Tales to Astonish #49
The Birth of Giant-Man!
Henry Pym has started experimenting with his size-changing formula so that instead of shrinking down to ant-size, he increases his size.[1] Designing a new costume, Giant-Man’s first test of his growth formula almost causes him to get crushed when he irresponsibly takes the formula inside his own home. Luckily he manages to get out the front door before he reaches full size, but still causes significant damage to his home. The Wasp quickly gives Giant-Man the reducing formula so he returns to his normal height. Despite this humiliating situation, Pym has discovered that he can’t grow beyond twelve feet in height because his body cannot support the added weight. Hank has also devised a means of administering his size-changing formula in capsule form so they no longer have to rely on exposing themselves to it in gas form. Testing one out, Hank is pleased when he shoots up to twelve feet without issue.
Meanwhile, Hank Pym’s neighbor has gone to the local police to report the mysterious giant that trashed the Pym home. Unfortunately, the police are too busy hunting down a menace that has apparently been erasing people in town. As the police search for this menace, the alien creature is discovered by a hot dog vendor. Seeking to maintain secrecy, the Living Eraser erases the vendor. The Eraser has been sent to Earth to kidnap atomic experts his first victim was Doctor Lewis Stemm. After he captures Professor Ebbhart, he then begins trying to find his next intended victor: Henry Pym.
By this time, Hank Pym is educating Janet Van Dyne on the color-coding of their new size-changing capsules and how to operate the dispensers built into their new belts. Janet tests out one of the capsules, shrinking down small enough to land on the tip of Hank’s finger. That’s when the Living Eraser arrives and erases Pym. He suddenly materializes on an alien world surrounded by short green soldiers and the ruler of this world. The Supremacy then welcomes Pym to Dimension Z.[2] That’s when the Living Eraser returns and explains to Pym that his world exists in another dimension parallel to that of Earth. They have been watching Pym’s dimension for centuries and considered it an amusing for of entertainment until humanity invented the atomic bomb. Since that moment, the Living Erase had been sent to Earth to gather some of Earth’s greatest scientists to share the secret of atomic power to his people.
When Pym tries to break free and escape he is quickly restrained by one of the soldiers, who fires a bolo launcher at him. As he falls to the ground, the Wasp reveals that she had been hiding in his pocket the entire time. He quickly instructs her to get a reduction capsule from his belt and feed it to him. This allows Hank to shrink in size and escape from his bonds. As Hank escapes from the guards and their hunter hound, he takes another capsule to shrink down to ant-size. Retreating into the ventilation system, Giant-Man and the Wasp find the prison where the other Earth scientists are being held. When the prisoners are left alone, the Wasp is sent up to disable a scanning device so she and Giant-Man can reveal their presence to them. Giant-Man assures the prisoners that he’ll get them home and needs them to create a distraction for as long as possible.
While the Wasp is sent to find the chief scientist of this world, Giant-Man grows to 12 feet and begins attacking their captors. At his full size, he is easily able to trash the alien weapons and evades their traps. When the Wasp returns, she leads him to the scientist. When capture, the scientist explains to Giant-Man that the only one who can return them to their dimension is the Living Eraser. Summoning the Living Eraser, the scientist keeps Giant-Man distracted until he can trap the massive human in a containment device. When the Living Eraser arrives, he repays the scientist by shooting him dead for leading Giant-Man to him. Boasting over his victor, the Living Eraser reveals that the printed circuit on the palm of his hand is the secret to interdimensional travel. That’s when the Wasp pulls a lever freeing Giant-Man and he easily overpowers the Living Eraser and steals his device.
Shrinking back down to ant-size, Giant-Man and the Wasp return to the prison and uses the device to send everyone back home and themselves included. The following day, the biggest story in the papers is the debut of Giant-Man. The Wasp is pleased by this because it gives her more to read about than usual.
Recurring Characters
Giant-Man, Wasp, Living Eraser, Supremacy
Continuity Notes
It is later explained that Pym began developing a growth formula in order to have powers that were more beneficial to his fellow Avengers. See Avengers #227.
This Dimension Z should not be confused with the similarly named Dimension Z created by Arnim Zola, as seen in Captain America (vol. 7) #1. This Dimension Z is referred to as a parallel dimension, but as I write this (January 2021), it has yet to be designated a reality number.
Topical References
The Wasp mockingly calls Giant-Man “b’wana” when he gives her instructions. This is apparently an East African term meaning “master”. In popular culture, it was regularly used in jungle stories that were popular between the 1930s through the 50s, typically by a black African referring to a white in a leadership role. The use of this word by today’s standards is problematic as it has a strong connection and connotation to the enslavement of blacks. It would not be used today because it’s pretty fucking racist.
