When Marvel announced Nick Fury vs. Fin Fang Foom #1, I think we all can agree the matchup was laughable at best. One of Marvel’s most powerful villains versus a human with no powers and an eyepatch? Yeah, that’ll go over well. Add in the fact that Nick Fury vs. Fin Fang Foom #1 is a period piece set before World War II, and one has to scratch their head. All that said, J. Michael Straczynski and Elena Casagrande have a compelling story on their hands, even if it’s a bit one note.
But let me explain: Nick Fury vs. Fin Fang Foom #1 has some interesting moments. Similar to past editions of this one-shot series, like Captain America & Volstagg, Straczynski adds a new layer to the title characters, building on their legacy. It’s also compelling to see Nick Fury before he joined the Howling Commandos and became the defender of the entire world.
Nick Fury vs. Fin Fang Foom #1 opens with Nick Fury doing death-defying stunts for an audience in 1940s England. He’s certainly skilled but also a man looking for his next buck. Enter a mysterious military type who needs help with a team that has gone missing in China. This leads to a reminder of the conflicts Japan and China had at the time, adding some historical context. The pulpy historical adventure element is strong with this one.
Look at the detail on that plane!
Credit: Marvel
Once on the mission, Fury eventually learns Fin Fang Foom is involved in missing soldiers, not the Chinese. This leads to some fantastical moments, adding some mind-bending moments and a character-influencing one for Fury. One can see how this story influences Fury going forward, which gives this story weight and purpose.
Possibly, the coolest aspect of this issue is Fin Fang Foom. That includes how he’s drawn, but also his dialogue. He’s an underutilized character at Marvel, maybe because he’s so overpowered, but it’s nice to see him get a moment. Casagrande does a fantastic job with the scale and detail of this giant dragon. He looks impressive and godly, which is part of the point in this story. Casagrande is also phenomenal at drawing old planes, with a level of detail that’s practically textbook.
Ultimately, though, this issue feels relatively simplistic in its purpose. It delivers an action-adventure but also has a singular purpose that feels a bit drawn out by overly verbose scenes. Straczynski nails the old-school vibe a Nick Fury comic can pull off, but a lot of that is window dressing rather than plot progress or all that interesting.
Nick Fury vs. Fin Fang Foom #1 is an enjoyable pulpy adventure that expands on Fury’s past and gives Fin Fang Foom a much-needed spotlight. While the setup may seem absurd, the creative team brings impressive visuals and historical intrigue, even if the story feels thin and overly talkative.
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