*Marvel: When Nick Fury – formerly Sgt. Fury of the Howling Commandos – appeared as a post-World War Two guest-star in issues of Fantastic Four, it was evident that Marvel planned to do more with the character in a contemporary setting, and tapping into the 60s craze for super-spies, they set out to out-Bond Bond when Nick became the head of SHIELD, a brand-new global organization dedicated to overcoming terrorists and insurrection. Lee and Kirby layered the series with high-tech gobbledegook and technobabble, as well as a cast of vivid characters, some fellow-hangovers from Nick’s Army days, some created anew. SHIELD’s various iterations have been an integral backdrop of the Marvel Universe ever since, and this is where the whole thing began. Plus – Doctor Strange! Strange Tales #135 FN p £85. SORRY, THIS HAS NOW SOLD