in her lab in Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu (2024) #7.