Tales to Astonish #36

October 1962
Writer: Stan Lee and Larry Lieber
Artist: Jack Kirby

"The Challenge of Comrade X"

More communist villains!

We appear to have jumped forward in time a fair amount from last issue to this one.  The issue opens with superhero Ant-Man stopping some bank robbers and everyone seems to know who Ant-Man is.  He's a famous hero now.

Meanwhile, behind the iron curtain, our communist villains have grown tired of Ant-Man's exploits and it is decided to send in Comrade X!  A little while later, a woman goes to the police station asking for help from Ant-Man.  He seeks her out and offers help, which promptly leads to a show-down with Comrade X.  After battling it out for a while (which involves Ant-Man tying Comrade X's shoes together.  really), Pym reveals that Comrade X is really the woman who sought Ant-Man's help.

With the day saved, Pym rides off into the sunset.  On the back of an ant.



A few things we learn this issue:
1. Ant-Man uses his hoard of ants to keep tabs on the city, including those positioned at the police station who relay important information to Pym.
2. He launches himself out of his lab by way of a catapult (shown below).
3. After launching, Pym lands on a pile of ants (this will continue to be his mode of travel for awhile).
4. He re-enters the lab through a tiny door and elevator (also shown below).