Written by Steve Englehart
Art by Al Milgrom; Mike Machlan; Bill Oakley; & Paul Becton
Cover Art by Al Milgrom & Mike Machlan
SUMMARY:
Published by Marvel Comics for June 1988, this issue is entitled “Tales to Astonish, Part 1: The Man in the Ant Hill.” With Moon Knight established as Iron Man’s replacement, the West Coast Avengers learn of Hank Pym’s hacking of an Eastern European computer network.
As his long-dead first wife, Maria Trovaya, might still be alive, a flashback reveals Hank’s romance with Maria. Another flashback depicts Janet Van Dyne’s relationship with future husband Hank, including their pairing as Ant-Man & the Wasp. Meanwhile, Mockingbird ponders if Moon Knight is taunting her re: Phantom Rider’s haunting vengeance.
At a Hungarian military base, the West Coast Avengers battle the country’s belligerent military, including several mutated gorillas. Wonder Man & Hawkeye face a dilemma to save their poisoned teammates. Suspecting a ruse, Hank and the Wasp flee to nearby Budapest. Inside the heavily-secured Bratislava Prison, they are stunned to find two old friends unexpectedly locked up.
REVIEW:
Though hampered by mostly pedestrian artwork, this kid-friendly issue is still a solid read that explores an intriguing Cold War angle to Hank Pym’s backstory as the original Ant-Man. The last-page cameos by two Avengers adds another twist element that makes finding the next issue a temptation.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
With both getting single pages, there is a “West Coast-Lines” letters-and-answers column and a “Bullpen Bulletins” column (including a profile on Editor Jim Salicrup).
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5½ Stars
