Adam Graham's Blog: Christians and Superheroes - Posts Tagged "nick-fury"

Marvel Masterworks: Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., Vol. 1 by Stan Lee

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Growing up and watching Marvel cartoons, S.H.I.E.L.D. and Nick Fury we're given a mixed portrayal. While generally, the villains hated them, they also ended up fighting heroes like Spider-man and even the Hulk. This portrayal has gotten more nuanced with the militaristic S.H.I.E.L.D. being viewed with distrust in the wider Marvel Continuity.

However, it wasn't always so. In the 1960s, with James Bond and the Man from U.N.C.L.E. a phenomena, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby launched Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. as a regular half-issue feature in Strange Tales. This book collects the 12-page stories from Issues 135-153 of Strange Tales plus a crossover with Captain America in Tales of Suspense #78 and Fury's first post-World War II story which appeared in Fantastic Four #21 and had Fury as a CIA Agent.

The stories are great, the villains are superb classic 1960s bad guys on an epic scale. The supporting cast is strong as well with Fury supported by fellow World War II Commandos Dum Dum and Gabriel Jones, as well as conscientious rookie Jasper Sitwell, who also brings a bit of comic relief.

However, the star is the big feature and it's Nick Fury. The silver age incarnation of this tough as nails World War II commando turned super spy could only have been effectively played by John Wayne. Fury is wise-cracking, ornery, and courageous with a firm and steady admiration between him and his men. Fury is the type of hero they just don't make any more. Truly, a great character in all of his quirks such as his cigars and his tendency to appear shirtless (some times without any explanation.) This was a blast and I can't wait to read Volume 2.



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Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. by Jim Steranko

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This volume collects Jim Steranko's runs on Nick Fury's Strange Tale's stories. The book begins with Strange Tales #150 and #151 Steranko began to transition into becoming the series artist and eventually writer through Issue #168

The book focuses on two seperate baddies. The first half focuses on Fury's battle with the Supreme Hydra. And then it's on to battling the Yellow Claw, a character introduced in the mid-1950s when Marvel was known as Atlas. (Though this occurs with a twist.) Then we wrap up with an issue that foreshadows the Scorpio line that would feature in four of the five first issues of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s own comic book.

What you get in these 19 Nick Fury stories are standard action spy adventure stuff from the 1960s with nearly every issue ending with Fury in a deathtrap or facing some weird strangeness. At this point, the only difference between Fury and the superheroes of the Avengers is that Fury had government sanction, and no superhero costume. In fact, one of the book's guest stars is Captain America and Fury fights him to a standstill in an exhibition.

There are also guest appearance by Mr. Fantastic, the Thing, and Dr. Doom.

I will admit that some of the hype around the book set me up for a bit of a disappointment. Despite all the talk about Steranko's art, throughout most of the book, it wasn't all that exciting, until the last three issues which also included an eye-popping four page pullout.

Overall, some good stories for fans of Nick Fury who remain true to the the motto, "Don't yield, back S.H.I.E.L.D."





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Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Who is Scorpio? by Jim Steranko

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book collects the Jim Steranko written and drawn stories from the first Nick Fury series in Issues 1-3 and 5.

While it may look like this is a Scorpio themed book, Scorpio only appears in the first and last issues in the book. The other two issues include fighting a megalomaniac of the month and then Nick Fury deal with (of all things) a haunted castle.

The stories are not great. In some ways, this book's stories are a step down from the Nick Fury tales in Strange Tales which were usually 3-4 half issues long to resolve an arch. Here, limited to one issue per story, the plots are weaker. In addition, Fury lacks much of the wise-cracking form that was so endearing in early books. That's not to say they're bad, but they're merely average in terms of story.

This is a book to read for the art and that art moves this book from 3 stars to 4 stars. Each page is a showcase as Steranko tries unusual art motifs, odd coloring, and spectacular full page splashes to tell the stories. The crazy stylized art makes this book worth reading but readers expecting some complex plot involve Scorpio should forget about it. Rather, you get 4 average spy stories with far above average art.




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Sgt. Fury Masterworks Vol. 1 (Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos by Stan Lee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book collects the first 13 issues of Sergeant Fury and His Howling Commandos. This is a silver age Marvel about World War II. The principle creative forces behind it (Writer Stan Lee, and Artists Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers) saw military action of sorts during the War, so there is a bit more realism than the war material they did prior to actually serving. One Howler even loses his life. The Howlers are a fairly diverse bunch representing a lot of outfits in the military during World War II. Issue 6 deals with bigotry and is a really superb Stan Lee comic for that. In addition, there's plenty of educational material on World War II, the weapons used, and some of the campaigns.

However, it's still silver age two-fisted action where the Howlers are ridiculously powerful and the world's best commandos ever. While it's not all Sergeant Fury smashing Nazis and ending up shirtless, this is a book where if that doesn't appeal to you, then you won't enjoy it. They also manage to lock swords with a couple of Captain America rogues and meet up with Cap in Issue 13.

Overall, it's a nice look at the original Nick Fury in wartime and a very fun read that doesn't get too heavy even while acknowledging the unpleasant realities of the era.



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