Captain America (1) #153 (1972)
Writer: Steve Englehart
Penciler: Sal Bucema
Inker: Jim Mooney
Letterer: Jon Costa

A brawl between heroes and friends as Nick Fury takes on Captain America, for the love of the Countessa. After much macho posturing and fist-a-cuffs, Fury listens to reason and all is well.

• Continuity Notes
• Appearance by Sharon Carter and the Countessa
• Fury takes on Cap with a S.H.I.E.L.D. Action Suit, including a steel arm and a finger flame-thrower.
• Fury asked Captain America to join S.H.I.E.L.D. in issue #150.
• Fury cites his war record in World War II, the Korean War and the "Cold War".
• Reprinted in Essential Captain America 3

Review
A real low for Fury and other S.H.I.E.L.D. characters courtesy of Steve Englehart in this resolution of an ongoing storyline put into motion by Gerry Conway, but really has its roots in earlier issues penned by Gary Friedrich. Fury's jealous rage is added some dimension with a rant against Captain America stealing his glory with his celebrity and also being from his generation but still being a young man. All this could make sense, I suppose, but Fury has up till now and never again showcased such feelings and I think its a bit of a stretch to graft these artificial emotions on him suddenly. About the only thing that rings true is maybe Fury's annoyance that Captain America never officially joins S.H.I.E.L.D, but still what more does he want?.

The fight is ok and one can only imagine John Buscema took notes when he had to draw he Wolverine/Nick Fury fight in Bloody Choices. The whole deal with Val being jealous of Laura Brown and flirting with Cap is just plain silly. I am not amused by this issue.

Rating