Writers: Stan Lee and Larry Lieber
Artist: Jack Kirby
"The Return of the Ant Man"
With this issue, we have the return of Dr. Henry Pym. The title of the story is a bit misleading as there was no 'Ant Man' previously. Pym's only previous appearance in this title (#27) was in a nightmarish fantasy story. Stan and Jack revisit the character here and bring him into the ever-growing catalog of superhero characters at Marvel Comics.
The story begins with Pym deciding that his size-changing potion is a discovery that must not go to waste (a departure from his view at the end of #27); he recreates the powerful serum.
We learn that since we last saw Pym he has grown fascinated with ants. His brief time amongst them left an indelible impression. Pym devises a device (in the form of a helmet) which will allow him to communicate with the creatures. After this device is explained to the reader, the villains of the piece make their presence known. Communist spies break into Pym's lab demanding some anti-radiation formula (something completely unrelated to ants, by the way). Pym refuses to help and the spies lock him in his office while they search the lab.
To escape his prison, Pym dons a red costume and the helmet and he retrieves his powerful potion. Pym drinks the formula and promptly uses a rubber band to fling himself to the window sill where he sneaks out through a crack. Pym heads out to the nearest ant hill and gathers himself an army. He and the ants return to the lab and through a series of hilarious (intentional or not) feats, they defeat the communist spies.
Items of note:
1. The concept of Pym particles does not exist at this time. I know there is an evolution of Pym's serum over time and I'm interested to go along on that journey.
2. I love Jack Kirby, but the size of the ants that he draws are not all that much in proportion with reality.
3. This issue features the first time that Pym rides an ant - an image with I find quite funny.
4. This issue also has the first instance of a pile of ant's breaking Pym's fall. This is something that Pym will use frequently in issues to come.
5. Communists are a common villain at this time in Marvel Comics.
A fun story. Ultimately forgettable but a well told introduction for the superhero Ant Man.
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