Jason Shayer (Back Issue #56) : « As the new regular writer, Stern didn’t waste time getting settled in. He took on the Henry « Hank » Pym subplot, which had been dangling since Jim Shooter’s tenure as writer, and had him face the public charges of kidnapping, theft of government property, and treason. Stern cleverly used a psychiatrist, trying to determine Pym’s mental fitness to stand trial, to flashback through Hank’s past. Pym recounted his early history as a scientist, his relationship with the Wasp, his career as an Avenger, and his fall from grace. His narrative was compelling and moving and wove together 20 years of convoluted history written by several writers, each with their own take on the character. »
"Avengers #230 (april. 1983) wrapped up the Hank Pym storyline and delivered an emotionally satisfying finale to his trial. Pym not only triumphed over the Masters of Evil singlehandedly, defeated his old nemesis Egghead (the first villain he faced back in Tales to Astonish #38, Dec. 1962), but also restored his faith in himself and the faith of his former teammates in him.
Stern could have neatly tied a bow around his story and had Pym rejoin the Avengers, but he didn’t. Instead, Pym took responsibility for his actions, which included undergoing a mento-scan to confirm there was no outside influence affecting him, after which Pym admitted : « It would have changed a lot of things if there had been, wouldn’t it ? But no, I made my own mistakes… and I have to live with them. »
Pym bid farewell to the Avengers and to his life as a superhero. It was an emotional departure for both Pym and the Wasp. the Wasp was strong and confident as the Avengers chairwoman through the prcoceedings, but watching Pym leave broke her heart and she finally gave in to an overwhelming flood of emotions. Bu that emotional ordeal was the catharsis that she needed to move toward standing on her own."
« A few years later, Pym would rejoin the Avengers, but this time as a member of the West Coast Avengers. Writer Steve Englehart embraced the story foundation put down by Stern and made Pym one of the more interesting members of that team. »
