Sgt. Fury And His Howling Commandos Annual #1

Writer: Stan Lee
Art: Dick Ayers
Colorist: Frankie Ray
Letterer: Artie Simek

Following the first skirmishes along the 38th Parallel, the former Howling Commandos reenlist and join Nick Fury and Colonel "Happy" Sam Sawyer for a covert mission behind enemy lines. The target is the main MIG airbase. The commandos land ashore and battle their way to the base, after which Sawyer slaps Fury with a long-deserving commission to Colonel.
  • Continuity Notes
  • First post-WWII story to feature the Howling Commandos.
  • Establishes that Fury did not earn a promotion in rank until after WWII
  • Appearance by Skipper Savage and Happy Sam Sawyer
  • Includes a reprint of Sgt. Fury & his Howling Commandos #4.
  • Includes an image gallery of Howlers, allies, enemies, and Fury's base in England.

Review
Like the Skipper says, it's home week in Korea with the Howlers suddenly back together again (being this is the first annual, it pretty much kills any suspense as to whether any Howlers bite it before the war) and on a "special mission". Not much is made of the setting in Korea, the story and action could easily have been swapped for any other WWII story. The main thrust of the story is Fury getting his battlefield commision at story's end. The Vietnam issue to be honest makes for a better read.

Rating