Betrayed by the Ants!!
Featuring: Ant-Man
Release: September 11, 1962
Cover: December 1962
12 cents
Plot: Stan Lee
Scrtipt: Larry Lieber
Art: Jack Kirby
Inking: Dick Ayers
10 pages
I read this story in Marvel Masterworks: Ant-Man/Giant-Man vol. 1.
Johnny Dee is credited with the letters. I believe this is a pen name for Jon D’Agostino.
We open with a meeting of organized crime, who have been stymied by Ant-Man… I must pause here and reflect. We’ve seen Ant-Man triumph over villains so far by tying their shoelaces together and blowing dust in their face with a fan. We’ve seen Ant-Man almost defeated by a box and a vacuum cleaner. I have trouble believing he is so much of a threat that criminals haven’t dared pull a robbery in weeks. And if Ant-Man is this much of a threat, what will these same criminals do when–any moment now–the streets start filling up with costumed vigilantes, many much bigger than an ant?
In this issue, Egghead’s ingenious trap involves flypaper…
And a bellows…
Egghead was an atomic scientist rumored to be selling information to the highest bidder. His actions could not be proven, so he remained free of prison, but was fired by the U.S. Government Atomic Energy Board from ever working for the government again. I would argue that Egghead is an entirely forgettable villain if I didn’t know he goes on to become Ant-Man’s top nemesis. This is his Joker or Lex Luthor.
The best thing about this mostly worthless story is the psychology of the ants. It’s made clear that Ant-Man’s device doesn’t let him control ants, just communicate with them. Egghead is also able to communicate with ants. But Egghead tries to appeal to their greed and vanity, believing they are slaves to Ant-Man who long to be the masters. We instead learn they are Ant-Man’s friends and partners in his battle against crime, unswayed by human failings such as greed or vanity.
Rating: ★★½, 45/100
Significance: ★★★★☆
The issue introduces Egghead, who, for reasons unknown, is Ant-Man’s most significant villain. I also like the bits about ant psychology and values.
Characters:
- Henry Pym/Ant-Man
- Egghead
Story notes:
- $10K downpayment to Egghead to defeat Ant-Man
- There are documentaries about Ant-Man
- Egghead builds device to communicate with ants
- Egghead’s trap involves the Wentworth necklace at the museum
- Egghead tried to appeal to greed and vanity of ants
- Ants don’t see themselves as slaves but as friends and partners; apparently Ant-Man doesn’t control them so much as ask them for favors.
- Egghead outsmarted by ants
#32 story in reading order
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