====== Wave (Pearl Pangan) ======
===== Part 1: The Dossier: An At-a-Glance Summary =====
  *   **Core Identity: A brilliant and courageous hydrokinetic superhero from Cebu, Philippines, Pearl Pangan is Wave, a fiercely protective warrior of the seas and a founding member of the new [[agents_of_atlas|Agents of Atlas]].**
  *   **Key Takeaways:**
  * **Role in the Universe:** Wave represents a new generation of international heroes, specifically bringing a major Southeast Asian nation into the forefront of Marvel Comics. As a powerful Filipina hero co-created by Filipino talent, she provides crucial representation and serves as a key protector of the Pacific Rim alongside her teammates on the [[agents_of_atlas]].
  * **Primary Impact:** Her origin, deeply tied to the corrupt-corporate exploitation of natural resources, grounds her in modern-day issues. Her conflicts, particularly with [[namor_the_sub-mariner|Namor]], have redefined the political landscape of Marvel's oceans and established her as a major player in aquatic affairs, independent of Atlantis.
  * **Key Incarnations:** A uniquely modern comic book creation, Wave currently has **no counterpart in the [[marvel_cinematic_universe|Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)]]**. Her story is, as of now, confined entirely to the Earth-616 comic continuity, making her a fresh and compelling figure for readers exploring the current landscape of Marvel Comics.
===== Part 2: Origin and Evolution =====
==== Publication History and Creation ====
Wave burst onto the Marvel scene in **//War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #1//**, published in May 2019. Her creation was a landmark event, part of Marvel's strategic initiative to introduce more diverse, international heroes that reflect its global readership. She was co-created by writer **Greg Pak** and acclaimed Filipino artist **Leinil Francis Yu**, with colorist **Sunny Gho** also playing a key role.
The involvement of Filipino creators like Yu and Gho was a deliberate and celebrated decision, ensuring an authentic foundation for the character. Greg Pak noted that the conception of Wave was a collaborative process, aiming to craft a hero who felt both unique in her power set and culturally grounded in the Philippines. Her visual design by Leinil Francis Yu, featuring a sleek, tech-infused suit and distinctive winged blades, instantly made her stand out. Wave's debut was met with immense enthusiasm, particularly in the Philippines and across the Filipino diaspora, where she was hailed as a significant milestone for representation in mainstream American comics. She quickly became a fan-favorite and a central pillar of the new Agents of Atlas lineup.
==== In-Universe Origin Story ====
The story of how Pearl Pangan became Wave is a modern tragedy of corporate greed and unexpected heroism, setting her apart from the cosmic or mystical origins of many classic heroes.
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
Pearl Pangan grew up in a coastal community in Mactan, Cebu, a major island in the Philippines. From a young age, the water was her entire world. She was a gifted swimmer with dreams of competing professionally, dedicating her life to honing her skills. Her talent did not go unnoticed. She was recruited by **AlonTech**, a seemingly benevolent technology company that presented itself as a champion of Philippine innovation. AlonTech offered Pearl a spot in their sponsored swimming program, providing her with state-of-the-art facilities and support, an opportunity she couldn't refuse.
However, AlonTech's true intentions were sinister. The company was secretly experimenting with volatile energy sources and illegal technology. During a sponsored event designed as a publicity stunt, a catastrophic accident occurred. Pearl was exposed to powerful, unknown energies from one of AlonTech's hidden experiments. Instead of killing her, the exposure triggered a latent genetic potential within her, granting her profound hydrokinetic abilities—the power to control water with her mind.
Confused and frightened by her new powers, Pearl's life was thrown into chaos. Her dreams of swimming competitions were shattered, replaced by the terrifying reality of her new abilities. Before she could fully process what had happened, her home was caught in a global catastrophe: the **War of the Realms**. Malekith's armies invaded Earth, and one of his generals, **Sindr**, Queen of the Fire Goblins of Muspelheim, launched a full-scale assault on Asia. The Fire Goblins targeted the Pan-Asian School for the Unusually Gifted, prompting a response from a new team of heroes assembled by former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent [[jimmy_woo|Jimmy Woo]] and led by **[[amadeus_cho|Amadeus Cho (Brawn)]]**.
During the chaotic battle, Pearl, seeing her home and people threatened, instinctively used her powers to defend them, creating massive waves to douse the fire demons. This act of heroism brought her to the attention of Amadeus Cho's team. Despite her inexperience, her raw power and bravery were undeniable. She joined forces with Brawn, **[[aero_lei_ling|Aero]]**, **[[shang-chi]]**, and **[[luna_snow|Luna Snow]]**, and together, they successfully repelled Sindr's forces from the region. In the aftermath, she officially accepted a place on the team, adopting the codename **Wave** and becoming a founding member of the new Agents of Atlas. Her journey had just begun, and the truth about AlonTech's betrayal still lay waiting to be uncovered.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
As of now, **Wave (Pearl Pangan) has not appeared, nor has she been officially announced to appear, in the [[marvel_cinematic_universe|Marvel Cinematic Universe]]**. She does not exist in the MCU's Sacred Timeline (formerly Earth-199999).
This makes her one of the most prominent modern Marvel heroes yet to be adapted. While fans frequently speculate about her potential inclusion in future MCU projects—especially those that might explore Southeast Asia or introduce new, younger heroes—there is no concrete information from Marvel Studios. Her comics-only status makes her a compelling discovery for fans whose primary exposure to Marvel is through the films and Disney+ series, offering a gateway into the vibrant and expansive world of contemporary Marvel Comics.
===== Part 3: Abilities, Equipment & Personality =====
Wave's powers and personality make her a formidable and deeply relatable hero. Her abilities are visually spectacular, while her character is defined by her fierce loyalty and protective instincts.
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
==== Powers and Abilities ====
Wave's primary power is **hydrokinesis**, the psionic ability to manipulate water in all its forms. The AlonTech accident unlocked this power, which appears to be far more potent than a simple technological gift.
  * **Massive-Scale Water Manipulation:** Wave can control enormous bodies of water, capable of summoning tidal waves, creating massive whirlpools, and parting seas. Her power is strongest when she is near a large source of water like the ocean, but she can also draw water from the atmosphere or underground sources if necessary.
  * **Water Constructs:** She can shape water into solid forms, creating powerful shields to deflect energy blasts and physical attacks, pressurized water jets that can cut through steel, and concussive blasts. She has also formed water into giant fists or other shapes for offensive maneuvers.
  * **Water Propulsion:** Wave can propel herself through the water at incredible speeds, far faster than any Olympic swimmer. She can also use this ability to "fly" or levitate by riding on currents of water she generates, or by creating a waterspout beneath her.
  * **Dehydration:** While not an ability she uses often or offensively, she has the theoretical potential to draw water out of objects or even living beings, though this would be a lethal application of her power.
  * **Enhanced Physiology:** Her body has been adapted for aquatic environments. She possesses the ability to breathe underwater indefinitely and can withstand the crushing pressures and freezing temperatures of the deep ocean. Her vision is also enhanced to see clearly in murky underwater conditions.
==== Skills ====
  * **Expert Swimmer:** Even before gaining her powers, Pearl was a world-class swimmer. This background gives her an innate understanding of hydrodynamics and a level of comfort in the water that complements her powers perfectly.
  * **Developing Hand-to-Hand Combatant:** Initially relying on her raw power, Wave has been receiving training from teammates like [[shang-chi]] to improve her close-quarters combat skills, making her a more versatile fighter.
==== Equipment ====
  * **AlonTech Blades:** Wave wields a pair of distinctive, technologically-advanced blades. While their exact properties are not fully detailed, they appear to help her focus her hydrokinetic powers, allowing for finer control and more precise manipulation of water. They are also incredibly durable and can be used as effective melee weapons. The blades are a constant, complicated reminder of her origin—a gift from the very corporation that betrayed her.
==== Personality ====
Wave is defined by her immense heart and fierce, protective nature. She is deeply loyal to her friends, her teammates, and above all, her home country. Having grown up in a community reliant on the sea, she feels a profound responsibility to protect the oceans and the people who live by them. She can be headstrong and quick to act, especially when she perceives a threat to those she cares about. Initially, she was somewhat naive about the wider world and the machinations of corporations like AlonTech, but her experiences have forged her into a more cautious and strategic hero, though she has never lost her core optimism and unwavering sense of right and wrong.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
As Wave does not exist in the MCU, she has no established abilities, equipment, or personality traits in that continuity. Should she be adapted, it is likely her core hydrokinetic powers and Filipino heritage would be retained, but the specifics of her origin and equipment could be altered to fit the ongoing narratives of the MCU. For example, her powers could be linked to Terrigenesis, mutant genetics, or even mystical artifacts, depending on the needs of the story.
===== Part 4: Key Relationships & Network =====
==== Core Allies ====
  * **[[aero_lei_ling|Aero (Lei Ling)]]:** Wave's closest friend and most important partner. The two heroes bonded immediately during the War of the Realms. Aero's aerokinesis (wind manipulation) and Wave's hydrokinesis complement each other perfectly in battle, making them a powerful elemental duo. Their friendship is the emotional core of the Agents of Atlas, and they often operate as a pair, trusting each other implicitly.
  * **[[amadeus_cho|Amadeus Cho (Brawn)]]:** As the field leader of the Agents of Atlas, Amadeus acts as a mentor and older-brother figure to Wave. He provides strategic guidance and support, and his scientific genius is often crucial in understanding the threats they face. He respects Wave's power and trusts her judgment, often deferring to her expertise in oceanic matters.
  * **[[luna_snow|Luna Snow (Seol Hee)]]:** Another founding member of the new Agents of Atlas, the K-Pop star and cryokinetic hero shares a strong bond of friendship with Wave. They represent the "new guard" of Marvel's heroes and share a similar experience of having their lives unexpectedly upended by superpowers.
  * **[[jimmy_woo|Jimmy Woo]]:** The founder and director of the Atlas Foundation. Woo is the enigmatic figure who brought the team together. While his methods are sometimes secretive, he acts as the team's patron and provides them with resources and missions, viewing Wave as a critical asset in his goal of protecting Asia and the world.
==== Arch-Enemies ====
  * **AlonTech:** More than just a company, AlonTech is Wave's primary and most personal antagonist. Led by the manipulative CEO, **Czarina Buclayon**, the company was not only responsible for the accident that gave Pearl her powers but actively sought to exploit them. They represent the corrupting influence of corporate greed and environmental exploitation, a direct ideological opposite to everything Wave stands for.
  * **[[namor_the_sub-mariner|Namor the Sub-Mariner]]:** Wave's relationship with the King of Atlantis is complex and highly adversarial. They first clashed during the //Atlantis Attacks// storyline when Namor, viewing Wave and other surface-dwelling heroes as threats to his domain, acted aggressively against her and her team. Their conflict is a battle of ideologies: Namor's ancient, monarchical protectionism versus Wave's modern, community-focused heroism. They are rivals for influence over the world's oceans, and their confrontations are charged with immense power and political tension.
==== Affiliations ====
  * **[[agents_of_atlas|Agents of Atlas]]:** Wave's primary and only major team affiliation. She is a founding member of Jimmy Woo's new incarnation of the team, comprised of young heroes from across Asia. Within the team, she serves as the elemental powerhouse and the resident expert on all things aquatic. Her membership in this group has defined her entire heroic career.
===== Part 5: Iconic Events & Storylines =====
=== War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas (2019) ===
This is Wave's debut storyline. When Sindr, Queen of Muspelheim, leads an army of Fire Goblins in an invasion of Asia, Jimmy Woo and Amadeus Cho scramble to assemble a team of local heroes to defend the continent. Pearl Pangan, still reeling from the recent AlonTech accident, is drawn into the conflict when her home is threatened. She instinctively uses her massive hydrokinetic powers for the first time in a public, heroic capacity. Her raw power and bravery immediately impress the other heroes, and she becomes a vital part of the successful effort to push back Sindr's forces. The event serves as her "baptism by fire" (and water), forging her into a hero and cementing her place as a founding member of the new Agents of Atlas.
=== Aero & Wave: Madripoor Arc (2019-2020) ===
In backup stories featured in the //Aero// and //Sword Master// solo series, Wave and Aero team up to investigate strange happenings in the lawless nation of Madripoor. They uncover a plot involving AlonTech and mysterious sea monsters, forcing Wave to confront the secrets of her past. This storyline was crucial for developing the deep friendship and powerful combat synergy between the two heroines, establishing them as one of Marvel's most compelling new duos. It further explored Wave's struggle to understand the true nature of her powers and the nefarious plans of the corporation that created her.
=== Atlantis Attacks (2020) ===
This miniseries is arguably the most significant event in Wave's history to date. The story centers on a conflict between the Agents of Atlas and Namor's Kingdom of Atlantis. The tech city of Pan, a portal-based city serving as the Agents' headquarters, is perceived by Namor as a technological encroachment on the oceans. This sparks a war between the two factions. The series forces Wave into direct, cataclysmic conflict with Namor, testing the absolute limits of her power. It is revealed that AlonTech had not only given her powers but had also stolen a powerful sea dragon from an Atlantean sect, intending to use it as a power source. Wave forms a bond with the creature, fundamentally deepening her connection to the sea. The event elevates her from a regional hero to a global power player, proving she can stand against one of Marvel's oldest and most powerful characters.
===== Part 6: Variants and Alternative Versions =====
As a relatively new character in the Marvel Universe, Wave has not yet accumulated the extensive history of alternate reality counterparts that characters like Spider-Man or Captain America have. However, she has appeared in other media, which can be considered her primary variants.
  * **Marvel Future Fight (Video Game):** Wave was introduced as a playable character in the popular mobile action RPG. Her in-game appearance is faithful to her comic book design by Leinil Francis Yu. Her abilities in the game are a direct reflection of her hydrokinesis, featuring skills that summon tidal waves, water blasts, and whirlpools. Her inclusion significantly boosted her international profile among gamers.
  * **Marvel Super War (Video Game):** Wave is also a playable hero (or "Jungler") in this MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) game, which was primarily available in Asian markets. Her skillset is again focused on water-based attacks and crowd control, emphasizing her role as a powerful elemental force.
  * **Marvel Contest of Champions (Video Game):** Wave was added to this mobile fighting game, where she was given a detailed backstory and special moves. Her introduction was part of a special event that also featured Namor, playing off their rivalry from the //Atlantis Attacks// comic storyline.
These game appearances, while not part of the Earth-616 canon, represent the most significant alternative versions of the character to date. They have been instrumental in introducing Wave to a wider audience beyond comic book readers.
===== See Also =====
  * [[agents_of_atlas]]
  * [[aero_lei_ling]]
  * [[amadeus_cho]]
  * [[namor_the_sub-mariner]]
  * [[war_of_the_realms]]
===== Notes and Trivia =====
((Wave's creation was a major event for Marvel's Filipino fanbase. Her real name, Pearl Pangan, is evocative of the Philippines, often called the "Pearl of the Orient Seas," with "Pangan" being a common Filipino surname.))
((Her first appearance is in //War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas// #1 (May 2019).))
((The company that gave Wave her powers, AlonTech, is derived from the Tagalog word "alon," which means "wave." This detail foreshadows both Pearl's powers and the company's focus on marine technology.))
((Leinil Francis Yu, Wave's co-creator and artist, is one of the most prominent Filipino artists in the international comics industry, known for his work on major titles like //Secret Invasion//, //New Avengers//, and //Captain America//.))
((The //Atlantis Attacks// (2020) storyline is a modern reimagining of a 1989 crossover event of the same name, but with a completely different plot centered on the new Agents of Atlas.))
((Wave is one of several prominent Filipino characters in the Marvel Universe, joining others like the Triumph Division, but she is arguably the one who has achieved the most significant international recognition in recent years.))