Tales to Astonish #41

8:38 PM Brad No comments

Cover Date: March 1963

Plot Overview: The issue opens with Hank arriving at his friend Paul's house. No one answers the door so Hank becomes Ant-Man to check things out. No one is home and over the next few weeks more scientists disappear. A few days later, a window washer arrives at Hank's lab. He captures Hank with a special paralyzing agent.

The scene shifts to the other scientists who have been transported to another planet. A tyrant named Kulla is holding them hostage until they can build him a death ray. Hank arrives and gets himself thrown into the dungeon so he can become Ant-Man. As Ant-Man he encounters the alien insect life of the planet. He realizes that he needs to alter his helmet's frequency to communicate with them.

Ant-Man arrives and confronts Kulla. One of the guards tries to step on Ant-Man but he manages to avoid the attack. Kulla manages to catch Ant-Man with the paralyzing agent but just as he's about to win he is killed by his own death ray. The alien insects from earlier have operated the weapon. The inhabitants storm the stronghold and capture Kulla's men. Ant-Man escapes to become Hank Pym just in time to be released from the dungeon. The issue ends with Hank and the other scientists returning to Earth.

My Take: This issue wasn't too bad. It was pretty forgettable but it wasn't so ridiculous that I hated it or anything. My main problem with this book is that Ant-Man is really just kind of boring. He's not really getting developed as a character. He's pretty bland and your run of the mill superhero.

The battle again shows why the Ant-Man concept doesn't work as a solo book. The bad guys were trying to step on him this time. And for Ant-Man to win, some pretty contrived things have to happen. I think the strongest issue of this series was the one where he fought the Scarlet Beetle. That was an enemy that was the same size as him and nothing crazy had to happen for Ant-Man to come out the winner at the end of the day.

I'm really hoping this book improves when the Wasp shows up and when he learns how to become Giant-Man.

I'd give this issue *1/2 out of *****.

Notes: This is the first and only appearance of Kulla as far as I know.

Next Issue: Tales of Suspense #39

Posted in: Henry Pym,Tales to Astonish