Janet Van Dyne

Few characters can claim to have been present at the very birth of Marvel's mightiest team, but Janet Van Dyne is one of them — a Silver Age original who debuted in Tales to Astonish #44 in 1963, brought to life by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. A proud Avenger whose name appears in the team's earliest chapters, she has shared countless adventures alongside icons like Captain America, Iron Man, and Hank Pym across more than six decades of Marvel history. With over 1,100 catalog appearances and 76 recognized key issues to her name, Janet is no supporting player — she's a foundational figure whose presence threads through The Avengers and beyond like a golden thread in the tapestry of the Marvel Universe. If you're serious about Silver Age Marvel, knowing Janet Van Dyne isn't optional — it's essential.