A new variant cover for Wasp #1 by Russell Dauterman features a collage of all of Janet Van Dyne's most iconic, ridiculous, and stunning costumes over her many years in publication at Marvel Comics as the founder and sometimes leader of the Avengers.
Janet Van Dyne is one of Marvel's earliest introduced superheroes, debuting in 1963's Tales to Astonish #44. While sometimes unfairly overlooked, the Winsome Wasp is one of the most impressive Avengers of all time. Janet not only came up with the name "The Avengers," but has served as leader of the heroic team for longer than any other member besides Steve Rogers. At the same time, she is also a world-renowned fashion designer throughout the Marvel Universe who uses her fortune for philanthropic ventures and even keeping Earth's Mightiest Heroes afloat.
With all the many accolades collected by the powerful and courageous Janet Van Dyne, some readers may be surprised to hear that the Wasp miniseries - written by Al Ewing (Ant-Man, X-Men Red) with art by Kasia Nie (Mockingbird, Age of Conan: Belit) - is the X-Men heroes like Rogue, Gambit, and Storm.
The Wondrous Wasp Is A True Avengers' Icon
However, Janet Van Dyne is the perfect hero for this particular brand of variant cover, because not only is the Wondrous Wasp known for being an icon of fashion, but she has had more costume changes than almost any other Marvel character around. Russell Dauterman's cover highlights the vast variety of Janet's heroic costumes, with spotlights from each decade of the Wasp's heroic career scattered throughout the impressive piece of art.
Front and center is Janet's infamous look from tragically killed by The Blob during Ultimatum. The epic cover only scratches the surface of the Wasp's many looks because - as Russell Dauterman said in the comments of the post - "Jan is the queen of costume changes," pointing out that throughout the 70s and 80s it seemed like the founding Avengers' costume changed in almost every issue.
Fans of Janet Van Dyne and her daughter Nadia are surely getting excited about the debut of Wasp #1, a much-needed 60th Anniversary celebration series. Russell Dauterman's amazing cover highlighting the founding Avenger's most iconic costume looks is the perfect way to honor the fashion and heroic legacy of the Wasp.
Source: Russell Dauterman
Wasp #1 is set to debut on January 18, 2023.
