Tales to Astonish #40

Marvel ⋅ 1963
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Hijacker

Issue Details

Publisher

Marvel

Artist

Jack Kirby

Writer

Stan Lee

Published

February 1963

Synopsis

Features Include:The Day Ant-Man Failed!The issue starts off with Henry Pym explaining to himself that he has altered his gas mask with unstable molecules (don’t tell Reed Richards), so it now adjusts to the size of the wearers head. Seemingly unaware that it already did that the last 5 issues.Meanwhile, this issues plot begins in which we learn that The Hijacker is hijacking Howard Mitchell’s armored cars and leaving no clues. So of course he decides that Ant-Man is the only one clever enough to catch The Hijacker.Luckily, for Howard, ants are on his windowsill and relay said information to none other than Hank Pym. Who then releases his shrinking gas (which incidentally works just like it did before. Except instead of fumes, it’s now a gas – yay for science) and becomes Ant-Man.Ant-Man then enters his electronic catapult (which looks and works like a mini-cannon) and shoots himself to Howard Mitchell’s office. This time, he ends up overshooting the pile the ants that usually cushion his fall and is about to crash, helmet first into the wall of the office, but luckily a couple of ants take one for the team as they use their bodies to shield his impact.Ant-Man then talks to Howard Mitchell who explains how his armored trucks get stolen and no clues are left behind. We also then learn that it seems only his armored trucks are the ones being stolen (hmm). He then asks Ant-Man for his help. Ant-Man agrees to help. However, Ant-Man notices a collection of Incan statues in the office. When Ant-Man asks Howard about them, he replies how he spent some time with Indians of the jungle in Peru, but how it’s unimportant (double hmmm).The next day, on the next shipment, Ant-Man plans to tag along in hopes of ambushing The Hijacker. But before he can join the guards on the shipment, Ant-Man suddenly groans in pain. It seems he has appendicitis and must hurry to get to the doctor before it ruptures and so of course speeds off on his ant-mobile.The guards drive off, but...

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