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Unstoppable Wasp, Nadia van Dyne – Definitive Collecting Guide and Reading Order

The definitive issue-by-issue comic book collecting guide and reading order for Marvel’s Unstoppable Wasp – Nadia van Dyne AKA Nadia Pym – in omnibus, hardcover, trade paperback, and digital comics. Part of Crushing Krisis’s Crushing Comics. Last updated January 2023 with titles scheduled for release through April 2023.

The Unstoppable Wasp seemed like the wrong character at the wrong time for Marvel, but she turned into one of their best and most nuanced new heroes – and one of their best all-ages 616 characters of all time.

Nadia van Dyne (AKA Nadia Pym) made her first appearance with the Avengers on the brink of Marvel’s Civil War II. It was a disorganized time in the Marvel Universe that was about to become even more divisive – both for characters and fans. That’s because Marvel was focusing hard on a new generation of “Legacy” heroes like Sam Wilson as Captain America, Jane Foster as Thor, Kamala Khan as Ms. Marvel, and many, many more.

Nadia Pym in Unstoppable_Wasp (2018) #1 by Gurihiru

Nadia was an odd addition to this list. First, because Wasp isn’t nearly as popular as the iconic original heroes of those other legacy characters. Second, because the original Wasp – Janet van Dyne – was active at that moment on another Avengers team in another title. Third, because Hank Pym had recently merged with Ultron in that other Avengers title, so Nadia wasn’t even interacting with him.

And, most-importantly, because Nadia was not the Wasp we had just met in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Ant-Man.

That was Hope van Dyne, who existed in several alternate universe, but never in 616. Nadia was not a re-named young version of the MCU’s Hope. Janet wasn’t her biological mother, and she was like half-Wasp half-Black-Widow due to her training in Russia’s Red Room.

At first it felt like there was no point to Nadia’s existence. She stuck with the adult Avengers after Civil War II rather than join the teen Champions, but the choice didn’t seem to make sense.

Then, Jeremy Whitley came along to launch Unstoppable Wasp. Whitley had years of experience writing YA comics, including the delightful Princeless for Action Lab, and was paired with expressive artist Elsa Charretier.

Together, they found a place for Nadia. She simply wasn’t at her best as a brainy young Avenger. Instead, she was leader and a connector meant to bring together the young women geniuses of the Marvel Universe into her G.I.R.L. labs – Geniuses In action Research Labs. The result was a delightful comic that not only invited a slew of new young women, but also interviewed real life lady scientists in every issue! Plus, it highlighted the narrative power of Mockingbird and Janet van Dyne, oft relegated to being supporting characters or love interests instead of mentors.

Nadia’s first series was short-lived, but as she got pulled into the dour Secret Empire and The Champions on the other side of it her fandom snowballed as readers discovered her via trade paperback collections. As it turns out, kids who love comics about scientists aren’t major Wednesday Warriors. As a result, Whitley returned with Gurihiru, a pair of artists revered by fans for their clean-lined animated style on books like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Power Pack, and The Unbelievable Gwenpool 

Whitley and Gurihiru delivered another smashing series. Not only was every issue enjoyable, but it tackled tricky topics like mental illness and disability – all without losing the pure joy of Nadia’s character.

In the wake of her two series, Nadia is occasionally a member of The Champions, sometimes a sidekick to Scott Lang or Janet van Dyne, and often a scientist-on-call for Kamala Khan. Wherever she turns up, expect mad science, optimism, and G.I.R.L. Power!

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Where to Start Reading Unstoppable Wasp

There are two obvious onboarding points in the Unstoppable Wasp’s brief comics history.

If you just want to read Nadia without reading her adventures in the Avengers, start with Unstoppable Wasp (2017) #1 and continue directly from there to Unstoppable Wasp (2018) #1. In fact, you can now get both series in a pair of handy digest-size paperbacks or digital collections:

Vol. 1 – G.I.R.L. Power (2019 digest-sized paperback, ISBN 978-1302916565 / digital)

Vol. 2 – A.I.M. Escape! (2021 digest-sized paperback, ISBN 978-1302923846 / digital)

If you want to read every Nadia appearance, including her appearances outside of her own title, simply follow the Unstoppable Wasp Reading Order below from Free Comic Book Day 2016 and All-Different Avengers (2016) #9.

Unstoppable Wasp’s Greatest Hits

Want to read only the very best of Unstoppable Wasp’s material? Here are her key issues to date; find where to collect them all in the guide below.

  • Free Comic Book Day 2016: Civil War II #1
  • All-New, All-Different Avengers (2016) #9 & 14
  • Avengers (2016) #1-6
  • Unstoppable Wasp (2017) #1-8
  • Avengers (2016) #7-8
  • Ant-Man & The Wasp (2018) #1-5
  • Unstoppable Wasp (2018) #1-10
  • Ironheart (2018) #7-8

Unstoppable Wasp Reading Order

All-New, All-Different Marvel: Unstoppable Wasp debuts in Free Comic Book Day 2016
& All-New, All-Different Avengers (2016) #9, 10, 12, & 14 (May 2016 – Sep 2016)

Nadia made her comic debut in a brief short story in Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) 2016 that continued immediately into All-New All-Different Avengers (2016) #9. While she was present for Civil War II, she was too new of a character to get sucked into the conflict. [Marvel Unlimited: Free Comic Book Day, All-New All-Different Avengers]

Free Comic Book Day 2016: Civil War II #1: See Guide to Avengers Flagships, 2010 – present. As of this writing, this story has only been physically recollected in the oversize hardcover line of All-New, All-Different Avengers. Nadia makes her debut in this short story which hints at a Nadia’s Red Room origins and connection to Hank Pym without confirming either outright. The story continues into ANAD Avengers (2016) #9.

All-New, All-Different Avengers (2016) #9: See Guide to Avengers Flagships, 2010 – present. In issue #9, Nadia thrusts herself into the middle of a team training exercise. She immediately reveals her relationship to Hank Pym (and, by extension, Janet) and retells her origin. At the end of the issue, Jarvis whisks her away to meet Janet (presently a member of Uncanny Avengers).

All-New, All-Different Avengers (2016) #10 & 12: See Guide to Avengers Flagships, 2010 – present. Nadia’s meeting with Janet occurs in handful of subplot pages in issues #10 & 12. They go on an unseen mission together during issue #11, where Nadia does not appear. She is also not in issue #13

All-New, All-Different Avengers (2016) #14: See Guide to Avengers Flagships, 2010 – present. This is a full Nadia-focused issue that is important to her ongoing plot. It establishes her as a permanent fixture in the lives of the Avengers, and also introduces her tendency towards hyper-fixation. Also, see Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Civil War II, as this issue is technically a tie-in and occurs simultaneous to the events of Civil War II (2016) #3.

In Civil War II (2016) #3, Nadia appears in the deep background of a panel of the Avengers fighting MODOK sometime after the events of #14. Immediately after that, she may appear silently in the background of The Fallen (2016) #1 standing alongside Janet.

All-New, All-Different Avengers (2016) Annual 1 references Nadia in a non-continuity capacity in Kamala’s fanfic. Shortly after Civil War II, in Champions (2016) #1 we see a panel of a silent Nadia in flight as The Champions send a mass-text to all of Marvel’s young heroes.

Unstoppable Wasp in Avengers (2016) #1-11 (Nov 2016 – Sep 2017)

This volume launches out of Civil War II. All of the existing young members of the team quit at the end of that event to form The Champions. However, in the wake of their departure Nadia joins the team as a full-time member when she is pulled into an adventure as they tour their new home.Unstoppable Wasp in Avengers (2016) #8

All of Unstoppable Wasp (2017) fits between issues #6-7 of this series. In 2017 this run was renumbered to include legacy issue numbering and continuesd as Avengers (1963 / 2016) in Marvel Legacy, below. [Marvel Unlimited]

Avengers (2016) #1-6: See Guide to Avengers Flagships, 2010 – present. Nadia plays a key role throughout this arc, not only as a the newest member of the team, but also in their battle in Kang across time. She is the star of issue #3.

Civil War II: The Oath (2017) #1: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Civil War II. Nadia has a brief conversation with Miles Morales while watching Steve Rogers’ swearing-in from afar. This is more about Miles than about Nadia, though it confirms that it is after her first mission with the Avengers (“now that I’m working with the other one [Spider-Man]”) and that she turned down

Monsters Unleashed (2017) #1 & Avengers (2017) #1.MU: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Monsters Unleashed. This must occur after the first mission in Avengers, given Nadia’s presence and her antagonistic relationship with Spider-Man in #1.MU. It’s possible it also fits after the first few issues of Nadia’s solo series. However, she doesn’t have much to do other than briefly saving civilians in #1 and bantering with Spidey in #1.MU

All of Unstoppable Wasp (2017) #1-8 fit here, as do any other appearances with the Avengers prior to Secret Empire. See the next section for further information.

Avengers (2016) #7-8: See Guide to Avengers Flagships, 2010 – present. Nadia is the star of issue #7 during an unusual confrontation with Victor Von Doom. At the end she mentions referring new members to G.I.R.L., so it must at least occur after her issue #1, below – if not her entire series. She remains at the center of the story in #8.

A handful of guest appearances follow Avengers (2017) #8, which are listed after Nadia’s first ongoing series in the next section.

Nadia does not appear Avengers (2016) #9-10, despite what is listed by some guides. The entirety of Secret Empire occurs during this pair of issues. Nadia’s appearances in Secret Empire are covered two sections below.

Avengers (2016) #11: See Guide to Avengers Flagships, 2010 – present. This issues acts as an epilogue to Secret Empire. It establishes that Nadia remains on the team despite it’s changing line-up.

The Unstoppable Wasp (2017) #1-8 (Feb 2017 – Aug 2017)

Nadia’s first solo series is really one big story about her conceptualizing G.I.R.L. and dealing with elements of her past. Though its release began during the first arc of Avengers (2016) and continued through the last issue of Secret Empire in 2017, in terms of continuity it fits entirely between the two.

The Unstoppable_Wasp (2017) #7

How do we know this? In issue #2, Jarvis says to Nadia, “I was on my way to see the rest of the Avengers, and I thought it’s not as if they need a butler in that dreadful building.” Nadia sees the building for the first time in Avengers (2016) #1, and that story continues with no breaks in the action through issue #6. Then, in Avengers (2016) #7 Nadia mentions Doctor Doom referring possible members of G.I.R.L., which places it after at least her issue #1. Since issues #2-7 happen without any significant gaps and issue #8 begins the day after #7, Avengers (2016) #7 must occur after this series concludes. [Marvel Unlimited]

in a single digest-size paperback volume…

#1-8: G.I.R.L. Power (2019 digest-sized paperback, ISBN 978-1302916565 / digital)

as originally collected…

#1-4: Vol. 1: Unstoppable! (2017 paperback, ISBN 978-1302906467 / digital)
Also collect Nadia’s full-issue feature in All-New, All-Different Avengers (2016) #14

#5-8: Vol. 2: Agent of G.I.R.L. (2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302906474 / digital)
I have personally verified the contents of this volume. It also collects material from Tales to Astonish (1959) #44.

Avengers (2016) #7-8: See the section directly above. These issues occur after G.I.R.L. is established but before Secret Empire begins.

Click for a summary of cameo guest appearances in this period.

Secret Empire (2017) #0, FCBD, & #1-10, Champions (2016) #11,
Secret Empire: Uprising (2017) #1, & Avengers (2017) #11 (Apr 2017 – Sep 2017)

Nadia is one of the ongoing featured cast members throughout this line-wide event. Though issue #0 was released just halfway through Nadia’s solo book, it necessarily occurs afterward because of the status quo changes it introduces into the Marvel Universe (not the least of which is rendering Manhattan off-limits, when that is one of the main locations of Nadia’s solos series).

I strongly recommend skipping Secret Empire event as part of your read of Nadia as Unstoppable Wasp, especially if you are enjoying it with a younger reader. It is thoroughly grim and fixated on moments on brutality in a way that feels out of step with the Marvel Universe of the past 15 years. The few moments you get with Nadia throughout are not worth all of the other scenes you’ll have to consume along the way. [Marvel Unlimited: Secret Empire (2017), Secret Empire: Uprising (2017)]

Secret Empire (2017) #0, FCBD, #1-7, & 9-10: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Secret Empire. The only scene in this event that is important to Nadia’s character and ongoing arc is a moment in #6 where she talks about her history in the Red Room to the other teen members of the Underground resistance. She does not appear in Secret Empire Omega (2017).

Click for a summary of all of Nadia\'s scenes in this event.

Champions (2016) #11: See Guide to The Champions. This issue occurs during Secret Empire #2, though I think it is best read prior to that issue. It suggests that the younger members of the Secret Empire Underground are effectively another version of The Champions. Nadia and Viv Vision go on a mission that fits between Secret Empire #1-2. This story is a closer tonal fit for the Unstoppable Wasp series than Secret Empire itself, if you want to get a sense of what’s happening in the event without actually reading it.

Secret Empire: Uprising (2017) #1: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Secret Empire. This occurs after Secret Empire #3 and is effectively an additional issue of The Champions – let’s call it #11.1. The teen portion of the Underground go undercover at a Hydra youth camp. This isn’t quite as dark as the main Secret Empire series, and Nadia has a few interesting scenes.

Avengers (2017) #11: See Guide to Avengers Flagships, 2010 – present. An epilogue to the event. Nadia appears throughout.

Marvel Legacy: Avengers/Champions: Worlds Collide and Champion for a Day (Oct 2017 – Mar 2018)

In the wake of Secret Empire, the Marvel Universe doubled-down on its Legacy characters while also inviting old readers back to the fold. While many Legacy characters stuck around or got their own books, all of Marvel’s major flagships renumbered to match their total all-time issue count.

Our Unstoppable Wasp found herself torn between the two sides of Legacy as they came together in “Worlds Collide.” Avengers and Champions were effectively the two flagship books of Marvel’s line at the time, and both were written by Mark Waid. [Marvel Unlimited: Avengers (2016, Champions (2016)]

In Marvel Legacy (2017) #1, a single page of the anthology issue shows Nadia and Jarvis chatting in the mansion. This is a teaser for the next Avengers story, “No Surrender.” Given the timing of the other stories in the issue, it likely occurs prior to Worlds Collide.

Avengers (1963 / 2016) #672-674 & Champions (2016) #13-15: “Worlds Collide.” See Guide to Avengers Flagships, 2010 – Present or Guide to The Champions. The reading order of this event is A672, C13, A673, C14, A674, C15. Nadia has most of her speaking roles in the first two chapters. At the end of this event the Avengers depart, but Nadia stays behind as an assistant to Vision.

Champions (2016) #16-18: See Guide to The Champions. In this “Champion for a Day” story arc Nadia is explicitly not an active member of The Champions. Instead, she stuck around the Vision household to consult on Viv’s condition (as well as Visions) in the immediate wake of Worlds Collide. However, in the final sequence of #18 she assembles alongside the full team.

 Nadia does not appear in Invincible Iron Man (2016) #595 – it’s Jan in the deep background of a panel. Secret Warriors (2018) #8 has Moon Girl refer to Nadia, but she does not appear in-continuity.

Marvel Legacy: No Surrender in Avengers (1963 / 2016) #675 – 690 (Jan 2018 – Apr 2018)

This weekly event combined the casts and creative teams of all four of the current Avengers titles – Avengers, Uncanny Avengers, USAvengers, and Occupy Avengers. Nadia is still clearly an active member of the main Avengers team at this start of this 16-issue weekly event, as she is in the field with Hercules as things begin in issue #675. [Marvel Unlimited]

Avengers (1963 / 2016) #675-690: See Guide to Avengers Flagships, 2010 – Present. Nadia does not appear in issues #678, 681, or 685-687.

Click for a summary of all of Nadia\'s scenes in this event.

Later, Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda (2019) #3 in November 2020 flashes back to the end of this story.

Marvel Fresh Start: Unstoppable Wasp joins Jim Zub’s Champions
in Champions (2016) #19-23, 25-27, Annual 1,
& Infinity Countdown: Champions (2018) #1-2 (Apr 2018 – Dec 2018)

Jim Zub, one of the trio of writers behind No Surrender, brings Nadia to the Champions as a full-time team member. She is listed as a part of the cast from his first issue in #19. [Marvel Unlimited: Champions (2016), Infinity Countdown: Champions (2018)]

Champions (2016) #19-23, 25-27, Annual 1, & Infinity Countdown: Champions (2018) #1-2: See Guide to The Champions. Nadia is active throughout this entire run.

Marvel Fresh Start: Ant-Man & The Wasp (2018) #1-5 (Jun – Sep 2018)

This series starts mid-way through Nadia’s run with The Champions, which means it could be placed between #23 & 25. However, there’s no continuity challenges to simply reading it after that run concludes. It begins with Nadia in her home in New Jersey and ends with her moving onto her next ongoing series. [Marvel Unlimited]

#1-5: Lost & Found (2018 paperback, ISBN 978-0785194620 / digital)
See Guide to Ant-Man for additional collection options.

I can’t spot Nadia in Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2015B) #37; she may appear in the background at a funeral.

Marvel Fresh Start: The Unstoppable Wasp (2018) #1-10 (Oct 2018 – Jul 2019)

At the same time as this second volume of her own series Nadia appears in the first issue of Champions (2019) as a member of the team and is listed as a member of the cast on the recap page of every issue, but she does not appear again until the final page #9! [Marvel Unlimited]

The Unstoppable Wasp (2018) #5

in a single digest-size paperback volume…

#1-10: A.I.M. Escape! (2021 digest-sized paperback, ISBN 978-1302923846 / digital)

as originally collected …

#1-5: Unlimited, Vol. 1: Fix Everything (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302914264 / digital)

#6-10: Unlimited, Vol. 2: G.I.R.L. vs. A.I.M. (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302914271 / digital)

Nadia’s appearance in Champions (2019) #1 likely fits before the start of her series, since later in Champions (2019) #5 Ms. Marvel refers to the events of #4-5 as the reason she is no longer present. Nadia does not appear on-panel in Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #10, but all of the Champions appear there before her series begins, so her presence is implied. It likely occurs prior to Champions #1 due to the events of their first arc.

Ironheart (2018) #7-8: See Guide to Ironheart (eventually). Based on timing, it seems likely this occurs after the end of Nadia’s series but before the end of Champions. This is a perfect epilogue to Nadia’s series, as it’s in a very similar tone.

Click for a summary of other guest appearances in this period, including the remainder of Nadia\'s appearances with the Champions.

Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit (2021) #3-5: See Guide to Ms. Marvel, Kamala Khan. Nadia appears as a Kamala’s scientist on-call in #3 and then more actively in a team-up throughout in #4-5. She makes non-continuity appearances in #1-2. In Damage Control (2022) #2 she appears in a brief sequence in G.I.R.L. Labs.

Wasp (2023) #1-4 (Jan – April 2023)

Nadia appears as a co-star in this Janet-focused series. [Marvel Unlimited]

#1-4: Small Worlds (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302951955 / digital pending)
Collects Collecting Wasp (20220 #1-4 and material from Tales to Astonish (1959) #44

Out-of-Continuity Unstoppable Wasp

The Unstoppable Wasp: Built On Hope (2020 hardcover prose novel, ISBN 978-1368054652 / digital)
While this prose novel is officially not a part of 616 continuity, by most accounts it picks up almost exactly where Nadia’s 2018 series left off.

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