SHIELD [Nick Fury and His Agents of SHIELD] #1

(February 1973)

When the Unliving Strike! (Table of Contents: 1)

Nick Fury / comic story / 11 pages (report information)

Script

Stan Lee (credited); Jack Kirby (credited) (co-plot)

Pencils

Jack Kirby (credited) (layouts); Don Heck (credited)

Inks

Mike Esposito (credited as Mickey Demeo)

Colors

?

Letters

Sam Rosen (credited)

Editing

Stan Lee (credited) (original Editor)

Genre

spy; superhero

Characters

Nick Fury; Jasper Sitwell; Dum Dum Dugan; Count Bornag Royale (Ambassador for A.I.M. / Advanced Idea Mechanics); "THEM"

Synopsis

Aboard the Heli-Carrier Count Royale, a representative of A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics) a society of the world's greatest intellects, is offended by SHIELD's security measures. Fury uses a sonic vibrator to blast into an underwater base but is trapped between electric energy waves. A stalemate occurs when Fury reveals he has fission bombs that would blow up the base. A group of androids escape and trample AIM's hordes. Royale tells SHIELD's directors he cannot offer AIM's services and technology under their current leader. Defeating the androids Fury suspects A.I.M behind the operation.

Reprints

• from Strange Tales (Marvel, 1951 series) #146 (July 1966) [minus 1 page]

Indexer Notes

Part 2 of 5. Story continues from TALES OF SUSPENSE #78 (June 1966), and presumably the flashback in STRANGE TALES #160-161 (Sept-Oct 1967) which was "too secret" for anyone to talk about. The android-growing tanks appear to pay tribute to THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD (1951). 1st published appearance of Count Royale; based on the dialogue the story takes place after his appearance in this month's TALES OF SUSPENSE #79 (July 1966) since his motivations in this story are questionable (his guilt is confirmed in the Captain America episode). Stark's problems with the Senate in TALES OF SUSPENSE #72-84 (December 1965-December 1966) are mentioned; his plant is forcibly shut down in SUSPENSE #78 (June 1966) presumably allowing A.I.M. to offer their technology to SHIELD.

Awsome Announcements for You to Conjure with, Ponder Over — and Yawn at! (Table of Contents: 2) (Expand) /

Bullpen Bulletins / in-house column / 1 page (report information)

[The Enemy Within!] (Table of Contents: 3)

Nick Fury / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

Stan Lee (credited); Jack Kirby (credited) (co-plot)

Pencils

Jack Kirby (credited) (layouts); Don Heck (credited)

Inks

Dick Ayers (credited)

Colors

?

Letters

Sam Rosen (credited)

Editing

Stan Lee (credited)

Genre

spy; superhero

Characters

Nick Fury; Jasper Sitwell; Dum Dum Dugan; Count Bornag Royale (A.I.M.); A.I.M. (division of "THEM"); "Clipper Charlie" (barber); Slim; manicure girl

Synopsis

Returning from their latest mission, Fury catches hell from the military brass. Count Royale continues bad-mouthing Fury to SHIELD's board of directors. A general explains to Fury how A.I.M. has technology they desperately need, but refuse to do business as long as Fury's in charge. This confirms Fury's earlier suspicions that A.I.M. is not legit. Royale has returned to an A.I.M. observation post and watches as a squad invades the SHIELD barber shop. Fury, Dum Dum & Jasper save the day. Royale, meanwhile, feels Fury's rash actions have put the last nail in his coffin.

Reprints

• from Strange Tales (Marvel, 1951 series) #147 (August 1966) [minus 1 page; minus 2 pages]

Indexer Notes

Part 3 of 5. Ayers inks per Nick Caputo, via the GCD Error List (24 July 2005). Mike Esposito (as Mickey Demeo) is incorrectly listed in the credits. Henry Kujawa confirms (7 August 2007).

Story is edited, cutting out splash page with title to form one continuous story.