In this feature, I examine comic book fights that were particularly notable in the wrong side winning (or at least that the fight wasn't won the "right" way). This really isn't a big deal, of course, as it doesn't really matter if the "wrong" person won a fight. But it's fun to talk about!
If you want to suggest a fight for future inclusion in this feature, drop me a line at bcronin@comicbookresources.com. Don't suggest a fight in the comments!
This week, in honor of the Ant-Man film, I'm doing two Wrong Side editions this weekend. One yesterday and one today. Today, we look at Ant-Man (Scott Lang) and the Wasp defeating Absorbing Man and Titania!
As always, on the first page we establish power levels and on the second page we look at the fight.
And also as always, how did they do against Spider-Man?
The Absorbing Man is so tough that Spider-Man has actually never really defeated him! They've faced off a few times, but they always end without a decision.
For instance, in what is likely their first fight, in Amazing Spider-Man #283 (by Tom DeFalco, Ron Frenz and Joe Rubinstein), the Absorbing Man takes a quick dive against Spidey to compel his girlfriend, Titania, to get over her fear of Spider-Man (there is no official phobia for when you're afraid of Spider-Man, since being afraid of Spider-Man is just common sense)...
As you can see, the fight wasn't going well for Spidey.
Years later, Reggie Hudlin had a fun recurring bit in a storyline in Marvel Knight: Spider-Man, where Spider-Man and Absorbing Man keep having their fights interrupted. Here, when Absorbing Man is about to crush Spidey, he gets sick...
As for the Absorbing Man, the key fight for today is Avengers #184 (by David Michelinie, John Byrne and multiple inkers), we see Absorbing Man take on all of the Avengers...
Notice what happens when Wasp zaps him? Nothing. As that's the standard for when he gets blasted by things. He doesn't really react because he's absorbed something strong.
On to the fight!
From Avengers #275 (by Roger Stern, John Buscema and Tom Palmer), Absorbing Man and Titana are sent to take care of Hercules, who is in the hospital after being severely beaten by the Masters of Evil. Wasp is with Hercules and Ant-Man (Scott Lang) has come to keep her company, since he heard about Avengers Mansion being overrun. They steady themselves for the attack (and Scott makes a joke about Steven Spielberg that was topical at the time) and then the fight...
Everything AFTER Absorbing Man turns human is fair enough to me, but the key is that it makes NO sense that Wasp's sting turned him human! I'm honestly a bit surprised by Stern writing this, as he's typically better with superhero fights. That just didn't make sense at all.