Yellowjacket (DeMara)

Rita DeMara is one of Marvel's most underrated anti-heroes, a brilliant scientist and thief who first crashed onto the scene in Avengers #264 (1986) — a key Bronze Age to Modern Age transitional book that collectors have increasingly sought out. She made her debut as a villain, having stolen Hank Pym's iconic Yellowjacket suit and upgrading it with her own technological enhancements. That first appearance is a sleeper pick for savvy collectors who appreciate characters with deep ties to the Avengers mythos.

What makes Rita DeMara so compelling to the hobby is her remarkable trajectory across the Marvel universe. She started in the ranks of the Masters of Evil during the landmark 'Under Siege' storyline in Avengers #270–277, one of the most celebrated Avengers arcs ever published and a must-have run for any serious collector. From there, she underwent a genuine evolution — eventually joining the Guardians of the Galaxy in the far future, the Defenders, and even earning a place among the Avengers themselves. Few characters have traveled so completely from villainy to heroism across such a wide range of team books.

DeMara's connections stretch across time periods and team rosters in ways that make her a fascinating thread to pull on when building a collection. Her appearances in the original Guardians of the Galaxy series tie her to one of Marvel's most beloved cult-classic runs, and her posthumous membership in the Dead Avengers adds a haunting, tragic dimension to her legacy. Her status as a Femizon also connects her to a rich tradition of Marvel's organized female power players.

For collectors, Rita DeMara represents exactly the kind of character whose key issues remain undervalued relative to their significance. Avengers #264 is her cornerstone book, but her appearances throughout the 'Under Siege' arc, her Guardians of the Galaxy issues, and her scattered team appearances are all worth tracking down. As Marvel continues to expand its cosmic and legacy storytelling, DeMara's unique blend of street-level cunning and cosmic adventure makes her a strong bet for renewed spotlight — and the collectors who got in early will be glad they did.