Yellowjacket is the name of several fictional characters appearing in
American comic book
An American comic book is a thin periodical originating in the United States, on average 32 pages, containing comics. While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publication of ''Action Comics'' ...
s published by
Marvel Comics.
Corey Stoll portrayed the
Darren Cross
Darren Agonistes Cross is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the archenemy of Scott Lang (the second superhero to be called Ant-Man), and the cousin of Crossfire.
The character was portr ...
incarnation of the character in the
Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film ''
Ant-Man'' (2015), while
Michael Douglas voiced the
Hank Pym incarnation of the character in the MCU television series
''What If...?'' (2021).
Fictional character biography
Hank Pym
Dr. Henry "Hank" Pym, who has had several other
superhero
A superhero or superheroine is a stock character that typically possesses ''superpowers'', abilities beyond those of ordinary people, and fits the role of the hero, typically using his or her powers to help the world become a better place, ...
identies, including
Ant-Man,
Giant-Man and
Goliath
Goliath ( ) ''Goləyāṯ''; ar, جُليات ''Ǧulyāt'' (Christian term) or (Quranic term). is a character in the Book of Samuel, described as a Philistine giant
In folklore, giants (from Ancient Greek: ''gigas'', cognate giga-) a ...
, is the first character to take on the Yellowjacket codename. The character has been associated with several superhero teams in the Marvel Universe, including the
Avengers
Avenger, Avengers, The Avenger, or The Avengers may refer to:
Arts and entertainment In the Marvel Comics universe
* Avengers (comics), a team of superheroes
**Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe), a central team of protagonist superheroes of ...
and the
Defenders.
Rita DeMara
Rita DeMara is a
fictional character appearing in
American comic book
An American comic book is a thin periodical originating in the United States, on average 32 pages, containing comics. While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publication of ''Action Comics'' ...
s published by
Marvel Comics. The second Yellowjacket, she is initially a reluctant
supervillain
A supervillain or supercriminal is a variant of the villainous stock character that is commonly found in American comic books, usually possessing superhuman abilities. A supervillain is the antithesis of a superhero.
Supervillains are oft ...
ess and later
superhero
A superhero or superheroine is a stock character that typically possesses ''superpowers'', abilities beyond those of ordinary people, and fits the role of the hero, typically using his or her powers to help the world become a better place, ...
ine.
Publication history
Yellowjacket first appeared in ''
The Avengers
Avenger, Avengers, The Avenger, or The Avengers may refer to:
Arts and entertainment In the Marvel Comics universe
* Avengers (comics), a team of superheroes
** Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe), a central team of protagonist superheroes o ...
'' #264 (February 1986), and was created by
Roger Stern and
.
Years later, she was featured as a regular character in the ''
Guardians of the Galaxy'' and ''Avengers'' titles. ''Guardians of the Galaxy'' writer/artist
Jim Valentino reminisced, "It was my group's first foray into the 20th Century. I knew they were going to meet the
Masters of Evil... She was a member of the Masters of Evil at the time and I liked her. I thought it would be nice to have someone see the 31st Century through present-day eyes. It would give a new perspective, so I asked if I could have her. They said yes, and even though I never got the chance to write her in, they put her in the group after I was gone."
Yellowjacket was one of the feature characters in the 2011 three-issue limited series ''Chaos War: Dead Avengers''.
Fictional character biography
=Criminal career
=
When first seen, Rita DeMara was a reluctant supervillainess who had stolen one of
Hank Pym's Yellowjacket costumes, and modified it, making it more feminine (and removing the insect emblem). However, when she clashed with the
Wasp, she became terrified upon shrinking, and was captured.
Yellowjacket participates in a takeover of the Avengers Mansion, assisting one of the more powerful versions of the
Masters of Evil as a professional criminal. Defeated, Yellowjacket is sent to prison but is freed by the
Fixer with amorous intentions. She flees and tries to gain revenge on the Wasp, but is distracted by the sight of
Black Knight. Furious at being rejected, the Fixer tries to kill her. Black Knight helps Yellowjacket defeat him and the two part on possibly romantic terms.
During a time when no Avengers were active, her costume receives a call for help from an automated system at an old Avengers base. She finds herself teaming up with the
Beast,
The Captain
''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...
,
Falcon,
Hercules, the
Hulk
The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of ''The Incredible Hulk (comic book), The Incredible Hulk' ...
and
Jocasta
In Greek mythology, Jocasta (), also rendered Iocaste ( grc, Ἰοκάστη ) and also known as Epicaste (; ), was a daughter of Menoeceus, a descendant of the Spartoi Echion, and queen consort of Thebes. She was the wife of first Laius, t ...
. They battle the
High Evolutionary wishing to jumpstart humanity's evolution through worldwide catastrophe. Yellowjacket helps battle through the Evolutionary's underground submarine base, fighting against dozens of his soldiers. Eventually the Evolutionary is defeated by Hercules, the two evolving out of reality. She later briefly serves as a member of
Superia's
Femizons.
Her second affiliation with the Masters of Evil begins and ends during the
Infinity War
''Avengers: Infinity War'' is a 2018 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team the Avengers. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is the sequel to '' The Avengers'' ( ...
. Her team, led by
Doctor Octopus, confronts the
Guardians of the Galaxy inside the Avengers Mansion as the Masters had wished to take it over. Yellowjacket is soon betrayed by her side. Moments later, both teams are overwhelmed by waves of evil aliens. These aliens were impersonating all the super-powered beings involved. Each double wishes to take over the relevant body. Despite many aliens being slain, more show up.
The Guardians and the Masters both work together to stay alive. Events in the ''Infinity War'' series stop the flow of aliens. When Doctor Octopus desires to continue the fight, his men turn on him, not wanting to hurt those who had helped them. Yellowjacket is left behind and joined the Guardians.
=Guardians of the Galaxy
=
Yellowjacket went to the 31st century with Guardians of the Galaxy. She further proves her worth when she saved the life of
Charlie-27
Captain Charlie-27 is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character usually appears in the Earth-691 timeline of the Marvel Universe as a member of the original 31st century incarnation of the tea ...
by shrinking, flying inside his throat, and performing "surgery" on a massive
blood clot with her stings. She forms a close friendship with
Nikki. She later uses 31st century technology to redesign her costume, making it look less like Henry Pym's design (she even found a way to fly without installing wings on her costume).
She used her powers as a valued member of the team, until, homesick, she attempts to return to the 20th century. On the way, she stops in the near future and learns that a disaster was about to happen to the Avengers in her target time. On her return to the present, she confronts
Iron Man
Iron Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer and editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby. The charact ...
under the control of
Immortus, a powerful time-traveling being in the guise of
Kang the Conqueror. Iron Man kills Yellowjacket.
=Resurrection
=
During the ''
Chaos War'' storyline, Yellowjacket is among the dead people released by
Pluto to defend the Underworld from
Amatsu-Mikaboshi. Because of what happened to the death realms, Yellowjacket is among the dead people that return from the dead. Yellowjacket joins with the other resurrected Avengers as they fight
Grim Reaper and
Nekra. Yellowjacket, along with the
Swordsman, and the
Shi'ar warrior
Deathcry are given a second chance to live when the three of them survive Grim Reaper's attacks. After the defeat of the Chaos King, resurrected members of
Alpha Flight were seen having been fully restored to life but there has been no sign of Yellowjacket.
Darren Cross
Darren Cross is the third character to use the Yellowjacket codename, after gaining the costume thanks to
Egghead
In the U.S. English slang, egghead is an epithet used to refer to intellectuals or people considered out-of-touch with ordinary people and lacking in realism, common sense, sexual interests, etc. on account of their intellectual interests. It wa ...
, and also became a supervillain.
Other versions
Ultimate Marvel
The original
Ultimate Marvel incarnation of Yellowjacket is
Ultron, a robot designed to be an expendable super soldier. Ultron is later killed by Hank Pym who later takes up the Yellowjacket mantle, wanting to make up for what his creation did.
In other media
Television
*The Hank Pym incarnation of Yellowjacket appears in ''
The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes'', voiced by
Wally Wingert.
* The Darren Cross incarnation of Yellowjacket appears in ''
Lego Marvel Super Heroes: Avengers Reassembled'', voiced by
Travis Willingham.
* The Darren Cross incarnation of Yellowjacket appears in
Disney XD's ''
Ant-Man'' animated shorts, voiced by
William Salyers.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
*
Darren Cross
Darren Agonistes Cross is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the archenemy of Scott Lang (the second superhero to be called Ant-Man), and the cousin of Crossfire.
The character was portr ...
/ Yellowjacket appears in the 2015 live-action
Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film ''
Ant-Man'', portrayed by
Corey Stoll.
* An alternate timeline version of
Hank Pym / Yellowjacket appears in the 2021
Disney+ animated series
''What If...?'' episode "
What If... the World Lost Its Mightiest Heroes?", voiced by
Michael Douglas.
Video games
* The Hank Pym incarnation of Yellowjacket appears as a boss character in ''
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2'', voiced by
Wally Wingert.
* The Hank Pym incarnation of Yellowjacket appears as a playable character in ''
Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2''.
* The
Marvel Cinematic Universe incarnation of Darren Cross / Yellowjacket appears in ''
Marvel: Avengers Alliance'', ''
Marvel: Contest of Champions'', ''
Marvel: Future Fight'' and ''
Lego Marvel's Avengers''.
* The Hank Pym incarnation of Yellowjacket appears in ''
Marvel Future Revolution
''Marvel Future Revolution'' is an action RPG video game developed and published by Netmarble Games. It was released for iOS and Android on August 25, 2021. The game's storyline is based on the Secret Wars series and is set on the Primary Earth, ...
'', voiced again by
Wally Wingert.
References
External links
* Marvel.com profile
Rita DeMara
{{Henry Pym
Comics characters introduced in 1968
Comics characters introduced in 1986
Articles about multiple fictional characters
Fictional characters who can change size
Marvel Comics superheroes
Marvel Comics male superheroes
Marvel Comics female superheroes
Marvel Comics supervillains
Marvel Comics male supervillains
Marvel Comics female supervillains
Marvel Comics robots
Characters created by Roy Thomas
Characters created by John Buscema
Characters created by Roger Stern
pt:Jaqueta Amarela