Strange Tales #135 "The Man For The Job" Writer: Stan Lee Penciler: Jack Kirby Inker: Dick Ayers Letterer: Artie Semek C.I.A. agent Nick Fury is fitted for a Life Model Decoy (L.M.D.) and then escorted by an agent of a mysterious secret agency as assassins come gunning after Fury. After surviving an attack by a jet aircraft in an amazingly souped-up car, Fury first learns of HYDRA and S.H.I.E.L.D.. Brought to the helicarrier, Fury's interview, led by Tony Stark, is interrupted as he foils a plan to blow a bomb inside the carrier. All agree that Fury is the man for the job. Meanwhile the Imperial HYDRA reveals its first female member, Agent H, Laura Brown.

• Continuity Notes
• Cover appearance
• Nick Fury's first appearance with his now trademark eye patch
• First appearance of Laura Brown, here known as Agent H.
• Reprinted in
  • Sgt. Fury Annual #2
  • Marvel Comics: Sons of Origins
  • Marvel Comics Fantastic Firsts
  • Marvel Masterworks: Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Volume 1
  • Marvel Firsts: The 1960s
  • S.H.I.E.L.D.: The Complete Collection Omnibus
  • S.H.I.E.L.D. by Lee & Kirby: The Complete Collection
• Readapted in Nick Fury: Agent of SHIELD #4 and summarized in The Marvel Saga #18

Review
Wow! Despite being remade and redrawn and retouched countless times, the original is still the best. Although Roy Thomas improved on the dialogue in the later NF:AOS #4, the art by King Kirby is incomparable, especially the downright eeriness of the HYDRA hordes gathering around for the blood sport. Some classic styling and moves are laid down, especially the multiple hands behind Laura Brown and Fury throwing the chair out the porthole which is about as 3D as 60's comic can get. The helicarrier is simply phenomenal and the imagination of it leaps off the page. Maybe I'm biased, but I can't think of a faster paced and more exciting debut story for a Marvel hero.

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