From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ant-Man (Eric O’Grady)
Ant-Man (Eric O’Grady)
Ant-Man Eric O’Grady)
Ant-Man (Eric O’Grady is a fictional character, a super-
hero in the Marvel Comics Universe. He is the third char-
acter to use the name Ant-Man. He first appears in The
Irredeemable Ant-Man #1 (September 2006) and was creat-
ed by Robert Kirkman and Phil Hester.
Publication history
Eric O’Grady was the main character in the ongoing
monthly series The Irredeemable Ant-Man, with the "Irre-
deemable" title given to the comic’s title to indicate the
character’s immoral attitude and behavior. The series
was canceled after issue #12, though no official cancella-
tion notice was given (as Marvel Comics simply opted to
not solicit issues of The Irredeemable Ant-Man beyond #12,
though the final issue did mercilessly mock the idea of
cancellation, such as having Eric scream in spite towards
a massive assault of canceled comic characters).[1]
Though canceled, the series ended with Eric O’Grady
becoming enrolled in the Initiative. With Avengers: The
Initiative #8, O’Grady joined the title’s cast.[2] He departed
from the title after Avengers: The Initiative #20, and as of
Thunderbolts #128, is a member of the new Thunderbolts
team. After the events of Siege, he becomes a member of
G.I.Ant-Man.
the Secret Avengers, beginning with issue one.[3] Begin-
Art by Phil Hester and Ande Parks.
ning in November 2010, he starred alongside Henry Pym
Publication information in the three-issue mini-series Ant-Man and the Wasp, by
Tim Seeley.[4]
Publisher Marvel Comics
First
appearance
The Irredeemable Ant-Man #1 (September 2006)
Fictional character biography
Created by Robert Kirkman Eric O’Grady is a low-level agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. who stum-
Phil Hester bles upon Dr. Henry Pym’s latest incarnation of the Ant-
Man suit in S.H.I.E.L.D.’s headquarters.[5] A man of very
In-story information
few morals and willingness to lie, cheat, steal, and manip-
Alter ego Eric O’Grady ulate in order to get ahead in life, Eric immediately steals
the armor for his own selfish plans, which include using
Team Secret Avengers
affiliations Thunderbolts his status as a "super-hero" to stalk women and facilitate
Shadow Initiative his thievery. A running theme with the character is his
Damage Control evil side clashing with a desire to be accepted by others,
S.H.I.E.L.D. which leads to Eric vowing to renounce his evil ways and
The Initiative
become a proper hero, leading to a cycle of the character
Notable Slaying Mantis, Derek Sullivan relapsing and vowing to "change".
aliases
Abilities G.I.Ant-Man armor allows for shrinking, The Irredeemable Ant-Man
growing, insect communication, a jetpack, Mitch Carson, whom O’Grady looks up to, is a S.H.I.E.L.D.
robotic arms with magnetic grapples, and security agent under Dum Dum Dugan. Originally picked
flame projection from arms via redirecting
jet flame out to be the wearer of the Ant Man suit O’Grady stole, he
was forced to wear a hastily built prototype suit based on
the armor O’Grady had stolen. When S.H.I.E.L.D. discov-
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ant-Man (Eric O’Grady)
ered that O’Grady had stolen the suit, Carson confronted Carson takes Eric to a secret room aboard the helicar-
Eric in the new experimental suit. In the ensuing battle, rier, and proceeds to torture him. While doing so, Car-
Eric disfigured his friend’s face by accident with his suit’s son reveals shocking secrets to Eric regarding his own
jets, burning the left half of Carson’s face and leaving him sociopathic nature and how he has abused his position
deaf and blind on that side as well. Despite what he did, as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent to cover up murders he has com-
O’Grady took him to the infirmary nearby to help the in- mitted over the years. Just as Carson is on the verge of
jured Mitch, who later vowed revenge. burning Eric’s face with the suit’s jet boosters, Iron Man
As his series progressed, it is revealed that O’Grady’s arrives and subdues him. Eric uses Carson’s confessions
best friend and fellow S.H.I.E.L.D. surveillance agent of past misdeeds to frame him for the whole stolen-suit
Chris McCarthy, was the first person who actually wore fiasco, saying that he was only trying to stop him from
what would become O’Grady’s Ant-Man suit.[5] McCarthy using the suit for evil. Iron Man refuses to believe Eric
was killed however, during a HYDRA attack when he was though Iron Man is quickly sidetracked by the arrival of
shot in the head by a HYDRA agent. Eric took the suit the Black Fox (who had become friends with Eric after
off of Chris’s dead body just before the Helicarrier their first encounter). Black Fox demands that Eric be re-
crashed.[6] With his best friend dead, Eric sets his sights leased and claims to have placed explosives on the heli-
on seducing and bedding Chris’s girlfriend, Veronica carrier in order to extort his friend’s freedom. Eric refus-
King. The attraction resulted in the two having sex, lead- es Fox’s claims to protect him from Iron Man, leading to
ing to Veronica King’s pregnancy and Ant Man ultimately Fox being arrested.[13]
abandoning her.[7] Several weeks pass and while Carson’s fate is left un-
Despite his attempts to seduce Veronica, Ant Man resolved, it is shown that Eric has resumed his post upon
continuously uses his powers of shrinking to stalk Helicarrier, having been offered his own job under un-
women and watch them in various stages of undress, known circumstances.[13] Feeling guilty for Black Fox be-
with Ms. Marvel of The Mighty Avengers being a popular ing in jail, Eric helps the elderly thief escape from the
target for his ever-increasing voyeurism. helicarrier, with Eric admitting that he was sorry for
Eric also encounters the thief Black Fox, and steals his putting Black Fox through the ordeal of being arrested.
possessions. Black Fox later shows up looking for the jew- Later on, Eric refuses Veronica’s attempt to work out an
els. O’Grady, however, had already sold them to a pawn arrangement for raising their child together, in part be-
shop. The two work together, getting the $150,000 back cause of Eric’s inner fear that he would be a horrible fa-
and splitting the proceeds, with O’Grady keeping 15 per- ther due to his utter lack of morals or ethics. Meanwhile,
cent.[8] despite their misgivings, Iron Man and Hank Pym reluc-
After saving the life of a child, Ant-Man encounters tantly offer Eric his old Ant Man suit back after determin-
Damage Control.[9][10] This organization offers him a job ing that none of the other candidates can control the suit
and, after he obtains a fake ID under the name Derek Sul- to the degree that Eric has already demonstrated, on the
livan and comes up with a new superhero name (Slay- Slay- condition of him becoming part of the Initiative, which
ing Mantis he consents. He meets a woman named Abi-
Mantis), Eric accepts.[14][15]
gail, who he starts dating. He leases an apartment under Eric also has one last meeting with Abigail and tells
his new name and with Damage Control’s help begins to her that he does, indeed, love her. However, he tells Abi-
establish a new identity while continuing to hide from gail that he will be leaving for a while and wishes to be
S.H.I.E.L.D. However, as Abigail begins to fall in love with with her. While doing so, he hopes that he can be a better
Eric, she reveals to him that she is a single mother with person. Before leaving, he tells her his real name. [14]
a son. This in turn triggers Eric dumping Abigail over her
keeping her son’s existence a secret from him while pur- The Initiative
suing a romantic relationship with him.[11] In spite of his vows to Abigail though, Eric continues
During a later confrontation with Abigail, she reveals his lewd and irredeemable ways upon joining the Initia-
that she possesses the power to read people’s emotions tive. He appears in Camp Hammond, as an official recruit
telepathically. She promptly then accuses Eric of truly for the Initiative, along with Crusader, Melee, Geldoff,
loving her, through use of her powers to scan Eric’s mind Dragon Lord, Geiger, Red Nine, and Diamondback.[16]
for his true feelings about her. Before he can answer In particular, during his first meeting with the
though, the Hulk attacks Manhattan (See World War Taskmaster, Eric attempts to slander the name of his pre-
Hulk). Eric reluctantly joins the fray by attacking the decessor, Scott Lang by passing off stories of his lewd
Hulk from the inside of his body. However, the Hulk’s stalker behavior regarding Ms Marvel onto Scott, as well
stomach and innards proved to be just as tough and Eric as claiming that Scott Lang was never really an official
ended up being discharged through one of the nostrils. Avenger and that he was simply hiding inside the
He awoke in a S.H.I.E.L.D. infirmary, with Mitch Carson Avengers mansion during his tenure with the team and
standing by his bed, stating that he was under arrest.[12] following the group around as a hanger-on. Unfortunate-
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ant-Man (Eric O’Grady)
ly, Scott’s daughter Cassie overhears Taskmaster and Eric fort to extract him, O’Grady helps Cage to escape, later
laughing at Eric’s lies and attacks by growing to giant size leaving his body while he is eating.[28]
and attempts to step on the human-sized Eric. Using his O’Grady becomes increasingly disgruntled with the
suit to increase his size to fight the giant-sized version of Thunderbolts, and concerned for his future. In order to
Cassie, Eric tricks her into thinking she had stepped on earn some goodwill, he helps Captain America escape
and killed the hero Stingray, in order to knock her down from custody in Captain America: Reborn, asking that he
with a cheap shot. This in turn causes Hank Pym to grow keep this in mind in the future.[29] Later, when sent with
giant-sized and attack Eric, who upon defeating Cassie the rest of the team to infiltrate Asgard and steal Gung-
begins to mock her by yelling "Who’s Your Daddy Now?". nir, he once again faces off with Stature.[30]
However, as their fight begins to attract the attention of After Scourge finds Gungnir, he attempts to take it
people outside the Initiative compound, the Taskmaster to Osborn, but is stopped by Paladin, who has finally had
brings all three of the giants down with his shield.[16] enough of serving a madman. His teammate Grizzly at-
O’Grady is defeated by a clone of MVP, along with tacks Paladin and attempts to kill him for treason but
most of the recruits in his class.[17] He hid under an un- O’Grady shrinks down and enters Grizzly’s ear canal, in-
conscious Geiger and survived mostly unharmed. He hid capacitating him and saving Paladin’s life. As the Mighty
from the rest of the action along with the Taskmaster.[18] Avengers defeat what remains of the Thunderbolts,
Eric is later seen having a counseling session with O’Grady finds Gungnir and gives it to Paladin, who de-
Trauma, who helped him with a repressed "naked Santa" cides to take it to a safe place where Osborn cannot find
memory from his childhood.[19] it. He says goodbye to O’Grady and departs. After the
When the Skrull invasion occurs in New York City, battle, O’Grady decides to re-evaluate the choices he has
the Initiative are ordered to fight. Eric decides to avoid made and to do something good with his life.[31]
this by shrinking down and hiding.[20] He soon discovers,
however, that the Skrulls have taken over Camp Ham- Secret Avengers
mond.[21] He aids the Shadow Initiative in a failed at- O’Grady is later seen to be a member of the Secret
tempt to assassinate Queen Veranke.[22] Escaping by Avengers, using Hank Pym’s classic gear.[32] He was in-
once again shrinking down, Eric discovers the Skrulls’ vited by former Captain America Steve Rogers, who be-
last resort plan: to open a giant Negative Zone portal, lieves that O’Grady can be a better person.[33] He’s posi-
and have the entire United States removed from this di- tioned as the rookie of the team, who is teamed up with
mension. Escaping the Skrulls on the back of one of their War Machine, who believes he’s not worthy of the Ant-
shock troopers, Eric brings the information to some of Man name.[34]
the remaining Initiative members, and they set out to In the arc of the opening four issues, Eric inadver-
stop the plan from happening.[23] tently stumbled upon a group of Shadow Council agents
Following the Invasion’s end, Eric is commended for planning to blow up his team mates with a bomb, but was
his good work, and is promoted to a position in the Thun- able to defeat them by detonating it early.
derbolts.[24]
Ant-Man and Wasp
Thunderbolts The story opens to Eric riding high off his position as a
In their first mission, Ant-Man and the second Russian Secret Avenger, using it as a tool for sexual encounters
Black Widow sneak aboard, Ant-Man hidden in Black Wi- with various women. Black Fox comes to him with info
dow’s cleavage and take control of Air Force One with regarding A.I.M., to hopefully boost Eric’s relationship
Norman Osborn, Doc Samson, and the new President with Ant-Man predecessor, Hank Pym. When Abigail
aboard. He secretly plants a gamma emitter on Doc Sam- comes by, Eric admits his longing for a relationship with
son, causing the doctor to increase in strength and anger, the intention of starting one, only for Abigail to find ev-
which makes him attack the President.[25] idence of him being unfaithful. She quickly leaves com-
However, O’Grady began to regret his actions in the menting he’s improving as a superhero but sucks at being
Thunderbolts but can’t do anything about it, since Os- a human being.
born would have him killed. Paladin advised that he wait O’Grady goes to Pym’s lab, as Hank and Reed Richards
until Osborn inevitably loses his mind and is taken discuss how to save their reality from being overwritten.
down.[26] Ant-Man later secretly witnesses Paladin, Ghost Eric offers to help but is told that it’s above him and to
and Headsman turn against Mister X and Scourge when wait with his info as Pym and Richards work. Eric does
they are ordered to execute Natasha Romanoff and Song- and has a talk with Tigra, who knows about his power
bird, then erase their teammates’ memories.[27] He later abuse to peep on women and warns him not test her.
assists in the capture of Luke Cage by entering his ner- Running into Striker, Finesse and Veil, Eric is able to pull
vous system. However, when his teammates make no ef- the ladies into another room for a private drinking par-
ty, where he passes out and they put shaving cream on
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ant-Man (Eric O’Grady)
his face. After a bizarre break-in, Eric is awaken to find
Striker standing over him, who he blames for the shaving
Reception
cream and starts a fight with him. Striker quickly pow- IGN listed Eric as the 82nd greatest comic book hero of all
ers up and attacks but Tigra saves O’Grady, Pym then fi- time stating that Eric is another hero who faces the chal-
nally explains the situation believing Eric brought in an lenge of living up to a huge legacy but he is truly good at
alien who stole from Pym. It’s revealed Fox used Eric to heart, and he’s made great strides when it comes to doing
create an entrance and exit for a thief to steal an object justice to the venerated Ant-Man name.[38]
from Hank’s lab, Eric takes responsibility and teams up
with Pym to retrieve the stolen object.[35]
References
[1] Steve Ekstrom (June 25, 2007). "Kirkman On the
Powers and abilities End of Ant-Man". Newsarama.
While wearing the Ant-Man armor, O’Grady has the abil- http://forum.newsarama.com/
ity to shrink to the size of an insect while retaining full- showthread.php?t=118154. Retrieved June 15,
sized strength. He also possesses two robotic arms he can 2008.
release from the back of his armor when he is shrunk. [2] Shaun Manning (December 5, 2007). "Marvel’s State
The armor’s main mode of transportation is a jetpack of the Initiative with Dan Slott". Comic Book
that can be detached and used as a weapon by turning Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/
the jet’s flames onto an enemy. He also has the ability to ?page=article&id=12099. Retrieved December 26,
talk to insects while wearing the suit. However, he has 2010.
not quite trained in this ability and is somewhat lacking [3] Kiel Phegley (April 17, 2010). "C2E2: Cup O’ Joe".
in skill. Comic Book Resources.
After joining The Initiative, it was revealed that http://www.comicbookresources.com/
O’Grady’s armor was the prototype G.I. Ant-Man suit that ?page=article&id=25808. Retrieved April 18, 2010.
could also increase O’Grady’s size. During his appearan- [4] "Preview: Ant-Man & The Wasp #1". Comic Book
ces in Avengers: the Initiative, Eric’s helmet seemed to be- Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/
come more of a close-fitting piece of fabric, as it moulded ?page=preview&id=6876. Retrieved December 26,
itself to his facial expressions, and could even be peeled 2010.
upwards to allow him to drink. [5] ^ Robert Kirkman (w), Phil Hester (p), Ande Parks
Following his induction into the Thunderbolts, Eric’s (i), The Irredeemable Ant-Man #1 (October 04, 2006),
suit is redesigned and recolored, to better fit his new Marvel Comics
covert operations position.[25] [6] Robert Kirkman (w), Phil Hester (p), Ande Parks (i),
When he joined the Secret Avengers, his costume was The Irredeemable Ant-Man #2 (November 01, 2006),
redesigned to resemble the original Ant-Man armor.[33] Marvel Comics
It was also fitted with Wasp-like stingers in the gloves.[36] [7] Robert Kirkman (w), Phil Hester (p), Ande Parks (i),
The armour retains the ’cyberlegs’ of the original, not The Irredeemable Ant-Man #5 (February 07, 2007),
visible when retracted.[37] Marvel Comics
In addition to changes to his helmet and armour, [8] Robert Kirkman (w), Phil Hester (p), Ande Parks (i),
Eric’s hairstyle has changed throughout his appearances. The Irredeemable Ant-Man #8 (May 23, 2007), Marvel
In his eponymous series, he sported distinctive mutton Comics
chops, although he appears to have shaved them off by [9] Robert Kirkman (w), Phil Hester (p), Ande Parks (i),
the time he joined the Thunderbolts and Secret The Irredeemable Ant-Man #7 (April 04, 2007), Marvel
Avengers. Despite this, in the mini-series Ant-Man and the Comics
Wasp (set between Thunderbolts and Secret Avengers) [10] Kevin Powers (April 5, 2007). "Irredeemable Ant-
the mutton chops are on his face once again. Man #7 Review". Comics Bulletin.
http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/
117581582534672.htm. Retrieved December 26,
In other media 2010.
[11] Robert Kirkman (w), Phil Hester (p), Ande Parks (i),
Motion Comics The Irredeemable Ant-Man #9 (June 06, 2007), Marvel
• Ant-Man (O’Grady) appears in the Spider-Woman Comics
motion comics voiced by Jeffrey Hedquist. [12] Robert Kirkman (w), Phil Hester (p), Ande Parks (i),
The Irredeemable Ant-Man #10 (July 05, 2007), Marvel
Comics
4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ant-Man (Eric O’Grady)
[13] ^ Robert Kirkman (w), Phil Hester (p), Ande Parks [32] Kiel Phegley (April 17, 2010). "C2E2: Cup O’ Joe".
(i), The Irredeemable Ant-Man #11 (August 01, 2007), Comic Book Resources.
Marvel Comics http://www.comicbookresources.com/
[14] ^ Robert Kirkman (w), Phil Hester (p), Ande Parks ?page=article&id=25808. Retrieved December 26,
(i), The Irredeemable Ant-Man #12 (September 19, 2010.
2007), Marvel Comics [33] ^ Secret Avengers #1
[15] Kevin Powers (September 21, 2007). "Irredeemable [34] Secret Avengers #2
Ant-Man #12 Review". Comics Bulletin. [35] Antman and The Wasp Vol.1 #1
http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/ [36] Secret Avengers #4
119039418574729.htm. Retrieved December 26, [37] Ant-Man & Wasp #2
2010. [38] "Eric O’Grady (Ant Man) is number 82". IGN.
[16] ^ Avengers: The Initiative #8 http://www.ign.com/top/comic-book-heroes/82.
[17] Avengers: The Initiative #9 Retrieved May 9, 2011.
[18] Avengers: The Initiative #10
[19] Avengers: The Initiative #14
[20] Avengers: The Initiative #15
External links
[21] Avengers: The Initiative #16 • Ant-Man (Eric O’Grady) at the Marvel Universe wiki
[22] Avengers: the Initiative #17 • Robert Kirkman Talks Ant-Man (cached),
[23] Avengers: The Initiative #18 Newsarama, March 18, 2006
[24] Avengers: The Initiative #20 • Picnic Time, As Brevoort Talks The Irredeemable Ant-
[25] ^ Thunderbolts #128 Man, Comic Book Resources, March 18, 2006
[26] Thunderbolts #133 • Kirkman Bugs The Marvel Universe In The
[27] Thunderbolts #136 Irredeemable Ant-Man, Comic Book Resources, March
[28] Thunderbolts #137 18, 2006
[29] Captain America: Reborn #4 • Getting Irredeemable with Robert Kirkman and Ant-
[30] Thunderbolts #142 Man, Newsarama, December 12, 2006
[31] Thunderbolts #144
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Categories:
• Characters created by Robert Kirkman
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• Fictional American people of Irish descent
• Fictional characters who can change size
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