Janet Van Dyne convinced Hank Pym to help her avenge the death of her father and underwent a procedure that allowed her to grow insect wings upon shrinking. After avenging her father, Jan becomes the Winsome Wasp and remains Hanks partner. Together, they served as two of the founding members of the Avengers, with Jan suggesting the teams name. Although initially portrayed as somewhat ditzy and boy-crazy, Jan evolved over the years into a very competent hero, particularly after she divorced Hank. Out of all the characters who have been Avengers, it is probably the Wasp who has undergone the most development over the span of 405 appearances. She even became the team leader on a few occasions and briefly had romances with fellow heroes Iron Man, Paladin, and Hawkeye. Recently, Jan was transformed into a bio-bomb by a Skrull impersonating Hank, and was believed dead after Thor created a spatial warp to save everyone. In reality, she was sent to the Microverse and is rescued by the Avengers. Since then, Jan has joined the Avengers Unity Squad and has even put up her own money to fund the team. Shes also begun a relationship with team leader Havok, one that apparently results in them having a daughter in the future. Evangeline Lilly will be playing a character named Hope Van Dyne in the upcoming Ant-Man movie, and a photo posted to her Instagram page revealed her with a very Wasp-esque hairdo. Given that Michael Douglas is playing an older Hank Pym, could Lillys Hope Van Dyne be Jans daughter, and take on her mothers superheroine identity?
Percival Constantine is the author of several novels and short stories, including the Vanguard superhero series, and regularly writes and comments on movies, comics, and other pop culture. More information can be found at his website, PercivalConstantine.com
