Sgt. Fury #7

Featuring: Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos
Release: March 3, 1964
Cover: May 1964
12 cents
Powerfully written by: Ex-Sergeant Stan Lee
Brilliantly drawn by: Ex-Infantryman Jack Kirby
Inked by: Geo. Bell
Lettered by: Art Simek
22 pages

We’re losing track of time a little because we’ve already read four comics from March and even one from April, but we are now actually finished with February and officially starting our March reading with this issue. So let’s take a moment to see what else is going on in the comics world in March 1964.

Our reading began in 1961 with Fantastic Four #1. We haven’t been covering every Marvel title; we’ve skipped all the western and humor comics that predate FF#1. We’ve been reading parts of all the horror titles as they have slowly transitioned to being superhero titles. We’ve read every new series Marvel has put out since, all superhero comics except for this title, Sgt. Fury. A new Marvel title premieres this month, the first new title that will be outside our scope: Monsters to Laugh With. It’s a comic I’ve never read and don’t have easy access to. The comic uses actual stills from monster movies and adds humorous word balloons to them, for some definition of “humorous”. Taint the Meat has a good description of the series.

This month also sees a significant comic show up at the Distinguished Competition. Detective Comics #327 debuts the “new look” Batman with the now-famous yellow oval around the logo and a new style of storytelling to go with it. Upping their game a bit, perhaps to compete with Marvel.

• 

• 

• 

But this is also a significant issue in the history of Sgt. Fury. As Jack Kirby bids the series goodbye. Now that he’s the regular artist on Thor, it makes sense that something had to give. But it’s too bad it’s this. I think this series has so far been Lee and Kirby’s best work, and Kirby seemed to have a real passion and enthusiasm for these characters and stories. I am sad to see him go.

The story hinges upon a plot contrivance of temporary amnesia, but if we allow it that conceit, we actually get something quite good here: a courtroom drama that gives us insights into Fury’s character and his past.

Fury finds himself on a mission under the orders of Lieutenant Parker. Parker and Fury were childhood acquaintances who did not particularly get along. It’s not clear if Spencer Parker is any relation to Peter Parker. It’s a common enough name.

On the mission, Fury disobeys a direct order and assaults his superior officer. Parker alleges their past enmity is behind Fury’s actions. A concussive blast messed with Fury’s memory and he can’t remember his actions, let alone explain them.

Colonel Ballinger presents Nick’s defense. But without an explanation for his actions, all he can present are testimonials to Nick’s character. That won’t be enough to save his client’s life.

Pam Hawley and her father both take the stand to speak to Nick’s character. He describes Nick as a good friend to his daughter. I’m not certain he’s paying close attention to the precise nature of their relationship.

Even Parker, who has long hated Nick and is the man responsible for his court martial, is forced to admit he wishes he could be half the man Nick Fury was.

Over the course of the story, we see some scenes from Nick’s raucous youth.

The most moving testimony comes from Chaplain Hargrove, who had been Nick’s childhood pastor, when Nick was a young orphan. Nick and his younger brother had been friends, and he credits Nick with turning his brother around, setting him on a better path in life than he’d been headed. Hargrove’s brother was killed at Pearl Harbor, and this was Nick’s primary motivation for enlisting.

A humorous interlude to the proceedings comes when the Howlers learn Sergeant Bull McGiveney, Fury’s rival on base, has been bad-mouthing the boss. This leaves everybody concerned unable to testify.

I’m glad Jack was able to give us this glimpse into who Nick Fury was before departing. I wish he were able to stick around.

Rating: ★★★½, 63/100
Significance: ★★★★☆

I read this story in  Sgt. Fury Epic Collection vol. 1: The Howling Commandos. You can also find the story in Marvel Masterworks: Sgt. Fury vol. 1. Or on Kindle.

Characters:

• Sgt. Fury
• Gabe Jones
• Dino Manelli
• Izzy Cohen
• Rebel Ralston
• Dum-Dum Dugan
• Lieutenant Spencer “Skinny” Parker
• Captain Sam Sawyer
• Colonel Ballinger
• Colonel Warren
• Cookie
• Sergeant Bull McGiveney
• Captain Grover
• Chaplain Lewis Hargrove
• Hargrove’s younger brother
• Lord Hawley
• Pamela Hawley
• Corporal Otto Shmidt

Story notes:

• Commandos in occupied France, looking for a B-25 which will fly them back to England.
• Commandos had captured a doodle-bug, a Nazi mine.
• Commandos to meet with FFI: Free French Forces of the Interior
• Sgt. Fury went to school with Skinny Parker.
• Fury countermands Parker’s orders and punches him, then is knocked out by a concussion grenade; Fury under military arrest for striking superior officer and refusing direct order under fire.
• Colonel Ballinger with Judge Advocate Dept. in London.
• Counsels unable to call McGiveney or the Howlers as they are in the infirmary or hospital.
• Luftwaffe Squadron attacks the base during trial.
• Nick Fury orphaned as a child.
• Nazi prisoner Otto Shmidt able to testify on Fury’s behalf.

#191 story in reading order
Next: Amazing Spider-Man #13
Previous: Strange Tales #120, Story B