Ant-Man #3 Review

Written by: Zeb Wells
Art by: Dylan Burnett
Colors by: Mike Spicer
Lettered by: Cory Petit
Published by: Marvel Comics

Scott Lang seems to be learning that the adage “be careful what you wish for, you just might get it” has been around so long because of how true it can be. After hitting a low point in his life and career, he went looking for his next big break. When he found a secret cult of insect beings, headed by the sinister Macrothrax and hellbent on bringing about the bug-based destruction of the world, it looked like he found the exact type of threat he was looking for. Unfortunately, this threat isn’t one he’s ready to take on alone. It’s time for Scott to dial up the Avengers (hopefully, they pick up the phone).

This was another issue filled with great laughs, interesting character development, and thrilling action. The balancing act this series has achieved is still steady. The Cassie/Scott story is the core of this issue, while also not being so focused on that it impedes the movement of the story. The set-up of this issue did great to “move things along” and have a defined theme involving the father/daughter story. Cassie breaks the “West Coast Avengers” news to Scott. Since he has just found his “break” with the discovery of an Avengers-level threat, he takes this as a chance to impress his daughter and convince her to stay on as his partner. Scott’s “lovable loser” nature shines in this issue when he’s juxtaposed with A-level heroes like Iron Man (the phone call scene was hilarious) and Spider-Man (calling Scott the "younger one" was hilarious).

The scripting, for lack of a better word, of this issue and series has been quite good. The structure is able to get plenty out of the narrative. This issue we got such a well-rounded development of the story between Cassie and her father while many other things happened around them. The “cameos” achieved more than just being interesting because of a few funny bits of dialogue. Seeing how organized and skilled the Avengers were helped show how unorganized and kind of sloppy Scott is which worked against his plan of impressing Cassie and strengthened her argument for joining Kate Bishop’s group. But then, after the Spidey/Black Cat team-up, Scott gets a bit of a win and his relationship with Cassie is affected by it. This series is doing some praiseworthy things with the Ant-Man character. And, on top of the character elements that shined in this issue, the main threat is an engrossing one. And, if the end of this issue accurately foreshadows what’s to come, that threat is about to get much bigger (pun intended).

The framing of panels grabbed my attention in this issue. The way shots are composed gives the feeling of a camera being placed in interesting spots to capture a cool shot. There were some “low angle shots”; there’s a cool shot of Spider-Man punching out a villain. There’s a neat “looking down” shot of Scott when he’s talking to Thread. And, there’s even a “Dutch angle” shot when the group is making their way through MSG’s underground. Also, all the shots of Spidey seemed to grab my attention. Maybe it’s just because I’m a huge stan fan of the character, but, along with the low shot I mentioned, his first appearance in the issue and the shot of him kneeling in Thread’s worms are great illustrations of the character. The horror element I noted in earlier issues is still felt in the art, especially with one particularly morbid scene piece.

But, while the shading of the art helps with that feeling, the coloring can control where it’s felt the most. Thread has a creepy flair with his sickly colors (and his design), but, when juxtaposed, the blue and red of Spider-Man are kept vibrant while staying cohesive to the palette. The shot of Ant-Man, Stinger, Black Cat, and Spidey looking up at Thread highlights what the colors of the palette can achieve while staying consistent. The red of Ant-Man, pink of Stinger, and red/blue of Spidey all still have a “lighthearted” nature that is appropriate for the characters. Then, above them is a grotesque display with a nauseating, almost psychedelic nature to the colors, but everything fits perfectly in the image. Another great addition to the visual composition of this series has been the lettering. There has been and continues to be great lettering for SFX in the book. A substantial moment in this issue is highlighted with great lettering. And, along with sound effects, great things are done in this issue with the design of dialogue bubbles.

Ant-Man #3, at its core, is an issue about the relationship between Scott and his daughter Cassie. While Scott tries to prove he’s not a loser, we get to have fun seeing him be one. His interactions with the Avengers, Spidey, and Black Cat aren’t just hilarious, they help build upon that core story. And, while there is fun being had, the threat Ant-Man faces is no joke.