Super Serious 616 Presents: WHAT IF... Marvel was real
What If Marvel was Real?
Episode 34: Insect Attack (Tales to Astonish #39) -- January 1963
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Episode 34: Insect Attack (Tales to Astonish #39) -- January 1963

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss who or what could be behind the insect attacks that have overwhelmed the city, and whether this should have been the responsibility of Ant-Man. Also: if there is a red beetle the size of a house, is his color really his defining feature?

In this issue:

A beetle is accidentally irradiated by atomic experiments. In a matter of moments, the beetle gains sentience, develops mental telepathy, and feels an overwhelming antipathy towards humanity. He battles Ant-Man, steals his growth gas, and becomes as big as a house. Now known as the Scarlet Beetle, he controls all manner of insects and directs them to attack humanity as he plots to take over the world. Ant-Man rejoins the fight and battles the Scarlet Beetle, ultimately prevailing by (cruelly) counteracting the effects of the irradiation. The Scarlet Beetle, now deprived of intelligence, sentience, and telepathy, and returned to a normal size, is left to live out his short life in Ant-Man’s front yard.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are feeling fortunate that they have Ant-Man as their guardian, but may be asking whether there is a connection between their favourite anonymous vigilante named after an insect, and an insect army that nearly took over the world.

This episode takes place:

After the city was overrun by insects and a giant beetle.

Discussion about this podcast

Super Serious 616 Presents: WHAT IF... Marvel was real
What If Marvel was Real?
What if... the Marvel Universe was real?
In 1961 the Fantastic Four revealed themselves to the world and everything changed. Mike and Ed discuss the in-universe implications of super powers, aliens, monsters and more. From how Avenger Insurance will pay for Thor's property damage to why Spider-man needs a new PR agency, its comic books discussions in a whole new way.
Every issue covered in the Marvel Universe from the very beginning.
Full backstory on every episode with transcripts at www.SuperSerious616.com