Ant-Man (2020-) #1
Marvel Comics
Writer: Zeb Wells
Artist: Dylan Burnett
As far as Ant-Men goes, Scott Lang is doing alright. He’s been a Guardian of the Galaxy, and he fought Ice Giants during War of the Realms. Pretty much any Ant-Man is doing good as long as they’re not Hank Pym, because no one at Marvel likes Hank Pym, apparently. But that’s neither here nor there since we’re talking about a new Ant-Man comic focusing on Scott Lang.
I have no strong feelings about this comic, in either direction. I don’t think it’s bad, far from it, but at the same time, I don’t think it’s doing anything special. Not every comic needs to, but this one just feels… average is the best word I can use. It opens with Scott lang, and his daughter Cassie, fighting A.I.M. in a swamp. “Ant-Man & The Stinger” doesn’t have the same ring to it like “Ant-Man & the Wasp” does, but I like the idea of it. A father/daughter team up is cool, both are former Avengers (one of them young). Following that the rest of the comic is a bit… slow is the word I’m using, but it’s not quite right.
Apparently guarding the Galaxy and avenging doesn’t pay, so Scott Lang is living in an anthill. He gets hired to help find missing bees, and if you know your c-list villains, you know who he’s fighting by the end of the comic. There are some funny parts, especially when he’s talking to the ants he lives with. But the rest just feels a little flat. The ending leaves us with some questions and, as far as I know, new villains. But there’s nothing really exciting happening.
The art from Dylan Burnett and coloring from Mike Spicer is good when it works, but there are some parts that leave a bit to desire. In costume, Ant-Man looks great. There’s a two page spread towards the beginning of Ant-Man and Stinger towering over A.I.M. soldiers at night. I love it, and would totally make it my laptop’s background screen. Out of costume though, the characters are just fine. Nothing spectacular, and there are a few panels where the eyes are just black dots or lines. It’s not bad, and as a whole I enjoy it, but it leaves me wanting just a bit more.
This whole issue feels a little lackluster to me. It’s not bad, but it’s not the best Ant-Man comic either. Zeb Wells gets the feeling of Scott Lang, a dad/superhero who’s a bit down on his luck. But I don’t think it’s doing anything new or exciting. The art is kind of in the same boat, it’s good but does have its downsides. I think there’s a lot of room for improvement going forward, but for now, this issue is just kind of middle of the road.
Ant-Man #1
The first issue of this Ant-Man series puts Scott Lang back under a magnifying glass. The story sets the stage for what's to come but doesn't do anything new with the character.
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