Ant-Man
Size doesn't matter when you can change it.
Abilities
- β’Pym Particles allow shrinking to subatomic size or growing to enormous height
- β’Retains full human strength at insect size β can deliver devastating punches
- β’As Giant-Man/Goliath, can grow up to 100 feet with proportional strength
- β’Cybernetic helmet allows communication with and control of ants and other insects
- β’Hank Pym is one of Earth's greatest scientists β created Pym Particles and Ultron
- β’Scott Lang is a skilled electronics expert and reformed thief
- β’Can access the Microverse β an entire universe existing at subatomic scale
- β’Multiple identities β Ant-Man, Giant-Man, Goliath, Yellowjacket, and Wasp
- β’Founding Avenger β Hank Pym helped create Earth's Mightiest Heroes
Powers & Abilities
Biography
Ant-Man is a legacy identity shared by two very different men. Dr. Henry βHankβ Pym was a brilliant scientist who discovered Pym Particles β subatomic particles that allow matter to shrink to microscopic size or grow to enormous proportions. Using a cybernetic helmet to communicate with ants, Pym became Ant-Man and co-founded the Avengers alongside Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk, and his partner Janet Van Dyne, the Wasp. He was a genius whose invention changed the world β and whose creation of the artificial intelligence Ultron nearly destroyed it.
Scott Lang was a reformed thief and electronics expert who stole the Ant-Man suit from Hank Pym to save his daughter Cassie's life. Pym, recognizing Lang's heroism, gave him his blessing to keep the suit and the identity. Where Pym was tortured by his genius and his failures, Lang was a regular guy trying to be a good dad β a working-class hero who happened to be able to shrink to the size of an ant. Paul Rudd's MCU portrayal made Scott Lang a household name and one of the most beloved Avengers.
Hank Pym's story is one of Marvel's most tragic. He changed his identity more times than any other hero β Ant-Man, Giant-Man, Goliath, Yellowjacket, the Wasp β each reinvention reflecting a psychological crisis. His creation of Ultron haunts him: the robotic intelligence that has nearly destroyed the world multiple times was born from Pym's own brain patterns. Jim Shooter's controversial arc showing Pym striking Janet Van Dyne during a breakdown defined the character for decades, though subsequent writers like Roger Stern, Dan Slott, and Mark Waid worked to give Pym redemption.
Nick Spencer's Ant-Man (2015) is the definitive modern Scott Lang series β a hilarious, heartfelt run about a divorced dad trying to start a security business in Miami while being a superhero and a good father. Through both Pym and Lang, Ant-Man proves that the smallest hero can make the biggest difference β and that legacy isn't about the suit you wear, but what you do when you put it on.
First Appearances β Hank Pym
Tales to Astonish #27
1962First appearance of Hank Pym β "The Man in the Ant Hill!" Scientist Henry Pym discovers a size-changing formula and shrinks to ant-size. Jack Kirby draws the story that launches the Ant-Man legacy. A major Silver Age key.
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Tales to Astonish #35
1962First Ant-Man in costume β Hank Pym returns with the Ant-Man suit, cybernetic helmet, and the ability to communicate with ants. The superhero identity is born. Kirby designs the iconic look.
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Tales to Astonish #44
1963First appearance of the Wasp β Janet Van Dyne debuts as Hank Pym's partner and future wife. One of the most important Silver Age Marvel keys. A founding Avenger appears.
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Tales to Astonish #49
1963First Giant-Man β Hank Pym discovers he can grow as well as shrink, becoming Giant-Man. The series is retitled. His first identity change of many.
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Avengers #1
1963Ant-Man co-founds the Avengers β Hank Pym and the Wasp are founding members alongside Iron Man, Thor, and the Hulk. One of the most valuable Silver Age Marvel keys in existence.
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Hank Pym's Identity Changes
Avengers #28
1966First Goliath β Hank Pym abandons the Ant-Man identity and becomes Goliath full-time, focusing on his giant size powers. His restless need to reinvent himself begins.
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Avengers #59-60
1968First Yellowjacket β Hank Pym has a mental breakdown and creates the Yellowjacket identity, claiming to have killed Hank Pym. He proposes to Janet Van Dyne in this new persona. A psychologically complex arc.
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Avengers #60
1968Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne marry β the wedding takes place while Hank is still in his Yellowjacket persona. One of the most significant Silver Age Avengers events.
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Avengers #93
1971Ant-Man during the Kree-Skrull War β Hank Pym shrinks inside the Vision during Neal Adams's epic. One of the most inventive uses of his powers.
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West Coast Avengers vol. 2 #21
1987Hank Pym as "just Hank" β he abandons all costumed identities and operates as a scientist. His most psychologically grounded era under Steve Englehart.
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The Trial of Yellowjacket
Avengers #211-213
1981Hank Pym hits Janet β Jim Shooter's controversial arc shows Pym striking the Wasp during a mental breakdown. The most controversial moment in Avengers history, and the defining tragedy of Hank Pym's character.
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Avengers #214
1981Hank Pym is court-martialed β expelled from the Avengers for his actions. His marriage to Janet collapses. Pym reaches rock bottom.
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Avengers #224-230
1983Trial of Yellowjacket β Hank Pym is framed by Egghead and must prove his innocence. Roger Stern writes the character's path toward redemption.
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Avengers #230
1983Hank Pym redeemed β Pym defeats Egghead and the Masters of Evil single-handedly, proving his value. Roger Stern's most significant Pym moment.
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Scott Lang β The Second Ant-Man
Avengers #181
1979First appearance of Scott Lang β a reformed thief and electronics expert who steals the Ant-Man suit to save his daughter Cassie. David Michelinie and John Byrne introduce the second Ant-Man.
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Marvel Premiere #47
1979Scott Lang becomes Ant-Man β the full origin story. Lang steals the suit from Hank Pym to rescue his daughter's doctor from Darren Cross. Pym gives him his blessing to keep it.
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Marvel Premiere #48
1979Scott Lang's Ant-Man origin concludes β the first appearance of Darren Cross, who would become Yellowjacket in the MCU. Lang is officially the new Ant-Man.
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Avengers #195
1980Scott Lang's early adventures β the new Ant-Man establishes himself in the Marvel Universe. His status as a single father makes him unique among heroes.
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Fantastic Four #384-385
1994Scott Lang joins the Fantastic Four β Lang replaces Reed Richards on the team. His tenure as an FF member is significant for the character's growth.
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Ultron β Pym's Greatest Failure
Avengers #54-55
1968First appearance of Ultron β Hank Pym's greatest creation becomes his greatest failure. The robotic intelligence turns on its creator and becomes one of the Avengers' deadliest enemies.
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Avengers #57
1968First appearance of the Vision β Ultron creates the Vision to destroy the Avengers. The android turns against his creator and joins the team instead. One of the most important Avengers keys.
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Avengers #66-68
1969Ultron returns with an adamantium body β Pym's creation upgrades itself to Ultron-6. The father-son dynamic between Pym and Ultron becomes central to both characters.
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Avengers #161-162
1977Ultron Unlimited precursor β Ultron continues to haunt Pym. Jim Shooter writes the escalating conflict between creator and creation.
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Avengers vol. 3 #19-22
1999Ultron Unlimited β Kurt Busiek and George PΓ©rez deliver the definitive Ultron story. Ultron destroys the nation of Slorenia and creates an army of Ultron drones. Pym must face his greatest failure.
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Nick Spencer's Ant-Man
Ant-Man #1
2015Nick Spencer relaunches Ant-Man β Scott Lang headlines a hilarious, heartfelt solo series. Spencer writes Lang as a down-on-his-luck divorced dad trying to be a hero and a good father. Ramon Rosanas art.
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Astonishing Ant-Man #1
2015Spencer continues as Astonishing Ant-Man β the series is renumbered but the creative team stays. Scott Lang's Miami adventures continue with heart and humor.
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Astonishing Ant-Man #13
2016Spencer's run concludes β the definitive modern Scott Lang series wraps up. The most critically acclaimed Ant-Man run since the character's creation.
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Ant-Man #1
2020Zeb Wells writes Ant-Man β a new miniseries featuring Scott Lang. Wells brings his signature character work to the smallest Avenger.
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Mighty Avengers & Redemption
Mighty Avengers #1
2007Hank Pym in Mighty Avengers β Brian Michael Bendis features Pym in the post-Civil War Avengers. His role in the Initiative era is significant.
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Mighty Avengers #21
2009Hank Pym becomes the Wasp β after Janet's apparent death during Secret Invasion, Pym honors her by taking the Wasp identity. Dan Slott writes his most emotional transformation.
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Mighty Avengers #36
2010Hank Pym declared Scientist Supreme β Eternity names Pym the Scientist Supreme of the Marvel Universe, surpassing even Reed Richards. His greatest vindication.
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Avengers A.I. #1
2013Hank Pym leads Avengers A.I. β in the aftermath of Age of Ultron, Pym creates a team to monitor artificial intelligence threats. Sam Humphries writes.
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Age of Ultron & Secret Invasion
Secret Invasion #1
2008Hank Pym revealed as a Skrull β the real Pym has been replaced by a Skrull impostor for months. Bendis's shocking revelation rocks the Avengers.
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Secret Invasion #8
2009Janet Van Dyne dies β the Wasp is killed during the Skrull invasion. Pym is freed but loses the woman he loved. The tragedy that defines his Mighty Avengers era.
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Age of Ultron #1
2013Age of Ultron event β Ultron conquers the world. Pym's greatest failure becomes an extinction-level event. Bendis writes the darkest Ultron story.
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Age of Ultron #10
2013Age of Ultron conclusion β time travel is used to prevent Ultron's conquest. The consequences ripple across the Marvel Universe.
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Cassie Lang β Stature & Stinger
Marvel Premiere #47
1979First appearance of Cassie Lang β Scott steals the Ant-Man suit to save her. The father-daughter bond is the emotional foundation of every Scott Lang story.
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Young Avengers #1
2005Cassie Lang becomes Stature β Scott's daughter gains size-changing powers and joins the Young Avengers. Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung create the next generation.
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Avengers: Children's Crusade #1
2010Cassie in Children's Crusade β her Young Avengers adventures continue. Heinberg and Cheung's sequel features Cassie prominently.
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Ant-Man #1
2015Scott and Cassie's relationship β Spencer's run is built entirely on Scott's love for his daughter. Their bond drives every storyline.
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Key Ant-Man Battles
Tales to Astonish #27
1962The original β Hank Pym shrinks to ant size and must survive the insect world. The template for every Ant-Man adventure.
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Avengers #54-57
1968Ultron and Vision debut β Pym's creation turns against him and creates the Vision. The father-son tragedy that defines Hank Pym.
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Avengers #213
1981Pym's darkest hour β the incident with Janet and his expulsion from the Avengers. The most controversial moment in Avengers history.
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Avengers #19-22 (1999)
1999Ultron Unlimited β Busiek and PΓ©rez's definitive Ultron story. Pym must face his greatest failure at its most powerful.
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Marvel Premiere #47
1979Scott Lang steals the suit β the most important heist in Marvel history. A father's love for his daughter launches a new legacy.
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Collector Highlights
Tales to Astonish #27
1962The holy grail β first appearance of Hank Pym. "The Man in the Ant Hill." A top-tier Silver Age Marvel key. Kirby art. Extremely valuable in any grade.
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Tales to Astonish #35
1962First Ant-Man in costume β the superhero identity begins. A major Silver Age key connecting to the MCU franchise.
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Tales to Astonish #44
1963First Wasp β Janet Van Dyne debuts. Essential companion to Pym's first appearances. A founding Avenger.
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Avengers #1
1963Founding Avenger β Ant-Man helps create the team. One of the most valuable Silver Age keys in existence.
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Marvel Premiere #47
1979First Scott Lang as Ant-Man β the origin of the MCU Ant-Man. A Bronze Age key elevated by the films.
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Ant-Man #1 (2015)
2015Spencer's definitive modern run β the critically acclaimed Scott Lang series. Essential modern reading.
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