tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post5171694902355532889..comments2024-03-19T10:41:35.976-05:00Comments on Bronze Age Babies: Among Us Walks…a Goliath! (Or, How I Came to Know Dr. Henry Pym), Part FiveDoughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-10614590429909826182011-07-14T00:44:00.488-05:002011-07-14T00:44:00.488-05:00IIRC, there's a throwaway line in Avengers #16...IIRC, there's a throwaway line in Avengers #163 just before Typhon attacks where Iron Man tells the Beast that he's heard from Jan that Hank's responding to treatment and should be back on duty in a couple of weeks.Donald Gnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-52994319362209589842011-06-19T21:23:26.528-05:002011-06-19T21:23:26.528-05:00Yeah, that was rather weak, David b -- this issue ...Yeah, that was rather weak, David b -- this issue was a strong start to what could have been a very interesting story line but IMO Shooter dropped the ball and a reference to the outcome in the letters page just doesn't cut it. Shooter had some great story ideas but too often the overall execution left something to be desired. It does seem Shooter had it in for Pym, the way Byrne later had it in for the Vision and later writers had it in for Wanda and Jan, but I was long gone prior to the character deconstruction of the latter three.Fred W. Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07602124919964053532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-65296922616559559332011-06-19T20:23:37.800-05:002011-06-19T20:23:37.800-05:00Hey, distinguished comrades, here's an researc...Hey, distinguished comrades, here's an research update..:<br /><br />I read through the issues 164-167 and a brief explanation for Hank's return to service on the Letters Page in ish 167 (2nd column), where it provides credit to Tony Stark's machines for reversing Hank's instability.<br /><br />Fairly weak, but I guess it suited the Shooter regime at the time.david_bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00218727673816200051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-45712913747926600602011-06-19T08:02:18.960-05:002011-06-19T08:02:18.960-05:00J.A.:
Ditto on Wanda's 'zaftig'.. Hey...J.A.:<br /><br />Ditto on Wanda's 'zaftig'.. Hey, a little cheesecake here and there never hurts.. <br /><br />Yum.david_bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00218727673816200051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-48527179915995916042011-06-18T22:23:11.641-05:002011-06-18T22:23:11.641-05:00Awesome topic. This has long been my favorite Aven...Awesome topic. This has long been my favorite Avengers story. (With #164-166 a close second). I too was always flabbergasted that they just dropped the whole thing with Hank like it never happened. Maybe Shooter didn't realize what an impact that development had on readers. Maybe he just assumed that everyone would figure that the Avengers did indeed fix him up between issues and that was that.<br /><br />This was the first story I'd ever read with Ultron in it, and he has been one of my favorite baddies ever since. There was just so much to love about these comics. Starting with the cover to #161. It must have taken Perez forever to draw all those ants. Another thing I loved about this one was Wonder Man's costume. A lot of people don't like it, but when I was a kid I thought it was totally awesome. It was the first time I'd ever seen Wondy and he instantly became one of my favorite B-listers. (I would kill to have a Marvel Legend's figure of him in that costume, as well as a classic Ultron). The fight between the Avengers and Ultron in this issue was truly epic. From the dramatic entrance of a tattered Beast, to the moment when Jarvis turns on the lights and sees the aftermath of the battle, this comic blew my young mind! In fact, to this day the end of #161 remains my favorite cliffhanger ending of all time.<br /><br />The next issue was incredible as well. When Thor shows up, and he and the remaining Avengers (Iron Man, Black Panther and Wonder Man) set out to take down Ultron. When they finally discover Ultron's location and they charge into battle with Thor dramatically declaring that they would fight to death and Wonder Man doubting himself. When Black Panther confronts Ultron in his lair, and the maniacal machine tells him he was a fool to come there alone. Then dramatically Thor, Wonder Man and Iron Man come crashing in, declaring "He didn't come alone! Not by a long shot!" I still think that scene is the coolest moment of any comic I've ever read. (I've actually borrowed it more than once for my own action figure comics). Then the subsequent battle and defeat of Ultron. Just wonderful, wonderful stuff. One of the most satisfying comic stories I ever read - and it was all done in 2 issues. Today it would have taken 6 minimum and it wouldn't have been nearly as fun or satisfying. They just don't make them like this anymore. (long sigh)Williamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988016825582035390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-90859772404148171342011-06-18T16:13:39.316-05:002011-06-18T16:13:39.316-05:00Not only was 161 a great issue, it was the first i...Not only was 161 a great issue, it was the first issue of the Avengers I ever bought! Having Hank take on the Avengers realistically required some fine writing. <br /><br />You sure missed a turbulent time in ol' Hank's life when you were in high school. Avengers #229 was a high point for Hank, though, as he singlehandedly defeated Egghead and the Masters of Evil, without any super powers. As osmeon who thoughty Hank got a raw deal, that was a sweet issue for me.dbutler16https://www.blogger.com/profile/00046066729353639991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-59249232077825520242011-06-18T14:23:03.867-05:002011-06-18T14:23:03.867-05:00I always loved the way Ant-man(a character often d...I always loved the way Ant-man(a character often dismissed as a joke0 took down the team, even if I knew Hank's story would have a sad ending. <br /><br />Great cover, especially the Gil Kane-esque perspective that makes Wanda look ridiculously zaftig!J.A. Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15800901321134394272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-66929876479309728422011-06-18T13:41:23.627-05:002011-06-18T13:41:23.627-05:00Hank "getting better" off-panel always l...Hank "getting better" off-panel always left me puzzled as well - he's a raving madman at the end of that issue, and a few issues later everybody's acting like nothing happened. That was never really satisfactorily explained, was it?<br />Otherwise, I agree with you about Shooter's writing in the Avengers at that point: it was very good. Then came that post-200 run, which was an unmitigated disaster, and not just because of the Hank b-slapping Jan scene.<br />As for the 'new' Captain Marvel, I actually really liked the character, I just never saw the point of calling her Captain Marvel...Edo Bosnarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-23948354865091009542011-06-18T07:46:03.941-05:002011-06-18T07:46:03.941-05:00Doug, as one of your loyal 'students of all th...Doug, as one of your loyal 'students of all things Pym', thanks for this new edition. <br /><br />Jeez, wasn't 161 a spectacular Ant-Man issue, although not for the right reasons.. EXCELLENT cover, wonderful Perez art, great to see Hank nearly taking down the entire team. Although one would suspect Vish could have zeroed in on him quickly enough and zapped Hank in flight, a little suspension of common sense is needed for this battle.<br /><br />It was gratifying to have a nice backdrop of previous events through Jan's eyes, and while the apprehension of Hank in the next issue was depressing, I'd agree it was surreal to see YellowJacket appear in the following Legion stories. There could have been at least some passing comments or thought balloons to convey a coherent sense of continuity. <br /><br />I haven't looked at those issues for a while, so thanks for noticing that. <br /><br />And Doug, funny you should mention the college 'come-back'.. Ish 161 was probably the last Avengers issue I had picked up until a few years into college and a couple of girlfriends later. I started up around 257 as well. Agreed on Marvel and Starfox ~ Never saw any point to either of them (especially Starfox), but just seeing Cap drawn by ol' John Buscema again was enough for me..!!david_bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00218727673816200051noreply@blogger.com