Dr. Heny Pym and The Pym Particle

THE TOP 10 GREATEST SUPERHERO INVENTORS

Superhero Inventor #5

~Mighty Avengers #25 (2009)

There's a rule of thumb in science, and it goes something like, "If first you fail to succeed, try, try, again." This also - by happenstance - becomes the credo of the hero, and doubly important for the inventing superhero. Can you imagine how life would be if it they quit?

Look no farther than the end of your thumb to Dr. Henry Pym, sometimes known as "Hank". Why the thumb? Well, it seems he's another scientist that figured out how to grow small. Much in the venue of DC's Atom, Pym is a scientist of great renown and the creator of the Pym Particle, which can distort dimensional physics and allow objects to increase or decrease in size.

If you want to shake Pym's hand, though, that might be a task. Sure, he's a glutton for approval, but he tends to be hard to find. In the last year, he created a "Pym Pocket" to hide his mansion and the only way to get there was to find "anchor doorways". Oh, yeah; that's another one of his tricks; he can end up anywhere on earth by linking anchors.

Don't bother asking how he got this smart. He's been doing this since his first appearance back in Tales to Astonish #27 (1961) in the story "The Man in the Ant Hill". Pym's only real problem is that his ideas, while beyond the understanding of normal men, tends to take on a life of their own. (Ask the super-villain, Ultron, whom he accidentally created. The Avengers are still dealing with that mess today.)

The Top 10 Greatest Superhero Inventors is a Countdown sponsored by The Superheroes List, giving you a look at some of the most brilliant minds, working their way with gadgets and innovations. It's also a tribute to the 2012 coming of Labor Day. If you like this kind of thing, head on over and check it out!

Avengers #3: Henry Pym and Janet van Dyne

 ~Excerpt from Tales to Astonish #44 (1963)


Henry Pym is one of the catalyst co-creators of the Avengers; it was through his efforts and technologies that the group gained many of their popular advantages, such as artificial intelligence and machina, as well as some of their greatest super-villains (like Ultron, whom he created). First appearing in Tales to Astonish #27 (1962) though, he was originally a biologist and popularized by his study and creation of the "Pym Particle", which allowed him to shrink (and later, grow) in size. Adopting the name Ant-Man, he embarked upon his solo career for a approximately a year.

And then he met Janet van Dyne. Although reflexively, she is recognized by most Marvel Comic fans as The Wasp, originally she was nothing more than Pym's lab assistant. Although he protectively kept his identity secret from her, she was given an biological transfusion of sorts and equipped with bioelectric blasts and wings when her father was murdered an invading alien. Officially, she was born in Tales to Astonish #44 (1963) and the team became Ant-Man and The Wasp.

The history of Henry and Janet is extensive, and it is all surrounded with Avenger-stylized intrigue. In the most recent accounts, the two divorced and Janet died in Marvel's Secret Invasion (However, no one believes she will remain dead.) Either way, there is no couple so tied to the supergroup as these two; regardless of his inventions, Henry has served as Goliath, Yellowjacket, a male version of The Wasp, and Giant-Man. In the same venue, Janet, has traditionally been by his side; even though she is dead, her consciousness now serves as the mind pattern for Jocasta, Pym's intelligent female android.

The Top 10 Greatest Avengers is a countdown list provided by The Superheroes List. This is an event coinciding with the release of the 2012 Avengers Movie premiering May 4th. If you're big with Avengers trivia or superheroes, then Check out this List!

Avengers #8: The Vision

One hero, a green and gold clad figure with crimson-hued skin, became a common element among The Avengers, fighting with them for numerous years. Ironically, though, he wasn't meant to join the club, instead designed to kill them! Identified as The Vision by his creator Ultron, he was sent to infiltrate Avengers Mansion, take them out, and begin the enslavement of the human race.

Not surprisingly, Vision had no humanity; it wasn't incorporated into his programming. He also wasn't an alien or monster or even a robot. (But robot is a close guess.) Technically, he is known as a synthezoid, a complex android with synthetic organs appearing human. First appearing in Avengers #57 (1968), his abilities lent him the name because he appeared like a ghost or apparition.

Vision's power spreads across a high range of utility, making him a great asset to the team. Besides intangibility, he can also assume diamond-hard density; in addition, he fires solar blasts through his eyes or a gem matrix on his forehead, which is also used like a battery to recharge him. With an origin of sordid and uncanny revelations, he can truly be considered one of the core members of The Avengers; He has been their leader at one time, his brain was overwritten with Wonder Man's personality and he married The Scarlet Witch.

The Top 10 Greatest Avengers is a countdown list provided by The Superheroes List. This is an event coinciding with the release of the 2012 Avengers Movie premiering May 4th. If you're big with Avengers trivia or superheroes, then Check out this List!