Astonishing Ant-Man #10 Review *SPOILERS*

 Story by: Nick Spencer

Art by: Ramon Rosanas

Publisher: Marvel

Release date: July 20, 2016

Rating: T

Price: $3.99

This book has always been a blast to read. As I stated in my last review it was a book that I missed out on during the relaunch and had to go back to get caught up on. We pick right up from last issue with Scott trapped in small sphere by Darren Cross. We get a quick recap of last issue, but not enough to slow us down. 

 One of my favorite parts of the recap was the wacky super villain app HENCH. I would like to see Marvel do a book called Dial H For Hench! Make it happen Axel Alonso!!

 So after the recap, we see Scott's crew taking all the items that Machinesmith said they needed from Cross Tech. Whirlwind decides to scrap the list and just takes stuff that he thinks looks expensive, while everyone else gets only what is necessary (seems like something that will play out later in the plot?). The crew meet up in a truck and are ready to split, but they notice Scott is missing. Cassie shows up and tells them that Cross has her dad and asks them to help her free him. One by one the crew splits only concerned about their cut of the money. It is pretty predictable as to which baddies will be taking off, but it was funny watching them bail from the back of the truck. The best part was when the Magician asked if it will negatively impact his rating on HENCH.

Now we are down to the core of the crew. The ones we all knew would stick around (I had a feeling that someone else would have helped as well, but more on that later...)

 The crew takes off for action and this is were the real fun starts. I love the dialog with Griz and Giant-Man as they take out the guards and the choppers. It was also nice to see the comedy element without them being too goofy or screwing up the plan. These guys have been through enough in the past, so it is rewarding to see them get the shine as they follow through with the plan. Especially since they are working with the other half of the crew gone.

 Ms. Thing takes out a bunch of robot security guards and is able to get a weapon that Machinesmith said would be able to free Scott from Cross. She tosses it to Cassie while she is holding off the robots allowing Cassie to get into the air shaft. We then see poor Scott getting bounced of a ping pong table! This is just adding insult to injury, luckily Cassie shows up and frees her Dad from the sphere and has to shrink down to avoid being take out by Crossfire. Darren Cross is able to get a hold of Scott and throws him out of the window and he is dangling from the ledge as Crossfire is about to shoot him.

We then see Crossfire shot in the shoulder and yelling at Cassie for shooting him. She tells him she didn't shoot him as we see the panel that I actually expected. The Beetle actually stuck around to help Scott, but doesn't want anyone to know. It is like the opposite of Black Cat, and I like it. I can see this developing more in future issues as well.

Crossfire does not believe Cassie and goes to shoot her in retaliation, but Cassie shrinks as he fires and it hits his own nephew Augustine. Cross blames Scott for this of course and he grows larger than the room and grabs Scott and Cassie in his hand is about to crush them. All of a sudden the ceiling gives way and we find out Cassie called in for some reinforcements from the ants. The ceiling comes crashing down on Cross and smashes his head.

Scott and Cassie get away and Machinesmith notices two unarmed drones following Ms. Thing, so he warns her about them. She freaks out and realizes that they are cameras that have been following her for a reality TV show. She calls the producers and asked them to stop recording and not to air any of what occurred since they were committing numerous crimes. The producer basically tells her they will edit it to keep her from going to jail, but its too bad for Scott! As he and Cassie leave Cross Tech, they are swarmed (pun intended) by the cops as the issue ends.

The writing and art as usual are great and you never have any issues following along with the story or figuring out who is in each panel. A few DC books can learn a thing or two about that. This issue didn't have the same movie or TV show vibe to it, but it made up for that with the character development and a plot that can really pay off down the road. Who would have thought that Darren Cross would be a relevant bad guy before this story arc? Not many, I am sure. And if his son dies, it will make him even more of a threat since he has nothing to lose.

Ant-Man is always a sure bet and it never disappoints. I highly recommend this issue and the whole series. If you have not read it before, check it out on Marvel Unlimited or pick up a trade. You won't regret it.

8.5/10

So until next time, DatBeardedBastard is out...