Writers: Stan Lee and Larry Lieber
Artist: Jack Kirby
"Betrayed by the Ants"
Ant-Man's first recurring foe makes his first appearance in this issue: Egghead.
This issue opens with a gathering of the mob forces of the city. They have decided that something needs to be done about the Ant-Man. Meanwhile, at a government facility, the scientist nicknamed the Egghead stands before the US Government Atomic Energy Board accused of selling atomic secrets to the highest bidder. Egghead denies nothing. However, since there is no evidence, he cannot be tried and is simply fired.
The mob learns of this man and decides that he is the one to end the heroics of Ant-Man. Egghead agrees to their proposal and immediately sets about learning all there is to know about ants. He develops a machine which will allow him to eavesdrop on the ant-world. Egghead manages to use his technology to convince the insects that Ant-Man is their enemy.
Under the persuasion of Egghead, the ants lead Pym into a trap. Pym finds himself trapped upon the equivalent of fly paper. However, Pym is one step ahead. He triggers the springs in the heels of his boots and skyrockets out of the trap. Turning the tables on Egghead and the mobsters, Ant-Man drops a giant sheet of fly paper down on their heads.
Ultimately, the mobsters are captured by the police and Egghead escapes.
Well, this issue was a little better than the last, but still not overly engaging and sprinkled with silliness. Egghead is a good foil for Ant-Man and I'm curious to read his next appearance.
There is one additional thing that I had neglected to mention previously. Ant-Man maintains his normal-size strength while at ant-size. This can make for some funny scenes; for example, in this issue, Pym lassos a mobsters hand and swings him about the room.
