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Strange Tales #150-153 "Menace of the Overkill Horn!"
Writer: Stan Lee
Layouts: Jack Kirby
Penciler: John Buscema (150), Steranko (151-153)
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Letterer: Sam Rosen (150), Artie Simeck (151-153)

Despite suffering injuries from testing the latest super weapon, The Overkill Horn, Fury investigates the millionaire known as Don Caballero. At Caballero's reclusive Sahara resort, Fury discovers that HYDRA still thrives, now under the leadership of a mystery man assuming the guise of the Don. A captured Fury learns that HYDRA has its own scale version of the sonic weapon and intends to use it on a segment of the Earth's atomic stockpile. Fury escapes in a HYDRA jet with the Overkill Horn and crashes the plane into the ocean. Rescued by a S.H.I.E.L.D. submarine, he returns to the Sahara base in time to rescue a captured Laura Brown, but misses the Supreme Hydra.

  • Continuity Notes
  • Cover appearance; #151, 153
  • This story marks Steranko's first work on the character of Nick Fury
  • Appearances by Dum Dum, Gabe Jones, Jasper Sitwell, and Laura Brown
  • S.H.I.E.L.D. has a marine division with at least seven submarines
  • The new Supreme Hydra uses 2 identities; Don Caballero and Emir Ali-Bey. 
  • The former Supreme Hydra is now referred to as the Imperial Hydra by his daughter.
  • Reprinted in:
    • Nick Fury and His Agents of SHIELD #3-4
    • Nick Fury: Agent of SHIELD (TPB) 
    • Marvel Masterworks: Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Volume 1
    • S.H.I.E.L.D.: The Complete Collection Omnibus
    • S.H.I.E.L.D. by Lee & Kirby: The Complete Collection

Review
Fast-paced, gung-ho tale with more now-standard S.H.I.E.L.D. story trademarks however with a new direction for HYDRA. Having resolved the original HYDRA story, Stan Lee introduces a new ongoing mystery which would prove to be one of the best plot-twists in the annals of S.H.I.E.L.D. stories. Joining the list of exaggerated super weapons with silly names, the Overkill Horn stands as one of the better ones, although it looks different every time its presented.

Dum Dum shines nicely in showing his unwavering loyalty; while pragmatic Gabe proves yet again he is one of the most underrated supporting characters in the title (how come Nick never gave GABE the chance to be director?!) Jasper rises a few notches over resident nerd as temporary director in Fury's absence. The art, a synthesis of Kirby and Steranko/Buscema, is solid although not outstanding.

Rating: