From the MCU’s beginnings, Nick Fury has been the glue that binds the shared universe together. Samuel L. Jackson was one of the first actors to join Marvel Studios, and his post-credits cameo in Iron Man set the precedent for every phase thereafter. Here we are 15 years later, and Jackson’s Fury is the protagonist of his very own Disney Plus series.
While it’s great to see the eye-patch aficionado getting a starring role, Secret Invasion isn’t getting rave reviews. It continues Marvel’s run of middling projects with a 65 percent critics’ score and only 75 percent from audiences. Still, it’s a milestone moment for Fury fans, which should inspire a wave of collecting starting here.
SGT. FURY AND HIS HOWLING COMMANDOS #1
Although it’s easy to think of Nick Fury as a 1940s character given his WWII ties, he wasn’t introduced to Marvel’s audience until 1963. Debuting in his own title, this version of Fury preceded S.H.I.E.L.D.
Instead of the James Bond-style secret agent, he was more in line with the John Wayne war movies of the time. No matter which version of Fury is your favorite, there’s no denying the appeal of owning his first appearance.
STRANGE TALES #135
After fighting Nazis in his early days, Fury transitioned into his more famous super spy role. There’s no mentioning him without including S.H.I.E.L.D., and the two were forever connected in 1965’s Strange Tales #135. Here, you have the first appearance of the shadowy government agency that would become one of the most famous fictional organizations in all of comics.
No doubt, S.H.I.E.L.D. and Nick Fury will be forever bound together, whether that is on the page or on the screen, which makes this a worthy key for any collection.
NICK FURY: AGENT OF S.H.I.E.L.D. #1
In today’s era of comic book collecting, it has been automatic for buyers to chase down those early solo adventures for their favorite characters. While Fury had been starring in self-titled comics since his debut, Jim Steranko’s simply magical work on Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. stands as the most iconic.
His artwork has a distinct ‘60s psychedelic aesthetic, and Steranko took Fury into full secret agent/007 territory in this title. Even without the added attention thanks to Secret Invasion, Steranko’s run is worth collecting simply for the stellar art.
THE ULTIMATES #2
When Fury originally appeared in the Ultimate Universe, he was basically depicted the same as his Marvel-616 counterpart. By The Ultimates #2 (and apparently Marvel Studios' negotiations with the megastar), the character was reimagined with Samuel L. Jackson’s likeness.
That would set the stage for Jackson’s arrival in the MCU, a choice that has been paying dividends for years. Love or hate Secret Invasion, Jackson has been brilliant as the on-screen Nick Fury.
HE’S GOT HIS EYE ON YOU
Secret Invasion may not be wowing audiences as much as Disney might have hoped, and that could mean there won’t be a second season. No matter what happens to the show, Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury is here to stay, and that makes his keys solid investments.
