Plot by Stan Lee – Script by Larry Lieber – Pencils by Jack Kirby – Inks by Dick Ayers – Letters by Art Simek

Okay, I admit it. This should not work.

Every time Marvel tries to force one of its superheroes back into the world of atomic-age monster anthologies, the results are usually not great.

But…A super-intelligent radioactive beetle leading an insect revolution against mankind?

Against Ant-Man?

I’m kind of feeling it.

The issue opens with some quick exposition to catch new readers up on who Ant-Man is and what he can do, which by this point has become a standard part of Marvel’s formula.

Then things immediately become absurd.

Ant-Man is summoned by his ants and discovers a glowing scarlet beetle preaching to other insects, rallying them to unite against humanity.

It’s essentially an insect political rally.

The beetle steals Pym’s equipment, uses the growth gas to enlarge itself to human size, and launches a full-scale insect uprising. Electrical systems are sabotaged. Dynamite is stolen. People are attacked by swarms of bugs.

This is pure 1950s atomic monster storytelling.

But unlike some of Marvel’s other attempts to merge superheroes with anthology concepts, this one actually fits Ant-Man surprisingly well.

Because shrinking down and fighting giant insects is naturally fun.

Kirby gets to go wild with scale and perspective again. A giant beetle chasing Ant-Man through oversized environments creates some fantastic imagery, especially once the action moves into a toy store that gives the climax an almost fantasy-adventure atmosphere.

And more importantly, we get to see a different side of Hank Pym.

Usually these stories position him as calm, intelligent, and perpetually one step ahead of everyone else. Here, he actually feels vulnerable. He’s trapped. Outnumbered. Afraid.

Seeing Pym without the helmet for extended stretches also helps. Kirby can finally lean into facial expressions and emotion instead of simply drawing a tiny costumed figure.

Eventually Ant-Man escapes — thanks to the ants, naturally — and suddenly the issue transforms again.

Now it’s an insect war comic.

Ant-Man leads an ant army into battle against the Scarlet Beetle’s insect forces, complete with strategy, formations, and battlefield tactics.

I repeat:

This absolutely should not work.

And yet it does.

Because for once, the superhero and the anthology concept actually complement each other instead of competing for space.

The result is strange, silly, and surprisingly entertaining.

Which might be the perfect description of early Ant-Man comics in general.

Marvel in the 60s – Entry #31