Russkie-Smashers ASTONISHING ANT-MAN "Part 3: The Ant-Man's Revenge!"

When Last We Left The Ant-Man...

...research scientist Henry Pym and his team, working on an anti-radiation gas, have been captured by Russkie spies.

Donning his protective uniform, Pym becomes ant-sized, uses his cybernetic helmet to contact ants and begins freeing the other scientists!

And now the mayhem begins...

Pym battled a number of Russkies during his run in Tales to Astonish!

Trivia: you may not realize it, but the original Ant-Man/Giant-Man costume has a reverse color scheme from Spider-Man's outfit!

Was it a deliberate choice to point up the difference between insect and arachnid heroes?

Only editor Stan Lee and colorist Stan Goldberg knew, and (sadly) we can no longer ask them!

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Ant-niversary

TPB collection of mini-series about all four people who have been Ant-Man in the Marvel Comics Universe!

Russkie-Smashers ASTONISHING ANT-MAN "Part 2: An Army of Ants!"

We Have Already Seen...

...research scientist Henry Pym and his team, working on an anti-radiation gas, have been captured by Russkie spies...who have no idea what they're in for as Dr Pym becomes The Ant-Man for the first time!

Tomorrow:

The Ant-Man's Revenge!

Don't Dare Miss It!

Plotted by Stan Lee, scripted by Larry Lieber, penciled by Jack Kirby, and inked by Dick Ayers, this series premiere from Marvel's Tales to Astonish #35 (1962) clearly demonstrates how Henry Pym differed from most other costumed heroes by using brains over brawn!
BTW: Ant-Man would soon incorporate a microphone and speaker into his helmet so normal-sized humans could hear him when insect-sized.

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Essential Ant-Man

Volume 1

Russkie-Smashers ASTONISHING ANT-MAN "Part 1: Return of the Ant-Man"

We Have Already Seen...

...after Dr Henry Pym's Hungarian-born wife was kidnapped and (supposedly*) killed by Russkies, the embittered scientist took his wife's comment "Go to the ants, thou sluggard!." literally...

Tomorrow:

Army of Ants!

Dare You Miss It?

Plotted by Stan Lee, scripted by Larry Lieber, penciled by Jack Kirby, and inked by Dick Ayers, this series premiere from Marvel's Tales to Astonish #35 (1962) clearly demonstrates how Henry Pym differed from most other costumed heroes by using brains over brawn!
*Years later, it was revealed Maria Trovaya Pym was killed, but resurrected and subjected to experimentation by A.I.M., turning her into a MODOK-like creature known as SODAM/MODAM!
In addition, Maria was pregnant at the time of her kidnapping, though Hank didn't know it.
Maria was kept alive by the Russians long enough to give birth to a daughter, Nadia, who was trained from infancy to become a "Black Widow" agent (like Natasha Romanova).

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Ant-Man/Giant-Man

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Russkie-Smashers AVENGER "Birth of the Avenger!"

Appropriately, on Russia's "Victory Day"...

...we present our final Avenger tale...his origin...which was caused by the Russkies, as you shall see!

This tale, written by Paul S Newman and illustrated by Dick Ayers was the final story in Magazine Enterprises' The Avenger #1 (1955), after three other tales already showing The Avenger as an established and well-known fighter against the Communists in general, and Russkies in particular!
BTW, the "Ghost Rider mask" shown on page 3 that inspires Roger Wright to become the costumed Avenger was a real licensed product you could mail-order from Magazine Enterprises, which published both The Avenger and Ghost Rider!

Is that "meta", or what?

Note: there are a number of Avenger stories that feature Chinese Communists as well as colorful criminals without political affiliation, but since Russkies are the villains of this blogathon, those tales won't be presented this time around!

But, fear not, lovers of Freedom and the American Way!

There are numerous heroes ready and waiting to SMASH Russkies, beginning with...

...The Fighting American and SpeedBoy!

So we'll hardly be lacking for material in the coming months!

Be Back Next Week for Another Exciting Russkie-Smashing Adventure!

Russkie-Smashers AVENGER "Red Hand of Terror!"

In the 1950s, whenever Russkies threatened free people anywhere in the world of comics...

...The Avenger was there to end their depredations!

Don't be surprised that next Monday's story is entitled "Birth of the Avenger!"...and will answer those particular questions!

This cover-featured tale that leads directly into that origin was written by Gardner Fox and illustrated by Dick Ayers!
BTW, the cover was rendered by Bob Powell!

Russkie-Smashers AVENGER "Fog Robbers"

Sadly, even today, there are Americans working with the Russkies...
...including a former inhabitant of the Oval Office who proclaimed Putin's invasion of Ukraine "smart"!

Scratch one Russkie sub!

You'll note there's a lot of exposition about Roger Wright aka The Avenger.

That's because this was the lead story in Magazine Enterprises' The Avenger #1 (1955), and was the readers' introduction to the character!

His origin was included in the issue...as the final story (which you'll see in a few weeks)!

Note:beginning a series with the character already established and operating was a common trope back in the Golden Age.
Written by Gardner Fox, illustrated by Dick Ayers with touch-ups by Bob Powell.

Be Back Next Week for Another Exciting Russkie-Smashing Adventure!

Russkie-Smashers AVENGER "Death Has Three Faces"

Russkies!
Atomic Missiles!
Kick-Commie-Ass Hand-to-Hand Combat!
Jump in and enjoy!

You may notice the art in this story from Magazine Enterprises' Avenger #1 (1955) is a little different from the previous tales!

It's by then-young Dick Ayers, one of the publisher's most prolific artists, who made up for lack of technical expertise with a rather exciting, freewheeling style, and the ability to do almost any genre from horror to Western, to war, to superheroes!
When ME folded, he moved over to Atlas/Marvel, where he became Jack Kirby's primary inker on most of the giant monster tales like "Fin Fang Foom" and "I Challenged Groot...the Monster from Planet X!" as well as the penciller of several strips including Giant-Man, and Sgt Fury and His Howling Commandos!
Ayers and Bob Powell split the art duties on The Avenger, with the two of them producing all the artwork in the series! 

Be Back Next Week for Another Exciting Russkie-Smashing Adventure!

Reading Room: HELL-RIDER "Introducing the Wild Bunch"

You've met Brick Reese aka Hell-Rider...

...now say "Hi" to his brawlin' biker buddies.

But do it fast, 'cause they're rather busy...

You'll note the "Claw Salute" is a raised middle finger...

The fate of the entire country rests on Slink's slim shoulders?
Is he up to the task?
Or, will the Wild Bunch's sacrifice be for naught?
Are Ruby and Marion Michaels aka ButterFly safe from the Claw?
And, what of Hell-Rider, still trapped and powerless in a dungeon?
Answers to these and other questions...

Tomorrow!
Same Hell-Time!
Same Hell-Blog!

This cliffhanging chapter of the multi-part story from Skywald's Hell-Rider #1 (1971) was written by Gary Friedrich and illustrated by Dick Ayers (pencils), Mike Esposito (inks) and Bill Everett (greytones).

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