CATALOG RECORD

Tales to Astonish #44

Marvel · Series began 1959 · June 1963

first appearance of Wasp

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WHY COLLECTORS WANT IT

Wasp (Janet Van Dyne) — introduction, origin
Vernon van Dyne (Marvel) — introduction, death
Maria Pym (Marvel) — flashback, introduction
Creature from Kosmos (Marvel, Pilai) — introduction, named in a later comic

Dates

Cover date: June 1963
On sale: March 5, 1963
Pages: 36

Editions and covers (2)

Copies of #44 are not all the same book. Here is how to tell each one apart.

Original edition12¢ cover
Source ↗
UK pence edition9d [0-0-9 GBP] cover

British

Printed cover price 9d [0-0-9 GBP].
This edition’s page

Creators

script: Stan Lee, Ernie Hartpencils: Jack Kirby, Steve Ditkoinks: Don Heck, Steve Ditkocolors: Stan Goldbergletters: Artie Simek, Terry Szenics

Stories

The Creature from Kosmos! · 18 pages
When a fellow scientist is killed by an alien being, Ant-Man enlists the help of the dead man's daughter. He gives her the ability to shrink and tiny wasp wings, and she joins him as his partner the Wasp. The duo use the alien's acidic nature to destroy it, saving the city.
Blueprint for Victory · 2 pages
A cunning spy infiltrates German HQ with a phoney blueprint as bait and paralyzes communications before a major US assault.
Hunted · 5 pages
In the year 2000 all of New York City is searching for a 'plague carrier' who is attempting to escape notice and flee the city. He is apprehended at a transportation center and the police remove the 'plague' from him which turns out to be a handgun he had stolen from a museum which officials had worried could back bring the plague of war.

Publisher’s description

Wasp's first appearance! While working for scientist Vernon Van Dyne, Hank Pym meets the young girl who will become his partner in crime fighting...and in life! Janet Van Dyne gains her sting, thanks to a super powered transformation!

Characters

Hank PymJanet Van DyneWaspAnt-ManVernon van DyneMaria PymPilaiCreature from KosmosLee Kearns

Reprinted in

Hulk Comic (1979), The Marvel Saga the Official History of the Marvel Universe (1985), Marvel Masterworks: Atlas Era Tales to Astonish (2006), Creepy Worlds (1962), Amazing Stories of Suspense (1963), Sinister Tales (1964), Pow! and Wham! (1968), Marvel Feature (1971), The Superhero Women (1977), The Empire Strikes Back Weekly (1980), Essential Ant-Man (2002), Marvel Masterworks: Ant-Man / Giant-Man (2006), Secret Invasion: Requiem (2009), Ant-Man & Wasp: Small World (2011), Marvel Masterworks: Ant-Man / Giant-Man (2013), The Ultimate Graphic Novels Collection - Classic (2014), Ant-Man / Giant-Man Epic Collection (2015), The Unstoppable Wasp (2017), True Believers: Kirby 100th - Ant-Man and the Wasp (2017), Marvel Comics Digest (2017)