Featuring: Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos
Release: February 11, 1965
Cover: April 1965
12 cents
Story: Ex-Sgt. Stan Lee, U.S.A.
Art: Ex-Corp. Dick Ayers, U.S.A.F.
Inking: Ex-Sgt. Vince Colletta, U.S.A.F
Lettering: Artie Simek, civilian tax-payer
20 pages
| Previous | #322 | Next |
|---|---|---|
| Prelude | Captain America Comics #1, Story D | |
| Sgt. Fury #16 | Reading order | Tales of Suspense #65 |
| Sgt. Fury #16 | Sgt. Fury | Sgt. Fury #18 |
Since Roussos left, this title is having trouble finding a consistent inker for Ayers. We had Giacoia last issue and Ditko the issue before. This issue, Vince Colletta finds time between issues of Thor to lend his inks. Colletta had been a sergeant in the Air Force, so he fits the credits scheme of noting the military service of this series’ contributors.
We pick up where last issue left off, with the Commandos still in the Sahara desert. They are ready to return home, but are instead given a new assignment.
They have a Nazi prisoner for some company and comic relief. Nothing funnier than Nazis.
They leave the desert to head into the jungle, and find an American unit captured by a native African tribe.
Reb finds himself caught in quicksand, something I always thought would be a much bigger problem growing up than it turned out to be.
The plans unfortunately involve Gabe posing as a witch doctor to fool the natives.
The Howlers make it home for Nick to see his girlfriend Pam and mascot Hans.
The “next issue” blurb warns us that tragedy will strike next issue, and that somebody will die. But who? The Howlers already lost Junior Juniper, so we know people can die in this series.
We’ve reached February 1965. Let’s take a quick peek at the newsstand, to see some of what those whacky other publishers are up to. DC put out a monochrome cover at the same time as this Sgt. Fury issue.
- Archie #153 (Archie)
- Fightin’ Marines #63 (Charlton)
- Brave and the Bold #59 (DC)
- Girls’ Romances #108 (DC)
- F.B.I. #1 (Dell)
- Mickey Mouse #100 (Gold Key)
- Man from U.N.C.L.E. #1 (Gold Key)
- Little Audrey and Melvin #18 (Harvey)
Rating: ★★½, 45/100
Significance: ★★★☆☆
You can find the story in Sgt. Fury Epic Collection vol. 1: The Howling Commandos. Or on Kindle.
Characters:
- Sgt. Nick Fury
- Dum-Dum Dugan
- Rebel Ralston
- Izzy Cohen
- Dino Manelli
- Percy “Perce” Pinkerton
- Gabe Jones
- Happy Sam Sawyer
- M’Gumbii
- Captain Brand Norman
- Mascot Rooten
- Pam Hawley
Story notes:
- Still in the Sahara from last issue, attacked on camelback by Nazi planes.
- Howlers take Nazi pilot prisoner.
- Howlers make radio contact with base and learn an American unit is lost in the jungle not far away; agree to rescue.
- Howlers battle African natives; evidence they captured the patrol.
- Nazi escapes only to be killed by a leopard.
- Nazis teamed with Natives.
- Gabe poses as witch doctor.
- Howlers convince natives to turn against Nazis.
- General presents Howlers with medals– “oak leaf clusters”.
| Previous | #322 | Next |
|---|---|---|
| Prelude | Captain America Comics #1, Story D | |
| Sgt. Fury #16 | Reading order | Tales of Suspense #65 |
| Sgt. Fury #16 | Sgt. Fury | Sgt. Fury #18 |
