The Unstoppable Wasp #1

From 2016, the character of Nadia Pym (later Van Dyne), was created to reflect the character Evangeline Lilly played in 2015's Ant-Man film. Why they don't instead call her Hope in this comic is beyond me. If you're going to mirror the movie universe, go all out and do it right. Or don't do it at all. If I had anything to say about this book, I wouldn't advised Marvel to just scrap it.

First of all, readers are supposed to forget nearly 50 years of comic book history. Instead of being killed by Communists, Hank Pym's original wife survived long enough to have a child. The child, a daughter, was raised by the Red Room, the same clandestine Soviet training center that created Black Widow and all of her 'sisters'. Now free from Russian/Soviet influences, Nadia makes her way to NYC and seeks to become a superhero like her famous father.

Oh, geez. I'm having trouble with this review. I've been frustrated with my fellow fans today about being so negative and anti-woke. I really like to think I'm a little more open minded. I like issue writer Jeremy Whitley. I've interviewed him before. I am a big fan of his Princeless world of books. I just didn't like this book. 

In reaction to SHIELD's lack of respect for women scientists, by book's end, Nadia creates a think tank that specializes in women and STEM studies in order to save the world. My culinary field is considered a career and technical education subject of study. My department strives to empower minorities and females in an industry that is dominated by men. So I am all for STEM and STEAM, as Culinary arts are a form of art. I just didn't like this issue!

This story just felt too saccharine for me. Maybe it's because Nadia is a millennial or a member of Gen Z. Maybe Nadia is just too positive and cheerful; like Santa Claus, at Disneyland... getting laid! Something about this issue just rubbed me the wrong way. 

I looked at some other reviews of this book, and I think I've put my finger on what was getting on my nerves. A lot of readers seem to have the same complaint. It's how she and her teen friends talk. If you thought Cher in Clueless was bad, you will hate the dialogue in this book! Maybe it's because I am in my 40s. I am sure my parents and grandparents hated how I talked. It's that generation thing, surely. Though I don't recall any of my high school students from my past 5 years of teaching ever talking like this. It's almost like how DC writers in the late 60s and 70s would be criticized over how these 'old fogeys' didn't understand how modern teens of the time talked. I like Jeremy Whitley. I just don't think he was ever around teens in the mid-2010s. 

A good story that is just a bit out of touch with today's youth. Maybe if the dialogue was more realistic and not in YEET-speak. Thank God my students don't talk like this. I don't think I could continue working with them if they did.

Rating: 4 out of 10 stars.

Avengers: The Origin #1

I like origin stories and I think they can offer some unique insights into the characters background. But, what if they merely retell the exact story with very little changes? That’s exactly what happens in this book. If you are familiar with Avengers #1, volume 1, the events that unfold happen in this book.

Here’s the kicker- the 1963 Avengers story took 48 pages to tell a single adventure. This miniseries has decided to stretch it out for 5 issues! A little overkill, don’t you think?

The book does re-frame the origin to a more recent history. I’d say within 5 years of the book’s publication date of 2010. The hype for the Avengers movie probably prompted Marvel to issue this series. But again, if you’re not going to offer anything new to the storyline, don’t expect fans to shell out $3.99 per book for 5 issues when they can read the entire story along with 5-25 other reprinted Avengers tales (dependent on format) written and drawn by the very best in the biz- Lee and Kirby.

Thankfully, I paid only a buck a book, so I didn’t hurt too much in the pocket book. Also, the art is really good. I love the covers and the interior art has a realism similar to Alex Ross and a classic Marvel feel similar to John Romita- Sr and Jr.

Worth Consuming, but don’t pay full cover price! It’s just not worth that!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

"Essential Ant Man, Vol. 1 (Marvel Essentials)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Dr. Henry Pym, Ant Man, Giant Man…. no wonder this character has had one of the most complex storylines in all of comicdom.

 I really like Hank and his sidekick Jan Van Dyne. I hated when they divorced. I cheered when they were seen as a couple together in the recent Civil War series.

However, for a 60s Marvel series, it gets kinda hokey. However, two of which many consider to be the worst villains of all-time (The Top and Porcupine Man) actually are what makes this volume corny. Mainly, it’s the faux romantic tension between Pym and Van Dyne. Stan Lee never really was the “man” when it came to romantic dialogue.

 Regardless, I enjoyed this book and probably will add it to my collection on a permanent basis.

 

Ant-Man's Big Christmas

 

WORTH CONSUMING!

A cautionary tale starring Ant-Man and Wasp. Starts off slow, but once the revenge of 12 year-old Larry McGruder starts, it’s one of the most clever stories I have read in quite some time.

Worth 9 out of 10 stars. Worth Consuming!