Story #2Armageddon On Avenue "A"
Writer:
Roy Thomas. Penciler:
Ross Andru. Inker:
Mike Esposito. Letterer:
Jean Simek.
Synopsis
Perennial loser
Wilbur Grabowski decides to burn down his failing candy store for the insurance.
Ant-Man, passing by on his flying ant
Spa Fon, detects some sort of psychic emanation coming from the store. Spa Fon is drawn in against his will and they are carried past Wilbur and beneath the floorboards. There, the diminutive hero discovers the
Scarlet Beetle, thought to have been rendered powerless in
TALES TO ASTONISH #39, gathering an army of insects from all over the city. The monstrous bug explains that his psychic powers returned spontaneously and now he can resume his plans to conquer the world. The villain quickly learns that Ant-Man’s enlarging gas and cybernetic helmet will not work for him—then the blaze upstairs terrifies the insect army and causes them to flee. In the confusion, Ant-Man breaks his bonds and contacts Spa Fon and the battle is carried up to the main floor. The faithful flying ant arrives and crawls up Wilbur’s leg, causing him to drop a gasoline can on the Scarlet Beetle, ending the menace forever. Wilbur rushes out of the burning building straight into the arms of the police. “Pity poor Wilbur Grabowski. Like we said before, he could never do anything right…except maybe save the world…!”