Nick Fury's Howling Commandos
Encyclopedia
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos was an American comic book
series
published by Marvel Comics
. Running six issues before its cancellation and cover-dated December 2005 to May 2006, the series featured a fictional
team set in the Marvel Universe
, consisting of supernatural
characters employed as a unit of the espionage
agency S.H.I.E.L.D.
.
The title is a play on that of Marvel's World War II
based series Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos
. Although Marvel superspy
hero Nick Fury
is the title character, he only appeared in a cameo
in the first issue.
The group's official name was never established in the series' six issues, but was called the S.H.I.E.L.D. Paranormal Containment Unit in its single other appearance, in Blade
vol. 3, #1 (Nov. 2006). The same issue established its nickname as the Howling Commandos.
for its entire run, the series was launched with penciller
Eduardo Francisco for its first two issues, followed by Dan Norton for issues #3, Derec Aucoin for #4-5 and Mike Norton
for #6.
claiming to be the one true Merlin
(one of many characters in the Marvel Universe
to make this claim) escapes from a S.H.I.E.L.D. containment facility dubbed the Warehouse. He journeys to the United Kingdom
, where he transforms the entire country into a fantasy
realm. The Howling Commandos are charged with stopping him.
The team is headquartered in Area 13, a classified base run by S.H.I.E.L.D. for its supernatural black op
program. It also serves as a research and development
facility, specializing in the supernatural.
, and Gorilla-Man
were pre-existing human characters from Marvel's superhero
and supernatural
comics. Others, such as Goom
, Grogg
and Groot
, were monsters from pre-superhero Marvel science fiction
/fantasy
anthology
comics of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Others were newly created or new versions of existing characters.
The seven primary characters are:
The main antagonists are:
Supporting characters include:
Other characters include:
American comic book
An American comic book is a small magazine originating in the United States and containing a narrative in the form of comics. Since 1975 the dimensions have standardized at 6 5/8" x 10 ¼" , down from 6 ¾" x 10 ¼" in the Silver Age, although larger formats appeared in the past...
series
Ongoing series
The term "ongoing series" is used in contrast to limited series , a one shot , a graphic novel, or a trade paperback...
published by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. Running six issues before its cancellation and cover-dated December 2005 to May 2006, the series featured a fictional
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
team set in the Marvel Universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
, consisting of supernatural
Supernatural
The supernatural or is that which is not subject to the laws of nature, or more figuratively, that which is said to exist above and beyond nature...
characters employed as a unit of the espionage
Espionage
Espionage or spying involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, lest the legitimate holder of the information change plans or take other countermeasures once it...
agency S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage and a secret military law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135 , it often deals with superhuman threats....
.
The title is a play on that of Marvel's World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
based series Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos
Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos
Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos are a fictional World War II unit in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, they first appeared in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #1 . The main character, Sgt...
. Although Marvel superspy
Spy fiction
Spy fiction, literature concerning the forms of espionage, was a sub-genre derived from the novel during the nineteenth century, which then evolved into a discrete genre before the First World War , when governments established modern intelligence agencies in the early twentieth century...
hero Nick Fury
Nick Fury
Colonel Nicholas Joseph "Nick" Fury is a fictional World War II army hero and present-day super-spy in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by artist Jack Kirby and writer Stan Lee, Fury first appeared in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #1 , a World War II combat series that portrayed the...
is the title character, he only appeared in a cameo
Cameo appearance
A cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
in the first issue.
The group's official name was never established in the series' six issues, but was called the S.H.I.E.L.D. Paranormal Containment Unit in its single other appearance, in Blade
Blade (comics)
Blade is a fictional character, a superhero/vampire hunter in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer Marv Wolfman and penciller Gene Colan, his first appearance was in the comic book The Tomb of Dracula #10 as a supporting character.The character went on to alternatively star and co-star...
vol. 3, #1 (Nov. 2006). The same issue established its nickname as the Howling Commandos.
Publication history
Written by Keith GiffenKeith Giffen
Keith Ian Giffen is an American comic book illustrator and writer.-Biography:Giffen was born in Queens, New York City....
for its entire run, the series was launched with penciller
Penciller
A penciller is an artist who works in the creation of comic books, graphic novels, and similar visual art forms.The penciller is the first step in rendering the story in visual form and may require several steps of feedback with the writer. These artists are concerned with layout to showcase...
Eduardo Francisco for its first two issues, followed by Dan Norton for issues #3, Derec Aucoin for #4-5 and Mike Norton
Mike Norton
Mike Norton is an American comic book artist and writer, known for his work on Runaways and Gravity. In February 2007, Norton signed an exclusive contract with DC and has worked on the All New Atom, written by Gail Simone...
for #6.
Plot synopsis
A powerful magicianMagician (fantasy)
A magician, mage, sorcerer, sorceress, wizard, enchanter, enchantress, thaumaturge or a person known under one of many other possible terms is someone who uses or practices magic that derives from supernatural or occult sources...
claiming to be the one true Merlin
Merlin (Marvel Comics)
Merlin is the name of multiple fictional characters in the Marvel Universe.-Fictional character biography:The first Merlin of the Marvel Universe is apparently the figure of Arthurian legend, hailing from 6th century A.D. Britain. He was born in Carmarthen, Wales. He was a powerful sorcerer who...
(one of many characters in the Marvel Universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
to make this claim) escapes from a S.H.I.E.L.D. containment facility dubbed the Warehouse. He journeys to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, where he transforms the entire country into a fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
realm. The Howling Commandos are charged with stopping him.
The team is headquartered in Area 13, a classified base run by S.H.I.E.L.D. for its supernatural black op
Black op
A black operation or black op is a covert operation typically involving activities that are highly clandestine and often outside of standard military protocol or even against the law.-Origins:...
program. It also serves as a research and development
Research and development
The phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
facility, specializing in the supernatural.
Characters
Some of the characters, including Brother VoodooBrother Voodoo
Brother Voodoo is a fictional character, a supernatural superhero in the Marvel Universe. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Gene Colan, he first appears in Strange Tales #169...
, and Gorilla-Man
Gorilla-Man
Gorilla-Man is the name of three fictional characters appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. Ken Hale first appeared in Men's Adventures #26 , while Arthur Nagan first appeared in Mystery Tales #21 , and Franz Radzik first appeared in Tales to Astonish #28 .-Ken Hale:200px|thumb|left|Cover art...
were pre-existing human characters from Marvel's superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
and supernatural
Supernatural
The supernatural or is that which is not subject to the laws of nature, or more figuratively, that which is said to exist above and beyond nature...
comics. Others, such as Goom
Goom
Goom is a fictional character, a comic book extraterrestrial from the Marvel Comics universe who first appeared in Tales of Suspense vol. 1 #15.-Fictional character biography:...
, Grogg
Grogg (comics)
Grogg is a fictional monster character from the Marvel Universe who first appeared in Strange Tales vol. 1 #83.-Fictional character biography:...
and Groot
Groot
Groot is a fictional character, an extraterrestrial in the and member of the Guardians of the Galaxy.-Publication history:Groot first appeared in Tales to Astonish vol...
, were monsters from pre-superhero Marvel science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
/fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
anthology
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
comics of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Others were newly created or new versions of existing characters.
The seven primary characters are:
- Clay QuartermainClay QuartermainClay Quartermain is a fictional character, a secret agent in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer-artist Jim Steranko, he first appeared in Strange Tales #163 Clay Quartermain is a fictional character, a secret agent in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer-artist Jim Steranko, he...
, the commanding officer of Area 13. He takes over in the first issue from Dum Dum DuganDum Dum DuganTimothy Aloysius Cadwallader "Dum Dum" Dugan is a fictional character in the . He is an officer of S.H.I.E.L.D. and is one of the most experienced members of Nick Fury's team, known for his marksmanship with rifles and for his impressive physique...
. - Warwolf (real name Vince Marcus), the field leader. He is a werewolfWerewolfA werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse...
who can transform voluntarily whenever MarsMarsMars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
is in the night sky. - Nina PriceVampire by NightVampire by Night is a fictional character within the Marvel Comics universe who first appeared in Amazing Fantasy Vol. 2, #10. She is the niece to Jack Russell and has the ability to become either a werewolf or vampire between dusk and dawn.-Fictional character biography:Through her mother's...
, a half-vampireVampireVampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person...
and half-werewolf. - N'Kantu, the Living MummyN'Kantu, the Living MummyN'Kantu the Living Mummy is a fictional supernatural hero in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Supernatural Thrillers #5 , created by Steve Gerber and Rich Buckler.-Publication history:...
a previously existing character. N'Kantu is an undead prince of Ancient EgyptAncient EgyptAncient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
. - Frankenstein, an intelligent clone of the original Frankenstein's MonsterFrankenstein's Monster (Marvel Comics)Frankenstein's Monster is a fictional character based on the character in the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. The character has been adapted often in the comic book medium...
. How this process didn't produce different clones of the various individual body parts making up the original monster was briefly mentioned in issue #1. The response was, "Don't go there". - Gorilla-Man, a previously existing character. Kenneth Hale is a man trapped in a gorillaGorillaGorillas are the largest extant species of primates. They are ground-dwelling, predominantly herbivorous apes that inhabit the forests of central Africa. Gorillas are divided into two species and either four or five subspecies...
's body. He is now a member of the Agents of AtlasAgents of AtlasAgents of Atlas is a fictional superhero team in comic books published by Marvel Comics. It is composed of characters originally appearing in unrelated stories published in the 1950s by Marvel's predecessor company, Atlas Comics....
. - John Doe, a zombieZombieZombie is a term used to denote an animated corpse brought back to life by mystical means such as witchcraft. The term is often figuratively applied to describe a hypnotized person bereft of consciousness and self-awareness, yet ambulant and able to respond to surrounding stimuli...
. He is depicted as having normal human-level intelligence, in contrast to other zombie characters in the Marvel universe.
The main antagonists are:
- Merlin, a powerful magician claiming to be the true Merlin.
- Tilesti of the Folk is a FaerieFairyA fairy is a type of mythical being or legendary creature, a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural or preternatural.Fairies resemble various beings of other mythologies, though even folklore that uses the term...
and Merlin's second-in-command
Supporting characters include:
- Bradley Beemer, Area 13's Tech Chief. Beemer is in charge of research and developmentResearch and developmentThe phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
. - GlobGlob (comics)Glob is the name of multiple fictional characters in the Marvel Comics universe.-Joseph "Joe" Timms:Glob is a fictional monster character from the Marvel Universe who first appeared in Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #121....
- Brother VoodooBrother VoodooBrother Voodoo is a fictional character, a supernatural superhero in the Marvel Universe. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Gene Colan, he first appears in Strange Tales #169...
- GroggGrogg (comics)Grogg is a fictional monster character from the Marvel Universe who first appeared in Strange Tales vol. 1 #83.-Fictional character biography:...
, along with pilot Buzz McMahon - GrootGrootGroot is a fictional character, an extraterrestrial in the and member of the Guardians of the Galaxy.-Publication history:Groot first appeared in Tales to Astonish vol...
- HellstormDaimon HellstromDaimon Hellstrom, also known as the Son of Satan and Hellstorm, is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe.-Publication history:He first appeared in Ghost Rider Daimon Hellstrom, also known as the Son of Satan and Hellstorm, is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics...
(Daimon Hellstrom) - LilithLilith (Marvel Comics)Lilith is the name of two fictional American comic book characters owned by Marvel Comics. Both characters exist in the Marvel Universe.The first of these two to appear was Lilith, the daughter of Dracula. Like her father, she is also a vampire, although her powers and weaknesses differ from most...
(Lilith Dracul)
Other characters include:
- Sasquatch, described in issue #2 as the actual folkloricFolkloreFolklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
SasquatchBigfootBigfoot, also known as sasquatch, is an ape-like cryptid that purportedly inhabits forests, mainly in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Bigfoot is usually described as a large, hairy, bipedal humanoid...
, and not specifically connected to the superhero SasquatchSasquatch (comics)Sasquatch is a fictional character, a superhero in Marvel Comics' universe. He first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #120 and was created by John Byrne.-Fictional character biography:Dr...
(Walter Langkowski) or to the race of Sasquatches revealed in the series Alpha FlightAlpha FlightAlpha Flight is a fictional superhero team published by Marvel Comics, noteworthy for being one of the few Canadian superhero teams. Created by John Byrne, the team first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #120 ....
vol. 2. - Abominable Snowman, similarly described in that issue as the actual folkloric Abominable Snowman, and not specifically connected to other Marvel characters named Abominable SnowmanAbominable Snowman (comics)Abominable Snowman is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe. His first appearance was in Tales to Astonish #13.-Fictional character biography:...
. - GoomGoomGoom is a fictional character, a comic book extraterrestrial from the Marvel Comics universe who first appeared in Tales of Suspense vol. 1 #15.-Fictional character biography:...
, a pre-existing monster from "pre-superhero Marvel", seen briefly at the beginning of issue #3. - DragoomDragoomDragoom is a fictional monster character who first appeared in Strange Tales vol.1 #76.-Fictional character biography:Dragoom is a denizen of the Vulcan race who escaped prison from his home world and came to Earth with the intent of conquering the planet...
, issue #6.
External links
- Review Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #1 at ComicCritique.com