Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne were once rivals, young agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Karl Sofen (Later banker and white-faced godfather) came and made a proposal: On the Fourth of July, Hank and Janet would fly from the John Hancock Center to the Sears Tower in a competition. The winner would fly a small American flag from the top of the building and shout "God Bless America." Later, on July 4, 1978, the race between Hank and Janet begins above Chicago skyline, starting the legend of heroes.