The Wasp: Marvel’s Forgotten Heroine? | Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes

Summary

This video script offers a deep dive into the character of Janet Van Dyne, aka Wasp, from the animated series 'Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes.' It explores her emotional depth, altruism, and the evolution of her portrayal from comic book roots to modern adaptations. The script discusses how the show reframes outdated aspects of her character, infusing her with joy and enthusiasm, making her a compelling and central figure of the Avengers. The analysis also touches on the broader context of Marvel's treatment of classic characters, highlighting Wasp's significance and the missed opportunities for her in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video script is an analysis of the character Janet Van Dyne, aka Wasp, from the TV show 'Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes'.
• 🔍 It discusses how the show's depiction of Wasp is tied to her publication history and backstory, as well as the show's relationship with Marvel's classic past.
• 💭 Janet Van Dyne's character is driven by deep emotionality and a genuine desire to help people, which is different from other characters like Iron Man, where ego plays a bigger role.
• 💖 Her compassion and altruism are central to her character, driving the plot in episodes like the Michael Korvac story and her interactions with Yellowjacket.
• 🤔 The script highlights the contrast between Wasp's view of her powers as a means to help and Hank Pym's view of science as the path to humanitarian progress.
• 📚 The history of Janet Van Dyne in Marvel comics is explored, noting her importance in the Avengers and her role as a leader, which has diminished over time.
• 🎬 The Marvel Cinematic Universe's adaptation of Wasp is mentioned, focusing on Hope van Dyne rather than the original character, reflecting a trend of leaving Janet in the past.
• 📚 The script also touches on the introduction of Nadia van Dyne/Pym in the comics, another new version of Wasp, and the lack of a solo book for the original Wasp.
• 🌟 'Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes' is praised for adapting the classic Wasp character while reframing outdated aspects, making her a central and important part of the team.
• 😊 The portrayal of Wasp in the show is described as having a sense of joy, enthusiasm, and optimism, which is seen as a refreshing contrast to darker superhero portrayals.
• 🎉 The script concludes that Janet Van Dyne's Wasp in 'Earth's Mightiest Heroes' is a fitting swan song for the character, capturing the essence of the Bronze Age tone and the joy of superheroism.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus of the video script is an analysis of the character Janet van Dyne, also known as Wasp, in the TV show 'Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes', and how her portrayal is tied to the character's publication history and the show's relationship with Marvel's classic past.

What are the key traits of Janet van Dyne's character in the TV show?

In the TV show, Janet van Dyne's key traits include her deep emotionality, altruism, and a genuine desire to help people, which are central to her superheroism and her role in the Avengers.

How does the script describe the evolution of Janet van Dyne's character in the comics?

The script describes Janet van Dyne's evolution in the comics as initially central and valuable to the Avengers, becoming the team's leader at one point, but later diminishing in importance and relevance in the modern Marvel universe.

How is Janet van Dyne's character portrayed in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)?

In the MCU, Janet van Dyne is portrayed as Hope van Dyne, a different character from the original Janet van Dyne. The MCU adaptation focuses on a story from the character's sixth decade, which is well past her peak of cultural relevancy.

What is the significance of the character Nadia van Dyne in the context of the script?

Nadia van Dyne, also known as Nadia Pym, is a new character from the comics who takes up the Wasp mantle. The script suggests that her introduction might have been in response to Hope's appearance in the MCU, but she represents a new version of the Wasp rather than an adaptation of the original Janet van Dyne.

How does the script analyze the character's portrayal in 'Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes' compared to other adaptations?

The script praises the portrayal of Janet van Dyne in 'Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes' for bringing the classic character into the modern world, reframing outdated aspects of her character, and maintaining the centrality and importance of the original Wasp, unlike other adaptations that have sidelined or rebooted her character.

What is the 'bronze age' tone referred to in the script?

The 'bronze age' tone refers to the tonal similarity between the setting of 'Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes' and the early years of Marvel comics, particularly the time period when characters like Ant-Man and Wasp were created.

How does the script differentiate between the portrayals of Iron Man and Wasp in 'Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes'?

The script notes that Iron Man in the show feels different and is influenced by Robert Downey Jr.'s performance in the MCU, while Wasp's portrayal is more faithful to the classic character, with her portrayal in the show adapting and reframing her original characterization.

What is the role of joy in Janet van Dyne's character according to the script?

According to the script, joy is a crucial element of Janet van Dyne's character, representing the strength of her emotions and her enthusiasm for superheroism. It is the ultimate expression of her character and a key factor in the team morale of the Avengers.

What is the script's final assessment of Janet van Dyne's character in 'Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes'?

The script's final assessment is that Janet van Dyne's portrayal in 'Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes' is a fitting swan song for the character, capturing her essence and importance in a way that other adaptations have not, and offering a refreshing contrast to the darker tones of many modern superhero characters.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Introduction to Janet Van Dyne's Character Analysis

This paragraph introduces the video's focus on analyzing the character of Janet Van Dyne, also known as Wasp, from the TV show 'Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes.' It sets the stage for a discussion that will not only explore Janet's portrayal in the show but also touch upon broader issues related to her publication history, backstory, and the show's relationship with Marvel's classic past. The character profile of Janet is outlined, emphasizing her emotional depth, altruism, and commitment to the Avengers, which are key drivers of her actions throughout the series.

05:01

🕵️‍♀️ Exploring Janet Van Dyne's History and MCU Representation

The second paragraph delves into the historical context of Janet Van Dyne's character, from her first appearance in the 1960s to her evolving role in the Avengers. It discusses the character's diminishing presence in modern Marvel narratives and contrasts this with her iconic depiction in 'Earth's Mightiest Heroes.' The paragraph also addresses the Marvel Cinematic Universe's adaptation of the Wasp, focusing on Hope van Dyne, and how this new version differs from the original character. The lack of a solo book for Janet and the introduction of Nadia van Dyne as a new Wasp are highlighted, suggesting a reluctance on Marvel's part to revisit the original character's story.

10:01

🎭 Reframing the Classic Wasp for a Modern Audience

This paragraph examines how 'Earth's Mightiest Heroes' adapts and updates Janet Van Dyne's character for a contemporary audience. It acknowledges the show's tonal similarity to the Bronze Age of Marvel Comics and discusses the portrayal of the founding Avengers members, with a particular focus on Wasp. The paragraph highlights how the show takes the outdated aspects of Janet's original characterization and transforms them into more nuanced and relatable traits, such as turning her 'ditziness' into endearing naivety and her flirtatious behavior into a reflection of emotional vulnerability.

15:02

🎉 The Enduring Legacy of Janet Van Dyne's Joyful Heroism

The final paragraph celebrates Janet Van Dyne's character as the emotional core of the Avengers in 'Earth's Mightiest Heroes.' It emphasizes the joy and enthusiasm that define her portrayal, setting her apart from the darker and more brooding superheroes often seen today. The paragraph argues that Janet's joy is a critical element of her character, stemming from her altruism and heroism, and is a key factor in maintaining team morale. It also reflects on the potential of Janet's character in the MCU, had she been included in the original 'Avengers' film, and concludes by appreciating the version of Wasp presented in the TV show as a fitting tribute to the character.

Keywords

💡Janet Van Dyne

Janet Van Dyne, also known as the Wasp, is a central character in the video's analysis. She is depicted as a rich heiress and fashion designer with a deep emotional core and a strong desire to help people. Her character drives the narrative of the video, which explores her motivations and role in the 'Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes' TV show. The script discusses her altruism and emotionality, particularly in relation to her attachment to Hank Pym.

💡Wasp

The Wasp is the superhero persona of Janet Van Dyne. The video delves into the character's evolution from her comic book origins to her portrayal in the animated series. The Wasp is characterized by her optimism, enthusiasm, and a genuine desire to use her powers for altruistic purposes, which is a key theme in the video. The script uses examples from the show to illustrate her role as a compassionate and committed member of the Avengers.

💡Altruism

Altruism is a core value driving Janet Van Dyne's actions as the Wasp. It is defined as the selfless concern for the well-being of others. The video emphasizes her altruistic nature through her commitment to helping others and her emotional attachment to the team, which is evident in her compassion-driven plot in the Michael Korvac episode and her remarks on the use and misuse of powers.

💡Hank Pym

Hank Pym is a significant character in the video, known for his scientific contributions and his relationship with Janet Van Dyne. His altruistic drive to help the world through science contrasts with Janet's use of her powers for the same purpose. The script discusses the conflict between them, rooted in their different conceptions of help, which is central to the narrative.

💡Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes

This animated TV show is the primary focus of the video, providing the context for the analysis of Janet Van Dyne's character. The video discusses the show's portrayal of the Wasp and how it ties into broader issues of character adaptation and the show's relationship with Marvel's classic past. The script uses the show to explore the character's history and her role within the Avengers team.

💡Publication History

The term refers to the historical development and portrayal of a character across different media and time periods. In the video, the publication history of Janet Van Dyne is examined, from her first appearance in the 1960s to her varying roles in comic books and other adaptations. The script contrasts her early central role in the Marvel universe with her more recent diminished presence.

💡Backstory

Backstory provides the background information and narrative context for a character's development. The video script discusses Janet Van Dyne's backstory, including her evolution from a somewhat annoying and two-dimensional character in early comics to a more complex and central figure in 'Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes'. The backstory is crucial for understanding her character's depth and motivations.

💡Character Adaptation

Character adaptation refers to the process of reimagining and portraying a character in a new medium or context. The video explores how Janet Van Dyne's character has been adapted in various forms, including the animated series, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and comic book runs. The script highlights the differences in her portrayal and the implications for her character's relevance and evolution.

💡Bronze Age

The Bronze Age is a period in comic book history, roughly from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s, known for its storytelling and character development. The video script notes that 'Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes' has a tone similar to this era, particularly in its portrayal of the Wasp, which captures the vibrancy and enthusiasm of that time. The Bronze Age tone is seen as a key element in the character's appeal.

💡Joy

Joy is a central theme in the video, representing the Wasp's enthusiastic and optimistic attitude towards her superhero role. The script describes her joy as a driving force behind her actions and a key aspect of her character that sets her apart from more somber heroes. Her joy is seen as a reflection of the Bronze Age tone and a vital component of her character's appeal.

💡Thrill Seeker

A thrill seeker is someone who enjoys taking risks and seeking out exciting experiences. In the context of the video, the Wasp is described as a 'ditz thrill seeker' in her early comic book portrayal, but the animated series reframed this aspect of her character into a more endearing and optimistic figure. The term is used to discuss the evolution of her character and her embrace of the excitement of superheroism.

Highlights

The video analyzes the character of Janet van Dyne, aka Wasp, in the TV show 'Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes'.

The character's portrayal is tied to the publication history and backstory of Wasp before 'Earth's Mightiest Heroes'.

Janet van Dyne is characterized by deep emotionality and a genuine desire to help people, not driven by money or fame.

Janet's compassion is central to the plot of the Michael Korvac episode and other storylines.

The video discusses the contrast between Janet's and Hank Pym's motivations and methods for helping the world.

The history of Janet van Dyne in comics is explored, including her evolution from the 60s to the present.

Janet's role in the comics has diminished over time, with her last memorable moment being her seeming death in 'Secret Invasion'.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) adaptation of Wasp features Hope van Dyne, not the original character Janet van Dyne.

Nadia van Dyne, a new character introduced in the comics, takes up the Wasp mantle, reflecting Marvel's reluctance to use the original Janet.

The video compares the portrayal of Wasp in 'Earth's Mightiest Heroes' to her depiction in the MCU and other adaptations.

The early characterization of Wasp in the comics is described as 'ditsy thrill seeker', which feels outdated.

The video argues that the portrayal of Wasp in 'Earth's Mightiest Heroes' successfully updates the character for a modern audience.

Janet's character in the show is described as the 'beating heart of the Avengers', highlighting her central role in the team.

The adaptation of Wasp's character in 'Earth's Mightiest Heroes' reframed outdated aspects into more nuanced traits.

The video emphasizes the importance of Wasp's joy and enthusiasm in her character, which sets her apart from darker superhero portrayals.

The portrayal of Wasp in 'Earth's Mightiest Heroes' is considered a fitting 'swan song' for the character, capturing the essence of her classic depiction.

The video speculates on what could have been if Janet van Dyne had a central role in the MCU, referencing early plans for the character.

Transcripts

look i know that title is a bit vague so

i'll explain a little better precisely

what this video is it's an analysis of

the character of janet van dyne aka wasp

in the tv show avengers earth's

mightiest heroes but it's also more than

that

because when one approaches this show's

depiction and adaptation of this

particular character it quickly becomes

apparent that this character this

representation is tied to a few other

issues and these are the publication

history and backstory of the wasp before

earth's mightiest heroes and the show's

general relationship with marvel's

classic past so we'll get into those

shortly but for now let's take our first

look at janet van dyne i think the best

place to start is with a quick character

profile to develop a basic image of this

version of janet van dyne which we can

have in our mind while discussing the

history of the character and then circle

back to and develop later on so what

drives the wasp well while she's a rich

heiress and maybe fashion designer or

whatever she is in this continuity it's

never about money or fame or glory for

janet compared to someone like iron man

i mean he's definitely altruistic but

his ego plays a far bigger role in his

superheroism than is the case for

someone like janet's part of it is

janet's deep emotionality most obvious

in her attachment to hank pym though she

stays fully committed to the avengers

even after he leaves this emotive core

comes into play significantly through

the rest of the show her compassion

drives the plot of the michael korvac

episode for instance and a similar thing

happens in yellowjacket on that note i

think a big driving force wasp is a

genuine desire to help people maybe you

should come work for me ms van dyne the

wasp agent of shield

i like it

no

janet feels a certain obligation to use

her powers to help people not entirely

unlike what drives a character like

spider-man we see a few times her remark

upon the use and misuse of powers check

this moment out for example

look at you you're blowing it yeah

you can do so much more with your power

you can blend giant drinks

instead you're just going to the big

house

again there is altruism here in spades

but there's a similar altruism present

with hank hank also wants to help the

world but whereas wasp sees her powers

as her primary means of affecting

positive change for hank this role is

filled by his science which in turn

leads to humanitarian progress like the

big house and his ultron jailers the pym

particles keep the world safe from these

villains while his ai tries to

reintegrate them into society if you

want to hear more about hank i've done a

whole other video on him in this show

which should be on screen now but while

jan and hank both want to help they

conceive of that help in really

different ways which is what's at the

root of all the conflict that plays out

between them

alright so so far we've established that

janet's emotions and her altruism are

part of the puzzle

things which drive this version of janet

van dyne and make this characterization

so compelling but the elephant in the

room when thinking about earth's

mightiest hero's iconic depiction of the

wasp is that one of the reasons it's

possibly the most iconic depiction of

this character is that there aren't

really many contenders it's at this

point that it's worth a while to take a

little stroll down memory lane and look

at the history of janet van dyne janet

first appeared and became the wasp back

in the 60s entails to astonish issue 44.

following this she and hank pym aka

ant-man aka giant man aka goliath and so

on they went on to be recurring

characters for the next while from tales

to astonish to popping up in other books

and increasingly the avengers series the

super team which she named and helped

found over the years and the next few

decades janet became an increasingly

central and valuable part of the

avengers even being the team's leader at

one point and we'll come back to these

years of importance but since then her

role in and beyond the comics has

somewhat diminished while she's still

around popping up now and then her

modern role isn't really comparable to

her early presence in the marvel

universe her last really memorable

moment in my opinion was her seeming

death at the end of the secret invasion

and after this moment she stayed dead

for like five years until she was

retconned to be alive in the microverse

and five years is a fairly long time

when it comes to big name heroes staying

dead in the world of comics and if that

microverse thing sounds familiar it's

because an adaptation of this plot point

was central to ant-man and the wasp but

let's talk about it for a second because

the wasp stuff in the mcu is another

part of the way that this character has

been left in the past

as i'm sure you're aware the wasp is a

hero in the marvel cinematic universe

and even appeared in the uber successful

global smash hit avengers end game but

as i'm sure you're also aware this isn't

janet van dyne it's hope fandyne hope

him maybe after she's reconciled with

her father

but either way this isn't the same

character janet van dyne exists solely

as a flashback until that is she's

rescued from the quantum realm in

ant-man and the wasp so the one real

part of the wasp that the mcu adapts is

a story which comes from the character's

sixth decade from a time well past the

peak of her cultural relevancy and after

the first avengers film had made it

clear that this character wouldn't have

her traditional central role at the

heart of marvel's premier super team and

indeed after the depiction of her in

earth's mightiest heroes

and hope's a fun character and i like

evangeline lilly but she is a different

character and it's a similar story with

nadia van dyne or nadia pym depending on

which point we're talking about but this

is a new character from the comics who

takes up the wasp mantle people have

speculated that her introduction was in

response to hope's appearance in the mcu

because they're broadly similar

characters but either way mcu hope mcu

janet and nadia they're all new versions

of the wasp and they don't really adapt

much beyond the basic power set and they

show a reluctance on marvel's part to do

anything with the original character of

janet take for instance nadia's the

unstoppable wasp she barely recently had

her own book run starting in i think

2017 not so remarkable until you realize

that janet never had a solo book still

doesn't

yeah she appears every now and then in

someone else's or an avengers run but

even in the mainline 616 universe it

feels like janet's being forgotten left

in the past

if you go back and read the early

avengers books or tales to astonish this

seems like a halfway reasonable outcome

though because her character comes

across as pretty annoying to a modern

pair of eyes she's irrational she has a

short attention span she flirts

relentlessly even while sort of an item

with hank i was on the fandom wiki since

it's been a few years since i've read

any of the classic avengers runs and at

one point their page describes wasp's

early character as a ditsy thrill seeker

and this pretty much hits the nail on

the head

and these stories this characterization

as a result of the shift away from janet

we've noted earlier there may be what

are nowadays most associated with this

character the original wasp so maybe

it's understandable to a point that this

character hasn't inspired so many recent

adaptations this is a two-dimensional

depiction which feels fairly sexist a

lot of the time

but here's the thing the negatives of

this classic wasp they're not really

unique to her they are i think a larger

symptom of how women were often written

at the time so when writers come looking

at these old books with an eye to

possibly revive or adapt the wasp they

ignore this janet and try and make their

own we saw it with hope with nadia with

mcu janet and even to an extent with

ultimate universe wasp but crucially we

don't see this with earth's mightiest

heroes we see the opposite

let's zoom out a little it has been

noted by myself and many others that the

earth's mightiest heroes setting is

tonally quite similar to the bronze age

of marvel comics the avengers early

years and the time period in which

heroes like ant-man and the wasp were

being created i think this is true most

obvious in the show's early episodes

which adapt early 60s avengers stories

link on screen now to a video about that

but if we look at the founding members

of the team their depictions in earth's

mightiest heroes aren't always that

close to their bronze age counterparts

iron man feels very different and very

influenced by robert downey jr's

performance in the mcu and his publicity

and prominence in this world alone make

it feel a world apart from his 60s

counterpart it's a broadly similar case

with thor with the show's abandonment of

the whole donald blakeshtick being the

most obvious example as to why the

difference with hulk in this avengers

team is that the hulk is in the avengers

team that he comes back after he leaves

and actually contributes to the team

dynamic now this isn't the case with

every avenger throughout the show just

take captain america for example who

feels ripped from the pages of avengers

issue 4. but i think the most

interesting example of when the show

actually reaches back and brings bronze

age characterization forward is the wasp

because unlike the mcu unlike nadia van

dyne this wasp feels like the classic

character brought into the modern world

but not as a tiny background legacy

figure like in the mainline comics today

but as a central part of the team and of

the story in many ways this janet is the

beating heart of the avengers this is a

point i've made briefly before in a

video discussing the show's kang arc but

it's a point that rings true moments

like this show the wasp coming in clutch

for the team and she sticks with them

even when most of the heroes leave the

team during the secret invasion arc so

this adaptation gets the centrality and

importance of classic wasp right and

while she was never the team's leader or

chair i wouldn't have been surprised if

that was in this version of the

character's future

but the really impressive part of how

earth's mightiest heroes adapts this

classic forgotten wasp characterization

is that the stuff that didn't age so

well well that's here too but reframed

her manic glee is toned down just a

smidge into inspiring optimism and that

ditziness here it comes across more as

endearing naivety

but there's also the outrageous

flirtation we saw with the sixties wasp

just take a look at this clip from the

start of four five nine

he's cute

subtle jan

the difference here though is that in

the show when this annoyance at hank's

seeming indifference results in her

taking passes at other guys it's broken

down moments later into something driven

by jealousy and acknowledged as a flaw

chan you have to know that you've got

him wrapped around your finger whatever

from day one it's been strictly business

if you keep playing your little jealousy

games with him he's gonna strictly hate

you well that'd be better than not

getting noticed at all

so to once again borrow the wiki's

phrase this isn't a ditzy thrill seeker

winking every man to cross her path it's

emotional vulnerability which becomes a

part of the story between jan and hank

at the heart of this episode

[Music]

in this way the wasps comic book origins

are borrowed and built upon in earth's

mightiest heroes rather than doing what

the mcu did or near outright reboot as

ultimates did emh actually adapts this

character but turns the outdated 2d

aspects into 3d ones so we've got a few

different things going on with this

version of the wasp then her emotional

core the altruism underpinning her

superheroics and the strong and faithful

bronze age tone but what ties all these

disparate elements together what's the

missing piece of wasp's character

well in a word joy

the point at which these three things

we've been talking about merge is the

pure enthusiasm which animates janet

almost every time we see her on screen

you could change many aspects of this

character and have her remain

recognizably the wasp but take away that

sense of joy and she's gone it's the

ultimate expression of the strength of

her emotions and it's one of the biggest

reasons team morale exists at all given

the horrifying things that happen to

this team on what seems like a weekly

basis and this joy it's a result of her

altruism and heroics let's get back to

that ditzy thrill seeker phrase but this

time focus on the latter half because in

wasp we see a character who embraces the

essential thrill in super heroism i'm

willing to bet that everyone watching

this video when you were younger you

dreamt of being a superhero of flying

through the sky shooting lasers from

your hands helping people and this

version of wasp is so great because in a

time when we've an abundance of

crushingly dark and gloomy heroes

depressed by their responsibilities and

failures we have a character that reacts

to her powers in the same way that any

of us would excitement glee enthusiasm

joy a joy which feels ripped straight

from the pages of kirby and ditko at al

this is the bronze age tone i was

talking about distilled into its purest

form so yeah she's a thrill seeker

unapologetically but the same retro

vibrancy which drives this is also at

the heart of her philosophy and her role

within the avengers team dynamics and i

don't know about you but i'd take this

version of the wasp over the

alternatives any day the great shame is

that we almost saw a version like this i

think in the mcu it recently came out

that some of joss whedon's early plans

for the first avengers film had wasp

play a central role and they had zoe

deschanel in mind for the part and if

you've ever seen new girl i think you'll

agree that the energy she'd have brought

to this role would have been just as

vibrant and joyous as what we got with

earth's mightiest heroes

but you know we got black widow instead

and she's a great character for sure but

you know the sort of role that the mcu

put widow in towards the end of her

tenure the emotional glue of the team

i'd be lying if i said i'm not

desperately curious to see how those

scenes played out in the alternate

timeline where it's wasp keeping the

avengers together but yeah that footnote

aside if janet van dyne's wasp is

marvel's forgotten heroine shrinking

away year by year into smaller and

smaller roles then i'm glad at least

that we got this version of her in

earth's my east heroes because i can't

think of a better swan song

that about wraps things up here though i

hope you liked the video i know i teased

it a while ago so fingers crossed it

lived up to your expectations

let me know if you think i missed any

crucial elements but if not you know

there'll be more videos like this coming

soon so subscribe if you don't want to

miss those and apparently if you click

the little bell icon then you get

notified whenever a new video pops out

so that's handy i guess also like this

video or

i'll uh

i don't know i'll do something drastic

i'm not sure what yet but it'll it'll be

big and that's it here's me from the

past when i recorded this to play us out

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

you