The first instance of Hank using a physical mask is in Amazing Adventures #12 (1972). This is right after his second mutation. He also creates an entire body brace for himself because his new furry form is in an “animal crouch”. We can see, from issue 12 below, that it’s not an easy system to get into. Anyone who has worn a latex Halloween mask and/or gloves for any length of time will know that it wouldn’t be comfortable to wear them for an entire work shift, day after d

By the time Hank was in elementary school, the principal pulled his parents aside because Hank was starting to get into trouble, taking things apart to understand them. He was the smartest kid in the school and they ended up putting him in an accelerated program. It might seem a little odd to bring up Hank's parents, but there is an important dynamic between Hank and his parents the affects his personality and his life. Norton McCoy had been working at a nuclear power plant i