The Microscopic Army

History: In 1957, the world-conquering mastermind known as The Yellow Claw utilized Professor Ford's “molecular converter” to miniaturize a team of his assassins to commit acts of espionage against the United States. His schemes were foiled by FBI agent Jimmy Woo, who used a similar device to reduce his own size and battle the Microscopic Army on their own level.

Height: 2 in.
Demonstrated Powers: Other than their reduced size, the Microscopic Army (who numbered five men) demonstrated no unusual powers.

Equipment: The Microscopic Army was equipped with rifles and communication equipment that were also reduced in size.

Comment: The Microscopic Army's appearance predates Henry Pym's first apperance (see The Man In The Ant Hill).

Comment: Speculation - In Fantastic Four # 10, Dr. Doom used a similar “shrinking ray”. In Incredible Hulk # 155, it was revealed that Doom's ray was originally created by Otto Kronsteig, a former Nazi scientist. Since the Yellow Claw was known to associate with Nazi war-criminals, was Professor Ford's “molecular converter” also coupled with Kronsteig's technology?

Comment: Speculation - In a two-panel flashback sequence in Tales of Suspense # 40, a gray-armored Iron Man can be seen battling an un-named scientist who had a “shrinking ray”. Could this scientist (see Dr. Shrinker) perhaps be Professor Ford (who was only mentioned in the Yellow Claw story, but not actually seen)?

In Tales To Astonish#64(2/65)-65(3/65)the Leader used his Shrinking ray on a Horde of Humanoids an dropped them on Astra Island to steal Banner's Absorbatron.In Incredible Hulk#200(6/76) Doc Samson used Henry Pym's Micron-Cannon to shrink the Hulk to microscopic size and fire him into Glenn Talbot's brain (the Hulk was wearing an experimental Encephalo-Helmet enabling Banner to retain control of the Hulk's body).The story should have been called “The Hulk In The Brain-Box(Skull)” as a nod and a wink to “The Man In The Ant-Hill”.Captain Marvel(Mar-Vell) also used the Micron-Cannon on the Hulk in Incredible Hulk#246(4/80).

Captain America met King Teeny and The Teeny-Weeny People in Captain America Comics#69(11/48)—the cover looks like a scene from Gulliver's Travels (if I remembered it right)—Lilliputians tying Gulliver to the ground.

The Sub-Mariner fought a normal sized “Venusian” named Queen Jarna who led the Lavarites(who were tiny in size for some reason)[Marvel Mystery Comics#25(11/41)-26(12/41)].I wonder if she used a Shrinking Gas or Ray on them?

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