Wasp is a beloved Marvel character who has been a superhero since the 60s and remains an A-list hero to this day. However, the character suffered a nightmarish and needless demise. However, in Mech Strike: Monster Hunters #1, Marvel did rectify one of its most regrettable missteps.
As Ant-Man’s formidable partner, the Wasp (both Janet Van Dyne and later Hope Van Dyne) wields the same incredible shrinking technology, and her agility may even surpass that of her male counterpart. Together, they form a dynamic duo, utilizing their unique abilities to take on challenges and villains with unparalleled finesse.
Wasp’s Nightmarish Death Still Haunts Marvel Fans
Despite her numerous abilities, death proved to be an inevitable adversary for the Wasp. In the miniseries Ultimatum, she endured a harrowing fate, being infamously consumed by the Blob during a gut-wrenching event that continues to haunt devoted fans of the character to this day.
Mech Strike: Monster Hunters #1, penned by Christos Gage and illustrated by Paco Diaz, showcases four formidable villains – Doctor Doom, the Green Goblin, Venom, and Loki – equipped with immensely powerful technology that metamorphoses them into monstrous beings.
In response to this peril, Iron Man reunites the team with their colossal mech suits, including a new one for the Wasp, who was absent during the original Avengers: Mech Strike event. As the intense battle unfolds, a distressing moment arises when the shrunken Wasp becomes the target of the Green Goblin’s terrifying attempt to consume her whole.
The Wasp’s demise in Ultimatum evoked a significant fan outcry, primarily due to the gruesome nature of her death. Although the Ultimate Marvel universe was known for its heightened level of violence compared to its 616 counterparts, having the longstanding X-Men villain Blob eat his opponent was arguably a step too extreme for many.
Adding insult to injury, the heartless Blob displayed no remorse for his actions, callously remarking that the Wasp tasted “like chicken” as he devoured her.
Wasp’s End Came Very Unceremoniously For Fans
In the 2022 series, Wasp’s death was just one of several casualties during the event, with many being perceived as gratuitous and lacking narrative significance, serving merely to boost body counts and shock readers. Sensibly, the writer seemed conscious of Ultimatum’s infamous reputation and made a conscious effort to steer clear of such moments, prioritizing a more meaningful and impactful storytelling approach.
Amidst the continued practice of surprising readers with superhero and villain deaths in comics (even evident in DC’s recent killing of their entire Justice League), the concept is well-known among Marvel enthusiasts. While killing the Wasp at the series’ outset could have been an intriguing callback, an even more compelling approach lies in subverting the narrative of Ultimatum entirely, offering a fresh and innovative perspective on the story.
The Wasp’s retaliation against the Green Goblin for his attempt to consume her can be seen as a powerful assertion of justice, signifying that she has reclaimed her agency and avenged her own death from a different universe.
Also Read: What Went Wrong With Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania (VIDEO)
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