Tales to Astonish (1959) 27

Welcome to the non-holiday that doesn’t have a specific date. Welcome to National Flying Ant Day. At least in Great Britain.

Flying Ant Day is officially recognized sometime in July or August. Usually when the weather turns sultry. The hot and muggy temperatures seem to bring the Lasius niger for a nuptial flight to start their own colony.

Which is why ants sprout wings; they strike out to colonize when their current community becomes too large to support additional numbers.

While that’s all well and good for the whole circle of life concept, we’re gonna focus on a different species of ant. The Ant (Man) of the Marvel Comics genus. Specifically the one created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby.

Tales to Astonish
(1959) 27

Dr. Henry Pym was first introduced in Tales to Astonish number 27 in 1962. With super heroes retaking the four colored world, Pym was quickly inducted into the spandex society eight issues later.

Pym would battle crime and injustice to avenge the death of his first wife. With the aid of his Pym Particles, that allowed him to alter his size, and a cybernetic helmet to communicate with ants, the shrinking hero became a founding member of the Avengers with his second wife, Janet van Dyne, the Wasp.

Others would adopt the mantle when Pym doffed his original persona for other alter egos including Giant-Man, Goliath and Yellowjacket.

Tying the hero with the day is Pym’s ability to communicate with ants, even the flying variety, and use them as a mode of transportation.

So, if you see the winged insect, don’t worry, they’re not interested in you or your picnic. They’re just off on their honeymoon.