Featuring: Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos
Release: June 9, 1964
Cover: August 1964
12 cents
Sensational story by: Ex-Sgt. Stan Lee!
Awe-inspiring art by: Ex-Corp. Dick Ayers!
Inked by: Geo. Bell
Lettered by: S. Rosen
22 pages
Nick Fury is always on his best behavior when on a date with Pam. Unfortunately, their lovely evening is brought to a halt when Fury’s Howlers splash mud on him. He starts to lose his temper, only to be scolded by Pam, who is more impressed by Percy’s gentlemanliness. Fury then gets a scolding from the Captain for the muddy uniform. This remains the funniest title.
The Howlers’ mission is to sneak into Berlin and capture Hitler. Seems easy enough until Fury is recognized by Baron Strucker.
This is the second appearance of Baron Strucker. He’ll go on to be a major villain, and seemed like a tough foe in his previous appearance. But here he comes off as a pretty sniveling weakling. Faced with two Howlers, he easily gives up and agrees to help with their plot in exchange for his life. They’re in Berlin. He’s surrounded by German soldiers, but afraid of two Americans in disguise.
The Commandos are helped at every step by a member of the German Underground. They never learn his name, but he sacrifices his life to cover their escape.
This mission is a partial success. The Howlers at least capture somebody who looks like Hitler. It turns out Hitler rarely goes out in public, and has many doubles he sends in his stead. In Fantastic Four #21, we even learned that Hitler had clones of himself.
Rating: ★★★☆☆, 55/100
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:
- Rebel Ralston
- Percy Pinkerton
- Isadore “Izzy” Cohen
- Dum-Dum Dugan
- Gabe Jones
- Dino Manelli
- Sergeant Nicholas “Nick” Fury
- Adolf Hitler
- Pamela Hawley
- Captain Sawyer
- General Durstine
- Underground soldier
- Baron Strucker
Minor characters:
- Otto (Strucker’s aide)
Story notes:
- Nick and Pamela went to USO dance.
- Pam and Percy meet for the first time.
- Fury requested by Chiefs of Staff.
- Howlers captured by Strucker; only Fury and Cohen escape.
- Percy refers to Izzy as Isidore. This is likely his actual first name.
- Unnamed Underground fighter dies to help Fury escape.
- Fury accidentally kidnapped a Hitler double; Durstine is content that their existence was proven.
#227 story in reading order
Next: Amazing Spider-Man #16
Previous: Tales to Astonish #59, Story B
