Wave (Marvel Comics)

Last updated
Pearl Pangan
Wave
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics [a]
First appearance War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas (May 8, 2019)
Created by
In-story information
Full namePearl Pangan
Team affiliations Agents of Atlas

Pearl Pangan, known by her code name Wave, is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She was created by writer Greg Pak and artist Leinil Francis Yu as a water-based Cebuano superhero protecting the Philippines.

Contents

Fictional character biography

Wave made her debut in War of the Realms, New Agents of Atlas in 2019. She was born in Mactan, Cebu in the Visayas, Philippines. [1]

Pearl Pangan had a natural affinity for the water since she was a child. She is recruited for her swimming strength to conduct experiments with a company called Alontek. When Triumph Division raids the site and shuts down the experiments, she discovers she is capable of hydrokinesis (ability to control water). [1] Triumph Division recruits her to protect the Philippines, but later fires her for abandoning her post in the War of the Realms. [2] During the War of the Realms, Wave and the Agents of Atlas battle Sindr, the daughter of Surtur, to prevent her from melting the polar ice caps and turning Asia into New Muspelheim. [3]

Characterization

Powers and abilities

Wave has hydrokinesis, which manifests in various ways such as controlling the sea. She also wields a double kampilan (Philippine sword). [4]

Design and appearance

Via the Philippine Daily Inquirer , The Filam's Wendell Gaa noted that Wave possesses "fine attractive Filipina features". She also wears armor in black, gold, and aqua. Her blades are made of crystal. [5] Her skin tone has been described as " morena " (tanned) by multiple sources. [6] [7] Co-creator Greg Pak credited colorist Sunny Gho and artist Gang Hyuk Lim for Wave's design. [8]

Casting and other portrayals

In 2019, Leinil Yu expressed his interest in seeing Filipino actress Angel Locsin portray Wave in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but she declined. [8] In 2023, Marvel insider Mikey Sutton's website Geekosity reported that Marvel Studios were seeking a Visayan actress in her 20s to portray Wave. In 2025, a viral post claimed that Filipino actress Vivoree Esclito had been cast as Wave in a live-action Agents of Atlas series. A report by Latest Chika clarified that the rumors were unsubstantiated, though it explained that Esclito, Visayan like Wave and aged 25 (at the time of writing), would be a "perfect" casting. [7]

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

Wave appears in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man , voiced by Cathy Ang. [9] This version is a student of Rockford T. Bales High School and the ex-girlfriend of Lonnie Lincoln.

Other media

Notes

References

  1. 1 2 Martinez, Gavin (February 6, 2025). "Meet Marvel's first Filipina superhero in new Spider-Man series". Philippine Daily Inquirer (US Bureau). Archived from the original on November 16, 2025.
  2. Aero #1 (July 2019). Marvel Comics.
  3. War of the Realms: The New Agents of Atlas #1–4
  4. Bautista, Rafael (January 18, 2025). "Woah! We Might Finally Be Getting Our First Filipino Superhero In The MCU". Nylon Manila . Archived from the original on November 16, 2025.
  5. Gaa, Wendell (August 16, 2019). "Wave, Marvel's latest superhero, is a Cebuana". The Filam. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 16, 2025.
  6. Afinidad-Bernardo, Deni-Rose M. (April 5, 2019). "Filipino artist admits Nadine Lustre inspired Marvel's first Filipina superhero". Philstar . Archived from the original on November 16, 2025.
  7. 1 2 Loreto, Julienne (September 18, 2025). "Vivoree Esclito as Marvel's Wave? Viral post has fans talking". Latest Chika . The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on October 13, 2025.
  8. 1 2 Madarang, Catalina Ricci S. (March 20, 2019). "Angel Locsin declines role of Wave, the first Filipino Marvel superheroine". Interaksyon . Archived from the original on November 16, 2025.
  9. Raymond, Charles Nicholas (2022-08-10). "Every Character Confirmed For Spider-Man: Freshman Year". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  10. Raul Constantine L. Tabanao (August 1, 2019). "Cebu superheroine Wave joins 'Marvel Future Fight' game". Cebu Daily News.
  11. MARVEL Super War – Wave. Marvel Super War. June 7, 2021. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2021.