It’s a bug’s life for Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne...

(Panini Books)

Take one size-changing biochemist, add his insect-powered wife, stir in a healthy mix of superhero action and you have one of the Marvel Universe’s most legendary couples.

Of course, it hasn’t all been a bed of roses for Henry “Hank” Pym and his beloved Janet Van Dyne, as breakdowns triggered by failed experiments resulted in him creating the homicidal robot Ultron and becoming the swashbuckling Yellowjacket and “killing off” his Pym identity, insecurity led to him being kicked out of the Avengers following a court martial, and he was even replaced by an alien Skrull.

Over the years the Pyms married, divorced, got back together, broke up again, and eventually inspired a legacy of their own in the form of the new Ant-Man Scott Lang and a second generation Wasp, Hank’s daughter Nadia.

With the Ant-Man joined by the Wasp in the latest Marvel movie blockbuster, this compendium continues the tradition of cinematic tie-ins by offering a journey through more than 50 years of comics history to present a smorgasbord of adventures starring the insect heroes.

So we have the Wasp’s auspicious comics debut, a team-up with the Amazing Spider-Man, Hank’s downfall and court martial, the conclusion to the epic Ultron Unleashed saga, and stories featuring Scott and Nadia. The role call of comics talent is also nothing to be sniffed at, as it includes the likes of Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, John Byrne, Chris Claremont, Alan Davis, Brian Michael Bendis and George Perez.

If you’re looking for a perfect night cap after an evening at the multiplex watching the Ant-Man and the Wasp’s celluloid adventures, then you’re in the right place. This is a greatest hits collection of tales featuring two of Marvel’s most enduring heroes, whether together or on their own.

As always, the Marvel Platinum line continues to offer bumper volumes of character-driven comics which will appeal to old readers and new fans alike. Highly recommended.