Nick Fury

Biodata

Background and History

Fury directs S.H.I.E.L.D. when Abomination attacks New York. With no suitable weapon to stop it, he faces pressure from the president while General Ross’s forces engage the creature. Ultraman’s sudden arrival changes the situation—and gives Fury a new subject to investigate 1. Surveillance footage later leads him to identify Richard Lee as Ultraman; Fury keeps that identity closely classified 27 33 94.

Fury approaches Richard for help with a hammer found in New Mexico, appointing him a paid special consultant. Their cooperation continues through the Frost Giant threat and later Space Beast incidents, although Richard resists Fury’s attempts to recruit him into the Avengers Initiative 68 95 105 184. When Richard raises concerns about experiments using Space Beast material, Fury investigates despite pressure to stop and gives him intelligence pointing to General Ross’s laboratory 152 155 156.

The Black Order captures Fury while pursuing the Cosmic Cube. He withstands interrogation, then escapes by pretending that their mind control has worked 216 218 222. He returns to coordinate Earth’s response when a Chitauri fleet appears above New York 223.

During the Skrull infiltration, Fury notices signs of a conspiracy and goes into hiding with trusted personnel. After the invasion fails, he resigns: S.H.I.E.L.D. has become too visible to serve as the covert defense he wants 593 606 613. Tony Stark succeeds him. Fury begins assembling a new force against external threats and buys an interstellar battleship from Richard for 100 billion 613 615 620. His forces later clash with Baron Strucker’s Hydra branch 648.

Appearance

Fury is bald, has one remaining eye, and wears an eyepatch over a scarred face 1 156.

• Typical clothing: A black leather coat or trench coat 31 156.
• Distinguishing feature: His single visible eye 1 33.

Personality

Fury is cautious with sensitive information but persistent once he identifies a threat. He keeps Richard’s Ultraman identity off S.H.I.E.L.D.’s servers and continues investigating Ross despite warnings from higher officials 155 180. He also uses funding negotiations to strengthen S.H.I.E.L.D., securing money for a cleanup he had already intended to carry out 164.

Skills and Resources

Intelligence and Operational Planning

• Uses surveillance enhancement and facial recognition to identify Richard as Ultraman 27.
• Restricts access to Richard’s identity, even among senior S.H.I.E.L.D. agents 94.
• Provides Richard with a self-destructing USB drive containing the location, personnel and blueprints of Ross’s secret laboratory 156.
• Identifies signs of Skrull infiltration and organizes trusted personnel while in hiding 593 606 613.

Crisis Leadership

• Coordinates with the president and military as the Chitauri invasion begins 223.
• Directs S.H.I.E.L.D.’s response to extraordinary threats, including Space Beasts 105 467.
• Continues building a defense force after resigning from S.H.I.E.L.D. 615 648.

Relationships

• Richard Lee / Ultraman — A recurring consultant and sometimes reluctant ally. Fury protects his identity, pays for his assistance and repeatedly seeks his expertise 68 94 184 209.
• Phil Coulson — A trusted agent whom Fury uses as a contact with Richard and considers for dangerous assignments 65 94.
• Maria Hill — Discusses the Avengers Initiative and the possibility of recruiting Richard with Fury 105 106.
• Alexander Pierce — Former superior and temporary replacement during Fury’s captivity; Pierce’s Hydra branch also works to rescue him 217 222.
• Tony Stark — Succeeds Fury as S.H.I.E.L.D. director after the Skrull invasion 613 615.
• Baron Strucker — Hydra adversary whose forces later fight Fury’s independent organization 648.

Notable Quotes

“When the military’s little schemes threaten global security, they become my responsibility.” 155

“For your own sake, you’d better not go looking for him. Even if you somehow find that person, you’ll only regret your recklessness.” 218