Ant-Man and the Wasp #5
Writer: Mark Waid
Penciller: Javier Garron
Colorist: Israel Silva
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Price: $3.99
Release Date: 09/05/18
Rating: T+
Plot: Ant-Man and the Wasp are back on Earth, but their Microverse experience left the duo quantum entangled with each other. Hopefully the duo will figure out a way to fix this without ripping up the universe in the process.
Story: This issue is very fast-paced. This makes sense since this title is only a mini-series and we’re on the last issue. While Mark Waid has Ant-Man and Wasp go through one final trek, the story feels rushed. Our heroes quickly get out of the Microverse within the first few pages. Then when the characters talk or need to explain something, their dialogue is at a pace one would expect from a rapid-fire question game show. While the story needs to end, the characters aren’t given much breathing room.
This story and plot contains some heavy scientific concepts. At one point there’s a message from the editor who recommends googling Nadia’s definition of Retrocausality. Fortunately, Mark Waid figures out a way for readers to get the gist of the science while delivering entertaining dialogue. One of this series best aspects is how it handled the science behind the story which makes it a great comic for sci-fi lovers.
My main complaint in this issue is how it handled separating Scott and Nadia. The duo’s quantum entanglement means their minds are overlapping each other. Ultimately the solution involves closing a time loop using Nadia’s original beacon from the first issue. This entire resolution feels a bit lazy and tacked on at the last minute. Even though their journey was fantastic, it’s ending fizzles out.
Art: The artwork for this issue is spectacular. Throughout Ant-Man and the Wasp, Javier Garron and Israel Silva created some crazy designs for the Microverse’s inhabitants. However the final montage of creatures Scott and Nadia encounter on their final trip has some of their craziest designs yet. Also Scott and Nadia’s costumes transform to the point where they’re nearly identical because of their entanglement. At first I thought this was a mistake and they just mis-colored Scott’s helmet. However, after re-reading the issue I realized this was a clever visual for their condition.
Verdict: This issue doesn’t deliver an impressive ending. While Mark Waid delivers entertaining and informative dialogue, the plot’s resolution feels too much like a cheap deus ex machina. However the artwork was amazing and is probably the best part of this series. Since this is the final issue, readers should probably start at the beginning before reading this issue. Overall, Ant-Man and the Wasp is a perfect read for science lovers everywhere.
Rating: 3 out of 5