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Tales to Astonish #52: The Black Knight Strikes! (1959)
Overview:
Tales to Astonish #52, published in February 1964, is a comic book issue written by Stan Lee and Larry Lieber, with artwork by Dick Ayers. In this issue, Ant-Man and the Wasp face off against the villain Black Knight, a modern-day incarnation of a medieval knight who uses advanced technology and weaponry to terrorize his enemies.
Plot Summary:
The story begins with the Black Knight, a brilliant scientist and engineer named Nathan Garrett, who has taken on the identity of a medieval knight, complete with high-tech armor and a genetically engineered winged horse. Garrett, who was once a disgraced scientist, has turned to crime to prove his superiority, using his advanced weaponry and combat skills to challenge law enforcement and sow chaos.
Ant-Man and the Wasp become aware of the Black Knight's activities when he launches a series of high-profile heists, targeting valuable historical artifacts and rare treasures. The villain's medieval-themed attacks and his mysterious appearance quickly draw the attention of the public and the authorities, who are baffled by his advanced technology and tactics.
Ant-Man and the Wasp begin their investigation, trying to track down the elusive Black Knight. They soon realize that his technology is far beyond anything they’ve encountered before, making him a particularly dangerous foe. The Black Knight's armor is impervious to their usual tactics, and his winged horse gives him a mobility advantage, making him difficult to capture.
In a dramatic showdown, the Black Knight challenges Ant-Man and the Wasp to a duel, confident that his superior weaponry will guarantee his victory. The heroes, however, use their intelligence and teamwork to counter the Black Knight's technological advantages. Ant-Man shrinks down to avoid the Black Knight's attacks, while the Wasp uses her agility and stingers to distract and disorient him.
As the battle intensifies, Ant-Man discovers a weakness in the Black Knight's armor—a control panel that, if disabled, would shut down many of the suit’s functions. In a risky move, Ant-Man shrinks down further to infiltrate the armor and sabotage the control panel from within. Meanwhile, the Wasp continues to keep the Black Knight off balance, preventing him from realizing what is happening.
With his armor compromised, the Black Knight loses control of his technology, and Ant-Man and the Wasp are able to subdue him. The issue concludes with the Black Knight being taken into custody, his plans thwarted. Ant-Man and the Wasp reflect on the dangers of facing technologically advanced foes and prepare for whatever challenges may come next.
Tales to Astonish #53: Trapped by the Porcupine! (1959)
Overview:
Tales to Astonish #53, published in March 1964, is a comic book issue written by Stan Lee and Larry Lieber, with artwork by Dick Ayers. In this issue, Ant-Man and the Wasp face the return of the villain Porcupine, who seeks revenge after his previous defeat, bringing new and deadlier modifications to his quill-covered suit.
Plot Summary:
The story begins with Alex Gentry, the villain known as Porcupine, reflecting on his previous defeat at the hands of Ant-Man and the Wasp. Determined to avenge his loss, Gentry goes back to the drawing board, enhancing his porcupine-themed battle suit with even more deadly features. His new suit is equipped with a wider array of quills, each designed to counter different threats, making him an even more formidable opponent.
Porcupine re-emerges onto the scene by committing a series of high-profile robberies, using his improved suit to easily overpower security forces and escape without a trace. His return quickly catches the attention of Ant-Man and the Wasp, who recognize the signature style of his crimes. The heroes know they are dealing with a more dangerous version of their old foe and prepare for a challenging confrontation.
As Ant-Man and the Wasp track down Porcupine, they discover that his new suit is not only more powerful but also more difficult to penetrate. In their first encounter with the revamped Porcupine, the heroes find themselves at a disadvantage, as his new arsenal of quills includes gas, explosives, and even acid that can corrode Ant-Man's helmet. Despite their best efforts, Porcupine manages to escape, leaving Ant-Man and the Wasp to regroup and devise a new plan.
Realizing that a direct confrontation might be too risky, Ant-Man decides to use his scientific knowledge to find a way to disable the Porcupine’s suit remotely. He develops a device that can emit a frequency capable of jamming the signals controlling the suit’s quills, rendering them useless. Meanwhile, the Wasp works on tracking Porcupine’s movements, anticipating his next target.
In their final showdown, Ant-Man and the Wasp confront Porcupine at a museum heist. Using the new device, Ant-Man is able to disrupt the Porcupine's suit, causing his quills to malfunction. With his primary weapons neutralized, Porcupine is forced into close combat, where the Wasp uses her speed and agility to outmaneuver him.
The battle ends with Ant-Man shrinking down and sabotaging the suit’s internal mechanisms, causing it to short-circuit. Porcupine, now powerless, is captured by the heroes and taken into custody once again. The issue concludes with Ant-Man and the Wasp celebrating their victory, but also acknowledging that Porcupine’s ingenuity means he could return in the future, even more dangerous than before.
Editor's Note:
The next part Tales to Astonish (1959) #54-55 is now released, visit here. If you have a favorite comic that you'd like us to explain in detail, feel free to leave a comment! You can also reach out to us on Instagram, Discord, or email us at comicexplainedofficial@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow our page for more comic explanations and updates!
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