I often start with a synopsis of the story, but this issue—the first to feature Nick Fury outside of the World War II setting (though not his first appearance)—feels like it deserves a bit of reflection on the journey to this point. I touched on some of this in a recent Avengers review, but it’s worth expanding on here.

From Sgt. Fury to S.H.E.I.L.D

(Note: This is based only on stories published up until this issue and does not consider anything that comes after. This helps us see how Fury fits into the setting as it develops, allowing later changes to occur naturally as the years progress and the sliding timescale demands adjustments—or as creators decide to retcon key details.)

Nick Fury has been starring in Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos, a series set during World War II. Perhaps the most significant recent development in that title was the death of his girlfriend, Pamela Hawley, a loss that’s still affecting him two issues later.

Within these war stories, he’s crossed paths with a few familiar faces from other Marvel titles. Most notably, Reed Richards appears in Sgt. Fury #3, helping Fury and the Howlers on a mission.

That set the stage for Nick Fury’s first modern-era appearance in Fantastic Four #21, where he’s now a CIA intelligence agent, aiding the FF in their battle against the Hate-Monger.

After that, modern-day Fury vanishes from Marvel’s pages until Avengers #15, when Captain America is shown writing a letter to his old war buddy, hoping for a job in counter-espionage. This thread is picked up again in Avengers #18, where Cap continues contemplating working with Fury—complete with a thought-panel showing Nick sporting his now-iconic eyepatch.

While Fantastic Four #21 unintentionally set the foundation for Fury’s modern-day role, I suspect the buildup in Avengers was a deliberate effort to stir enthusiasm for what Stan Lee and Marvel already had in the works—Nick Fury’s transition from World War II soldier to 1960s super-spy.

Originality & Continuity

The secret agent genre was surging in popularity during the early 1960s, with James Bond leading the way. By 1965, even TV had gotten in on the act, with The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and the parody series Get Smart debuting that same year. Marvel was clearly tapping into the trend with the introduction of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Here, we get not only S.H.I.E.L.D. but also its sinister counterpart, Hydra—an organization designed as the perfect foil to Fury’s new outfit. While S.H.I.E.L.D.’s origins and structure remain vague in this issue (Fury himself has never heard of it before being recruited), we do learn that at least one Marvel hero is in the know:

Tony Stark: S.H.I.E.L.D insider

Fury himself says it—it makes sense that Tony Stark is aware of S.H.I.E.L.D. and actively working with them. As a top weapons manufacturer, it’s only natural that Stark would be involved in developing their advanced technology. And right away, we see some of that tech on display—highly classified, cutting-edge, and tailor-made for comic-book spectacle.

Characters & Development

LMD , Flying Cars and the Helicarrier

This issue wastes no time throwing us deep into the rabbit hole of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s technological wonders. We’re immediately introduced to the concept of Life Model Decoys (LMDs), with five fake Nick Furys taking the heat for an assassination attempt as the real one is brought in for recruitment.

Then, we get a car that’s not just fireproof but flying. And finally, the grand reveal—the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, its sheer scale cementing the larger-than-life nature of the organization. Each escalation builds on the last, culminating in a finale that leaves no doubt about the promise of what’s to come.

Everything else:

From Hydra’s first moves to Tony Stark’s involvement, this issue is packed with significant moments. Few debut issues hit the ground running quite like this one, and it’s hard to imagine any reader walking away without excitement for what’s next.

Story & Art

Jack Kirby’s creativity is what makes this story leap off the page. His designs don’t just support the script—they elevate it, turning what could have been a solid introduction into something spectacular.

That said, one small detail did make me pause: How does Hydra already know to target Nick Fury? They’re gunning for him before he’s even recruited, yet they somehow don’t take him out before the LMDs are deployed. It’s a minor plot hole, and one that could easily be explained in future issues—but it’s the only slight crack in an otherwise airtight debut.

Strange Tales #135 is nothing short of a game-changer. The blend of espionage and sci-fi action, the introduction of S.H.I.E.L.D., and the sheer energy of the storytelling make it a landmark issue. If you were reading this in 1965, you’d be hooked—and honestly, even today, it still holds up.