History of ANT-MAN! || Comic Misconceptions || NerdSync

The trailer for Ant-Man came out recently, and while the film will probably focus more on Scott Lang, it's still useful to know the origin and history of the original Ant-Man, Hank Pym! Pym has had some terrible problems in his personal and professional life. Come learn about how Ant-Man went from an A-list superhero to almost committing suicide because of a few serious mistakes.

Every Wednesday, Comic Misconceptions explores fascinating trivia, crazy stories, and mind-blowing theories about the comic book universe from Marvel, DC, and beyond!

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[NerdSyncProductions]

This video is pretty old, but I wonder if it will start to pick up steam again since the Ant-Man trailer came out? Guess we'll see...

[bsabruzzo]

That smack Hank gave Janet was a retcon. The original story had him looking at his work and waving his hand behind him, not knowing Janet was as close as she was. It was an actual and honest accident. Writers after than, rather than read the story, just took the description "Hank hit Janet" and made it a deliberate act.

[wk]

People inevitably compare Ant-Man with the Atom. Both appeared around the same time and both shrink, but their powers were originally used much differently. It was only later writers exposed to both who inevitably made the ways they use their powers more alike. But originally, Ant-Man was content to focus on his and buddies and make the around one-inch size his norm. The Atom, by contrast, preferred a six-inch size, but also quickly got into more microscopic sizes, riding electrical charges on copper wires (which wouldn't have worked in the real world), exploring microscopic universes, etc. Plus, unlike Ant-Man (originally), Atom maintained his weight even at small sizes, increasing his density. Ant-Man's density remained constant, with his weight being proportionately displaced as he shrank. They were very different heroes.

[johnburt]

Henry Pym is one of the most complex and interesting characters within the Avengers' orbit.

[WarpChaos]

Poor Hank Pym. He doesn't even get to be the star of his own movie.

[TheEpicImpaler]

Do a review of Earth's Mightiest Herores! That show was really close to the comic origins.

[FrostMarvel]

This thing about the smartest people in comics is actually quite interesting. In Marvel, Reed Richards (and then also Valeria Richards by her powers) and Victor Von Doom are the smartest because they don't specialise. They are good at everything. I mean, so is Hank McCoy, but he's got more of a slightly above general knowledge of everything, and also specialises in literature. Hank Pym, Tony Stark and Bruce Banner are each exemplary at their chosen subjects (the pym particles and just science, technology and gamma radiation). T'Challa is really good at mixing magic, science and tech, followed by Amadeus Cho (mathematics, physics) and finally, Hank McCoy. So, basically
1. Reed Richards (and Valeria Richards)
2. Doctor Doom
3. Hank Pym
4. Tony Stark
5. Bruce Banner
6. T'Challa
7. Amadeus Cho
8. Hank McCoy. 
Honourable mentions go to Peter Parker, Broo the Brood and Charles Xavier

[NerdSyncProductions]

The episode was running a little long already, but I'm sure I could work out a Yellowjacket specific episode sometime in the future.

[FrostMarvel]

I love that line around 1:25. "I actually didn't research knights or samurais." 
It's just samurai though. Like sheep.

[yves]

One thing you should of noted was that Pym did not mean to hit Janet. That was always supposed to be a mistake. The writer made it clear that it was supposed to be an accident and not a show of actual physical abuse. But the artist made it look more abusive then accidental and it stuck.

[TEERACK]

They recently explained the mass issue in FF. Pym practicals effect, mass, density, strength, and durability levels not just size.

[Mike_Ka-Chowski]

Hihihihi Hank Pym!! He's my favorite Marvel character.

[bigboi]

Poor gotta feel sorry for him despite his idiotic decisions as Yellowjacket.

[CaptainZombieFart]

I recently just read everything about Ant Man and his life is.. truly depressing as hell. But, I love his character, everything about him, and everything about ANT MAN the hero himself. I also like the other identity of Eric and Scott, they are all awesome.

[toddnolastname]

I expected you to point out that Ant-Man's first appearance was in a "horror" tale, an incredible shrinking man story. Then a few issues later, when Marvel got into super-heroes, Lee brought him back as a super-hero.

[TheLastVampireSong]

When I saw the first time the abusive behavior of Hank I thought, how the hell is they showing that to kids?... now I think is actually quite a good idea to expose kids to that kind of behavior to make them understand how toxic it is and how much harm you can do by letting your emotions, thoughts, and problems run you over... after all is not that he was a bad person per se but that he had mental and behavioral issues that should have been tackled and treated. Thou maybe comics were quite lenient with non-consensual relationships, etc..

[dr.raymondstantzph.d.]

A tad bit late, as I've recently discovered this channel, but the answer is:
Ruby Quartz

[nicholastrumbo]

You are Absolutely right. When he shrinks his density increases, and he actually gains weight. There is a formula that says the weight counters force. So the denser/heavier he is just gaining weight not strength. Scott you are RIGHT he wouldn't have strength/force, he would just be a tiny couch potato.

[mariusogmikal]

My boy Hank has actually still got all the strength as normal in his mini form, so he can steer around Ants, and punch a tooth out

[shoresean]

I think Jim Shooter wrote Hank's life meltdown arc. If I could transmit one piece of advice back to Shooter, it would be : Have him gas her, or lock her behind a force field. ANYTHING but backhanding her. What he wrote as a loathsome lowest moment for a fallen hero would echo through bad writers as an entire marriage worth of spousal battery.