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COMIC CONNECTIONS: Ant-Man - The Trial of Hank Pym

COMIC CONNECTIONS: Ant-Man - The Trial of Hank Pym

FromComics Over Time


COMIC CONNECTIONS: Ant-Man - The Trial of Hank Pym

FromComics Over Time

ratings:
Length:
79 minutes
Released:
Mar 1, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

Episode 34 - The Trial of Hank Pym
In the MCU Hank Pym has been portrayed as a grumpy but loveable genius, sort of an older, more family-driven version of Tony Stark.  He loves his daughter, mentors Scott Pym, never stops searching for his lost wife, and even seems to be a defacto grandfather for Cassie in Quantumania.  To say the least, this is a retcon from his history in the comics, and this week we are taking a look at one of Hank Pym’s lowest moments – the Avengers run in which his wife leaves him and he is expelled from the Avengers.
This Week In Comics
Unforgiven: Marvel Series Pits Spider-Man vs. Vampires 
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/spider-man-unforgiven-1-preview-marvel-comics-vampires-forgiven-event/

Invincible Creators Debate If He Can Beat All Might, Chainsaw Man, & More. 
https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/invincible-creators-debate-my-hero-academia-chainsaw-man/
Skybound Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/lSMpoLOuiRU
Superfight! by Robert Kirkman: https://store.skybound.com/collections/superfight

Recommendation: Black Cloak from Image
https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/black-cloak

This Week's Stack
Tales To Astonish #27, 35 and 44
Avengers 212-214, 217, 222, 224, 227-230

Creator Focus: Larry Lieber
2 Minute Recap and Discussion Topics
Tales To Astonish #27, 35 and 44
First appearance of a superhero, but this is not a superhero story.
Horror / suspense story with a science-gone-bad twist
In #35, Hank now has a costume and super-power, but this still is not a traditional superhero story
In #44, Pym’s original origin is no longer heroic or tragic enough.
Creepy relationships between middle-aged men and young women.
Very atomic age.  Glorification of science, stridently anti-communist

Avengers 212-214
Domestic Abuse is a tough topic to address in a comic
https://www.moviemaker.com/how-ant-man-hank-pym-accidentally-became-a-wife-beater/
“I’ll bet Tonto never went to this much trouble for the Lone Ranger”
Also touches on issues of economic power, with Jan having all the money. 

Avengers 215-227
Hank disappears then comes back and is tricked into helping Egghead - which gets him landed in prison.
The male Avengers and Jarvis are relatively blasé about Janet and her feelings while seeming very concerned about Hank.
Sexual politics remains a bit part of this run.  Hawkeye and She-Hulk for instance. 
Janet does take over as leader/chairperson of the Avengers

Avengers 228-230
Both Jan and Hank end up acting in about as adult a fashion as could be hoped.
Hank finally admits that he made serious mistakes, and understands he has broken things he can’t fix.
She-Hulk is depowered, and her interaction with Hawkeye is also unpleasant.
Marvel’s take on a “modern” liberated woman.

Final Thoughts
What's Next
Ant-Man (2015) Movie Review  

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Questions or comments
We'd love to hear from you!  Email us at questions@comicsovertime.com or find us on Twitter @comicsoftime.
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Music Intro and Outro created by Lesfm.
Released:
Mar 1, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

Each week Dan, Duane and Siena bring you a look at comics new and old! Since 2021 we have been discussing comics, TV and film. For 2024 Duane and Dan are focusing on Marvel history that centers on Daredevil, and Siena and Dan are keeping up with current happenings in the Marvel Comics Universe. Our previous seasons are also available here: Phases of the Moon Knight covered the Moon Knight character in comics and TV, and our MCU Review saw us comparing the Phase 1 thru Phase 4 Marvel Cinematic Universe films with the comics that inspired them. Tuesdays - What’s New in Marvel Unlimited: Digital debuts in the MU App Thursdays - Murdock and Marvel: A history of Marvel Comic