"Pym Particles" are a group of subatomic particles discovered by Henry Pym. A breakthrough in the Marvel Universe, the particles could alter the size and mass of objects and even living things, bypassing the laws of physics. In addition, this quixotic substance can greatly enhance a person's physical capabilities, stamina, and endurance.

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Unfortunately, extended exposure to Pym Particles has resulted in a few significant side effects. Since their discovery, there has been a catalog of heroes (& villains) that have used Pym Particles to further their own goals. But with so many users of the Particles, it's good to keep in mind who has managed to use them to their full potential.

Updated on February 10th, 2023 by Ajay Aravind: With Quantumania just around the corner, the hype around Ant-Man has already reached fever pitch. Regardless of how the movie performs, however, this beloved superhero will remain as popular as ever. As such, we've updated this list with more information about the mysterious Pym Particles that give both Ant-Man and the Wasp their respective powers.

10 Hank Pym Has Since Been Named The Earth's Scientist Supreme

Codename: Giant-Man

Offenders Assemble Hank Pym

Although the character has a very battered and infamous reputation, the Marvel Universe would be a lot less magical without Hank Pym's discovery of the eponymous particles. Pym was a polymath, having mastered scientific fields as diverse as robotics, biochemistry, engineering, physics, and entomology.

Pym learned how to control the particles decades ago, using them to re-invent himself as Giant-Man, Ant-Man, and Yellowjacket. He even temporarily assumed the mantle of the Wasp as an homage to his ex-wife. Pym's dominion over the particles has earned him the title of Earth's Scientist Supreme.

9 Janet Van Dyne Defended The World As The Iconic Wasp

Codename: Wasp

Janet Van Dyne flying in front of comic panels by Marvel Comics

Gaining access to the Pym Particles through her relationship with Hank Pym, Janet Van Dyne is widely seen as an expert on the particles. Van Dyne has been a long-time member of the Avengers, defending the world as the iconic Wasp. She usually shrinks her body down, but can also increase her stature when necessary.

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Due to prolonged exposure to the Pym Particles, Janet is one of the few people who can change their size at will. Along with her synthetic wings, wasp-stinger technology, and years of combat experience, the Wasp is easily one of the strongest users of Pym Particles.

8 Scott Lang Steals The Ant-Man Suit To Save his Daughter Cassie

Codename: Ant-Man

Scott Lang Ant-Man Avengers

An electronics engineer-turned-burglar, Scott Lang was forced to steal the Ant-Man suit from Hank Pym in order to help save his daughter Cassie from a serious heart condition. After returning the suit and preparing to turn himself in, Hank Pym allowed him to keep the technology, making Scott Lang the new Ant-Man.

After the Scarlet Witch's mental breakdown brutally ends his stint with the Avengers, Lang was resurrected and later returned to crime fighting. With an incredibly sharp mind that has allowed him to work for Stark Industries and the Future Foundation, Lang's drive to help his family by any means necessary makes him one of the noblest users of the Pym Particles.

7 Eric O'Grady Proved Worthy Of His Title By Sacrificing His Life

Codename: Ant-Man

Eric O'Grady as Ant-Man

Eric O'Grady, the third person to assume the Ant-Man mantle after Hank Pym and Scott Lang, is often considered a mixed bag. Described as "the Irredeemable Ant-Man," O'Grady is known for his malleable morals as well as his inappropriate and inconsiderate behavior.

Not only does he steal the Ant-Man suit while working for S.H.I.E.L.D., but O'Grady also exploits the Pym Particles for personal gain. He eventually joined the 50-State Initiative and the Thunderbolts, where his bad behavior was still relatively rampant. He finally proved worthy of the title by sacrificing his life to save an innocent child.

6 Cassandra Lang Is The Youngest Person To Master The Pym Particles

Codename: Stinger

Stature Cassie Lang Pym Particles Young Avengers

Cassandra Lang is famous for being the youngest person to successfully master the Pym Particles. After watching her father use the particles to fight crime with the Avengers, Cassie began exposing herself to Pym Particles at a very young age, allowing her to freely alter her size.

Casse was traumatized by her father's death in the Avengers: Disassembled event. She subsequently decided to use the Pym Particles to carry on her father's legacy, joining the Young Avengers at the age of 15. Cassie used to go by Stature, but currently operates under the codename Stinger.

5 Bill Foster Used To Be One Of The Most Famous Faces On The Avengers

Codename: Goliath

Bill Foster as Goliath facing the Thor clone Ragnarok moment's before the giant hero's death in Civil War

In his prime, Dr. Bill Foster was one of the most famous faces on the Avengers. With a biochemistry Ph.D., Foster was a lab assistant to Hank Pym. He perfectly replicated the Pym Particles in a sheepish attempt to win back his ex-wife, but inevitably failed in his endeavor. Hank Pym then encourages Foster to fight crime, transforming him into Goliath.

Despite a tragic death during the superhuman Civil War, Goliath was beloved in the Avengers community. His strength bestowed to him through the Pym Particles was formidable, but it was his intellect that made him such an asset. With his scientific expertise, he frequently assisted other heroes with cellular issues, including the Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man.

4 Clint Barton Transforms Himself Into The Avengers' Second Goliath

Codename: Hawkeye

Clint Barton Hawkeye Goliath Avengers

Movie-only fans may be surprised to see the famous archer from the Avengers mentioned along with other Pym Particle users. However, comic fans remember when Clint Barton abandoned his role as Hawkeye to become the Avengers' second Goliath. This superhero compensates for his lack of scientific knowledge with a hefty dose of bravery.

In order to rejoin the fight and help his fellow Avengers after breaking his bow in Avengers #63, Barton adopted a new costume and used the Pym Particles for a short period of time, This event occurred shortly following Hank Pym's departure. Barton's bold use of the particles made him a juggernaut for the Avengers.

3 Erik Josten Was Once Goliath Before Eventually Joining The Thunderbolts

Codename: Atlas

Erik Josten as Atlas

Once a member of the US Army, Erik Josten turned to a life of smuggling that put him in touch with Baron Zemo. Zemo zapped Josten with an ionic ray that gave him unique abilities. When those powers started to fade, Josten sought out Dr. Karl Malus, who exposed Josten to an extract of the Pym Particles growth formula. Josten became known as Goliath before eventually joining the Thunderbolts with the codename Atlas.

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Atlas' power arsenal was highly enhanced by the combination of the Pym Particles and his ionic background. As a long-time foe of the Avengers, he's gone up against some of the Avengers' heaviest hitters. That said, Atlas is vulnerable against opponents who can control ionic energy, such as Wonder Man and Count Nefaria.

2 Darren Cross Was A Short-Term Threat To Scott And Cassie Long In The Comics

Codename: Yellowjacket

Yellowjacket Darren Cross Pym Particles

Originally introduced in the late 1970s, Darren Cross was a millionaire with a rare degenerative heart condition. Fearing his heart would give out at any moment, Cross was kept in a cryogenic state until 2016, when his son Augustine replaced his father's heart with that of Cassie Lang. Since Cassie's heart had been saturated in Pym Particles for a year, this granted Darren Cross power over the Pym Particles, making him the villainous Yellowjacket.

More commonly known for his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Cross was a short-term threat to both Scott and Cassie Lang in the comics. His plan to transplant Cassie's heart into his own body gave him a large power set, including enhanced senses, a regenerative healing factor, and size alteration.

1 Nadia Van Dyne Has Established Herself As A Highly Capable Warrior

Codename: Wasp

Nadia Pym Wasp Pym Particles

The long-lost child of Hank Pym and his first wife, Maria Trovaya, Nadia Van Dyne was raised in the Red Room by foreign agents. After learning about her lineage, Nadia combined her natural aptitude for genetics and the Pym Particles to shrink herself down and escape the Red Room. She consequently became the Wasp upon learning of her father's sacrifice against Ultron.

As a member of the All-New Avengers, the Wasp established herself as a very capable warrior. Though she has the power to enlarge herself, Nadia typically prefers to use the Pym Particles to shrink herself down. At one point, she can even access the subatomic dimension known as the Microverse.

NEXT: 10 MCU Characters Who Could Be The Next Ant-Man