Nick Fury

First Appearance: Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #1 (May 1963).
Appearances: Far too many to list here.
Years Active: 1941-present.

Nick Fury was the child of a Hell's Kitchen (NYC) couple. Fury grew up on the mean streets, during the Depression, but his path out of poverty was first via an airplane stunt show and then via the Army. Fury was at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 and ended up joining the Rangers, where he was given command of the "Howling Commandos," a specially trained group of soldiers. With the Commandos Fury took on some of the worst that the Axis had to offer, including the Red Skull, Baron Zemo, Baron von Strucker, and the Japanese Samurai Squad. Fury and the Commandos also teamed up with some of the best that the Allies had to offer, like Captain America (I), Captain Savage, and the Invaders.

At the end of the war Fury was given the Infinity Formula, which greatly slowed his aging process and gave him effective immortality. After the war ended Fury joined the OSS and then the CIA. During the Korean War Fury and the Howling Commandos went on a special mission together. After the Korean War ended Fury did work for the French government in Vietnam.

In 1963 Fury was contacted by SHIELD, which he has led, with the odd period off, ever since.

Useful Nick Fury Site

The Unofficial Nick Fury Home Page A really nice tribute site.